TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

NEW OTTAWA MINISTER WELCOMED

Stephan Wasylko

U.S. Consul General Luncheon Welcomes Stephan Wasylko, Minister for Commercial Affairs
Leyla Emory
Both the Toronto weather and U.S. Consul General John R. Nay gave a warm welcome yesterday afternoon to the Stephan Wasylko, the new Minister for Commercial Affairs in Ottawa. Arriving in Canada via London, England, Wasylko and his wife Carol were greeted by approximately 50 guests at a luncheon held at Consul General Nay’s home. The welcoming committee included various members of U.S. Consulate Office and U.S. Commercial Service. Among them were Sherri Holliday, Political Economic Section Chief, Jeff Tunis, Consular Chief and Michael Keaveny, Senior Commercial Officer, a post Wasylko himself held between 1995 and 2000. [Full text and pictures]

HUMBERTO HEADING TO TEXAS

Hurricane Humberto

Hurricane Humberto forms off Texas, promises heavy rain and flooding
Humberto strengthened into a hurricane early this morning as it edged toward the Texas coast, packing 129-kilometre-an-hour winds and promising more rain and possible flooding to a state coming off one of the wettest summers in more than 50 years. At 1:15 a.m. EDT, the centre of the hurricane was about 32 kilometres east of Galveston and about 24 kilometres south of High Island. It was moving toward the north-northeast near 13 km/h. Forecasters warned residents along a 354-kilometre stretch of coastline extending into Southwestern Louisiana to brace for the storm, which was expected to slosh ashore south of Houston overnight. [Full text and pictures]

X-MAS WITH CANADIAN TOURS

Classic Canadian Tours announces non-stop Christmas jet charters to Edmonton and Calgary from Brandon, Terrace and Kamloops
Classic Canadian Tours (CCT) announced today that they will be adding non-stop jet charters to Edmonton and Calgary from Brandon, Terrace and Kamloops for the Christmas holidays. Bill Lamberton, President of CCT said today, “This year residents of Brandon and western Manitoba will have the opportunity to fly directly to either Edmonton or Calgary for the Christmas Holiday. Alternatively, people in the region can summon relatives and loved ones home from Alberta for a convenient seasonal visit.” [Full text and pictures]

VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY GIVEAWAY

Antarctica

Voyages of Discovery launches Antarctica giveaway
Voyages of Discovery is celebrating the launch of its new Antarctic web site with an opportunity for travel agents to win a cruise to Antarctica. “Antarctica Discovery captures photos, video clips and journals from the line’s passengers, onboard lecturers and staff,” says Mark Flager, Vice-president of Sales & Marketing and Passenger Services. “Travel agents who have never been to Antarctica can benefit from these first-person accounts of travel to the White Continent,” adds Flager. “It’s a great tool to help agents sell the destination.” Voyages of Discovery offers a total of seven cruise expeditions. The cruises feature landings ashore, Zodiac cruising and an in-depth enrichment program from a team of seven onboard scientists and lecturers. [Full text and pictures]

RCI FRENCH DEDICATION

Former Europa

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announces a new French-style cruise line
Continuing its expansion in Europe, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced today it is launching a new cruise brand, CDF Croisičres de France, committed to the French market. The new brand will begin sailing its first ship, Bleu de France, in May 2008, after the ship has completed extensive renovations and undergone a cultural transformation wholly adapting the brand experience to French tastes. The new line will operate one ship initially when it begins operations. The 376-cabin ship was the former luxury liner Europa, when it was owned by Hapag Lloyd. Currently, it is Pullmantur’s Holiday Dream. [Full text and pictures]

CHA CONTINUES TO LOBBY

CHA continues to lobby for tourism interests
Ongoing efforts seek to ensure that recommendations for the liberalization of regional tourism services are included in external trade negotiations that the Caribbean is involved in. While in Europe to attend a meeting with Spanish investors to be held this Friday in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, CHA President Peter J. Odle; David Jessop, Executive Director of the London-based Caribbean Council and Alec Sanguinetti, CHA Director General and Chief Executive Officer, meet earlier this week in Brussels with representatives of the European Union to discuss the ongoing Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations. [Full text and pictures]

DELTA NON-STOP TO ST.KITTS

Delta Air Lines commences new non-stop flight with a one-way special fare
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority announced yesterday that Delta Air Lines will be commencing a new non-stop flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to St. Kitts, marking the first time the airline will offer service to this Caribbean island. The flight will operate once a week on Saturdays, beginning on February 16, 2008. Delta Air Lines flight DL373 will depart Atlanta at 11:15 a.m. eastern daylight-saving time and arrive into St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport at 4:05 p.m. local time. The return flight DL372 will depart St. Kitts at 4:55 p.m. and arrive into Atlanta at 8:05 p.m. To start this weekly service, Delta will use a 150 seat, 737-800 Boeing aircraft with 16 first class seats and 134 economy seats. [Full text and pictures]

MSC GOLFING CRUISE

MSC Sinfonia is offering a golfing cruise with Chuck Cook this October
This October MSC is offering a 7-night golf clinic onboard the MSC Sinfonia with Chuck Cook, director of Chuck Cook Golf Academy in Texas.
Chuck Cook and his assistant, American coach Andrea Ferlito, will be on board to aid in the golfing experience. During the cruise there will be lessons for all levels, from accomplished golfers, to those with a passion for technical precision as well as those looking to learn the secrets of the sport. Cook will give seminars on the theory of golf and share behind-the-scenes anecdotes and tips from his years of experience coaching professionals in the field. This cruise will depart Genoa Oct. 22, calling into Monte Carlo, Spanish Valencia, Valletta in splendid Malta, and then Civitavecchia. [Full text and pictures]

NEW UNITED LA TO FRANKFURT

United Airbus 320

United Airlines announces new service from Los Angeles to Frankfurt
United Airlines today announced that it will offer new daily passenger and cargo service between Los Angeles and Frankfurt. United will begin service to Frankfurt on December 15, 2007 and service from Frankfurt on December 16, 2007. Flights are open for sale beginning today. United plans to operate combined passenger and cargo service between the United States and Frankfurt using a Boeing-777 aircraft. Kevin Knight, United’s senior vice president of planning said, “Both Los Angeles and Frankfurt serve as important international business destinations and connection points for our customers, who can connect to more than 885 destinations world wide through our Star Alliance partnerships.” [Full text and pictures]