Welcome to the July 2008 Issue of Travology Today

Directravel is a company with a deep respect for the environment. As the worldwide impact of carbon emissions becomes increasingly more apparent, we are turning our focus to solutions which our company can use to address this issue. Through meetings with our vendors and suppliers we are discussing ways in which we can reduce waste, pool resources and provide a joint effort to lessen our effect on the natural world.

As a company, we are committed to reducing our impact in the following ways:

• Advanced telephone systems
  • Allow our agents to work remotely, when necessary
  • Allow for greater flexibility in the event of a partial system outage
• Reduce paper usage and waste
  • 98% of our tickets are e-tickets
  • Reminder on all e-mails to only print if necessary
  • Electronic monthly newsletter
  • Request all suppliers send literature as a PDF document for electronic distribution
  • Print front and back of all paper when possible
• Energy reduction measures
  • Moved to all-in-one printers to reduce energy usage
  • Switched to energy efficient monitors and computers
  • Energy efficient lighting
• Recycling Program
• Non-smoking work environment

On a local level, associates are encouraged to car pool as well as use mass transit when possible, for both the daily commute and while at trade shows and meetings.

In addition, we support environmental causes through annual donations and gifts in kind as well as prefer to work with suppliers who share an environmentally-focused philosophy.

To help companies meet the rapidly growing demand to demonstrate social responsibility, the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the NBTA Foundation and the NBTA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee offered a preview of a new tool aimed at helping companies launch and effectively execute travel-related corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The tool will be unveiled at the NBTA International Convention & Exposition, July 27-30 in Los Angeles.

The new NBTA tool is designed to help travel managers meet the practical challenges associated with launching and measuring the success of travel-related CSR initiatives.

A recent NBTA survey of nearly 200 travel managers showed that 29 percent manage travel within the context of corporate CSR programs that include an environmental focus. Another 47 percent report at least a partial focus on the environmental impact of doing business. More than two-thirds (67 percent) indicate they have travel risk management programs in place, while 25 percent note partial initiatives.

"NBTA has gone beyond rhetoric to provide practical tools to help travel managers develop, measure and improve travel-related corporate social responsibility efforts on behalf of their companies," said NBTA President & CEO Kevin Maguire, CCTE. "The NBTA study shows that 29 percent of travel managers will help their companies implement or improve environmental initiatives covering travel within the next six months, and an additional 36 percent may do so. Similarly, 16 percent will, and 26 percent may, implement or advance travel risk management initiatives in that timeframe. These new CSR resources will give travel managers the tools they need to advance their companies’ goals and enhance their strategic positions within their organizations."

The 2008 NBTA CSR Toolkit offers users:

• An examination of CSR as it relates to travel management, including a five-step implementation plan.
• Detailed reference guides on calculating carbon emissions, managing travel demand, procuring sustainable travel services, offsetting travel-related emissions and incorporating duty of care into managed travel programs.
• Profiles of companies that have implemented responsible travel management initiatives.

The toolkit will be available on NBTA’s website: www.nbta.org.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced expanded deployment that will bring Advanced Technology X-ray (AT) and Passenger Imaging to 21 of the nation's busiest airports by the end of 2008. TSA also plans to purchase and deploy approximately 300 additional AT X-rays and 80 Passenger Imagers, bringing the total to 900 AT and 120 Passenger Imaging units nationwide in 2009.

"This major step up in technology coupled with our enhanced security training for our officers will elevate security across the board," said Kip Hawley, TSA administrator. "AT X-ray and Passenger Imaging technologies greatly enhance our ability to find small improvised explosive device (IED) components made of common items, which remain the greatest threat."

Passenger imaging technologies enable TSA to detect prohibited items including weapons, explosives and other metallic and non-metallic objects concealed under layers of clothing without physical contact. Advantages of AT X-ray include a greatly enhanced image with the ability to target novel threat items resulting in fewer bag checks and faster throughput, and the ability to upgrade the system with enhanced algorithms.

The following airports will receive new technology in the coming months: Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta, Newark, Boston, Indianapolis, New York LaGuardia, Tampa, San Juan and San Francisco.

Airports already operating new technologies include; Baltimore-Washington, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Dallas/Fort-Worth, Detroit, Miami, Ronald Reagan Washington National, New York John F. Kennedy, Washington-Dulles and Las Vegas.

TSA will also continue to deploy Bottled Liquid Scanners. This technology is used at the security checkpoint and by transportation security inspectors to ensure sealed containers do not contain hazardous liquids. TSA anticipates deploying up to 900 bottled liquid scanners to the nation's busiest airports by the end of 2009.

For more information on TSA, please visit www.tsa.gov.

Average domestic air fares in the first quarter of 2008 were up 4.4 percent from the first quarter of 2007 in the largest year-to-year increase since second quarter 2006, but average fares remained 4.6 percent below the January-to-March high set in 2001 the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that average fares increased 11.7 percent from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 2008 compared to a cumulative 41.0 percent inflation rate. First quarter 2008 fares increased 4.4 percent from the first quarter of 2007 compared to a 4.0 percent inflation rate.

