Ovation Club E-Newsletter

- Courtesy of Ovation Corporate Travel September 24, 2008 In This Issue...
	OVATION'S EVP QUOTED ON FUTURE/TRENDS OF BUSINESS TRAVEL
	ALITALIA HOPES REVIVED
	BREAKING THE BOTTLED WATER HABIT
	OVATION CLUB E-NEWSLETTER WEEKLY SURVEY
	OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
	- TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER, Chicago
	- MGM GRAND, Detroit
	- ROCCO FORTE HOTEL SAVOY, Florence
	- ROCCO FORTE HOTEL DE RUSSIE, Rome

OVATION'S EVP QUOTED ON FUTURE/TRENDS OF BUSINESS TRAVEL
(source: Crain’s New York Business)

As the number of airline service cuts grows over the next couple of months, New York City’s connections to some 80 other cities will be severed or curtailed.

“The fall is going to be very rough for business travelers,” says Michael Steiner, executive vice president with Ovation Travel Group, a New York-based travel management firm.

Flight reductions have made it tough for time-starved Dawn Robertson, president of Sean John, to schedule multiple meetings on a business trip and get an evening flight home. “Before, you could fly into a city, fly out the same day and get a lot of work done. Now it’s a challenge to get all the appointments in.”

While price is not an obstacle for Ms. Robertson, even premium seats are being pinched by all the cutbacks and she has given up on shuttle service along the Boston-New York-Philadelphia corridor. “I would have never thought of taking the [Amtrak] Acela before,” Ms. Robertson says, “But it’s faster, easier and a lot less stressful.”

Veteran road warrior, Robert Bielsky, who owns Manhattan Commercial Realty Co., has noticed that in recent months his car-rental costs have been rising and not just because of high fuel prices. A recent Ovation Travel Group survey, for example, found that the average cost of renting a car for a day increased by 5% in the second quarter of 2008, compared with a year ago.

Executives have little choice but to adjust. As Bielsky puts it: “I still have to be where I have to be.”

ALITALIA HOPES REVIVED
(source: Reuters)

With the Thursday deadline looming for Alitalia to present a new rescue plan, or lose its operating license next week and see more than 19,000 workers laid off, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi cancelled a visit to the UN General Assembly in New York to attend to the crisis.

The Italian media reported revived interest from Lufthansa -- despite its repeated insistence that it was not interested in a direct acquisition unless Alitalia's problems were resolved -- and, unexpectedly, from Venezuelan airline Aserca.

Berlusconi returned to power in May promising to rescue the airline, which has not made a profit since 1999 and loses about 2 million Euros a day. Alitalia has stuck to flight schedules despite the prospect of being grounded. Many domestic travelers have little choice but to fly Alitalia, but it is also a source of national pride.

BREAKING THE BOTTLED WATER HABIT
(source: USA Today)

When traveling, having immediate access to water is essential. but it's becoming increasingly difficult to carry a water bottle. Many travelers put their water bottle in the airport trash before security screening only to purchase a new bottle at an airport concession upon exiting security.

The bottled water craze is creating a global environmental problem. Bottled water usage is rising, 6% annually in the U.S. alone. Besides toxicity and the recycling issues, manufacturing bottled water is extremely resource and energy intensive. Plastic water bottles are petroleum products and require 17 million barrels of oil to create our 28 billion water bottles. Travelers can ditch their plastic water bottles and purchase a reusable, toxin-free, metal water bottle.

The waste is enormous, but what can travelers do? At the airport, dispose of unused water before entering security and refill the same bottle at a drinking fountain on the other side. If every flier did the same, we could save a lot of bottles — and a bundle of money in the process.

OVATION CLUB E-NEWSLETTER WEEKLY SURVEY!

The Ovation Club E-Newsletter Weekly Survey gives you the opportunity to weigh in by voting your opinion on hot topics in business travel. You can also post comments online on the topic of the week.

