US: Travel industry begins its descent | startribune.com

The travel industry has been hit hard by the economic slowdown, particularly in the past few weeks. Airlines reported sharp declines in passenger traffic for September. Hotel occupancy rates are down and cancellations are starting to rise even at four- and five-star hotels, which previously seemed immune to the economy's travails. Months ago, the nation's airlines, which are grounding some older jets, announced plans to cut 8 to 10 percent of...