TravelLeisureNews

December 30, 2008– With the introduction of the 2009 All Access Pass, a new concept for theme park annual passes, Universal Studios Hollywood will roll out a red carpet for repeat visitors, providing an unprecedented array of perks, privileges and discounts for just $5.00 more than the price of a single-day admission.

The 2009 All Access Pass will offer unrestricted 365-day “no black-out date” park access, a dedicated VIP “hassle-free” express front gate entrance, Backlot Studio Tour priority boarding privileges for most of the year, plus an array of discounts on all food and merchandise purchases at the theme park and $12 off the purchase of guest tickets.

“More than ever before, we know our guests are searching for good value as they make their entertainment choices. We’ve created the new 2009 All Access Pass for local residents to balance attractive pricing with an abundance of appealing benefits, packaged together for the first time,” said Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood. Read more

December 10, 2008 -- Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is offering houseboaters the best boats at the best prices – even during the summer – by booking their vacation early. In addition to early savings, the 2009 season marks the first time that spring prices will last into mid-June, allowing families and friends who want to book early great savings even into peak season.

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas’ Early Bird package* offers extra incentive with three “book by” dates:

• Book by Dec. 17, 2008 - receive up to 35 percent off all houseboat rentals
  
• Book by Feb. 17, 2009 - receive up to 25 percent off all houseboat rentals
  
• Book by April 17, 2009 - receive up to 20 percent off all houseboat rentals
  

*Blackout dates from all discounts: July 17 – August 17, 2009

This year, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas’ Early Bird special is valid on all Voyager, Navigator, Adventurer and Discovery XL class houseboats. Plus, all Early Bird bookers enjoy up to 50 percent off powerboat rentals and get first dibs on the inventory. Read more

December 5, 2008 – VacationRoost.com, the most comprehensive online marketplace for professionally managed vacation rental properties, just announced its new VacationRoost Deal Finder page. This section will help travelers save money on trusted vacation rentals from more than 100,000 rental properties in 84 of the most popular vacation destinations across the Rockies, Eastern beach markets, Caribbean and Mexico.

With more than 850 travel deals available this winter, VacationRoost.com has set a new company record for the number of deals offered at one time. For example, in Breckenridge, a thriving family-friendly ski destination, VacationRoost.com has more than 300 deals available with “free nights” included. Since the average stay of most ski trips is four nights, travelers who book a three night stay will get the fourth night completely free. This type of offer is ideal for travelers who want to save money without altering their desired length of stay. Read more

November 13, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Expedia just announced some good news for the approximately 32 million U.S. travelers planning to fly this holiday season(1) -- book your holiday flight with Expedia and receive $200 toward a vacation in 2009. Whether the annual pilgrimage home for the holidays is their favorite vacation of the year, or it reminds travelers how much they actually need a vacation, Expedia has launched its Holiday Kickback promotion to help make the holidays a little merrier.

The Expedia Holiday Kickback, which is available to travelers booking and flying round-trip within the U.S. prior to January 3, 2009, includes a $200 coupon to use on a flight and hotel stay of five or more nights between January 3, 2009 and March 30, 2009. To redeem coupon, travel must be booked before March 25, 2009. Read more

November 5, 2008 – Despite the current state of economic turmoil, the U.S. dollar is gaining strength against some currencies and causing more Americans to express interest in booking trips abroad. International travel site, vayama.com makes it easier for travelers to take advantage of the stronger dollar by offering low fares to places like Brazil, Chile, Australia, Turkey, Argentina and India where local currencies have recently plummeted.

For example, the Brazilian real has fallen almost 30 percent against the U.S. dollar in the past three months. In October, the Indian rupee dropped to an all-time low against the greenback, and the dollar strengthened against the Chilean peso, hitting a multi-year high. Read more

October 2008 – Sterling Resorts is offering guests who stay at its luxurious resorts in Panama City Beach, Fla. the opportunity to have their family reunion memories professionally preserved for generations to come.

