A Expedia, Inc. anunciou hoje que firmou um acordo para adquirir a italiana Venere Net ApA (http://www.venere.com/) da Advent International e dos sócios fundadores. A Venere.com tem relações estabelecidas com aproximadamente 29.000 hotéis e propriedades de "bed & breakfast" (B&B) em toda a Europa e nos EUA. A transação resultará em um acréscimo de mais de 10.000 propriedades hoteleiras na Europa, Oriente Médio e África à rede global de hotéis da Expedia, Inc. Os termos da aquisição pendente não foram revelados. A concretização da transação está sujeita à aprovação dos órgãos de regulamentação de concorrência da Alemanha.

In a first-of-its-kind study by the internationally renowned J.D. Power and Associates, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino ranked highest in customer satisfaction in the 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study (SCIGC).

LAN Airlines expands the reach of its international network today by announcing new service to Santiago, Chile, from Toronto, Canada starting September 3rd, 2008. Once in Santiago, passengers have access to flights to multiple destinations within Chile and Argentina. The company will offer five flights per week to Santiago via New York City on its modern fleet of Boeing 767 aircraft.

Enriching its portfolio of wellness opportunities, Crystal Cruises is introducing onboard acupuncture, along with a menu of Chinese herbs revered for restoring and enhancing health, beauty and longevity. A menu of optional acupuncture treatments, launching this month on Crystal Serenity, focuses on weight loss, pain management, stress reduction, detoxification, smoking cessation, facial rejuvenation and even sea sickness.

Fleetwood Enterprises' RV Group, a leading producer of recreational vehicles, announced the launch of its Power Bridge Chassis(TM), a brand new diesel chassis platform, during the Family Motor Coach Association's (FMCA) summer rally in St. Paul, Minn. on Monday, July 14, 2008.

NYC & Company, New York City's marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is encouraging New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the City's arts and cultural offerings for purchasing some of the destination's most interesting and unusual items.

the state's open space, farms, woodlands, scenic corridors, vistas and historic places. About 500 acres of scenic and historic land will be protected each year through The Hermitage Hotel's new partnership with The Land Trust for Tennessee.

HTH Worldwide, a global health and safety services company, today announced that its TravelGap(R) health insurance for international travelers is now available for purchase in New York State. Because Medicare does not cover medical services delivered outside of the United States and private health plans often reduce coverage for services abroad, TravelGap is a must-have for most business, leisure, and student travelers. It often costs a fraction of an international trip and can provide up to $1,000,000 in sickness and accident coverage as well as $500,000 in medical evacuation benefits. Some TravelGap policies also eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for medical care.

bringing true door-to-door convenience to the aviation world.

For the candy lover who seeks the exclusive and personal travel experience Jelly Belly Candy Company in Fairfield, Calif., has announced the opening of a behind-the-scenes factory tour. The new tour guides visitors onto the floor of the factory for an up close and personal experience like no other. Limited to six participants, the Jelly Belly University Tour gives fans a real education on how the candy is made and lets them taste treats fresh off the line.

WABCO Holdings Inc. , a global technology leader for commercial vehicles, today announced new executive appointments to further strengthen the company's senior leadership team and secure WABCO's continued ability to pioneer technology innovation, demonstrate industry leadership and consistently outperform market growth in every region of the world.

MHI Hospitality Corporation announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share of common stock payable to shareholders of record on the close of business Monday, September 15, 2008. The dividend will be paid on Friday, October 10, 2008.

Virtuoso, the international network of luxury-oriented leisure travel agencies, has signed an agreement with Sentient Flight Group, Inc. ("Sentient"), one of the nation's leading full-service private aviation companies, bringing a new level of private jet services to Virtuoso member agencies and their discerning clientele. As the largest charter operator in the country, Sentient Flight Group's access to aircraft across the nation ensures that Virtuoso travel advisors will be able to match their clients to the right type of aircraft while requiring less advanced notice. With demand for personalized travel experiences continuing to soar, Virtuoso travelers seeking the flexibility and convenience that private aviation provides will find more choices in aircraft, pricing and availability as a result of this agreement.

Already considered the finest onboard enrichment programme in the industry, Cunard Line's intellectual pedigree will be further established this summer and autumn with a Cunard Insights line-up featuring history buffs, star gazers, bestselling authors and broadcast personalities aboard Queen Mary 2's celebrated Transatlantic voyages and aboard QE2's final Crossings. A special highlight will be the ships' October tandem Crossings and the inclusion of renowned maritime historians and experts lecturing aboard QE2 during these historic voyages. Insights lecturers on these Crossings include:

Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most sought-after destinations, releases its 2009 and Winter 2010 Sailing Atlas with artwork by award-winning New Zealand artist Sarah Wilkins. Highlights include a new Signature Collection Host Series, Venice roundtrip sailings and new ports of call in Rovinj, Croatia; L'lle Rousse, France; and Ischia, Italy.

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. , which has a long legacy of corporate giving in the communities it serves, announced it will donate a new, fully outfitted cargo van to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana during a celebration marking the rebranding of its East Chicago, Ind., property on Sunday, July 20. The donation will be followed by a free concert featuring music icon Lionel Richie. (Because of strong demand, all general admission tickets for the free concert have been distributed.)

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the summer outlook for air travel regarding congestion and delays.

