Tours.com's Travel-Intel Examines Transparency in the Distribution of Airline Ticketing

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 5, 2012) - Passengers may be facing harsh baggage fees at ticketing but many of them are facing even harsher airline fee surprises when they get to the airport. The new issue of Tours.com's Travel-Intel newsletter looks at what often happens when airlines code share with one another and the passenger gets stuck holding the bag.

Tours.com's Travel-Intel is a newsletter that goes out twice a month to the travel industry to keep agents and travel sellers up on what's happening in the roller coaster business of travel. Recent issues have looked at the changing safety policies cruise lines are adopting in the wake of recent catastrophes at sea and changes in the ways airlines may sell their seats to ensure consumers are given an open and fair deal.

The March 1 issue of Travel-Intel also looks at who's cruising and how cruise lines are catering to a wider range of consumer demands. Travel-Intel's senior cruise editor, Bill Becken, talks to Guy Young, President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, for insight. Hawaii tourism is also in the spotlight this issue following its great comeback this year that brought it to its best single month ever in January after crippling years caused by the U.S. recession and last year's tsunami in Japan. Kauai gets its close-up this issue following the success of The Descendants, which showcases the island's beauty and culture. And the issue looks at Maui adventures to be considered while staying in luxury surroundings at Wailea Beach Villas, a member of the Kurtz-Ahlers collection.

Finally, Travel-Intel talks with Gloria Bohan, president of Omega World Travel, a formidable international travel agency and technology company, about what it takes to survive as a travel business in these uncertain times.

Travel-Intel is a digital newsletter sent to more than 100,000 opt-in travel agents in the U.S. and Canada. Travel-Intel is then posted on Tours.com for those seeking answers in Tours.com's comprehensive directory of tour companies and travel information.

"The travel business is like a river, never the same thing twice. What worked one minute will not work the next. What was a worthy and wonderful destination one time might not be so the next so it is important to keep up with this constant shift and report back to the people who need to know most -- the agents on whom travelers depend for good advice," says Lark Ellen Gould, content director for Travel-Intel.

Gould, a veteran travel journalist who has been covering the travel industry for more than 20 years, brings her incisive perspective to the publication and emails it on the 1st and 15^th of each month to more 103,000 travel agents in the U.S. and Canada, before posting the travelzine on Tours.com and Sightseeing.com. Travel-Intel also partners with CanadaScope and Britain Magazine for easy access to added sources of information.

About Tours.com: Tours.com is the Official Directory of Tours & Vacations Worldwide. On-line since 1995, tours.com has a deep and searchable database of tour and vacation companies searchable by company name, destination and/or activity. Also a one-stop resource for major Travel Channels such as travel insurance, passport & visa information, major travel booking sites by categories such as hotels, air, cars, cruises, barges, yachts & ferries, railroad & rail travel, etc. Plus all other pertinent travel categories/channels. The Find a Travel Agent search field allows one to search for travel agents certified with in-depth knowledge in their chosen specialty. For more information visit www.tours.com