GLG News by Cruise Line Experts: Travel Industry Consultants

Christopher DanePresident-HRG Afilliates, LLCHOGG ROBINSON GROUP P L C

Hotels RevPar decline - It is more than just the economy coming out of recession

July 20, 2009

Analysis of:Reservations Mount Over Hotel Stocks | www.businessweek.com

While the economy plays a significant role in hotel RevPar results, their is much more to it than just that. "Events and Meetings Management" (EMM)-still no signs of life. Corporate travel budgets are typically built in the fall for following calendar year-so no growth until next year at the absolute earliest...MAYBE! If you have a decline in air service you are going to have a decline in RevPar...it is that simple...and the hotels should have seen it when airlines first announced those cuts.

Christopher DanePresident-HRG Afilliates, LLCHOGG ROBINSON GROUP P L C

Cuba is not the "end all, be all" for the cruise industry

July 20, 2009

Analysis of:Cruise companies rise on sector's surge, U.S.-Cuba talks | www.reuters.com

1. Cuba will create a boom for the cruise industry....not really.2. If passed if will be several years before implemented.3. Cuba needs a lot of infrastructure work to support this potential move.4. Benefits other than cruise lines...entire Cuban economy, local hotels and building industry will have the biggest positive impact...could also lead to the demise of Castro and socialism.

Christopher DanePresident-HRG Afilliates, LLCHOGG ROBINSON GROUP P L C

Top Ten reasons to use a travel agent

June 25, 2009

Analysis of:Why Use A Travel Agent? | www.travelagentcentral.com

A David Letterman, tongue in cheek approach at why "use a travel agency".  Hopefully you wail see both the humor and the "deeper meaning" As travel becomes more "unbundled" it becomes more complicated (read: fees for everything...including checking in, using the lavatory on airplanes, a "resort fee" for a resort hotel etc.)  It is only going to get worse...so let someone else sort through it for me (and you)!

Christopher DanePresident-HRG Afilliates, LLCHOGG ROBINSON GROUP P L C

If it did not work before in better economic times, what makes you think in will work now?

June 8, 2009

Analysis of:Jet America Airlines to fly for 9 dollars | www.freshnews.in

This model will fail...again. Cannot believe someone would invest in the person (Weikle) that started Skybus... a company that failed within months of startup.  At least Donald Burr and Freddie Laker enjoyed years of success before going out of business This is not another Allegiant model...unfortunately...if it were and done by someone else...it just  might make it. 

Christopher DanePresident-HRG Afilliates, LLCHOGG ROBINSON GROUP P L C

AF-KLM eyes CSA and now purchased 25% interest in Alitalia

March 26, 2009

Analysis of:Air France-KLM eyes CSA, crisis ongoing | www.reuters.com

AF-KLM seems to have taken their eye off of the core AF/KLM airline. There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to economies of scale and they have reach that point! EU may take a greater interest should their be anymore consolidations. This assumes that Iberia remains a separate entity or does something with BA. Lufthansa done a better job of acquisitions, investments and starting new business and seems to be more strategic in their approach.

Christopher DanePresident-HRG Afilliates, LLCHOGG ROBINSON GROUP P L C

BA/IB Merger talks has 2 Opportunities to Collapse

February 2, 2009

Analysis of:British Airways-Iberia merger talks on the rocks | www.reuters.com

 1. BA stock price at 133 pence and potentially can go lower could call off the talks. 2. AA/BA antitrust immunity request could likewise kill the deal.

Chicke FitzgeraldChief Executive OfficerSolutionz Group International, Inc.

We need to better understand the entire automotive industry ecosystem

January 12, 2009

Analysis of:U.S. Drivers Keep Autos Longer, Shun Showrooms on Job-Loss Risk | www.bloomberg.com

I was on the phone the other day with a colleague from Freescale and I was frankly surprised to hear that the decline that they are seeing in their production/demand is due to the automotive meltdown.  Because I'm only peripherally involved in the industry (through GPS and indash infotainment), I really didn't think through that car manufacturers were a primary consumer of semi-conductors. 

Chicke FitzgeraldChief Executive OfficerSolutionz Group International, Inc.

As oil continues its decline, can it prop up the travel industry's slumping profitability picture?

January 12, 2009

Analysis of:Oil Prices Hit $86 a Barrell | www.msnbc.msn.com

Jet fuel is one of the top 3 cost items for airlines. Since the summer of 2008, the price of oil has declined from $140 barrel to under $40 a barrel today.  This should be very good news for investors in airline stocks, as it should directly flow to the bottom line if airline ticket prices hold steady. Likewise, cruise lines' profitability is closely tied to this volatile commodity and the major players in the cruise industry could benefit from the continued decline in pricing. But right now, what we face is a need to stimulate travel, which is normally done through price reductions.  Will these suppliers pass on the cost reductions to consumers?

Chicke FitzgeraldChief Executive OfficerSolutionz Group International, Inc.

The travel ecosystem is shifting, beginning with the GDSs and online players

January 8, 2009

Analysis of:Expedia Vet Takes Orbitz Helm, Sabre Vet Takes Travelocity Wheel | www.btnonline.com

Both Orbitz and Travelocity this week announced new leaders at the helm.  Both have cut costs substantially due to reduced revenues and profitability.  Orbitz now has a technology savvy, operationally capable, marketing focused executive who is talking already about social media, which implies new models afoot for the OTA.  Orbitz had been outpaced by Expedia and Travelocity in the advertising model/social media capabilities, but does it really help them to do a "me too" offering to match Trip Advisor and iGoUGo? Just weeks ago, Amadeus founding CEO Jose Tazon stepped down in favor of his number two, David Jones, who had been the de facto day to day leader for some time, as Jose managed board and investor relationships with their private equity owners, BC and Cinven. Sabre puts its own COO at the helm of Travelocity, not replacing him in the Sabre organization, but instead splitting his job amongst his peers.  Is it time to go from 3 GDS companies down to two? 

Chicke FitzgeraldChief Executive OfficerSolutionz Group International, Inc.

The lines of travel distribution are blurring

December 30, 2008

Analysis of:New Report Evaluates Trends in Online Travel Market | www.travelagentcentral.com

The PhoCusWright report that spawned this article reports that the online travel distribution market has shifted to 61% being sold via supplier sites (otherwise known as consumer direct) and 39% is sold via online travel agents. Suppliers are trying to wring more dollars out of frequent, loyal bookers, which means increased focus on personalization, loyalty and community. OTAs, by comparison, are trying to wring any dollars out of their mass of unconverted lookers, as the almighty transaction gives ground to eyeballs and emerging advertising-based lines of business.

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