TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

GERMANY SAYS GOODBYE & WELCOME

Germany hosts reception to say farewell to their director Ulla Hennigs-Pfau and welcome her successor Anne Dollendorf
Lisa Raffaele

Ulla Hennigs-Pfau, Director for Canada of the German National Tourist Office and her successor Anne Dollendorf

Yesterday evening, Ricarda Lindner, Regional Manager of the Americas for the German National Tourist Office and Ulla Hennigs-Pfau, Director for Canada of the German National Tourist Office, hosted a reception at Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel to share the latest news about Germany and to meet Hennigs-Pfau’s successor, Anne Dollendorf. As of August 1, Dollendorf will be replacing Hennigs-Pfau as director for Canada in the Toronto office. Dollendorf brings more than 14 years of experience in tourism and hospitality in both North America and Germany to her new position as director. [Full text and pictures]

SANDALS – LUXURY INCLUDED

Sandals Resorts hosts luncheon to discuss new developments
Lisa Raffaele

Adam Stewart, CEO, Sandals/Beaches; Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman and Founder of Sandals Resorts

Yesterday afternoon, at Toronto’s Sutton Place Hotel, Sandals’ Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman and Founder of Sandals Resorts and Adam Stewart, CEO, Sandals/Beaches, hosted a luncheon to discuss their latest developments including: the Million Dollar Suites in St. Lucia, the new Italian Village and the Pirate’s Island Water Park expansion in Turks and Caicos. [Full text and pictures]

MALEV CANCELS LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS

Malév Hungarian Airlines ceases Toronto non-stop service at the end of September and New-York to Budapest flight in October

Due to the recent increases in fuel costs Malév Hungarian Airlines announced that they will close down their long-haul operation, and intend to concentrate its capacity and resources on the European network in future. Accordingly, it is cancelling the operation of its loss-making long-haul flights from the start of the winter timetable this year. Malév Hungarian Airlines will cease its Toronto non-stop service at the end of September, with the last flight on September 21. Their New York-Budapest non-stop flight will also be discontinued on October 25, 2008. Taking this into consideration the latest challenges facing the airline industry, Malév is restructuring its fleet. The European network will be covered partly by its medium-haul B737 NG fleet, and partly by the Q400 turboprop planes flying to regional destinations from the beginning of this year’s winter timetable. [Full text and pictures]

STORM WATCH

Cristobal dumps heavy rain along southern coast of Nova Scotia
Canadian Press

Tropical storm Cristobal drenched Nova Scotia yesterday, skirting the coast of the province and dumping an entire month's worth of rain on some areas in less than 24 hours. The heavy rainfall flooded basements in the Cape Sable region at the southern tip of the province, and at least one road was washed out in Sambro, about 20 kilometres southwest of Halifax. However, Cristobal's most powerful winds clocked at 90 kilometres per hour at the northeastern edge of the storm remained well offshore. The Canadian Hurricane Centre in Dartmouth, N.S., said Cristobal will likely continue moving northeast off Nova Scotia until late Tuesday night, when it's expected to shift to the southeast, dodging Newfoundland.

ACTA/ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP RENEWED

ACTA renews partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car

Yesterday, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) announced that it has renewed its exclusive national partnership agreement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car. Under the agreement, which runs to the end of 2008, ACTA will promote the three brands to consumers and travel agents. In turn, Enterprise, National and Alamo will support the association in its membership advocacy and promotional activities in Canada, including working with ACTA to provide customized rental programs to travel professionals at select times during the duration of the agreement. [Full text and pictures]

GRAND CAYMAN’S HURRICANE GUARANTEE

Grand Cayman promises Worry Free Hurricane Guarantee

The Cayman Islands announces a hurricane guarantee that covers any cancellations made prior to arrival and compensation if vacation time is cut short because of inclement weather. Many hotels and condos in the Cayman Islands will allow guests to cancel a vacation during hurricane season if they are worried about weather in any way shape or form, with at most a one night penalty at any time up to 48 hours prior to check-in. A free replacement stay is being offered by many properties as well, allowing guests to rebook for the same duration as the originally booked stay, regardless of how many days were affected by a hurricane or storm. [Full text and pictures]

TOURCAN’S PARADISE IN THE PACIFIC

Tourcan Vacations announces Fiji package for travel September 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009

Tourcan Vacations announces a Fiji package for $1,795, per person based on double occupancy, for travel from September 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Package includes: round trip airfare from Toronto to Nadi (Fiji) via Los Angeles, five-night deluxe ocean view accommodation at Smuggler’s Cove Resort, Nadi or similar, daily breakfast, traditional Fijian welcome, return airport scheduled transfers and local taxes and service charges. For an additional night add $50 per person, per night. Add-on extension packages include: Coral Coast – Tambua Sands Resort, five nights from $460 per person and Mamanuca – Bounty Island Resort, five nights from $795 per person.