The 9th Annual Quake on the Lake to benefit the Rainbow Connection returns to shake up summertime fun with a big boost from sponsor, neighbor and boating enthusiast Tom Szott of Szott M-59 Chrysler Jeep in White Lake Township.

the Travel Investment Forum provides an opportunity to maximize any growth potential.

On Thursday, July 17, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and its catering partner, Centerplate/NBSE, will host the largest-known banquet-style dinner in the history of conventions worldwide. The dinner is being held by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for 17,600 guests, a number that has continued to increase as the date approaches. AKA is the oldest Greek-letter organization founded by African-American college women and is meeting at the Convention Center through July 18 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of its founding.

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of travel industry veteran Claudio Zboznovits as Vice President of Sales & Marketing Director for the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Zboznovits joins Barcelo from The Mark Travel Corporation, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was Director of the Latin America Division. Mr. Zboznovits brings more than 27 years of travel industry experience.

Embraer has signed a new order with K2 SmartJets, of Greece, for two more Legacy 600 aircraft. The value of the deal, at list price, is US$ 53.86 million, based on January 2009 economic conditions, and the first delivery is scheduled for 2009.

Embraer and Royal Jet, the latter representing the Al Habtoor Group conglomerate, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signed a contract to purchase one Lineage 1000 executive jet, which will be operated for private use.

Tourism is up 40% in Southeast Oklahoma, primarily because North Texans are staying closer to home due to high gas prices.

Expedia, Inc. hoy anunció que ha celebrado un acuerdo para comprar a Advent International y sus socios fundadores la compañía con base en Italia, Venere Net ApA (http://www.venere.com/). Venere.com ha establecido relaciones con aproximadamente 29.000 hoteles y alojamientos estilo bed & breakfast por toda Europa y EE.UU. Con la operación, se agregarán a la oferta hotelera global de Expedia, Inc. más de 10.000 hoteles en Europa, Medio Oriente y África. No se han divulgado las condiciones de la adquisición pendiente. El cierre de la operación está sujeto a la aprobación en Alemania.

Expedia, Inc. hoy anunció que ha celebrado un acuerdo para comprar a Advent International y sus socios fundadores la compañía con base en Italia, Venere Net ApA (http://www.venere.com/). Venere.com ha establecido relaciones con aproximadamente 29.000 hoteles y alojamientos estilo bed & breakfast por toda Europa y EE.UU. Con la operación, se agregarán a la oferta hotelera global de Expedia, Inc. más de 10.000 hoteles en Europa, Medio Oriente y África. No se han divulgado las condiciones de la adquisición pendiente. El cierre de la operación está sujeto a la aprobación en Alemania.

The current, troubled state of the airline industry is nearly matched by the branding of major U.S. carriers, according to a study conducted by brand strategists at Stealing Share, a brand development and research firm.

Embraer and Austria's NIKI Luftfhart GmbH signed a contract for five EMBRAER 190 jets. The agreement was announced today at the 60th Farnborough Airshow, in England, and includes purchase rights for another five aircraft, which could be either the EMBRAER 190 or the EMBRAER 195. The total value of the deal comes to US$ 187.5 million, and could double, if all options are confirmed for the EMBRAER 190. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2009.

Sheltered at the foot of Sleeping Lion Mountain, the route of the stagecoach is once again alive with prospectors, pioneers heading west, cowboys, mail carriers, and soldiers. Fort Davis, Texas, is one of many communities from Missouri to California celebrating its place on the Butterfield Overland Mail route this year. Stagecoaches began the first transcontinental mail delivery in 1858, along torturous routes through seas of towering prairie grass, parched desert, and across rocky mountain trails.

VRX Worldwide Inc. (TSX-V:VRW) and Loews Hotels, Inc. announced today they have signed a three and half year agreement appointing VRX Studios Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of VRX Worldwide, the Official Provider of Rich Media Content services for Loews Hotels.

Boeing and Arik Air today announced an order for an additional seven Next-Generation 737s at the Farnborough Airshow. The airline ordered 10 Next-Generation 737s in September 2007 and now has a total of 17 Next-Generation 737s on order. Arik Air currently operates six 737-700s. Today's order has been attributed on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web site to an unidentified customer.

WSI Corporation (http://www.wsi.com/) today announced the release of WSI InFlight(R) Version 4.1, the latest version of WSI InFlight software designed to enhance and simplify the user experience in the cockpit while offering even more weather data. All functionality is now available within a single window featuring standard controls for zooming and panning as well as a more elegant handling of looping functionality. Controls for displaying weather information types have been simplified and time and altitude 'sliders' are now available allowing users to easily select past, present and forecasted conditions at various altitudes. "With the release of 4.1 we have dramatically improved the user experience over our previous versions," stated Paul Devlin, Product Manager of Business Aviation. "These improvements are a direct result of customer input."

Reading Rainbow and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson today announced the national winners of the Reading Rainbow 14th Annual Young Writers & Illustrators Contest. Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM) is a presenting sponsor of the program and Steve Mogck, executive vice president of Franchise Operations for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, parent company of Country Inns, served on the judging panel, which met in June in Washington D.C. to determine the 12 national winners.

Embraer signed a contract with Aeromexico to incorporate 12 EMBRAER 190 jets into its fleet as part of the airline's modernization plan. The new aircraft will be flown by its Aeromexico Connect subsidiary, which already operates 28 ERJ 145 jets, and has taken operating leases on four EMBRAER 190 jets from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), since November 2007. This operation is already included in Embraer's 2008 second quarter firm order backlog.