TravelLeisureNews

'Bookmark' Promotion Features Tips From Jeff Zbar (a.k.a. Chief Home Officer.com) in 2 million Copies of TIME, Fortune and Money Magazines, and Time Inc. Websites

October 26, 2009 – Home office, telework and road warrior technology tips from leading home-business and work-at-home expert Jeff Zbar of ChiefHomeOfficer.com will be featured in more than two million copies of TIME, Fortune and Money magazines and Time Inc. websites beginning this week.

In a unique promotional campaign for Marriott International Inc.'s Residence Inn brand, Zbar provides two dozen tips on remote work strategies, "cloud" computing and online security. The tips are presented on "bookmarks" bound into the magazines and linked to from the websites. Read more

Southwest Airlines and The St. Joe Company Enter Into Strategic Alliance to Land Jet Service at Region's Newest Airport; Carrier Plans Start-Up to Multiple Destinations in May 2010

October 21, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. today announces its intent to begin jet service from Northwest Florida's new international airport near Panama City, Florida in May 2010. The planned service is made possible through a strategic alliance agreement developed between Southwest and The St. Joe Company, one of Florida's largest landowners and real estate developers. The new airport will introduce daily jet service to the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, providing Southwest Customers easy access to its stunning white-sand beaches and vibrant communities. For more information on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, please visit www.thebeachfla.com.

Southwest has not released specific service details, saying only that it will add at least two daily nonstop flights from Northwest Florida to four destinations across its 68 airport network for a total of eight daily nonstop flights when it begins service next year. Northwest Florida will be the first international airport to open in the nation in more than a decade. The new international airport is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in May 2010. Specific details on Southwest's fares and schedule will be available in December 2009. Read more

July 2009 – Want to hit the road – but don't think you can leave the job behind? Then take it along for the ride.

This summer, the "anywhere" office comes to life as Home Office Highway '09 reveals the technology, tools and strategies that make taking a vacation a guilt-free and productive adventure.

The two-week road show and social media event will bring "location independence" to the open road in a recreational vehicle equipped with the latest small office technology. Hosted and produced by technology, telework and home office columnist expert Jeff Zbar, the tour will take his family throughout the American South, visiting small towns and popular tourist destinations – and revealing just how productive a traveling family can be."In today's economy, many entrepreneurs and employees feel it's the wrong time to take a break," said Zbar, who will chronicle the adventure each day in blogs and videologues at HomeOfficeHighway.com. The trip will culminate in a presentation at Orlando's Disney Entrepreneur Center.Read more

June 1, 2009 – Enter the REAL. FUN. BEACH. Contest for a chance to win cash and prizes that include a vacation to Panama City Beach in Northwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico.

This summer, Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau is holding a contest and giving each winner $10,000 in cash and prizes, including customized beach vacations. There will be five winners in all for a grand total of $50,000 worth of prizes.

From Memorial Day, May 25, through July 31, 2009, you can enter this competition for a personalized vacation package to this destination known for family attractions, award-winning cuisine and 27 miles of sugar-white-sand beaches and emerald green waters. Every package includes a five-night stay in plush, waterfront accommodations, plus customized vacation experiences, cash prizes and more.Read more

May 2009 /PRNewswire/ - Beach lovers can celebrate the official beginning of summer at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, where families and friends come together each year to celebrate Memorial Day. Sandestin is hosting a great line up of Memorial Day free events. Join the fun at The Village of Baytowne Wharf beginning Friday, May 23 through Memorial Day, Monday May 26.

• On Saturday and Sunday, children can cool off on the Roaring River Slide in the Village from 10 am to 8 p.m.
• At 6 p.m. each evening, bring the kids for crafts and sandcastle building until 9.
• On Friday, bring a blanket and come out and watch the movie "Hannah Montana" under the stars, where 3-D glasses will be provided.
• Additional events include live music on Friday and Saturday from Coconut Radio, a three piece acoustic group.
• On Saturday, listen to a Pops concert 8 p.m. in cooperation with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Guild.
• On Sunday, don't miss the annual Memorial Day Weekend Fireworks extravaganza at 9:15 p.m.
• The extended weekend concludes on Monday at 2:30 p.m. with a 30-minute program to salute veterans.

