2013 › April

All subway activity seems to be operating with the same goal: Reduce any opportunity for eye contact or any type of interaction with another rider.

Air passengers in Asia are fortunate to see such robust competition where they fly. In North America, almost one-fourth of routes see just two airlines vying for passenger allegiance.

The ROI on tourism ad campaigns and the resultant visitors and spend is still an evolving art, not a science, despite whatever the research agencies paid to say it show. Pure Michigan has certainly been a success story, but a brand refresh every few years isn't a bad idea.

As airlines prepare for the next phase, many of them are thinking harder about the uniforms their crews are forced to wear. Qantas decided to go whole-hog into to the affair and tried to use the new designs to signal a modern, sexy appeal for its crew members.

Well, Google also has volunteers who feel a great deal of ownership over Google Maps. Waze will need to distinguish itself further if it is going to get an edge over the rest of its mapping competitors.

Iceland's economy has been heavily dependent on fishing and tourism historically, and now it wants to diversify, including getting the lucrative and numerous Chinese tourists. It also gives China the expansion it is desperately seeking in the melting Arctic North as it becomes the natural resources global hotspot in the near future.

The details of American Airlines' reorganization plan and the fate of CEO Tom Horton's $19.5 million golden parachute should become clear over the next few days.

Carnival caved to intense pressure from Washington and its decision to reimburse the government for the Carnival Triumph and Carnival Splendor rescues could serve as a precedent. Carnival and other cruise lines could be getting bills in the mail from the U.S. Treasury for future incidents.

Carnival was initially strident in its refusal to admit they should pony up for the frequent aid it requires from the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy. Looks like the outcry finally got through to them.