The Daily Breeze from Torrance, California • 49

Business travel likely good despite slowdown -tiTvffijL' I 3e3s3aOBaa i i 1 i Yyrf- ly in 1980 for several reasons the industry experts say One is that most sessions set for this year were planned well in advance before the economy began to falter Another reason is that a number of factors not related to the economy such as a surge in goverment regulations have caused a boom in the field Figuring on a modest decline in travel by salesman and such and continued growth in meeting and convention activity Lesure projects overall business travel revenues in 1980 will rise by about 10 percent or less versus about 15 percent in the recent past Adjusting for inflation that translates into a drop in real activity But Lesure predicts that occupancy rates at the larger hotels one of the most important measures of business travel will drop only one or two points in 1980 to 70-71 percent the same level at which occupancy stood in 1978 A leading trade association in the lodging field the American Hotel and Motel Association has looked at the picture from a slightly different angle but has come up with some similar findings The group says a survey it recently did shows business people will make 16 percent more trips in 1980 than they did in 1979 but that the trips will be considerably shorter to the point where they will become one-day-only The group also said its survey turned up an intended major increase in the number of conferences and meetings In the area of overall 1980 travel spending the trade group was more optimistic than Lesure It said the 86 companies responding to its survey most of them larger firms expect to spend an average of $85 million for business travel in 1980 up 13 to 21 percent Those same companies spent an estimated 13 percent more on business travel in 1979 compared to the year before the association said But reflecting the move to shorter jaunts the increase in hotel-motel bookings will not match the expected growth in the number of trips bookings are likely to rise only 8 percent in 1980 on top of a 10 percent rise in 1979 the association said Nevertheless this makes for fairly outlook for the year Practically all the companies in the survey said they plan to increase their business traveling this year The conference and meeting sector has been the bright spot on the business travel scene for the last de- cade and it should continue to perform well in the 1980s barring some major finan-j cial disruption in the opin- ion of Mel Hosansky editor of Meetings and Convene tions an industry publica- tion I COpley News Service Photo Las Vegas desert spa of il- glamour and newness while time flying in a Ford 2 lusions lies below in all its passengers step back in Trimotor tn Desert spa capital of illusion-making The Daidif Bieee ravel Trail remains inspiring site By Philip Sousa Copley News Service LAS VEGAS As a dream seller and illusion maker this glitter gulch in the desert has no peer Overhead a vintage TriMotor gives its passengers a taste of leisurely paced flight On the ground local versions of Roman spas Arabian harems and other assorted illusory environments turn hotels into magic carpets Inside lack of clocks and sunlight effectively denies the passage of time On the streets a million lights of every color add to the atmosphere of fantasy which encourages the shedding of urban shackles and the blooming of the daring we hide under our everyday social facades back home Even Hollywood often credited with fitting wings on the minds of those who buy its wares falls short of the mark by virtue of leaving the observer out of the action In Las Vegas however participation is practically-inescapable dreams do materialize on occasion and showbiz glamour is served in live rather than filmed doses As important this most compelling of resorts is not a gambling-only one-dimensional experience but rather a multifaceted hap By Stephen Hesse 1980 Cox News Service WASHINGTON US businessmen will continue to travel heavily to attend conferences and meetings this year and other types of business travel may not drop much even though an economic slowdown seems likely industry experts predict But many business trips will probably be briefer and closer to home the experts say If the trend does hold up as predicted it could significantly help a variety of industries in the travel field squeezed by rising costs and facing a drop in personal traveling in 1980 Foremost among these is the hotel and motel industry which gets up to 60 percent or more of its revenue from' business travel meetings and conventions Most business traveling is done by salesmen and commercial travelers and this traditionally slows during recessions and will probably do so now But the 1980 downturn is expected to be mild and see a really serious in travel of this type says John Lesure director of research for Philadelphia-based Laventhal Hor-wath an accounting firm that closely follows the travel industry As for the meeting and convention sector which makes up about one-third of all business travel that should keep growing sturdi- Oregon an awe Travelers on major east-west routes through Oregon are never far from the unique opportunity of experiencing the