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Posted Mar 4, 2010
When I asked TripIt execs last summer what kind of volume discounts their travel management company partners can offer clients on the Pro version of the company's itinerary solution, they didn't say. But according to Salt Lake City-based TMC Christopherson Andavo's blog: "We can get you a huge discount on your TripIt Pro annual rate (huge = almost half off)." The hottest tech story in corporate travel right now is the race to one-up traditional emailed itineraries with robust, interactive applications, and investors have taken notice with a fresh $7 million of investment in TripIt, announced Thursday.
Posted Feb 10, 2010
Posted Jan 27, 2010
An industry legend has departed one last time, as reported here by Terry Maxon of the Dallas Morning News. I never knew Max but certainly understand his influence. You're encouraged to post your thoughts...
Posted Jan 22, 2010
UAL Corp. chairman and CEO Glenn Tilton spoke at the airline industry's Wings Club in New York Thursday, and focused his prepared comments on familiar topics: taxes are excessive, infrastructure is inadequate, regulation is outdated and industry behavior is dysfunctional. He talked about possible industry consolidation, but was reluctant to answer analysts' and reporters' questions about the JAL saga beyond saying he hopes it continues to be a distraction for his two primary competitors. Tilton also answered a few questions of mine on corporate accounts and information technology.
Posted Jan 15, 2010
I had some fun last week in a column with a faux New Year's resolution to get One Equity Partners' Greg O'Hara to participate in an interview. His company had declined that opportunity multiple times, I noted, which was too bad since he holds seats on the boards of several of The Beat's focus companies: Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Rearden Commerce, Travel Leaders Group and Travelport. Guess what? I saw Greg two days later at the Tzellebration (Travel Leaders) holiday party. After introducing me to some colleagues and noting that the column was fun for him too, Greg said that while he could not do an an interview, he could pen a guest column. So here's how you can help.

Posted Jan 13, 2010
The Interactive Travel Services Association commissioned PhoCusWright to produce a paper outlining the "role and influence" of the global distribution systems. You can get it here. For most industry participants, the paper will contain little new information. It looks more like a primer that GDS companies reportedly planning to go public can hand out to potential investors and analysts. If I can be permitted to stereotype, the GDS role is as familiar to such folks as is the dark side of the moon (not the album). ITSA executive director Art Sackler declined to answer my question on whether the paper's timing is related to IPOs, but nevertheless, I have to agree with him that such a paper "was long past due."
Posted Dec 3, 2009
National Business Travel Association leaders went with an industry insider when they hired their executive director this summer. By next April, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives should have its own new head of staff after taking applications this month and conducting interviews in the new year. It could be eventful.
Posted Oct 16, 2009
TTG reported here last week that British travel management company execs were headed to Atlanta for "showdown" talks with Delta over discounts apparently available on its Web site which are not provided through global distribution systems. GDS firms "are all supposed to have signed full-content agreements with Delta, meaning agents should always have access to the cheapest tickets," the publication reported. Here's Delta's explanation…
Posted Oct 14, 2009
TripWare, whose Microsoft Outlook-based booking tool we spotlighted in The Beat in August, may have put a foot in its mouth with this press release which stated that the company has "a clear advantage" over online travel agencies because it offers Southwest Airlines. Well, no it doesn't. At least, that's what Southwest corporate sales and distribution director Rob Brown suggested when I talked to him last week ...
Posted Oct 5, 2009
TRX Inc. today began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market after the Nasdaq Global Market delisted the company for failing to maintain required shareholders' equity of $10 million. Nasdaq also informed TRX last month that it no longer satisfied the requirement that it maintain a share price of at least $1--which applies to both the Capital and Global markets. As a result, TRX has until March 29 to achieve a $1 share price for a span of ten consecutive days to regain compliance with Nasdaq rules. The last time TRX shares did that was more than a year ago. TRX on Thursday announced that it raised by 10 percent its expectations for adjusted 2009 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, to $5.5 million.
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