TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

Carlson assists guests with dwarfism

Kit eases everyday problems, makes hotel stay more comfortable

clothes-rack bar

For guests of short stature or with dwarfism, visiting a hotel can present a variety of obstacles which the average height hotel guest never encounters. Pushing elevator buttons, latching the lock on the guestroom door, hanging up clothes, or sitting on the bed can be frustrating, problematical and even dangerous. Following year-long tests, Carlson Hotels will introduce the Assistive Convenience Kit for guests at select hotels by July 2007. The kits will be made available at all full-service Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, and at select-service Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn hotels with more than 120 rooms. [Full text]

October earthquake gives Hawaii tourism a little shake

But Canadian visitors increase

Waikiki Beach

Canadian arrivals in Hawaii were up 9.1% year to date through October. However, Hawaii's total tourism arrivals were down 4.2% in the month of October, according to a recent report. "Our visitor industry continues to perform well especially when compared to last year's exceptional results," said State Tourism Liaison, Marsha Wienert. "The October 15 earthquake may have had a short-term impact on visitor activity for the month, but we are optimistic that the visitor industry will continue to remain strong." Earthquakes and a blackout obviously hurt an already softening visitors market said travel executives, who noted that television images of earthquake-damaged buildings and hotels without power obviously concerned some potential visitors. [Full text]

WestJet Plays Santa to Sick Kids in 23 Canadian Cities

Airline exceeds goal of 100 toys for each hospital

Santa's New Sleigh

WestJet has completed their cross-country Toy Drive for Sick Kids, dropping off the last of over 2,400 toys to sick children in all 23 of their Canadian destination cities. Over 2,400 toys were donated by WestJetters across the country as part of their ongoing community investment initiatives. "This is something that WestJet has been doing regionally for years and the coast-to-coast tour represents our growing commitment to support children's health causes throughout the communities in which we operate," says Richard Bartrem, Director of Culture and Communications at WestJet. "WestJet pilots, customers service agents, flight attendants and office staff who participated brought smiles to the faces of many children and families. [Full text]

St.Lucia's national elections impact CTO

Chairman will change after two month tenure

John Compton

St. Lucia's national elections not only swept former premier John Compton back into office but also threw a spanner into the chairmanship of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Compton's United Workers Party's election victory ousted Kenny Anthony of the Labour Party from power. With Anthony went his cabinet, including Tourism Minister Phillip Pierre who was just elected CTO chairman for a two year term at the annual conference in October. However, it is the country, not the individual, that the CTO's board of directors elects as CTO chairman. [Full text]

Riu Hotels & Resorts launches the biggest construction project in its history

Official ground breaking in Cabo San Lucas

The new Riu at Cabo San Lucas

Riu Hotels & Resorts officially broke ground on its newest resort, Riu Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Resort is scheduled to open in November 2007, construction is expected to take 12 months and cost over US $135 million. This marks the largest single capital investment ever made by the company. Riu Santa Fe will be RIU's second resort in Los Cabos and its thirteenth in Mexico [Full text]

Happy Holidays from Sunwing

Save $300 - book by December 22
Book by December 22 and save cut $300 off the price of the package holiday. That is Sunwing's early Christmas present and it applies to any package holiday in the 20 southern destinations offered by Sunwing, from any of the company's 18 departure cities in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. [Full text]