Guests staying a minimum of three nights between now and November 30, 2008 are eligible to book Sterling’s Family Reunion Photo package. To receive the photo package, travelers must book a new reservation. The Sterling Family Reunion Photo package consists of a professional portrait session on the beach and provides the family with one 8 x 10 photo. In order to secure this opportunity, interested families should call 1-866-5RESORT soon due to limited portrait session availability. Read more

October 2008 – The Westin New York at Times Square has partnered with Macy’s Herald Square to create a special incentive for shopaholics flocking to New York City this gift-giving season. Guests looking to whittle down their gift list during their stay can take advantage of the hotel’s Holiday Shopping offer including a $50 gift card and 11% coupon for Macy's Herald Square. Starting at $425 per room, per night, valid November 20–25 and December 14–25, 2008, travelers will enjoy accommodations in a newly renovated guestroom featuring a signature Westin Heavenly Bed , the perfect place to get a good night’s sleep after a marathon shopping spree.*

The Westin New York at Times Square is just a ten minute walk from the famed department store. The ten-floor mega retailer carries virtually everything on anyone’s wish list, from clothing and cosmetics to stocking stuffers and stereos. The gift card and coupon can be used on nearly everything so travelers can pick up anything from a special holiday gift to an extra piece of luggage to take home all of their Big Apple purchases. Read more

October 2008 – People seeking to upgrade their vacation with a private home versus a cramped hotel room can now rejoice. Addressing travelers’ needs for a single Web site to search, shop and book vacation rental properties, VacationRoost.com (www.vacationroost.com) just launched publicly as the most comprehensive online marketplace of professionally managed vacation rental homes, condos and villas across North America.

The new VacationRoost.com helps travelers find the perfect rental based on their specific needs and budget, whether it’s a posh vacation home on the slopes or a family-friendly beach hideaway. The site currently offers more than 100,000 rental properties in 84 of the most popular vacation destinations across the western Rockies, Eastern beach markets, Caribbean and Mexico, with more properties and destinations being added weekly. VacationRoost.com’s rental inventory includes private homes, luxury villas, sophisticated condos, cozy cottages and more. Read more

October 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines will soon introduce priority security lane access for its Business Select and Rapid Reward A-List Customers at select airports. Later this month, the airline will implement the lanes branded "Fly By" at the following locations: Baltimore/Washington International, Dallas Love Field, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Orange County John Wayne, Denver International, San Francisco International, and Los Angeles International. Southwest plans to add additional airports to the Fly By rollout starting in November 2008, continuing to implement the priority security lane program throughout its system on an airport by airport basis. Please visit www.blogsouthwest.com for additional Fly By information or to leave a comment.

"We believe that our Customers will appreciate the added benefit priority security lanes will provide," said Kevin Krone Vice President Marketing, Sales and Distribution. "Expediting passengers through security is just one example of how Southwest is enhancing the Customer experience by offering added convenience for seasoned travelers." Read more

September 30, 2008 -- The Wii experience is just beginning for Marriott and Renaissance guests, who can now choose from 20 games, including the popular Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, and Wii Sports as well as the revolutionary fitness game, Wii Fit. In a lodging industry first, Marriott International, Inc. is piloting a new specially built Wii hotel game system from Nintendo in select guest rooms and lounges. Wii systems are available at six Marriott and Renaissance properties:

• New York Marriott Marquis
  
• Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square
  
• Boston Marriott Cambridge
• Bethesda (Md.) Marriott Suites
  
• Annapolis (Md.) Marriott Waterfront
  
• JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix (Lounge only)
  

 Wii has been a hit with every age group. The intuitive, motion-sensitive controls of the Wii Remote controller make the games easy to play, whether alone or in groups, making it an excellent fit for hotels and their guests. With Wii Fit, guests can even burn calories while having fun, all in the comfort of their hotel rooms. The new Wii hotel game system allows hotel guests to select from a library of games without inserting game discs. With the intuitive games menu, guests can just point the Wii Remote at a game and begin playing immediately. Popular new Wii games will be added to the menu as they become available. Read more