Whether you are an independent or branded hotel, a major hotel chain or hotel management company, you can stay ahead of your competitors and capture new market share with an effective Online Distribution Strategy. Utilized properly, your online distribution strategy and especially its direct-to-consumer component, can play a major role in softening effects of travel and economic slump and will, over longer-term, define winners in these trying times. But hoteliers should remember that Internet in 2003 can be your best ally or your worst enemy.

As part of your 2003 Internet resolutions, here are Top Ten Questions you should urgently consider:

1. I will make Direct-To-Consumer Online Distribution centerpiece of my Internet strategy, because I know Internet is ultimate “Direct Distribution Medium” and it will provide my hotel with long-term competitive advantages and lessen my dependence on intermediaries, discounters and traditional channels that are about to become obsolete. I will make it my mission to reach and exceed national average and have at least 52% of my online revenues generated through my hotel website.

2. I will re-evaluate my exposure in Indirect Online Channels and take measures to decrease my dependence on online discounters to avoid brand and price erosion with long-term negative repercussions. I no longer want my online discounted rates to become, de facto, my hotel’s Internet published rates which will put downward pressure on my offline rates. I will stop being taken advantage of by Web-proficient online intermediaries. I will limit my distribution through indirect channels to below national average of 48%.

3. I will institute a comprehensive Total Online Distribution Strategy, which turns direct-to-consumer distribution model into main focus of my Internet strategy and optimizes balance of use between Direct and Indirect Channels. I will aim to position my hotel at all "points of contact" with potential Internet travel bookers. My goal will be to utilize expertly important online direct and indirect channels and generate at least 13% of all my hotel revenues from Internet, while keeping my hotel company in full control of its brand and price integrity.

Wouldn't it be great if we could afford to travel while we are young and unfettered? Sure, some people in their 20's take backpacking trips, but that type of travel isn't for everyone. What happens if you get sick in Middle East, or run out of money in Timbuktu? Being sick or broke in a foreign country can be a scary and dangerous experience.

Guess what? There is a better way to see world for extended periods of time without spending any money. You have to work, but you'll be working in playgrounds of gods, and you get paid very handsomely for being there.

There are a variety of paid travelers out there and others who travel free. In addition, Since September 11, 2001 there has been an increase in number of people wanting to volunteer their time. If you prefer to "give something back" while you travel, here are some websites with information:

· AmeriCorps - www.americorps.org · Catholic Network of Volunteer Service - www.cnvs.org · Habitat for Humanity - www.habitat.org · Sierra Club - www.sierraclub.org · St. Vincent Pallotti Center - www.pallotticenter.org

You may also wish to contact International Association for Air Travel Couriers at: Tel: (352) 475-1584, www.courier.org. Truly enterprising folks might be able to get some "free" air travel in on way to finding a paid travel related job.

This article is directed at a much more specific target. It is intended to introduce you to idea of working aboard private yachts. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind: