TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TRAVELHotNews meets ITTS guest of honor Jacques Duchesneau

Chantal Beauregard

Jacques Duchesneau

Air travel is safer than ever.
Jacques Duchesneau, president and CEO of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) was the guest of honor last weekend at the 18th International Tourism and Travel Show being held at Montreal's Place Bonaventure. In an interview with TRAVELHotNews.com, Duchesneau had a very positive and reassuring message for travel professionals and the public as a whole. "Air travel has never been more secure than it is now," he said. "There's more cooperation between agencies, we have better training for our staff and the government is more attentive to our needs."
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Travel and Leisure Show opens Thursday

Jen Savedra

Agent Appreciation Night entertaining and informative

The Travel and Leisure Show which kicks off later this week, will feel a little different this year. Bryson Forbes vice president of Travelweek Group, told TRAVELHotNews.com "we are trying some new initiatives, this year. We've given trade night a bit of a facelift," he said, "and we're invigorating the show - adding a little zest to the environment." Thursday's trade event has been re-branded "Agent Appreciation Night" and will feature a number of events and seminars. Chris Robinson of CFRB will host an Executive panel from 6pm to 7pm which should prove a lively affair, with participants including Jonathan Carroll of iTravel2000, Mike Price from Signature, Andrew Dawson of Sunquest, Tony Pollard, from the Hotel Association of Canada, RBC's Mark Linton and Cruise Queen Vanessa Lee.
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ACTA responds to BSP Link Settlement Criteria

And CStar fires back

Bruce Bishins

Christiane Theberge

In response to CSTAR's request for ACTA's comment on the BSP Link settlement issue, Christiane Th�berge, vice-president, Administration and Public Affairs for ACTA notes that while neither ACTA nor its members are perfectly happy with the existing regime, the fact remains that, "All IATA-appointed agents must sign IATA's Passenger Sales Agency Agreement, and use BSP; BSP depends on pre-authorized debiting (PAD) to process the flow of funds."
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WestJet Launches Expanded Winter Schedule

New non-stop flights to Nassau and U.S. destinations

WestJet has commenced its expanded winter non-stop service to the U.S. and Caribbean. New non-stop flights will be offered to Nassau, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix and Palm Springs from select Canadian cities. "We are excited to offer Canadians looking for low-cost and high-value service more non-stop flights to the U.S. and Caribbean this winter," said Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Guest Experience and Marketing. "With the addition of WestJet Vacations, our guests now have access to affordable customized travel packages to all of our sun destinations."
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Goway specializes in long haul groups

GROUPSOnly division provides expertise

Goway's GROUPSOnly

Goway Travel's exclusive GROUPSOnly division specializes in both affinity and special interest group travel as well as business travel including meetings/conferences and incentives. The company specializes in long-haul group travel to the South Pacific, Asia (including China and India), to all parts of Africa and its newest destinations are Central and South America including Antarctica. GROUPSOnly is very successful in managing large passenger movements for major world events...
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Porter fights back

The marketplace should decide future says CEO

Robert Deluce

Porter Airlines CEO Robert Deluce answered his critics yesterday by announcing new flights from Toronto City Centre Airport to Montreal. Porter will begin taking reservations tomorrow for flights to Montreal beginning December 11. The carrier flew its inaugural flight just last week. Deluce said the airline is growing despite opposition from local politicians including, most vocally, Mayor David Miller and MP Olivia Chow. Chow whose downtown Trinity-Spadina riding encompasses the lakefront called for a boycott of Porter. Protest groups have promised to continue fighting the airline for a "long time".
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