==================
LOOK WHO'S TALKING
==================
The newsletter editor (me) loves referrals, which often will have a
snowball effect. We get dozens here every week. Many are just plain
silly and a waste of time. Those referrals end up in the delete bin
which is but one button away. On the rare occassion we get one that
makes it to our daily reading, and we feel obligated to bring it to
you, our subscribers, so that you get more  than just our take with
what's happening in our beloved industry. Please venture to Mr. Joe
Brancatelli and his "Brancatelli File," for some of the more recent
travel industry escapades. https://www.brancatelli.com loads as fast
as our own web site (hurray!) and the chain of referrals is some of
the best in the business. The insight is often humourous, the over-
all content amazing and it's nice to see a web site that isn't jam-
med with advertising (did I mention how fast it loads?).

=======================
THE OUTLOOK IS TERRIBLE
=======================
Nope - we're not talking about the industry's ups and downs - but a
rather pointed opinion about e-mailers and the  sometimes fouled up
use of Outlook/Outlook Express. Many an industry e-mail crosses the
desk here in which the sending party has little knowledge of what's
happening on the intended recipients end (I am still in awe of just
how many don't know how to use the bcc: function - but that makes a
chapter unto itself). For some reason probably only known to Mr. B.
Gates, no one can find the "major" help resources for Outlook. It's
an issue we tossed up on our indutry ListServ last week.  Microsoft
has an in-depth resource center available, the link is way too long
for our newsletter format so we provide a "transfer link" that will
load the page instantly. https://hospitality-1st.com/oe-link.html is
ready when you are. By the way - we know some of you have questions
and comments regarding our industry - that you would like to share.
https://hospitality-1st.com/listserv.html brings you to information,
with regards to the ListServ and an opportunity at participating in
an open forum. This newsletter,  by design and nature, is more dic-
tatorial in nature so the ListServ might be an option for your con-
sideration. Note: message volume on the ListServ is low and it is a
moderated effort -- to keep spam at a minimum.

==================================================
WORTH REPEATING A PROBLEM - TO WWW. OR NOT TO WWW.
==================================================
You may have noticed - most recent updates to Internet browsers now
allow for simplification of web site addresses;  you no longer need
to include the {www.} in the URL.  The problem continues, many hos-
pitality sites do not conform to this simplification, because their
web hosting company and/or web server have not been configured pro-
perly to allow this to happen. Without being too technical - it in-
volves a tiny change to DNS numbers that are used in the background
to load any specific web site.  If your {www.} is not configured to
allow the short version visitors may/can be presented with an error
page or be confronted with a user name/password dialog box that has
little meaning, it may only act as a deterrent to your visitors and
valued clientele. It's not unlike the tortoise loading web sites we
so often chastise - if you are going to have a web presence - do it
right and give the customer what they've come to expect. Some sites
have completely missed the "hospitable" meaning of hospitality. The
cordial welcome you would extend in person, should also be extended
to any web presence (many however fail miserably).

==========
A REMINDER
==========
AAA Newsroom https://www.aaanewsroom.net/ offers up plenty of trends
taking place in the US with regards to the traveling public as well
as a great resource for those seeking  media contacts with/for AAA.
https://www.canadamediamarket.org/media/about.asp has information on
Canada Media Market Place 2002. https://www.travelmedia.ca/ is where
you can visit the Travel Media Association of Canada. The three re-
sources will put you in touch  with literally hundreds that have an
avid interest in the hospitality industry. If your sales, marketing
and public relations efforts aren't what they should be - maybe you
haven't looked in the right places.

======
LASTLY
======
Thank you for your readership and support, be sure to keep current of
the latest industry news and happenings - with our Press-News Release
Service found at https://hospitality-1st.com/PressNews/ where we cover
the industry better "and faster" than anyone. We rarely "toot our own
horn" https://hospitality-1st.com/PressNews/Tampa-pr.html is that rare
mention...

"We've Built The Bridge Of Hospitality" sm

Lou Taverna - Editor
Hospitality 1ST

Copyright 2002
Phone: (941) 226-7886 FL
Fax:   (815) 327-0918 Dedicated Travel Line