Question of the Week: Do you feel it has become more difficult to find space to store carry-on items when traveling?

- Absolutely. No one wants to pay baggage fees and business travelers with small bags are paying the price.
-I don’t mind. Space is limited, but they always manage to fit everyone’s items.
-Not really. I haven’t noticed a difference in the availability of overhead space.
-I always check my baggage; this issue does not affect me.

To cast your vote go to: https://ovationtravel.com/enewssurvey/

OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER
401 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago

another hotel Soaring high above the Loop and North Michigan Avenue, the city's newest landmark is within walking distance to the best of Chicago, from the exclusive shops to the historic sites along the Riverwalk.

Custom furnishings, sweeping lake, river and city views, and all the comforts of home define each sophisticated guestroom and indulgent Spa room.

Sample a spectrum of flavors and take in the panoramic views in Sixteen.

Each guest receives their own Trump attaché, providing comprehensive business and personal services.

The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is $350 (compared to a corporate rate of $445).

OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
MGM GRAND
1777 Third Street
Detroit

another hotel Imagine a hotel that indulges all senses. A place where one feels welcomed, pampered and rejuvenated. The hotel one has been dreaming of has become a reality in Michigan. MGM Grand Detroit has the comfort one craves with the amenities your lifestyle demands.

MGM Grand Detroit is in the perfect downtown location. Near all major sporting and entertainment venues and just 20 minutes away from Detroit Metro Airport, MGM Grand Detroit is the center of entertainment.

The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at MGM Grand is $219 (compared to a corporate rate of $243).

OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
ROCCO FORTE HOTEL SAVOY
Piazza della Repubblica 7
Florence

another hotel 1. An early wake up
2. An expert Personal Trainer
3. Streets and monuments of Florence

3 essential ingredients to start a healthy day.

Every day (on request), starting from 7:00am for at least one hour, a personal trainer will take you on an incredible discovery of the town as you awake. You will go through some of the most famous and picturesque streets, passing by museums and works of art, either running or, no less effectively, walking.

The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy is £459 which includes an upgrade (subject to availability) and 2 complimentary drinks at L'Incontro Bar.

OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
ROCCO FORTE HOTEL DE RUSSIE
Via del Babuino 9
Rome

another hotel ART TRAINING IN THE ETERNAL CITY

Living the Exclusive Lifestyle at the Hotel de Russie

De Russie Wellness Zone, in the heart of Rome, is an exclusive oasis of beauty and well being dedicated to the complete care of the person, a “must” for all lovers of fitness, relaxation and beauty.

A new offer at the De Russie Wellness Zone for the discerning traveler is “Art Training”, a journey to health in the historical Rome, the most luxurious lifestyle choice for people who dream, awake and indulge:

“ART RUNNING”, a tourist route through the City with a Personal Trainer with two different choices:

GREEN RUNNING: through the enchanting Villa Borghese

MONUMENTAL RUNNING: through the historic center, view the most famous and beautiful artistic monuments in the World, from Piazza del Popolo, a few steps from the Hotel de Russie, Via Margutta, Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Fori Imperiali, Phanteon and Via del Corso

Rates for 1 Hour:

Individual Running: €100
Group Run (minimum of 2 people to a maximum of 6 people): € 80 p/p

“BIKE RUNNING”, a Personal Trainer will accompany the guests for a sport and art experience. The “ART BIKE” is a guided bicycle tour Saturday morning from 6.45am-7.45 am, which begins at the Hotel de Russie, through the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Castel S. Angelo and St. Peter’s Square.

Rates for 2 Hours:

Individual Course: €160
Group Course (minimum of 2 people to a maximum of 4 people): €80 p/p

Maps of the Art Running and Bike Running are available.

The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate is €405 including upgrade subject to availability and 2 complimentary drinks at the Stravinskij Bar.

__________________________________________________________________________

Ovation Corporate Travel
www.ovationtravel.com
info@ovationtravel.com
800.431.1112