Travel Roundup: Phoenix's Resort Foreclosures, Las Vegas' Capacity Toll, Hotel Bistros Try Unpretentious and More

Four more resorts face foreclosure in Phoenix area — Four more resorts are facing notices of trustee sale, according Ion Data, a Mesa, Ariz.-based research firm. The four hotels facing foreclosure auctions are:

• Xona Resort Suites

• Carefree Resort & Villas

• Embassy Suites Phoenix-Airport

• Crowne Plaza Phoenix

All four resorts are still open for business and accepting reservations. The W Scottsdale and InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa were also put up for foreclosure auction when developers defaulted on construction loans. [Source: Phoenix Business Journal]

Passenger declines run parallel to capacity cuts at McCarran — Passengers at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas declined along with airline capacity changes. The Clark County Aviation Department reported 3.5 million passengers used McCarran in May, an 11.5 percent decrease year-over-year. For the first five months of 2009, traffic is off almost 12 percent. With some exceptions, changes in traffic are running close to capacity changes airlines have made over the past year to cut costs.  [Source: Las Vegas Sun]

Hotel restaurants going unpretentious to lure locals — With the economy floundering, Atlanta hotels are turning their eyes to locals. Chefs are ratcheting down the pretentiousness and hope investing in regional favorites will help fill their coffers. Park 75 at the Four Seasons and Dogwood are offering $25 dinners, while other hotel restaurants are promoting $7 or less sandwiches, half-priced wine, complimentary corkage, or all-you-can-eat tapas. Industry analysts say the deals are needed to persuade diners to part with their money. [Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Fewer people to travel, but more will fly this July 4 — The American Automobile Association projected that fewer American will travel over the July 4 holiday this year, but expected flights to rise. AAA forecasts 37.1 million Americans will take a 50 miles or longer trip during the weekend, usually known for auto travel, down 1.9 percent from last year and 12.3 from 2007. However, air travel is expected to rise 4.9 percent increase for the weekend this year, although air travel still only counts for 5 percent of Independence Day leisure travel. [Source: Triangle Business Journal]