flavor and history of the famous Oregon Trail Interstate Highway 84 (I-80N) and US Highway 26 stay close to their forerunner and provide historical references and the same scenic views hundreds of thousands of westward migrating pioneers paused to appreciate or simply saw as obstacles in the way of their final destination Historians refer to these last 400 miles of the Oregon Trail as the most rugged and treacherous of the 2000-mile trek from Independence Missouri Between the site of Old Fort Boise on the OregonIdaho border and the the rich and fertile Willamette Valley the pilgrims of the Oregon Trail had to cross two mountain ranges and ford numerous rivers and streams Among the most challenging rivers were the Snake Grande Ronde John Day and Deschutes all of which are used today for exciting white water rafting and trout fishing Although much has changed since the passing of the last Oregon Trail pioneers there are still signs which time and the elements have been unable 'Tearn to be a TRAVEL AGENT APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR CLASSES BEGINNING JAN 21st EXCITING CAREER TRAVEL BENEFITS MORN I EVE CLASSES mm LEHium TRAVELON TRAVEL COLLEGE 540-4203 3868 Carson St Torrance 90503 THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN TRAVEL EDUCATION to erase In northeastern Oregon west of the Blue Mountains parallel wagon ruts still run undisturbed for miles On Laurel Hill south of Mount Hood just off US Highway 26 trees show deep gashes left by ropes used to slow the descent of wagons traveling the Bar-low Road over the Cascades Even occasional grave sites stand as grim reminders of the 300000 plus people who died along Sun Jan posh resturant Inside all links with Nevada vanished The accoutrements said New York sparkling crystal leather-bound menus snow-white linens and dressy attendants Specifically 494 Pearl St in Manhattan where for decades the original Delmonico ruled unchallenged as a paragon of gourmet food and unrivaled service Its Las Vegas counterpart is worthy of the name And the Delmonico is not the exception Although not all visitors are aware of them excellent restaurants do indeed abound here One of the few dining emporiums that require gentlemen to wear coat and tie the ritzy Palace Court at the Palace Hotel specializes in French dishes but overlook such American favorites as lobster At the Tropical Hotel whose low-rise old wing is a favorite with romantics pening that ignores the difference between day and night Thus perceiving the onetime Mormon settlement solely as a forest of one-arm bandits and gaming tables is no longer accurate The fact is that in recent years Las Vegas has gone cosmopolitan on a number of previously limited fronts to the point that today it has an array of activities sights and facilities few other resort cities can match Certain parts of the scene here such as the abundance of big-name entertainment are simply not found anywhere else And coating practically everything to be seen touched or heard are enough layers of both kitsch and tasteful magic to deliver the ultimate goal of a holiday: an exciting change of pace coupled with the feeling that at least for a spell carefree fun can be part of life This make-believe quality came to mind the other night during a visit to De-lmonico the recently refurbished dining mecca at the Riviera Hotel Walking into the place was as much a journey into a time capsule as it was trading the gambling noises of the lobby for the quiet world of mahogany leather and chandeliers that is this (spacious friendly and with three of the best restaurants) The Tropicana (top-notch staff and in old wing relaxed resort setting) and Union Plaza (one of the big hotels but located in less expensive action-packed downtown area) Good bets in the moderate range ($25 to $40) would include the Mint Downtowner Motel Best Western Nellis Motor Inn Hacienda Landmark and El Morocco Best views: On the ground Top Of The Mint atop Mint Hotel downtown and 31-story ride in glass-enclosed elevator to tower dome of Landmark Hotel off the Strip From the air city overflights aboard Ford TriMotors of Scenic Airlines Agency Qimsfony the Oregon Trail However where weary emigrants stopped to water their stock of camped to prepare for the next journey travelers can enjoy the facilities and conveniences of state parks rest areas and growing cities There are four state parks in eastern Oregon which commemorate the Oregon Trail with historical landmarks and interpretive displays SMI PI120 savics 2438 WESTERN AVE SAN PEDRO 833-5265 MARATHON TOURS TRAVEL 2275 Torrance Blvd Suite 102 Torrance 533-81252 a iSl pies of the many excellent restaurants in this town which outsiders often relate only to gambling and big-name entertainment Also overlooked is the fact that in recent years Las Vegas has emerged as a sports and recreation center Major tennis boxing basketball and other tournaments take place regularly as do important bowling events car races and rodeos Furthermore golfers can select from a dozen full-length courses and tennis players from more than 100 hotel and club courts and almost 200 public ones Outdoor activities farther away from the casinos but close enough to commute from the action and the