TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

Awards of merit 2007

Who will be the personality of the year 2007?
You have until January 20, 2008
to submit your candidates.

TRAVELHotNews MERIT AWARDS 2007

TRAVELHotNews.com launches inaugural Awards of Merit to honour travel industry professionals; nominations accepted until Jan. 20, 2008

It's nearing the end of the year, and TRAVELHotNews.com would like to recognize the hard work of travel industry professionals across Canada. The Awards of Merit 2007 will highlight the efforts of professionals who have gone above and beyond their call of duty in 2007. All travel industry professionals and companies are eligible to participate in the contest. Candidates may submit their own names or those of other professionals in the network or of companies by filling out the nomination form. Read on to learn more and to participate....or simply nominate someone today! Nominations will be accepted until January 20, 2008. [Full text and pictures]

SIGNATURE & WYNDHAM SAVINGS, AGENT INCENTIVE

Save your clients $100 per couple, per week at the Viva Wyndham Tangerine; agents have a chance to win a trip to the resort with bookings

Viva Wyndham Tangerine

For a limited time book the Viva Wyndham Tangerine with Signature Vacations and you will save $100 per couple, per week. Located in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, the Viva is situated in one of the hottest windsurfing locations in the Western Hemisphere. To qualify for these savings, bookings must be made between December 16th, 2007 and January 13th, 2008 for travel between December 16th, 2007 and April 30th, 2008. Signature Vacations and the Viva Wyndham Tangerine are also thanking travel agents with a trip a week giveaway for the next 4 weeks to the resort. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

HOLA SUN AGENT TRAINING SESSIONS

Hola Sun offers in-house office training on new agent online booking engine in December, January

Hola Sun is offering agent training sessions for their new agent online booking site. If your agency is interested in having in-house office training with a Hola Sun representative, there are training sessions available in December and January. Meet your Hola Sun sales rep, who will walk you through the booking process on the new online booking engine and get to know the new products for the 2008 season. The available training sessions will be held on December 19 and 20; January 9 and 10; January 16 and 17; January 23 and 24. Please contact the sales representatives Andrea or Eileen to confirm a date and time. For flexible dates, contact Hola Sun at 905-882-0136. Andrea can be reached at ext. 400 and Eileen at ext. 402. To register your agency on the booking engine, visit holacaribeagent.ca. Only one registration is required per agency. Access will be granted within 48 hours. For reservations, call 1-800-668-8178 or 905-882-9445.

CAR TRAVEL TO U.S. AT 7-YR HIGH

Same day car travel to U.S. hits highest level in almost seven years

Canadian Press
Same-day car travel by Canadians to the United States hit its highest level in almost seven years in October as the loonie surpassed parity with the U.S. dollar. At the same time, same-day car travel by U.S. residents to Canada hit a record low. Statistics Canada reports Canadian residents took about 2.2 million same-day car trips to the United States in October, six per cent more than in September. With the average monthly value of the Canadian dollar in October at US $1.03, it was the highest number of same-day car trips to the U.S. in one month since January 2001. Overnight car travel to the United States jumped 4.9 per cent to 972,000 trips, the highest monthly level since September 1993. [Full text and pictures]

OASIS HK ENHANCES SERVICE, CAPACITY

New product, service enhancements for Oasis passengers; additional flights launched between Hong Kong-London

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines will deliver an early Christmas present to both their businessOasis and economyOasis passengers with enhanced in-flight services and a luxurious new range of products in its businessOasis and economyOasis cabins, as well as the launch of additional flights between Hong Kong to London. Oasis will unveil the first phase of its new benefits on board from mid-December, with all the upgrades due to be completed by mid-February, 2008. In addition to Oasis' in-flight service upgrade, three non-stop flights a week will be added to the London route, bringing the total to 10 flights per week. The additional flights will operate Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 16 December, 2007. Read on for all the details. [Full text and pictures]

RUN FOR ACTA ONTARIO REGIONAL COUNCIL

Three positions open on the Ontario Regional Council for a 2-year term, beginning Feb. 2007
ACTA has three positions opening on the Ontario Regional Council for a two-year term beginning in February 2007. The nomination forms were distributed to all ACTA retail members on November 30, 2007 and the deadline for these nominations is December 21, 2007. With the increasing number of changes taking place in the industry, ACTA urged industry professionals in a press release to "get involved and to consider running for office, or to nominate a fellow member who you feel would act on your behalf, to ensure that your voice is heard. Those council members that are leaving have volunteered countless hours on your behalf, representing and defending the interests of travel agents." Get involved in the association and learn more about ACTA and what the organization can do for travel agents. For a current list of Council members and more information, visit the ACTA website at acta.travel.

LONDON HEATHROW TO BEGIN EXPANSION IN '08

Outdated, overcrowded airport begins overhaul next year
Canadian Press

Outdated and overcrowded, Heathrow Airport begins a long-awaited makeover next year that will radically transform the busy transit hub. Airport executives are hoping to usher in a new era with the opening of Terminal 5 in March - the first plank in a proposed lengthy revamp. The government is also due to rule on controversial plans to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at the airport amid warnings from users and legislators alike that it is in danger of losing its premier European status. Heathrow has come under increasing criticism for delays, lost baggage, poor services and long lines at security checkpoints due to counterterrorism measures. To deal with the existing crush and an anticipated increase, BAA plans to rebuild, refurbish or redesign all airport buildings and facilities over the next five years. [Full text and pictures]