Of the top 100 airports based on originating passengers, the highest first-quarter average fares were in Cincinnati; followed by Greenville/Spartanburg, SC; Madison, WI; Knoxville, TN; and Grand Rapids, MI. The lowest fares in the top 100 airports were at Atlantic City, NJ followed by Dallas Love, TX; Burbank, CA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Las Vegas.

The largest year-to-year average fare increase for the first quarter among the 100 largest airports, ranked by originating passengers, was 15.6 percent in Boston followed by Washington Dulles; Houston Bush; Washington Reagan National; and Chicago Midway.

The biggest year-to-year average decrease was 48.6 percent Atlantic City, NJ followed by Charleston, SC; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; San Francisco; and Atlanta.

For more information, click here.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it has cleared any impediments to further expansion of Registered Traveler (RT) business opportunities beyond the initial 20 airports. TSA determined that the current security threat assessment largely duplicates the watch list matching that is conducted on all travelers every time they fly. The other parts of the security threat assessment are not core elements in determining threats to aviation security and will no longer be required, and the government is eliminating the $28 fee.

The private sector working with the airports and airline passengers can best determine the RT business structure and the initiative needs very limited government involvement going forward. During the pilot, which concludes upon publication of a federal register notice early next week, all RT members were screened according to standard TSA procedures and this practice will continue.

"We have determined that Registered Traveler holds promise as a biometrically enhanced, private sector identity verification program," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "RT works best when tailored to the individual needs of each location, as determined by the airports and airlines that sponsor these programs and their local Federal Security Directors."

Identity verification is a key layer of aviation security. RT service providers will continue to be responsible for verifying the identity of their members. The government requires airlines to check each flight manifest against the selectee and no-fly watch lists to ensure that known terrorists do not fly.

There are currently approximately 135,000 active program participants at the 19 airports where the program operates. Current participants in the program should not see any change in their benefits for the immediate future. RT members will be able to use any service provider's card at any RT location for a minimum of 12 months. After this 12-month period, service providers will be responsible for negotiating arrangements for the reciprocal use of one another's cards.

For more information, click here.

The six major network carriers (American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways) announced their participation in a new, independently-owned company that will provide destination content and offers to their passengers via online and printed boarding passes obtained from the airline's online check-in process.

The new company, Sojern, Inc., will be the first to provide valuable information to airline passengers who utilize the airline's web check-in to get their boarding passes.

The launch of the new service began on July 15, 2008 with Delta Air Lines, and the first passengers to receive the content were those booked on flights to Las Vegas. Shortly after the initial launch, Delta will provide the service to all domestic destinations.

The other airline partners will roll-out the service to their domestic passengers later this year with specific timing reflective of their internal project priorities.

The airlines will continue to operate and develop their respective websites independently, including online check-in. Additional quality content will be provided directly on the boarding passes by Sojern using its patent-pending proprietary technology

Sojern will be the exclusive third-party provider of content on the airline's online boarding passes. The custom tailored content will help passengers plan by providing weather forecasts for the duration of their trip and by helping them locate cuisine choices that fit their budget and lifestyle. In addition, Sojern will provide timely content about events that are happening in destination cities across the nation and customized offers to passengers by working with a wide variety of advertisers who aspire to reach the quality demographics represented by airline passengers.

For a more detailed demo of the new boarding pass, please visit: www.sojern.com/demo.

American Way magazine, the award-winning inflight magazine of American Airlines, recently launched the 7th Annual American Way Road Warrior Contest. All it takes to be a contender is to visit www.americanwaymag.com/roadwarrior by Aug. 31, and fill out a simple survey, as well as complete a series of fun, but challenging, tasks set forth by the American Way editors. The top five Road Warrior finalists will be chosen by the American Way editorial staff and then American Way readers will determine the Grand Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize winners by voting online for their favorite contestant.…Continental Airlines, United Airlines and eight other Star Alliance member airlines today filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for Continental to join the group of nine carriers that already hold antitrust immunity. Approval by the DOT would enable Continental, United and the other immunized Star Alliance carriers to work closely together to deliver highly competitive flight schedules, fares and service. …Customers traveling on Delta Air Line’s domestic flights in First Class or unrestricted Economy Class to or from its hub at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport can enjoy complimentary US Helicopter Airport Shuttle Service for a limited time. This promotional offer is valid for tickets purchased through Aug. 29, 2008. Additional taxes/fees/restrictions apply. Complimentary US Helicopter service between JFK and Manhattan is available year-round to Delta BusinessElite customers…Northwest Airlines warned e-mail users that an e-mail containing phony ticket confirmation and enrollment information is being sent using the Company’s name. The e-mails are suspected of containing a virus that infects the user’s computer when they open attachments. The e-mail also contains spelling and grammatical errors… For the sixth straight month US Airways has ranked as one of the top three airlines in on-time performance (among the 10 largest U.S. carriers) according to results released today by the U.S. DOT. This includes three number one finishes in December, January and March.

in May '08 increased to 79.0%, up 5.5 points vs. the running 12 month average of 73.5% and up 1.3 points from April’s 77.7%. To view the USDOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Air Travel Consumer Report, click here.

The United States Government has posted recent travel advisories and warnings for Afghanistan, Algeria, Burma (Mynamar), Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Cote d’lvoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, East Timor, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Kenya, Lebanon, Nepal, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen.