TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TRANSAT STRIKES $55M DEAL WITH H10 HOTELS

Transat invests US$55M for stake in five hotels owned by Spain's H10 Hotels; largest deal in Transat's history
With files from Canadian Press

H10 Ocean Blue in Dominican Republic

Tour operator Transat A.T. Inc. is spending US$55 million to team up with H10 Hotels of Barcelona in a joint venture operating five hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The deal, the largest in Transat's history, will see it take a 35 per cent stake in the hotels, currently owned by H10 Hotels. It has the option to increase that stake to 45 per cent within five years of closing. The deal, expected to close this quarter, requires approval by Mexican regulators. Five H10 Hotel operations in the Caribbean and Mexico will be owned and operated by the joint venture; the H10 Hacienda Maya, H10 Punta Coral and H10 Punta Turquesa in Mexico's Mayan Riviera and the H10 Ocean Blue and H10 Ocean Sand in the Dominican Republic. Read on for more details on the agreement. [Full text and pictures]

GOWAY'S DOWNUNDER CASH INCENTIVE

Sell Downunder and earn up to $200 per booking; offer applicable on new bookings from Dec. 1, 2007 to Jan. 31, 2008

Rotorua, New Zealand

Goway Travel is offering agents the opportunity to earn $100 per booking ($50 per person) on any guaranteed departure of the Waltzing Matilda 22-day guided tour of Australia and New Zealand. For any subsequent bookings on the guaranteed departures, Goway will double the cash to up to $200 ($100 per person). The offer is applicable for all new bookings from December 1, 2007 until January 31, 2008. The Waltzing Matilda tour is part of the Goway 'Holidays of a Lifetime' series, and includes international and domestic airfare (excluding taxes), specially designed fun themes, unique dining experiences, a twin share guarantee, sightseeing and first class hotels. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

EAST COASTERS SAVE THE TAX WITH SIGNATURE

Book an all-inclusive package from Halifax or St. John's and save the tax; offer available for bookings until Dec. 4, 2007

Cuba

For a limited time book a Signature Vacations all-inclusive package departing between March 1st and April 30th, 2008 from either Halifax or St. John's and save the tax. Choose from resorts in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. To take advantage of this Save the Tax offer, bookings must be made between November 22nd and December 4th, 2007. Savings are valid on adult reservations for one or two week durations, based on double occupancy and are not combinable with any other offer except an applicable Early Booking Bonus. Child fares, air only reservation and group quotes do not qualify. Please note that Signature Vacations' reservations system will reflect these savings. For more information, visit the industry website at http://just4you.signaturevacations.com (username:signature/ password: sos).

ARTISTOURS: TAKE A CHANCE WITH CELINE

Tickets still available for Celine Dion's December shows in Las Vegas; sold-out Montreal tickets for August 2008 available with Artistours
If your clients are looking for a last chance to see Celine Dion's Las Vegas extravaganza, rest assured you can still find tickets with Artistours. When your client buys two Celine show packages for Las Vegas (air, transfers, hotel and show ticket), they will receive the second show ticket for free. The free ticket will be in the same category as the first (paid) ticket. This promotion is based on double occupancy. Celine will be taking her new album "Taking Chances" on the road next year; packages for the new tour are now available with Artistours. Read on for more details about the new tour. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING ADDS NEW PROPERTY IN RIVIERA MAYA

New all-inclusive Valentin Imperial Maya Resort opens in December 2007

The beach at the Valentin Imperial Maya

Sunwing has added the brand new Valentin Imperial Maya Resort to their lineup in the Riviera Maya. The adults-only resort opens next month and will offer travellers a new level of accommodation, food and beverage, and spa services. The resort is set along two kilometres of white sand beach, and all accommodation is oversized junior suites. There are nine restaurants at the resort, many of them with themes, ranging from French food to seafood. The Valentin also has an on-site waterfront spa, with eight treatment rooms and an outdoor treatment area for couples. Adjacent to the spa is a fitness centre, hydrotherapy room and yoga area. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

WHAT'S NEW ON THE SLOPES

New lifts and runs added this season at Canada's ski resorts
With files from Canadian Press

Mont Sainte-Anne, Quebec

With November winding down and winter on its way, here is a quick look at some of the upcoming additions at some ski resorts across Canada.
-Cypress Mountain, B.C.: New high-speed quad chairlift called Lions Express, plus nine new runs to expand the ski area by 40 per cent.
-Red Mountain, B.C.: New quad chairlift replaces the current Silverlode chair to get to new beginner and intermediate terrain.
-Kicking Horse, B.C.: Has invested $3.5 million in new activities, terrain enhancements and programs. Read on for more developments. [Full text and pictures]

SEEAMERICA COMMITTEE CHANGES NAME TO "DISCOVER AMERICA"

Effective immediately, name has changed to "Discover America Canada Committee"

The See America Committee Canada kicked off their November 14th meeting with the unveiling of a new logo and an announcement that the organization has formally changed its name to "Discover America Canada," effective immediately. Adam Vance, a spokesperson from the Travel Industry Association (TIA), noted that focus groups in the international community responded better to the welcoming 'Discover America' brand name. Read on for more information. According to Statistics Canada, same-day car trips to the United States hit a six-year high in September, a four per cent increase over August. The name change comes at an appropriate time, when Canadians are increasingly visiting the U.S. in record numbers. [Full text and pictures]