Donna Balancia

Donna Balancia is a media strategist and journalist who has worked with top news organizations covering entertainment, hospitality, legal and technology industries. Donna grew up in New York and lives in Los Angeles.

Articles by Donna Balancia

• Togetherness tourism serves niche markets and local business

  Wednesday, July 12, 2017

  Togetherness tourism is making a splash in the travel business. Couples longing to reconnect or strengthen their relationships are taking experiential vacations that leave them with lingering memories they can bring home. Marrieds are making stir-fry together in Thai cooking classes in Bangkok, hovering in a cable car above an ancient site in Peru, and hitting the waves with surfing lessons in Hawaii.

• Tourism technology continues to gain ground

  Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Technology offers a range of options for travelers in booking and planning vacations and business trips. That means hotels have to plan to accommodate a range of tech-savvy customers, many of whom are still getting acquainted with new ways to experience travel.

• ​Hoteliers reap long-term gains by going green

  Wednesday, January 25, 2017

  Ramp-up expenses can be costly, but hotels that "go green" can harvest rewards with new business and long-term financial gains. Going green has its advantages in the tourism world. Hotels that meet state green certifications derive benefits ranging from saving money to saving the environment. While there is no sweeping federal legislation that mandates hotels go green, many states have taken on their own government-implemented rules and guidance.

• Airlines’ latest plan to increase ticket sales? Fewer seats

  Thursday, November 10, 2016

  As the economy stays on a stable — if not flat — course, one turbulent area appears to be the air travel segment. Thanksgiving always brings additional demand, and the traditional travel season will bring a boost in ticket prices. But holiday travel revenue can't offset the issues U.S.-based airline companies are dealing with today.

• Bioprinting of body parts inching closer to reality

  Monday, March 17, 2014

  New 3-D printing technology is giving hope to medical patients who need to replace and repair body parts and organs. Creating organs through the use of a patient's own cells in many cases, this 3-D printing technology — known as "bioprinting" — is a promising new industry in the scientific community.

• Hotels recovering from government shutdown losses

  Monday, November 18, 2013

  ​October is usually considered one of the slowest months of the year in the hotel industry. But for hotels that cater to government workers, the month is often a ray of hope during the shoulder season. But with the government shutdown, October was difficult this year, even for hotel operators who normally find respite from the annual slump by playing up to its government clientele.