glitter in an hour or less include sailing waterskiing and fishing in Lake Mead the largest manmade body of water in the Western Hemisphere hikes through Valley of Fire State Park horseback riding in Red Rock Canyon off-road adventures in the desert all around and a lot more Now also available from here are a variety of daylong and longer air and bus excursions to the Grand Canyon and other major nearby attractions In short Las Vegas is more than dreams and illusions Yukon part of show The Yukon Territory is one of the exhibitors at the 15th annual Southern California Sports Vacation and Recreational Vehicle Show at the Anaheim Convention Center which ends today Dawson City the most famous attraction has been reconstructed by the Canadian government since 1962 to include the leaning frame houses old steam engines planked sidewalks and even entertainment reminiscent of the 1896 gold rush to the Klondike Each summer the Palace Grand Theater originally built from timbers of two dismantled steamships is the scene of a vaudeville show featuring high-kicking dancehall girls SUNDAY ANAHEIM annual So California VLCAIlOfil CONVENTION CENTER 13 1980 E5 who remember the early days the Lord Byron draws those who favor top-quality roast beef dinners prepared and served British style Again attention to detail on the part of the designers effectively blocked out the bustle outside and makes Las Vegas seem as faraway as London is in reality The Hacienda differs little from other hotel-casino complexes along the glittering Las Vegas Boulevard everyone calls The Strip But home to what many locals consider the best steak house around the Charcoal Room Outstanding cuts of meat and Australian lobsters are featured as are whipped cottage cheese and cheddar cheese spreads for appetizers black bean soup ladled at table freshly baked raisin bread and champagne sorbets to cleanse the palate between courses The Delmonico the Lord Byron and the Charcoal Room are but three exam- the various show tours (with or without dinner) available from Gray Line Motor Tours or Transportation Unlimited Best eats: In addition to those mentioned in the accompanying article on Las Vegas personal favorites would include the Alpine Village Inn (German and Swiss fare) Benihana Village at the Las Vegas Hilton (repasts similar to those of Benihana operations elsewhere but this one treats guests to periodic rainfall fireworks and other special effects) Cohen and (good Jewish deli cum Irish pub) Don the Beachcomber at the Sahara Hotel (best American translation of fine Polynesian treats with Chinese overtones) El Burrito Cafe (small in size but large in quality Mexican dishes) and the Monte Carlo Room at the Desert Inn Hotel (epicurean in every respect) NOW THRU 15th PORTS i4i -w CALL (714) 7785480 RV Travel hints for Las Vegas holiday T5SAVEL ACIIirr OPEN ALL DAY SATURDAYS CRUISES AIRLINE TICKETS Pacific Coast Hwy Avalon TCZAVZL szavscs 29135 SO WESTERN AVE SAN PEDRO 832-0381 YOUNG TRAVEL SERVICE 350 Sth St Suite 104 SAN PEDRO CALIF 548-6006 HD Dill AIR-RAIL CLUB UNIVERSE Getting around: Las Vegas has abundant gasoline at prices lower than those prevailing in nearby states In town plenty of reasonable taxis public buses bikes and mopeds for rent Best spectacles: Hallelujah Hollywood! at the MGM Grand Hotel Donn extravagant multimillion-dollar tribute to the world of movies featuring a cast of 160 the Casino de Paris at the Dunes the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana and the Lido de Paris at the Stardust Getting tickets: On your own is relatively easy if you have the time to go to the appropriate box office stand in line for the ducats and later to get in the theater or cabaret Simpler is to book one of POPULAR TRAVEL TOURS ONE STOP PLANNING Avoid long Una at Airport avoid uniting on phonaa No charge lor our aarvlca Aik about our coupon ayatam Pick up ttckats on way to LAX $14 Las Vegas 2 nights $499 Hawaii 8 days 8540 Sepulveda Blvd LA 641-0801 at Comer of Sepulveda and Manchester Open daily including Sat By Copley News Service If heading for Las Vegas: Access: One of newest trains The Desert Wind now provides daylight service every day from and to Los Angeles The train also serves Salt Lake City and Ogden Utah where connections are available to Denver Chicago and other points Fourteen scheduled airlines including Hughes Airwest PSA United and Western fly into McCarran International Airport Also frequent bus service by Greyhound and Trailways Hotels and Motels: More than 40 major resorts featuring entertainment and gambling the majority located on or just off the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard South) and in the upper price range ($40 and up for a double room per night) A sampling Aladdin atmosphere) Palace (Modern version of ancient Roman posh) Circus Circus (best for families with kids) MGM Grand (Hollywood grand at its best) Riviera WORLD-WAY TOURS TRAVEL 2049 Pacific Coast Hwy Lomita I NTER LYM PICS AT LAKE PLAC i OBEFMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 15 DAYS 1999 ALL INCLUSIVE ISRAEL GRAND TOUR 15 DAYS 1999 ALL INCLUSIVE GIVE A SIR CF INSPIRATION FOR CHRISTMAS! TELE: 325-5792 For wont ads that really pay Call The VaiOtj Sieee 540-5622 SHOW i I.