Bird Flu Affects Travel Stock Shares
EUROPEAN UNION, February 13, 2006. Shares in one of Europe's largest operators TUI were lower in Monday's trade. Investors abandoned the stock after the presence of the bird flu virus was confirmed in the EU.
For the first time the H5N1 strain of the viral bird flu has been found in EU member states including Italy, Greece, as well as in Bulgaria. It has been detected among wild bird populations, including swans. There are now fears, expressed in the media, that the virus could move into other northern European countries.
The cases of bird flu have been confirmed in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki and the southern Italian regions of Puglia and Calabria, as well as the island of Sicily. Slovenia has reported a case of an H5 bird flu, but had not yet confirmed whether it is the H5N1 strain.
Germany is now starting to look at precautionary measures to prevent bird flu from spreading from migrating birds to domestic ones in the country. Bird flu has killed at least 88 people in Asia and Turkey since 2003, according to the World Health Organisation.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
