Travel and Tourism Information Resources

Scout out the best free business travel newsletters Not all business travel newsletters are created equal. Writing a useful, consistently informative newsletter on a regular schedule requires a lot of digging through a mountain of information, then sifting and winnowing the useful from the fluff and compacting it into an easy-to-read format.

I recommend:  There are newsletters aimed squarely at business travelers that hit the mark. Look into Joe Brancatelli’s “Joe Sent Me” newsletter, available in a brief executive summary format every Friday morning. Travel journalist Christopher Elliott collects travel news from several sources and sends it to e-mail boxes daily under the banner “Tripso Today.” David Rowell, AKA “The Travel Insider” delivers thoughtful weekly insights into the foibles of business travel and an in-depth look at resources and products. American Express offers a free subscription to the Executive Travel Sky Guide E-Alert Newsletter. The OAG (Official Airline Guide) Frequent Flyer Newsletter claims it’s the best on the Web; you decide.

For the price of a subscription you’ll get even more Joe Brancatelli also offers a members-only version of his weekly “Joe Sent Me” newsletter. Basic and executive level memberships include a wide range of useful services and discounts. There are other subscription-only newsletters that give in-depth coverage on destinations you might frequent.

I recommend:  Sign up for Brancatelli’s Members-only program here. Log on and subscribe to the Passport Newsletter here. Score sizeable discounts on travel perks with a subscription to Global Perks.

Receive newsletter alerts on low fares from your home airport This newsletter is highly-focused, alerting subscribers when fares go down at their home airport. Their motto is “When Airfares are Low, We’ll Let You Know!” and they do it in a simple format that lists deals from your home airport and close-by alternatives. You can book right on the Web site, do a low-fare search and use any of the useful tools, all free.

I recommend:  Check out Airfare Watch Dog and sign up for the free newsletter alert.

Get the inside scoop on the airline industry Following the inner workings of the airline industry is a favorite pastime of many frequent business travelers. On the practical side it can give insight into major changes that could affect airfares, routes and even the existence of some airlines.

I recommend:  While not officially a newsletter, the daily Airline/Aviation News blurbs at Yahoo! Finance can be an interesting and informative read. You can learn plenty about airports too at this Aviation Week Web site.

Tap into business traveler blogs and forums There are thousands and thousands of business travelers who regularly share their experiences (good and bad), warnings and insider tips online. Here again it’s important to mark as “favorites” only those resources that will give you the information you’re most likely to use.

I recommend:  Check out this list of author Chris Elliott’s preferred blogs. You’ll find varied advice and valuable insights from frequent business travelers at Flyer Talk’s “View from the Wing.” The Aviation and Travel Industry News’ blog will tell you plenty about what’s happening industry-wide. Will Allen’s Allen on Travel blog is packed with insight from a 30-year veteran road warrior. Veteran travel journalist Wendy Perrin shares her vast knowledge with readers. At USA Today, Ben Mutzabaugh’s “Today in the Sky” chronicles news that matters to business travelers.