Press Release: Northstar Travel Media LLC
August 19, 2002
SECAUCUS, NJ -- Northstar Travel Media has launched "Intelliguide by Weissmann" (www.weissmann.com),
the first web-based travel guide offering both real-time travel security intelligence and destination information.
Via a worldwide network of correspondents, security analysts and well-traveled staff editors, Intelliguide reports
daily on every country around the world.
"We've combined two things, the best destination information and up-to-the-minute security reports. No one
else does that. And these days, travelers need and want both," says David Gunderson, Editor-in-Chief.
Intelliguide is the next generation of the Weissmann Travel Reports - the industry's leading authority on travel
destinations around the world. For over 17 years, Weissmann has provided advice on what to do and see in thousands
of cities globally, from main attractions to shopping and dining to cultural do's and don'ts. The information is
a blending of fact and points of view and is an indispensable resource for professionals.
The new product, Intelliguide by Weissmann, adds real-time information on terrorism, crime statistics, safety procedures
and precautions, and gives travelers the assurance that they are well prepared for their trip. New security and
safety features include critical risk assessments for every country, rated on a 1-10 scale, and real time news
briefs and travel advisories about situations that might affect a traveler's itinerary, such as health and security
alerts, political unrest, pending strikes, etc. Information is available online or can be pushed to travelers via
e-mail, cell phone or PDA as events occur.
"Intelliguide is unique in its immediacy, primarily because it doesn't rely exclusively on state department
warnings for its news," says Gunderson.
Intelliguide security analysts sift daily through hundreds of information sources and databases including newswires
and government and nongovernmental databases such as UN reports, Amnesty International and Transparency International's
Corruption Index. In addition, Intelliguide employs the services of private security firms to verify the accuracy
of its information.
Intelliguide will give corporate travel planners the ability to track employees as they travel (via PNR registration)
and generate reports at a moment's notice detailing an employee's location in the event of a crisis. They can also
automatically register travelers with local U.S. embassies in the country of destination.
Intelliguide by Weissmann information and security services are available to consumers through subscribing travel
agents and corporate travel planners at no charge. Intelliguide content is also available through licensing agreements.
About Northstar Travel Media
Northstar Travel Media (www.ntmllc.com) is the world's leading provider of
information, news and data for the travel and hospitality industry. NTM's portfolio of worldwide directories, periodicals
and destination information services includes Hotel Travel Index, Official Hotel Guide, Official Hotel Guide International,
Business Travel Planner, Official Cruise Guide, Official Meeting Facilities Guide, Travel Weekly, TravelAge West,
Meetings and Conventions, Travel Management Daily (TMD), Star Service Online and Weissmann Travel Reports.
-------------------------------------------
Contact:
Northstar Travel Media LLC
Michele Carey, 201/902-1968
mcarey@ntmllc.com