The following categories contain links to selected sources on the web pertaining to topics covered in the course TVL101 Introduction to Travel & Tourism. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and content of these websites the usual evaluation measures should be taken by the researcher. For tips on how to evaluate information found on websites go to our Evaluating Websites Tutorial.

The Hospitality, Tourism and Golf Management Research Guide provides tips on how to find books available in the Library collection, and tips on how to find journal, magazine and newspaper articles available in MCC Libraries article databases.

Professional Associations and Organizations

Professional Associations and organizations serve as valuable sources of information for their particular industry by providing access to current news, information about industry products, services and trends, and special research reports. They also sponsor continuing education opportunities such as annual conferences and other training events for their members. Many also publish journals dedicated specifically to their area of interest (often known as trade/industry journals).

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Federal Government Resources

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Activities of the FAA include: safety regulation, airspace and air traffic management, promote aviation safety and encourage civil aviation abroad, test and evaluate aviation systems, devices, and materials. To access Flight Delay Information for U.S. airports visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center.

• International Travel Administration Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) - The OTTI collects and publishes comprehensive international travel and tourism statistics, facilitates in the reduction of barriers to travel, represents the U.S. international travel and tourism interests to foreign governments, develops and implements comprehensive tourism policies and plans.

• Know Before You Go - An online publication from the office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection which discusses rules for bringing items back from your trip, including information on duty, duty-free items and exemptions.

• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - "The TSA protects the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce." The "For Travelers" section of this site provides guidelines for prohibited and permitted items for carry-on luggage.

• Travel.State.gov - This site from the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs provides tips for American citizens traveling or living abroad abroad, foreign citizens traveling to the U.S., and lists travel warnings.

• Travelers' Health - This site from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) provides information on vaccination requirements, diseases, outbreaks, and country health profiles for various destinations throughout the world.

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Destination & Trip Planning Information

To locate copies of print travel guidebooks available in the Library collection search the MCC Library Catalog. Many guidebook publishers have accompanying websites which provide excerpts from their print guidebooks, some of which are listed below.

• iExplore: Adventure Travel & World Travel -  Book adventure trips, find destination information, search travel guides, photos, and reviews.

• National Geographic: Adventure Travel - This site is the online companion to the National Geographic Adventure magazine. It features include photos, information on adventure trips, gear, and links to various blogs.

• Recreation.gov: Explore your America^TM - "A customer-friendly recreation portal with information for planning visits to Federal recreation sites and making campground/tour reservations.

• The Travel Channel - Features of this site include travelers' reviews, travel guides, and travel ideas.

• Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory - "Your guide to the following official tourist information sources: government tourism offices, convention and visitors bureaus, and chambers of commerce. Businesses such as travel agents, tour operators, and hotels are not included."

• Travel for Kids - This site provides information on "kid-friendly must sees," worldwide destinations, family-friendly restaurants, and travel essentials.

• Travelistic.com - This site provides links to many types of travel videos including user uploads, tourist board videos, and professional content. This site also features a blog.

• Travelvideoz.com - This site provides links to view travel videos of destinations such as: Africa, North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean, Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

• TripAdvisor^TM - This site provides over 25,000,000 traveler reviews and recommendations for hotels, inns, resorts, vacations, travel packages, vacation packages and more!.

• World Travel Guide - The online version of the print Columbus World Travel Guide provides information on countries, cities, airports, attractions, events, tours, cruises, and weather.

• Yahoo! Travel: Trip Planner - Create day-by-day trip itineraries by selecting interesting places you want to see and things you want to do from a comprehensive Travel Guide.

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Work, Study, Living, Travel Abroad

• Transitions Abroad - This web portal provides information on living, studying, traveling, working, and volunteering abroad, and access to recent and back issues of TAzine, the Transitions Abroad Webzine.

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Print and Online Travel Publications

The following print periodicals have companion websites which provide access to some full-text articles directly online. The MCC Libraries article databases also provide access to additional full-text articles available in these and other publications.

   * Search the MCC Library Catalog to locate holdings information for these
      titles the library also subscribes to in print.
 

Newspapers

MCC Libraries subscribe to the following newspapers in print which contain articles on travel related topics. The most recent issue of The Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition) is available at the Library Checkout/Reserve Desk. The most recent issues of The New York Times, and USA Today are located in the newspaper rack across from the Leisure Reading seating area on the Main Floor of the LeRoy V. Good Library (Brighton campus). To locate holdings information for older issues search the MCC Library Catalog.