April 7, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbitz.com today announced the "Fly Fee Free" promotion, removing booking fees* on flights booked on or before May 31, 2009. Together with Price Assurance, the "Fly Fee Free" promotion clearly establishes Orbitz as the best place for consumers to book their flight online.

Orbitz led the industry with the launch of Price Assurance in June of 2008. Price Assurance guarantees that customers will get the best Orbitz price for their flights. It's really quite simple: you book a flight on Orbitz, another Orbitz customer subsequently books the same ticket at a lower published fare, Orbitz automatically sends you a check for the difference, from $5 up to a maximum of $250 per traveler. Price Assurance is a permanent offering - the only one of its kind in the industry - and it's completely automatic.

"At Orbitz we are committed to providing the absolute best value to travelers," said Barney Harford, president and CEO of Orbitz Worldwide. "We've been sending out thousands of checks a month since the launch of Price Assurance, and now with the introduction of our 'Fly Fee Free' promotion there has never been a better time to buy at Orbitz."Read more

March 30, 2009 – Most travelers dream about it – the perfect vacation getaway with no bosses, no kids, and no distractions to foil travel plans. According to the Travel Industry Association (TIA), nearly one-quarter of U.S. travelers, or 34.8 million U.S. adults, have taken a vacation by themselves in the past three years. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is offering a unique package to pamper the solo traveler, providing VIP access to the city's finest attractions, including a two-night stay in the renowned Gaslamp Quarter, a rejuvenating trip to Rock Spa, and a ticket to all of what historic Balboa Park has to offer.

In an effort to create the perfect escape for solo travelers, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is offering guests a unique two-day package that will offer VIP access to the very best of San Diego with a stay in the heart of the downtown Gaslamp Quarter and access to cultural exhibits and museums at beautiful Balboa Park. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego's Flyin' Solo package, priced starting at $528 for studio rooms and $608 for Hard Rock Suite accommodations, includes a $100 spa credit at the hotel's full-service Rock Spa, a $30 dining credit towards breakfast at casually-hip Maryjane's Coffee Shop, and admission to attractions at America’s largest urban cultural park with a Balboa Park Passport. Read more

March 23, 2009 -- Travelocity today announced the launch of the Travelocity Community Toolbar, powered by Conduit, a leading provider of Website syndication solutions. In an economic environment where saving money has never been more important, Travelocity will provide special promo codes and deals via the community toolbar.

"This community toolbar is an easy way for travelers to get the most up-to-date information on the best vacation packages and the lowest prices," said Victoria Treyger, chief marketing officer, Travelocity. "Using the Conduit platform, we have built a dynamic toolbar that is constantly updated to make saving money easier and more accessible to travel bargain hunters."

Travelers can obtain driving directions, language translations, currency conversion, flight status and travel support from Travelocity customer service directly from the toolbar. Read more

February 9, 2009 -- sonoro audio, German designer and engineer of distinctive, high-quality audio products, announced today a partnership with the Starwood Hotel and Resort chain to include their elements AM / FM radios in W hotel guest rooms to be built throughout the world in the next three years.

The expertly-designed elements audio solution provides cutting-edge, award-winning style with an acrylic front panel in a sleek black high-gloss finish that will accentuate W's plush hotel environment. A glowing LED-illuminated, brushed-metal ring offers simple, modern control of tuning and volume. Each product is equipped with a handcrafted curved-corner, all-wood encasing that houses sonoro's 360o Sound Technology. This technology combines a bass reflex tube and full-range, upward- facing speaker that blends right and left channel audio into full stereo sound for optimal acoustics. Read more

February 2, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today, Courtyard is giving customers an extra perk when they book a weekend stay. Participating Courtyard hotels in the United States are offering weekend guests a $20 Target GiftCard good at more than 1,600 stores nationwide and at Target.com.

To receive a Target GiftCard, guests must stay between February 5 and April 6, 2009. All stays must be booked between February 2 and February 23, 2009 and include a Friday or Saturday night. When booking, use the promotional code YB3.

"Target is a great fit with our brand and this is a win-win for both companies and the customer," said Brian King, vice president and global brand manager, Courtyard by Marriott. "We share many of the same customers who look for excellent service, great products and value with a sense of style." Read more