DOT 13-10
Contact: Bill Mosley,
Tel: (202) 366-4570
Friday, January 22, 2010
News Digest
DOT Cautions Consumers on Super Bowl Air Travel Ticket Scams. Air travelers going to Super Bowl XLIV this year should be aware that not all tour packages include a ticket to the Feb. 7 game in Miami. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) consumer protection rules require any operator marketing a Super Bowl air package that is promoted as including game tickets have the tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before the operator does any advertising. DOT cautions travelers that if a game ticket is not specifically mentioned in advertisements or other solicitation material or listed as a tour feature, the ticket is probably not included. DOT’s rules state that if a tour was described as including a game ticket and you do not receive one, you are entitled to a full refund of the entire package price upon your return. People may file complaints about Super Bowl tours that advertise tickets but do not provide them by contacting the Aviation Consumer Protection Division online at http://airconsumer.dot.gov, by voice-mail at (202) 366-2220 or by TTY at (202) 366-0511. Media Contact: Bill Mosley, (202) 366-4570.
BTS Releases Reports on Ocean Passenger Vessels. The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics today released two special reports on the ocean passenger vessel industry. U.S. Ocean Passenger Terminals: serving larger vessels closer to home and central transit connections provides an overview of the trend since 2004 to larger vessels and terminals located closer to population centers and transit connections. Ocean Passenger Vessels: migrating south for the winter examines the seasonal pattern of cruise departures from northern ports in the summer and southern ports in the winter. The report on terminals can be found at http://www.bts.gov/publications/bts_special_report/2010_01_19/ and the vessel report can be found at http://www.bts.gov/publications/bts_special_report/2010_01_20/. For the latest maritime-related BTS data products, please visit the BTS Maritime Program website. Contact Dave Smallen: 202-366-5568.
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