New data from the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reveals that of the 50 largest airports in the U.S., only four showed growth in passenger traffic in 2009.

With airports and airlines struggling to fill seats, more and more airports are beginning to compete aggressively for travelers.

So which airports are adding customers and what does it say about the airline industry?

Last weekend, Peter chatted with Michael Stern, organizer of the New Orleans Road Food Festival, co-author of Road Food, and co-founder of one of our favorite Web sites, Roadfood.com.

The second annual New Orleans Road Food Festival, will take place March 26-28 in New Orleans, celebrating the great regional foods of America.

Peter Greenberg: Michael, you’ll still talk to me, even though I don’t eat meat anymore?

Nothing can derail a trip faster than getting sick on the road, but what if it’s the transportation that makes you ill?

Several passengers on a flight out of Charlotte, North Carolina, have been hospitalized for symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic fumes, while hundreds of cruisers out of Charleston, South Carolina, have fallen ill from an intestinal bug.

Several people reported a foul odor on the Jamaica-bound US Airways Flight 985 from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, followed by passengers complaining of illness.

If you’re among the population that dreads bouncers asking for your ID (rather than feeling flattered) and consider beer pong tournaments legit weekend entertainment, chances are, you’re already clued into the allure of Cancun as a holiday destination.

The rest of us, however, may need a little convincing.

Amanda Pressner investigates the grownup side of this Mexican destination.

On March 13, 2010, Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio is coming to you from the Hilton at Bonnet Creek, in Orlando, Florida. Featured guests from the show include:

George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, talking about the importance of business travel and connecting people face-to-face instead of just teleconferencing;

Leigh Gallagher, assistant managing editor at Fortune, breaking down where airlines fit in on the magazine’s list of “Most Admired Companies.”

Diego Parras, Walt Disney Imagineer, sharing the stories behind Disney World’s most popular attractions and what the future holds for Disney;

Captain Jon McBride, former NASA astronaut, sharing stories from his missions in space and his time as a fighter pilot.

 

 Business Travel News & Behind the Scenes at Disney World - Hour 1 - PGW Radio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The U.S. Department of State has upped its alert for travel to Mexico’s border towns in the wake of violent attacks on three people associated with the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez, but no alert has been issued to resort areas after a series of gruesome murders in Acapulco.

The deadly attacks prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge American citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to parts of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua, three north-central Mexican states struggling with drug-related violence.

On recent travels to Guatemala’s Maya ruin of Tikal and to the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum in Mexico, Meg Pier was impacted by seeing fresh paths being cleared for ancient archeological ruins—realizing how progress in developing sustainable tourism can make a real and meaningful difference in local communities.

Jeff Morgan is co-founder of the Global Heritage Fund, which seeks to save the Earth’s most significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries and regions, through scientific excellence and community development.

President Obama made a splash in the travel industry this week, putting his stamp on a few projects that could greatly effect travelers.

Keep reading for a round-up of the top travel news stories of the week, plus a look at some great alternative spring break ideas.