Travel Roundup: Hotel Phillips Can't Sue "Bruno," QE2 Floating Hotel Moves, Business Travel Goes Cheap and More
Kansas City's Hotel Phillips reluctantly makes its debut in "Bruno" -- In the Sacha Baron Cohen film, "Bruno," Cohen uses a Hotel Phillips hotel room in Kansas City, Mo. as the setting for a scene involving himself and another actor handcuffed together in a sadomasochistic encounter gone awry. Blaine Proctor, director of sales and marketing for the hotel, said the hotel signed a film waiver "under false pretenses." Proctor said he was led to believe it was a documentary crew, rather than a comedic film. He said the hotel's lawyer read over the film waivers and said Cohen and the producers could use the film as they pleased. [Source: Kansas City Star]
Owner of Queen Elizabeth 2 is hoping to open its floating hotel elsewhere -- Dubai-based ship owner Nakheel is planning to open the Queen Elizabeth 2 as a floating hotel in the Middle East or Africa rather than in the United Arab Emirates. Nakheel told the Associated Press that other ports expressed interest in the project and is currently evaluating its options. Originally the company planned to renovate the ship and berth is alongside Palm Jumeirah island. Cape Town, South Africa has also been named as an option. The company has been in financial trouble since the drop in its country's real estate market. [Source: Associated Press]
Business travelers exist, but are paring down costs -- While not news to many in the travel industry, corporate travelers are cutting back. They are flying coach or not at all, according to several major airlines who expect to post losses in their second quarter reports. Hotel revenue is also expected to show drops. Efforts to lure business travelers include "A-list" status and offering wi-fi, satellite radio, priority boarding and discounts. [Source: Associated Press]
Polish woman sues hotel for impregnating daughter -- A mother from Poland is suing the owners of an Egyptian hotel after claiming her 13-year-old daughter got pregnant while swimming in the hotel's pool. After a few weeks on vacation in Egypt, the family returned home to find Magdalena Kwiatkowska's daughter unexpectedly pregnant, although the girl claims to not have been sexually active. Kwiatkowska is now suing the hotel for negligence. [Source: (New Jersey) Star-Ledger]