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| PACIFIC SUNSPOTS TOURS SCALES DOWN |
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Will no longer accept new travel agency bookings; will cease wholesale operations
Yesterday afternoon, Gael Arthur, General Manager of Pacific Sunspots Tours, announced the “scaling down of operations at Pacific Sunspots Tours.” Effective immediately, the company will no longer be accepting new travel agency bookings. The letter goes on to say, “All our existing bookings will be fulfilled, and we will meet all future commitments and obligations.” Dale Urquhart, Senior Manager Travel, British Columbia Automotive Association (BCAA), which owns Pacific Sunspots Tours, told TRAVELHotNews that, “Pacific Sunspots Tours will be servicing them only for the time being and they will be examining future options for them.”
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| DISCOVER MORELOS, MEXICO |
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| Cuernavaca, Mexico | | The State of Morelos offers archaeology, ancient and modern history and relaxing excursions
Charmaine Pang
Last week, TRAVELHotNews.com met with Adriana Contreras Delgado, Manager of Take A Tour, an inbound tour operator with operations in the state of Morelos, Mexico. The company’s goal is to give your clients an interactive experience with the people and places of Mexico. Morelos is one of the smallest states in Mexico, but offers a rich diversity of terrain, important archaeological areas and soothing hot springs. Morelos is bordered by the states of Mexico and the Federal District to the north, Guerrero to the south and Puebla to the east. Morelos state is only 45 minutes by car from Mexico City, making it an excellent day trip for clients visiting Mexico City. In fact, many city dwellers from the neighbouring regions of Mexico visit Morelos for relaxing weekend getaways.
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| OCTOBER RECORD HIGH |
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Air Canada and WestJet report record load factors
Air Canada has reported its highest-ever load factor for October, with 78.6 per cent of its seats filled on a consolidated business, up from 78.4 per cent a year earlier. The mainline carrier flew 2.8 per cent more revenue passenger miles than in October 2006 while capacity increased 2.7 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 79.1 per cent, up from 79 per cent. The Jazz regional operation raised its load factor to 74.2 per cent from 72.5 per cent.
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| PASSPORT CONFUSION SOLVED |
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Disney Parks new website clarifies passport requirements for Canadians
Canadians’ confusion about passport regulations for travel to the U.S. could mean cancelled trips or long delays at the border. Yesterday, results from a survey conducted by Harris/Decima for Disney Parks (Canada) found many Canadians were unaware of passport requirements to enter the U.S. by land or sea. To solve confusion, Disney Parks (Canada) has created a ‘Disney’s Passport to Dreams’ online micro site at www.disneyparks.ca to clarify current passport requirements for Canadian travelers. It provides tips for obtaining a Canadian passport and offers a free passport photo at CAA locations for the first 10,000 people who download the coupon.
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| SOUTH CALIFORNIA NOW OPEN |
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| South California coastline | | Southern California’s tourist destinations ready for business after wildfires
Southern California’s tourism destinations are up and running and ready for visitors. As the recent wildfires are near containment, the state’s attractions are spreading the word that they’re open for business. “Southern California is known worldwide as an ideal vacation destination, and I’m happy to report that it remains a wonderful and safe place to visit,” said Executive Director Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC). “The wildfires did not affect the majority of the state’s popular attractions, and we encourage travelers to experience firsthand the adventures that await throughout California.”
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| SERVICE STARTS AT THE DOOR |
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Collette Vacations announces free door-to-door land sedan transfers
Yesterday Collette Vacations announced free door-to-door sedan transfers on land only and air inclusive bookings effective May 1, 2008 for departures from 5 major Canadian centres: Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Victoria. The complimentary door-to-door sedan transfer return is offered to clients who live within a 100 kilometre radius of either the Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Victoria and Vancouver airports. “Collette Vacations prides itself on delivering the highest quality, best value and exceptional service everytime and everywhere,” says Christine McLeod, Collette’s Canadian Marketing Manager. “This level of service is now starting the moment our clients step out their front door.”
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| EU NEEDS MORE INFO |
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EU to launch PNR system similar to the US
The EU intends to launch a Passenger Name Record (PNR) system similar to the collection procedure applied by the US. Under the plan unveiled yesterday as part of a broader counterterrorism package, the 27 member states would be required to collect 19 fields of data from passengers flying to or from the EU. Data required includes: the e-mail address and phone number of the passenger, ticket and travel agent information and payment details. Also, this information would have to be provided 24 hours prior to departure. Airlines will be responsible for the collection of PNR information and all information will be kept for 13 years and made available to specialized national "units" carrying out risk assessments and to law enforcement agents like police and customs officers that may be part of antiterrorism activities or investigations.
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| ARE Q400s SAFE? |
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| Bombardier Q400 | | Danish Accident Investigation Board confirm Bombardier’s safeness
Last week, Danish investigators issued a preliminary report saying that the crash landing by a Bombardier-made Scandinavian Airlines System turboprop was caused by a piece of rubber stuck in the landing gear. It was the third accident involving an SAS Bombardier Q400 in seven weeks. Although no one was seriously injured, the Scandinavian airline said the accidents had damaged confidence in the planes. Steven Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Regional Aircraft, said Monday in a statement that the investigators' latest findings “clearly support Bombardier's position that the Q400 is a safe and reliable aircraft.”
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