TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

WHO WILL BE THIS YEAR’S TRAVEL IDOL?

TRAVELHotNews.com and Transat Holidays team up for national contest

Get ready for the return of the Travel Idol contest! A partnership brought to you by Transat Holidays and TRAVELHotNews.com, our tongue-in-cheek ‘beauty contest’ lets you vote for the most attractive man and woman in the travel industry! Remember, it’s not about looks, it’s about attitude. As we all know, it can be stressful at times to work in the travel industry…so it’s time to take a break, let your hair down (or put it up), and enter the contest! You can submit your picture or a picture of your colleagues. From now until September 30th, you’re invited to send all your pictures in. The photos will be published at the TRAVELHotNews.com website. [Full text and pictures]

TOTAL VACATIONS BOOGIES DOWN!

Tour operator brings a taste of the ‘70s to disco-themed product preview
Charmaine Pang

Dave Cecco, President of Total Vacations, at far right, with Total Vacations team in their best disco outfits

Disco fever was in the air yesterday at the Total Vacations product preview trade show and event. The Renaissance Toronto Airport hosted 200 agents and 42 exhibitors, made up of tourist boards, hotels, resort chains, rental car companies and more. The seventies vibe was present, with Total Vacations staff (and a few brave agents) decked out in their glitziest disco duds. Disco music played throughout the evening, and agents had a chance to boogie down and dance to the beat after dinner. In the afternoon, agents were invited to participate in a series of feature destination seminars, where they could learn about four destinations: Aruba, Colonial Mexico, Riviera Narayit and Bermuda. [Full text and pictures]

JET AIRWAYS UNVEILS NEW AIRBUS

New A330-200 is the “Pride of India,” says Ajay Tandon
Jennifer Zalitack

Ajay Tandon, Regional Sales Manager, Jet Airways

Last Wednesday, Jet Airways unveiled their brand new custom-built Airbus A330-200 at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. The new plane is all set for new Toronto-India service on the airline. Now, Jet Airways flies from Toronto to New Delhi and Mumbai via Brussels five times a week. They have two-hour seamless transit/transfer in Brussels, outbound and inbound. Canadians can fly from Toronto to New Delhi and Mumbai via Brussels on the new Airbus A330-200 and on the Boeing 777-300ER on the Brussels-Mumbai route. Media were invited from all over Canada to join in the special event. Media were invited from all over Canada to join in the special event last Wednesday. As Ajay Tandon, Regional Sales Manager of Jet Airways escorted guests through the airport, he pointed to the Airbus A330-200 out on the tarmac and exclaimed, “This is the pride of India.” [Full text and pictures]

MALAYSIA: TRULY ASIA!

Malaysia embarks on North American sales mission and celebrations for country’s 50th year of independence
David Bell

Malaysia's Minister of Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia are currently on a week-long trip through North America. City stops include New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Los Angeles. On Wednesday, September 12, 2007 they were in Toronto at the Westin Harbour Castle. The day’s format included a press conference in the afternoon followed by a cultural extravaganza dinner in the evening for dignitaries, tour operators, travel agents and associated partners. The evening celebrations also included presentations to several leading tour operators and partners, cultural music, dance, traditions – and a lucky draw for a trip to Malaysia. The Sales Mission was lead by the Honourable Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan B Tengku Mansur, Minister of Tourism, Malaysia. At the press conference the Minister outlined the purpose of the tour – “to thank tourism industry partners for their support, to share news and tourism developments and to further develop new relationships.” [Full text and pictures]

CELEBRITY CRUISES’ POWER BROCHURE NOW OUT

Encore CruiseEscapes has launched online cruise brochures; EBBs will save clients up to $400

Smokestack of a Celebrity Cruises ship

Encore CruiseEscapes has now launched its Celebrity and Celebrity Xpeditions power brochure online. Available now, the brochure features 2008 and 2009 departures, including the Celebrity Xpeditions itinerary in the eco-destination, the Galapagos Islands. The move to digital brochures came about following demand from consumers for paperless alternatives, as well as extensive market research that indicated travel consultants tend to look for customized cruise brochures when selling a cruise vacation to their customer. Encore CruiseEscapes offers Fly & Float Booking Bonuses for FIT and Groups. Clients can save up to $150 per FIT booking when they book by Oct. 31, 2007 (must book Encore CruiseEscapes air). [Full text and pictures]

NEW RIU in LOS CABOS, MEXICO

Riu Hotels & Resorts will open the Riu Santa Fe in Los Cabos, Mexico in November

Riu Santa Fe, opening this November

November 2007 will see the opening of the largest RIU resort ever - the new five-star, 902-room Riu Santa Fe. The hotel will be situated in Los Cabos, Mexico. The five-star property is RIU’s 13th resort in Mexico and its second in Los Cabos. Located just outside downtown Cabo San Lucas, Riu Santa Fe is situated in close proximity to RIU’s other luxurious property in the region, Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. The new resort features 902 guestrooms and suites spread across a lush and sprawling beachfront property. Designed in a distinctive architectural style reflecting its Mexican location, the hotel cost more than $156 million US to build and complete. The opening of the Riu Santa Fe along with the recent launch of the Riu Palace Aruba represent the company’s ongoing commitment to growth and expansion.

ROYAL SCENIC OFFERS NEW SELLING TOOL

Certified Asia Specialists can enhance their offices with 3D hanging displays

Royal Scenic offers a new selling tool for Asia. Certified Asia Specialists (CAS) can obtain, free of charge, a 3D hanging display which will pique clients’ interest. The background colour is a rich yellow with logos of the seven transpacific carriers highlighted on the outer circle. The central piece is a globe with the CAS and Royal Scenic Holidays logo. All CAS agents currently registered in the program will automatically receive a package in the mail by the end of September. Other interested agents who would like to sign up for the CAS course may do so (and order the display) at royalscenic.com/cas.

HEAD OF IATA CONCERNED ABOUT OIL PRICES, CREDIT MARKET

Giovanni Bisignani says forecast for profit this year is projected to be lower

Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general

The head of International Air Transport Association says the continuing high price of oil and the turmoil in credit markets are causes for concern in 2008. Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director-general, said Monday airlines are expected to post a net profit of US$5.6 billion in 2007. ``It's one per cent, it's not much,'' he added. In June, IATA had forecast a profit of $5.1 billion for the year. But he also said the industry's net profit for 2008 is forecast at $7.8 billion, down from the $9.6 billion projected last June. Bisignani said one of the big problems facing airlines in the coming year is oil prices and the credit crunch. ``This is the big question mark that we have in front as an industry, as a system,'' he said. ``If it results in a loss of consumer confidence, this will impact negatively on demand.'' [Full text and pictures]

VANCOUVER Skĺl CLUB EXTENDS WARM WELCOME

Mike Hagan, president of Vancouver Skĺl Club with Michele McKenzie, President and CEO of Canadian Tourism Commission

September meeting of Vancouver Skĺl Club hosts President/CEO of Canadian Tourism Commission
Earlier this month, the Vancouver Skĺl Club welcomed Michele McKenzie, President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission. The special guest attended the September meeting, and is seen in the photo being welcomed by Vancouver’s club president, Mike Hagan.