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Greetings!
Our goal is to help your business achieve its goals. Hurley Travel Experts not only helps you save on travel today but we work with you to stay on top of the trends in the industry that will impact your costs in the future.
The stories in our Spring newsletter reflect that commitment-from negotiated hotel discounts and airline upgrades to the news that impacts your travel such as the installation of full body scanners at Logan.
And if your company is looking at ways to manage travel costs across the board, join us for the upcoming seminar on Certify which will be held on April 22nd.
We appreciate your business and the opportunity to work with you and your travelers.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
President / CEO |
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Travel & Expense Management Seminar
Celebrate Earth Day & Go Paperless
Join Hurley Travel Experts and Certify Expense Management for an informational seminar to learn how your company can streamline their travel management program by increasing efficiency, saving time and money by using an automated expense management system.
When: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Where: Clarion Hotel, Portland
Time: 7:00am to 9:00am
Continental breakfast included.
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Full-body scanners arrive at Logan Airport
The first of 450 controversial full-body scanners to be deployed at airports around the country were put into use at Logan International Airport on Monday, March 8th, 2010 with subsequent scanners to be installed at Chicago's O'Hare International. The scanners are used to detected explosive or other harmful devices that someone could put on or in their body. Passeger's privacy is maintained during the scanning process by blurring images, deleting images after they are viewed and placing the scanners in a remote location. The rest of the 150 machines that were purchased with $25 million from President Barack Obama's 2009 stimulus plan should be installed in airports by the end of June. (Source: 7Newswhdh.com)
Report: Gaps Remain in Advanced Imaging Program
The Transportation Security Administration officials have told a congressional watchdog agency that no cost-benefit analysis was conducted before deciding to deploy thousands of new full-body scanners in U.S. airports during the next two years. With total operational costs for the scanners expected to reach $2.4 billion, the Government Accountability Office says such an analysis is needed. (Source: ASTASmartBrief & HS Today.us) |
Protect your business trip
Many travelers purchase insurance for their vacations but an increasing trend is to protect your business trip as well. What if there is an emergency and you need to rush back home? What if your luggage with all your business attire and your property is lost or delayed? For as little as $24 you can insure a worry free business trip. (Source: hurleytravelexperts.com) |
| New fees proposed by State Department
 The State Department has proposed new fees for many of its passport related products and services. The total proposed cost of a new passport will increase from $100 to $135 for adults and from $85 to $105 for minors. Renewals will increase from $75 to $110 for adults and from $60 to $80 for minors.
Travelers needing extra visa pages will soon pay $82. Currently this service is free so for frequent travelers that may be in need of extra visa pages you may want to submit an application right away. While no formal implementation date has been given for the changes, the State has indicated that it intends to implement the new fees once it has had time to consider public comments.
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| Hold the housekeeping
In a recent article by Sarah Nassauer of the Wall Street Journal she discusses how hotels are now offering room discounts or other rewards to guests who agree to make do with less housekeeping. First, hotels asked guests to opt out of daily towel replacement for environmental reasons. Then it was bed linens. Now it's the entire room.
(Source: online Wall Street Journal) |
Sweepstakes imageundefinedWin a VIRTUOSO LIFE Travel Dreams Sweepstake
Our vacation publication that is packed with inspiration, VIRTUOSO LIFE, is offering a Travel Dreams Sweepstakes by completing a survey which takes only minutes to complete, but will leave you with inspiration to last a lifetime. By answering the questions, you'll embark on a journey of discovery plus earn a chance to win an ultimate travel dream!
Which dream vacation would you most like to win? Once you've answered the survey questions, be sure to select which of these three amazing travel experiences you'd most like to win. Then, once you click submit, you're automatically entered for a chance to win that prize!
Rejuvenating South Africa - 5 nights at One&Only Cape Town + airfare aboard Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Exotic Galápagos Islands - 10 days aboard the National Geographic Endeavour with Lindblad Expeditions.
Mystic Asian Cruise - 12 day Bangkok to Shanghai cruise on the Seabourn Pride from The Yachts of Seabourn
(Source: hurleytravelexperts.com)
Deadline to enter is March 31, 2010. If you're not currently receiving a complimentary copy of VIRTUOSO LIFE, email us at travel@travelexperts.com with subject "Virtuoso Life subscription" and we'll sign you up! |
| Taxes & Fees Grow for Air Travelers
Airline representatives say taxes and fees account for 25 percent of a U.S. domestic ticket price. Airline taxes and fees go toward airport projects, air traffic control, airport security, customs inspections and, in some cases, projects that have nothing to do with flying - like a French "solidarity tax" on departing passengers that is meant to subsidize purchases of drugs to fight diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries.
(Source: nytimes.com)
The U.S. federal government is about to take a larger role in protecting airline passengers, starting with a new rule allowing travelers to get off a plane stuck on the tarmac for more than three hours. That rule and others adopted by the Transportation Department signal a shift from a grass-roots fight for passenger rights to an era of stronger government-enforced consumer protections. The rules, officially labeled Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections, take effect April 29.(Source: nytimes.com)
We're offering an upgrade to First with a round-trip full fare* Club World business class ticket through June 30, 2010.