Full-text articles from The New York Times and USA Today are also available through the Custom Newspapers online article database accessible from the Library Find Articles and Other Information web page.

• The Sunday edition of The New York Times contains a "Travel" section. Some featured stories are also available directly online from the New York Times website.
• The Friday edition of The Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition) contains the "Weekend Journal" section which explores personal interests of business readers including real estate and travel.
• The Weekend Edition of The Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition) features the "Pursuits" section which focuses on lifestyle and leisure. Holdings information for this newspaper is available in the MCC Library Catalog.
• The Friday edition of USA Today features a "Destinations & Diversions" section as part of its "Life" section.
• The USA Today newspaper also features a Travel section on its website.

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Other Sources of Travel Industry News

Professional association and organization websites are also a good place to look for current news stories.

• Business Travel News (BTNonline) - "BTNonline is a one-stop resource, delivering news and research to corporate travel planners."
• e-tid.com Travel and Hospitality Digest - "First launched in 1990, e-tid.com is a business travel news digest covering all sectors of the travel industry from aviation and tour operating to hotel and cruise."
• HotelMarketing.com - "Monitoring online travel, the hospitality industry and Internet marketing news."
• Jax Fax Travel Marketing magazine - The online version of this leading monthly travel trade publication contains articles about travel destinations throughout the world, maps, special interest directories, and an event calendar which lists events of interest to suppliers and travel industry executives.
• MSNBC Travel - Provides world travel news, and information on international, consumer and business air travel deals and destinations.
• Travel Agent Central - This site provides online access to TravelAgent magazine from 2006 to the present.
• Travel Daily News - Daily news for the international travel and tourism industry.
• Travel Industry Wire - Travel industry news, trends and resources.

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Domestic & International Airlines

In addition to looking up fares and making reservations, you will often find corporate news stories about an airline on its website.

Links to information on health and travel alerts, passport and visa information, and flight delays are located in the Federal Government Resources section of this web page.

Additional Domestic, International Airline & Airport Links

• SeatGuru® - The ultimate source for airplane seating diagrams for domestic and international airlines, in-flight amenities, and airline information.
• Airlines of the World - From HotelsTravel.com links to airlines and airports throughout the world.
• Vayama - The first site100% dedicated to booking international flights online. Vayama features a map-based interface tool to help you book your international flight plans, destination information such as city guides, and etiquette for the world traveler.
• OAG Travel Information - OAG is a global travel and transport information company. This website provides access to flight schedules, city guides, airline and airport guides.
• Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) - "ARC handles airline ticketing distribution, control and settlement; and controls the accreditation of travel agencies that issue airline tickets." The ARC website provides a linkable list of participating carriers, and access to the online version of the Industry Agents' Handbook (IAH).

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Other Forms of Transportation

Domestic & International Rail Services

• Amtrak Railways - Find information on U.S. rail routes and book train reservations.
• Die Bahn - This German rail site offers a timetable for European trains, and includes many small towns not covered by other train websites.
• Luxury Train Online - A travel guide for luxury train tours around the world.
• Rail Europe - How to travel by train in Europe: Eurorail, Eurail, official fares and schedules.
• VIA Rail Canada - Canada's official rail information and reservations site.

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Consolidators

"A consolidator is a company that purchases inventory from travel vendors at reduced rates and offers them for sale to travel counselors and the traveling public."

Definition from Travel Perspectives: A Guide to Becoming a Travel Professional, by Ginger Gorham and Susan Rice, 4th ed. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, 2007, p.192.

• Jax Fax Travel Marketing: Consolifares - An online reference source on consolidators which includes information such as frequency of departures, type of transportation (scheduled air or charter flights), minimum and maximum fare prices, as well as booking information.

• United States Air Consolidators Association (USACA) - The national trade association for air consolidator businesses which sets the standard for consolidators with proven track records along with quality customer service and support.

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Cruise Lines

• Cruise Lines International Association, Inc. (CLIA) - Sections to explore on this site include: Plan Your Cruise, select Cruise Lines/Ships to view profiles on individual cruise lines, and Pressroom/Research. You will also find links to news, announcements, information on destinations and different types of cruises, as well as technical and regulatory information.

• Small Ship Cruises - This site features up-to-date information on small ship cruises throughout the world including in-depth reports, with information on cabins, activities, itineraries, shore excursions, rates, and discount policies.

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Tours and Tour Operators

• National Tour Association (NTA) - "The National Tour Association is a trade organization of thousands of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry."

