The Hawaii Tourism Authority just launched a new business information Web site, www.hawaiiworks.com, that the state’s hospitality industry hopes will help promote it as a business and meetings destination. It provides information about meetings, conventions, and business development in the islands, including emerging industries like biotechnology and medical research.

HTA’s Marketing Director Frank Haas, who spearheaded the project, explained in a press release, “Hawaii has traditionally been a leisure destination and, consequently, has a very strong leisure travel brand. To this extent, many people are unaware of the significant business activity that takes place here, including important meetings and conventions attended by executives from as close as California through the rest of the Mainland U.S. to other countries in Asia and Europe.”

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With apologies to Aretha, the Spring 2004 Online Customer Respect Study of 36 airline, travel and leisure firms found that when it comes to respecting the customer in the online environment, some of our faves just aren’t cutting it.

On a scale of 1 to 10, here’s how they shaped up, according to a press release from The Customer Respect Group, which conducted the study:
Hotel/Resort Name Overall
Marriott International, Inc. 7.8
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts 6.9
Starwood Hotels & Resorts 6.4
Radisson Hotels & Resorts 6.1
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 6.0
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. 5.6
Hilton Hotels 5.0
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 4.9
MGM Mirage 4.2
Mandalay Resort Group 4.1
Boyd Gaming Corporation 3.9
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. 2.9
Hotel/Resort Average 5.3

Airline Name Overall
Northwest Airlines Corporation 7.8
Spirit Airlines 7.5
Alaska Air Group, Inc. 7.4
ATA Airlines, Inc 7.3
American Airlines 7.0
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 7.0
JetBlue Airways 7.0
US Airways Group, Inc. 7.0
Continental Airlines, Inc. 6.8
UAL Corporation 6.3
America West Holdings Corp. 6.2
Southwest Airlines 5.2
Airline Average 6.9

Travel Firm Name Overall
Orbitz 8.3
Hotwire 8.3
Expedia 8.2
Priceline 8.1
Travelocity 7.3
Cheaptickets.com 7.0
Carlson Wagonlit 6.4
Hotels.com 5.2
WorldTravel BTI 2.8
Travel Firm Average 6.8

Travel Solution Firm Overall
GetThere 5.1
Sabre Airline Solutions 5.0
Travel Solution Average 5.1

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The San Jose CVB’s recent launch of its new web site, www.sanjose.org, is a demonstration of why it makes sense to stay on top of your Web site. Since the new site was introduced on Monday, April 19, the bureau has seen a 53 percent increase in visitors, and the number of Request for Proposals received has been on the rise, according to a press release.

They’re still looking for input, so feel free to visit and send them your comments and suggestions. In the meantime, is there anything you can adapt from their site to improve the functionality of yours?

Comments?

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