CEO’S CAN SAVE MONEY TOO

The slowing economy has the travel industry and associated businesses scrambling to entice travelers to the sea and air once again. The myriad of offers out there are far too numerous to list, so I’ll just give you a few examples so you can see how these money saving promotions being offered as vacation deals can be applied to the business world, and save your company money, and if you’re a CEO maybe even your job.

Round trip airfares between the U.S. and London are down to $399.00 between Jan. 10 and Mar. 31, Virgin Atlantic Airlines will fly you between many U.S. East Coast cities and London for $399.00 without imposing a fuel surcharge (Other taxes and fees amount to about $250.00) that ticket price and the reduction in the cost of a British Pound to about $1.50 makes travel to London a great business fare. You can access all airlines offering these fares by going to www.1800flyeurope.com, and be able to get the same ticket price of $399.00 ($469.00 Miami) and save money on business travel. The big 3 need to start checking fares and saving money, instead of flying in their private jets to good ole Washington with their hands out! Searching the travel section can be a great source for saving money on fares when traveling for business, or seeking a meeting venue for your next business junket.

Cruise Lines offer the best savings deals of all, due to their serious over-capacity issues. Online Vacation Center (800-329-9002; www.onlinevacationcenter.com) is offering 14 day cruises each departing round trip from Ft.Lauderdale to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean for $799.00 to $819.00 per person. Staying home would cost you more money than that, what a deal, go on a cruise and save money! Cruises are the ultimate in affordability especially if you live in or with-in driving distance to one of the departure port cities, as most large corporations are. Imagine, if you will that AIG had saved themselves the thousands upon thousands of dollars and the public outrage and scorn they incurred, if only they had held their top producers junket aboard a cruise ship where all the food and drinks are included, and spa facilities are still available if you must. You may think I’m joking, but after they received their bailout agreement from the U.S. taxpayers and held their junket in their pricey California Resort and Spa I was seeing red for the excesses they indulged in. I say send them on a cruise and save our money!