ACTA CONDEMNS AIR CANADA MOVE TO DISCONTINUE CASH REWARD PROGRAMS "An insult to its customers and another slap in the face for agents"  Michael Merrithew Michael Merrithew, Chair of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), stated Friday: "It is clear Air Canada does not want to recognize the value of travel agents and is expecting them to work on its behalf for no base compensation. By further eliminating travel agency cash rewards for booking air tickets, the carrier is trying to shift all distribution costs to the consumer." By not compensating travel agents at least a minimum base fee for the most basic functions of selling its products, Air Canada is suggesting there are no real costs involved in selling its products to customers, whether online, via its call centres or through travel agents. [Full text]

CANADIAN TRAVEL AGENTS SHINE BRIGHTLY AT 4th ANNUAL SANDALS AND BEACHES S.T.A.R AWARDS Al Valente, Valente Travel, Windsor, ON  (pictured far right) accepts his award from Kevin Froemming, President, Unique Vacations Inc. and shares with fellow winners from the US and the UK Sandals and Beaches Resorts recently hosted nearly 400 loyal travel agents and industry partners from around the world at the fourth annual Sandals Travel Agent Recognition (S.T.A.R) Awards celebration held this year at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. "In just four years, the S.T.A.R Awards has become one of the most exciting and anticipated events for Canadian travel agents," says Gary C. Sadler, Director of Sales and Marketing, Canada. For photos and a complete list of Canadian winners, read on. [Full text]

CONTIKI ANNOUNCES OZ MASTER CHALLENGE WINNER Holly Pendergast and Sahara Abu-Ulbeh Contiki Holidays recently awarded the winner of their 'OZ Master Challenge' with a trip down under. Agents were required to make one South Pacific booking and answer a short quiz; the lucky winner was Holly Pendergast from Uniglobe Geo Travel in Edmonton. Awarding Holly with a 14-day "Beaches and Reefs" tour is Sahara Abu-Ulbeh, Contiki sales manager for AB, SK and MB.

AIR CANADA RELEASES A FLURRY OF SERVICE LAUNCHES New flights to Orlando, Abbotsford, Santo Domingo and San Diego Air Canada announced over the weekend the launch of two new routes serving Calgary with the inaugural of non-stop services to Orlando and Abbotsford; new daily non-stop San Diego-Vancouver flights; and non-stop service between Toronto and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. [Full text]

AIR NEW ZEALAND 40 YEARS OF SERVICE IN NORTH AMERICA Offers travel agents special celebration rate Air New Zealand is celebrating 40 years of service to North America. To celebrate this important milestone, Air New Zealand is offering travel agents who visit www.airnztravelagent.com and register, the opportunity to take advantage of a special travel agent and companion fare to New Zealand for $399 US (Pacific Economy class) and $1,999 US (Business Premier Class). Terms and conditions apply. A virtual tour of the new in-flight product is also available on the website. [Full text]

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