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Top-Level Changes as 2008 ...

Dolce Hotels and Resorts has named Steven A. Rudnitsky as president and CEO effective December 8. Rudnitsky recently stepped down as president and CEO of Wyndham Worldwide’s Hotel Group and comes to Dolce as the company plans to double the size of its portfolio.

In California, Knud Svendsen has been named vice president of sales and revenue management at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Svendsen has 23 years of experience in hotel and destination marketing and joins Mammoth from the Reno-Sparks CVA where he was vice president of marketing and tourism.

SoCal Open Despite Fires

Fire ripped through much of Southern California over the past week but firefighters have contained the blazes that affected Santa Barbara and Orange counties. The Tea Fire, which burned 1,940 acres in Montecito and Santa Barbara, has been 100 percent contained with no damage to visitor infrastructure or visitor attractions. The fires in Orange County affected residential communities about 15 miles from the Anaheim Resort district and is currently 70 percent contained. Disney attractions, Knott’s Berry Farm and the Anaheim Convention Center were not affected.

Denver Drops the "CVB"

Joining many other cities in renaming their visitors bureau, Denver has adopted the new simplified moniker of "Visit Denver." The name change was officially unveiled at the Bureau’s 99th annual meeting on November 13. For now, the full name will retain the “Convention and Visitors Bureau” but will be phased out once people get used to the change. The city will also move away from the Denver.org website and start using its new domain, visitdenver.com.

United Rolls Back Baggage Fees

Passengers traveling on United Airlines can get a 20 percent discount on the fee to check a first bag if they pay for it online by January 31, 2009. The fee for the first bag will now be $12 when paid online (the airline has scrapped plans to double the domestic second bag fee, keeping it at $25). Passengers who pay the fees for checked baggage before going to the airport can then drop the bags in designated areas for faster check-in. United.com

Tropicana Plans for Chapter...

Tropicana Entertainment has announced a preliminary business model to be used as a post-Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. Hallmarks of the plan are high-priority capital investments as well as operational improvements across the 11-hotel chain. Tropicana, which includes properties in Laughlin, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, filed for bankruptcy in May.

SMARTER EDGE - Sound Isolat...

How do musicians hear the music they’re playing at a thunderous concert with screaming fans and pyrotechnics exploding all around them? With Sound Isolating Earphones from Shure, which block more than 90 percent of ambient noise whether you’re walking down the street, on a plane or on stage before legions of your fans. A cross between an earplug and a headphone, the Shure line of earphones can keep you from cranking up the volume on your music, movies or cell phone, protecting your hearing and your sanity. A bit pricier than standard earbuds, they can be found in major electronic stores or online. shure.com

Zermatt Breaks Out on Its Own

Zermatt Resort has discontinued its management agreement with Dolce Hotels & Resorts to become an independent resort. The four-diamond Midway, Ut.-property has joined the Summit Hotels & Resorts brand, part of the Preferred Hotel Group collection, which provides sales and marketing solutions to more than 600 independent hotels and resorts in more than 65 countries. zermattresort.com

United FedExes Luggage

United Airlines passengers will be able to opt out of checking baggage in favor of shipping it overnight via FedEx. The airline calls the service Door-to-Door Baggage, and has made it available within the 48 contiguous states for $149 for one-way flights less than 1,000 miles and $179 for longer flights. Before traveling, customers visit the United website, select the flight they are on, and print out a shipping label. The luggage can either be picked up from your home, office or hotel, or dropped off at a FedEx or Kinko’s location. united.com/doortodoor

Allegiant Air Stretches Its...

Allegiant Air has added new markets to its low-cost lineup of routes. The airline will be providing the only nonstop, low-cost service to Eugene, Medford and Redmond/Bend, Ore., and Great Falls, Mt. from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, which will be adding 10,000 sq. ft. to accommodate the expanded offerings. Seasonal service to Chicago will also resume this winter. allegiantair.com

SMARTER EDGE - Google Earth

Google and Apple have put the whole world in your hand with Google Earth for the iPhone. The free application offers all of the images, geo-linking and three-dimensional terrain views offered on the PC version, but enhances the functionality of the global map by featuring GPS-linked location information. The virtual tour of the globe includes one-touch links to Wikipedia articles and photos so you can know everything about wherever you’re currently located. googleblog.blogspot.com