• United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) - Features on this site includes access to the USTOA Membership Directory which contains active profiles on tour operators, Travel Wise tips, sections on Smart Travel Planning, and a Travel Trade Forum.

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Accommodations

• Accommodation Search Engine (ASE) - On-line since 1995, the Accommodation Search Engine lists over 150,000 hotels, motels, inns, Bed and Breakfasts and holiday rental properties throughout the world.

• Hotelicopter™ – A hotel search engine site which compares room pricing and availability in real time on over 150,000 hotels from over 30 travel sites, including online travel agencies, consolidators, and other hotel sites. Registered users can post and share hotel reviews with their own network of friends and colleagues.

• Hotel and Travel Index (HTI) - The industry's most comprehensive hotel directory. "Registration is free, and optional, but will give you access to premium features such as professional hotel classifications, rich media and mapping free of charge." Select the "Register" link to create an account. View the Quick Start Guide for more information about how to use the new and improved HotelandTravelIndex.com.  

• AAA's Diamond Rating® System -  AAA’s Diamond Ratings is the only system that covers all of North America (more than 55,000 lodgings and restaurants) and one of only two rating systems that do physical, on-site evaluations. AAA ratings, on a scale of 1 to 5 Diamonds, do not depend solely on the opinion of the properties’ patrons. Instead AAA uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis.

• All-Hotels.com - All-Hotels is one of the largest online hotel reservation companies with listings for 140,000 luxury, standard, budget & discount hotels worldwide.

• Bed and Breakfast - A comprehensive worldwide listing of bed and breakfasts, guest houses, lodges, cabins, historic hotels, small resorts, guest ranches, farmhouse accommodations, and working farm and ranch vacations. Features include the BedandBreakfast.com Blog, B&B Newsletter, and Guest Reviews.

• Hostels.com - Hostels.com features the most comprehensive selection of hostels on the Internet with almost 28,900 hostels listed worldwide including youth and independent hostels. Select the "FAQ" link on this site to learn more about hostels and hostelling.

• HotelsTravel.com: Hotel Chains and Affinity Groups - An A to Z listing of links to hotel chains / franchises / and representative companies throughout the world.

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Major Reservation Sites

Full Service Reservation Sites

The following are considered to be full service reservation sites offering options to book lodging, flight, car rental, rail, vacation packages, and cruises online.

Bidding Sites for Airfares and Hotels

• Hotwire

• Priceline

International Travel

• Vayama - The first site100% dedicated to booking international flights online. Vayama features a map-based interface tool to help you book your international flight plans, destination information such as city guides, and etiquette for the world traveler.
• Casamundo - This site features more than fifty thousand holiday homes of every variety to rent in locations throughout Europe and the USA.

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Other Helpful Travel Information

• Currency Converter - From OANDA Rates®, the first company to make comprehensive currency exchange information available over the Internet. The FXConverter is a multilingual currency converter for over 164 currencies and 3 metals.

• Language for Travelers - This foreign language self-study web page presented by Fodor's & Living Language provides sound clips and pronunciation guidelines for Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian and Spanish phrases.

• Google Earth - View driving directions, geographical imagery, 3D buildings, maps, and find local businesses.

• Google Maps - Provides directions, interactive maps, and satellite/aerial imagery of the United States. You can also search by keyword.

• Open Table.com - "The world’s most popular website for making restaurant reservations online across the U.S. and in some international countries.

• Serious Eats - "A website focused on celebrating and sharing food enthusiasm through blogs and online community." It contains global dining advice, tips, recipes, recommendations, news and opinions.

• Time Zone Converter - Find out the time anywhere in the world to plan international travel, phone calls, meetings and much more. Features on this site include World Time, and Time Zones by County.

• TravelSense.org - "A consumer-oriented travel website dedicated to helping people live out their dreams of traveling. It is owned and operated by the American Society of Travel Agents."

• World Cultures - This online brochure developed by MCC Libraries provides links to selected websites to research culture and social customs of countries throughout the world.

• World Weather - From Weather.com, the Weather Channel, search for local weather forecasts for thousands of cities around the world.

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Contacting the Teacher

Janet Zinck teaches the TVL 101 Introduction to Travel & Tourism course. Students taking the TVL 101 course can contact her by e-mail at jzinck@monroecc.edu and by telephone at (585) 292-2598.

P. Czaja  Revised 3/2010 http://www.monroecc.edu/go/library