|
 |
| |
| The Avantage Voyage Convention in Mexico |
|
Close to 120 participants
Éva Lecouteur-Bédard
 |
| Doreen Lynch, Hugh Bond, Carolyn Pawson, Karen Scott Caplice, Danielle Durocher, Stuart Morcombe and Janice Allard | | Owners of 45 travel agencies from all over Canada gathered in Mexico for the Avantage Voyage's Marketing on Rivera Maya 2006 event, November 12-19. New programmes were unveiled and training was provided. TravelHotNews.com took part in this meeting. It turned out to be an excellent networking opportunity for agencies' owners and directors with some 60 delegates in attendance from coast to coast. "We are lucky to be part of a national network," said Danielle Durocher, Vice-President of Avantage Voyage, during the opening reception. "The networking opportunities with people from other provinces are powerful and wonderful." The Avantage Voyage team present throughout the week-long convention included: Doreen Lynch, Executive VP; Stuart Morcombe, VP Supplier Relations; Karen Scott Caplice, VP Cruise & Travel Development; Hugh Bond, VP Business Development; Carolyn Pawson, Business Development Manager; and Janice Allard, Business Development Manager.
[Full
text]
|
|
| |
 |
| |
| Oceania Cruises readies expansion |
|
US$375 million buys three ships
 |
| Frank Del Rio | |
Oceania Cruises announced that it paid a total cost of $375 million for the three vessels, which it previously operated under long-term leases. The move positions the company for further expansion. The three 684-passenger ships - Regatta, Insignia and Nautica indicates Oceania's growth within three years from a start-up company with one ship and fewer than 50 employees to a three-ship fleet with 2,052 berths, 165 shoreside staff and more than 2,000 crew members worldwide. "To reach this milestone in such a short period of time, from start-up to owning our vessels in less than four years, is a momentous occasion and a tremendous achievement for the entire team at Oceania Cruises," said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO.
|
|
| |
 |
| |
| New Orleans welcomes QE2 maiden visit |
|
|
Another step forward
After nearly forty years at sea, the Queen Elizabeth 2 is making its first call to New Orleans. On Monday the venerable Cunard liner will sail into the southern port in yet another display of confidence by the cruise lines in the city struggling to regain its tourism industry after the Katrina disaster. "The Port of New Orleans is extremely honoured to host a ship of this calibre,' said Gary LaGrange, port president and CEO. 'It is a show of confidence in our cruise ship terminals and in New Orleans' rebounding tourism industry. We want to welcome these world travelers and invite them back to visit again." QE2 is scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m. Monday at the Julia Street Cruise Terminal and depart by 11 p.m.
|
|
| |
 |
| |
| Good news for the spa industry |
|
Interest growing as people want to relax
In a recent "Voice of the Traveller" survey 54% of travellers said they were currently interested in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. And if that wasn't enough good news for the spa industry, the interest in spas is growing even more. Almost a third of travellers said they were more interested now in going to a spa, or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves, compared to five years ago. Spa vacations now rank fifth by people listing all the things they were MORE interested in doing now compared to five years ago. Spa vacations now rank fifth by people listing all the things they were MORE interested in doing now compared to five years ago. Among those who are interested in spa vacations, the majority (40%) are in the 35 - 54 years old age bracket. Interest however, is also strong among 18 - 34 year olds (37%).
|
|
| |
| |
| G.A.P Adventures hosts FAM trip |
|
STA USA Agents enjoy South Africa
 |
| G.A.P. Group | | 11 STA USA agents joined G.A.P Adventures for a seven day tour of South Africa from October 30 to November 6. Airfare was provided by South African Airways. Highlights included several game drives in Mlilwane, Swaziland's pioneer conservations area, and in Zululand, one of South Africa's most diverse regions. 'The world of G.A.P Adventures should be experienced in order to truly understand the compelling products we offer to our preferred partners' clients," said Brad Ford, business development manager for G.A.P Adventures, who joined the STA USA agents on the trip. "Every agent has said they will return home changed - and that is what G.A.P Adventures is all about - Travel Further."
[Full
text]
|
|
| |
|
|