Whenever you book a round-trip, full fare* Club World business class ticket originating from or connecting via any British Airways US or Canadian gateway (with the exception of Los Angeles) to London or beyond from now through June 30, 2010 we'll treat you to a one-way transatlantic upgrade to First, either eastbound or westbound.
(Source: hurleytravelexperts.com) |
In The News
The crisis in Haiti has highlighted the need for an organized, strategic effort to help connect Maine businesses to catastrophe sites in order to make a direct, specific difference during the rebuilding phase of relief efforts. To address this need, Preti Flaherty, Unum, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Reed & Reed, CD&M Communications and Mainebiz have organized MaineLine: Haiti, a coalition of concerned businesses for catastrophe relief and rebuilding assistance.
MaineLine: Haiti is actively working to expand coalition membership and increase business participation throughout the state. Membership is open to any Maine company -regardless of size and industry - looking to have a direct impact in Haiti by donating funds, goods or materials. In-country expertise will also be needed, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. To learn more or to have a MaineLine member speak at your business or organization, please visit www.maineline.org or call Kim Stiver at CD&M Communications at 207-774-7528.
Top Ten Best Midlife-Crisis Trips
Forget the Ferrari: travel can transform your life. Here are 10 trips to make it happen by Alyssa Giacobbe a journalist for Travel and Leisure who quotes Pamela Hurley-Moser's space travel and Customer in Residence Program by Thos. Moser Cabinet Makers. (Source: travelandleisure.com)
Mainebiz Sunday Rapid Fire
Pamela Hurley-Moser joins a panel with Yellow Light Breen, SVP at Bangor Savings Bank; Tarren Bragdon, CEO Maine Heritage Policy Center, Cyntia Dill, State Representative from Cape Elizabeth and host Alan Hinsey as they discuss federal stimulus funds and cutting Maine business tax incentives on Rapid Fire Sunday Feb 2010, part 1. In part 2, they discuss a bill that would mandate Maine businesses to provide paid sick leave for employees and whether there are fair practices with UMS and Fairpoint. (Source: Mainebiz.biz) |
Staff Profile
Chris Evans (cevans@travelexperts.com)
Chief Financial Officer
 Current responsibilities:
Chris serves on our leadership team directing the financial operations of the company.
Background:
Chris has held senior executive, senior level controller and director positions in industries as varied as health and wellness, casino/hotels operations, travel management and real estate. Before working with Hurley Travel Experts Chris was Vice President of Finance and Administration for Abacus Travel, a large Boston based travel Management Company.
Where he's traveled?
He has traveled extensively throughout the United States, having lived at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in the Colorado Rockies, on the New Jersey Coast and in several New England states. He has travel extensively in Canada and made numerous trips to Europe on business and for pleasure.
What is his latest favorite travel spot?
Paris: He loves to tour his favorite sites via le metro including the Louvre, Ile de la Cite/Notre Dame, l'Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and Sacre Coeur/Monmartre. No matter how many times he has visited those and other places in Paris he is still in awe of the city. He has stayed at many different hotels, for pleasure and he would pick the Hotel du Louvre.. Although if one were on a budget, he would pick Hotel Abbatial on rue Saint Germain in the Latin Quarter... for business the Hotel Concorde Lafayette (not far from La Defense) is an excellent choice with great views of the city from nearly every room. |
Vendor Spotlight: The Olympia Companies
Waterslide at the Hampton Inn, North Conway, NH
 | Hurley Travel Experts has exclusive rates with our hotel partner, Olympia Companies. You will find exceptional hospitality and unparalleled service combined with excellent value by booking your hotel stay with Hurley Travel Experts and these featured Olympia properties:
- Hilton Garden Inn - Downtown Portland
Portland's only waterfront hotel, surrounded by the city's best restaurants and shops, is perfect for vacations and corporate travel & meetings.
- Clarion Hotel - Portland
Located in the heart of Portland's Ball Park district, the full service Clarion hotel, caters to corporate and social meetings, parties, and conventions, as well as leisure travel.
- Hampton Inn - South Portland/Maine Mall
Adjacent to the Maine Mall and a short drive to the Old Port, the Hampton Inn Airport offers free airport shuttle services, breakfast and parking, and 100% guarantee.
- Inn by the Sea - Cape Elizabeth
Just 10 minutes from Portland, the completely renovated 4 diamond Inn features state of the art meeting facilities, a new spa and award winning dining in the Sea Glass Restaurant and is Maine's only Virtuoso property. Ask us about these special amenities.
- Hampton Inn - North Conway, NH
Have a BLAST in the 4-story indoor water park and enjoy tax free shopping at over 100 outlets within walking distance. Great for the whole family!
- Hampton Inn - Mystic, CT
So close to the Mystic Aquarium and the Mystic Seaport and only a few minutes to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, Mystic's newest hotel is a hit for weekend getaways!
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Vacation Spotlight
 Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering for select 2010 voyages free air, free unlimited shore excursions, complimentary gratuities, complimentary fine wines and select liquors plus receive 2-for-1 fares plus additional bonus savings when you book by March 31, 2010!
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We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful Spring!
The Travel Team at Hurley Travel Experts |
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