Hotels in Beijing are slashing rates by as much as 50 percent for next month's Olympics in a last-ditch bid to lure tourists put off by soaring travel costs and difficulties obtaining visas.

Questex Media Group, Inc., a global, diversified business-to-business media company announced today it has named Gideon Dean, a 25-year travel and hospitality industry veteran, its Executive Vice President, Travel Media Group, which includes Travel Agent,

DEARBORN, Mich., May 15, 2008 -- An estimated 1.3 million Michiganians will travel during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, launching the start of the 2008 summer travel season, says AAA Michigan.

Air travel is chaotic. Housing prices continue to fall. And the cost of gas, though falling, is still budget-busting. But, New Orleans hoteliers and other tourism industry companies say this summer, so far, has not been nearly as bad as expected.

At a time when bank accounts and stock portfolios are draining, the high-end hotel business might be expected to be losing its fizz. Not yet. While occupancy is down slightly as room count rises, rates and room revenues are up. And new luxury lodgings con