PHILADELPHIA— eCLIPSE Advisors, the travel procurement technology division of Rosenbluth International, has released its findings associated with 2003 business travel fares. Hotels will seek to keep pace with inflation in their published rates, said the report, which noted that a “buyer’s market continues with softness across the sector particularly in upscale and full service brands. Moderate and economy brands will fare better as down trading stimulates greater demand in this segment.” Sluggishness will continue in the Bay Area, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., while certain markets may benefit from the “closer to home” psychology in business meetings. Such markets may include Orlando, New Orleans and Miami as venues for meetings that may have been scheduled overseas, said the report. Meanwhile, U.S. airfares are expected to increase by at least 4%, while international airfares are predicted to decline by at least 5%.
