TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

DISCOVER DUBAI WITH EMIRATES

Emirates hosts gala evening and reception to celebrate Toronto-Dubai nonstop in October
Charmaine Pang

Mary Heron - Regional Manager, Nigel L. Page - Senior Vice President Commercial Operations

Last night at the Carlu, Emirates showcased their brand at a gala evening and reception for 600 travel agents, tour operators, media and other partners. In celebration of their inaugural flight linking Toronto to Dubai on October 29th, the airline showed a multimedia presentation hosted by Canadian Idol’s Farley Flex. Mary Heron, Emirates’ regional manager for Canada, along with Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, introduced the Canadian Emirates team to guests. Page and Heron also called up two winners for the lucky draw. Up for grabs were business class and economy roundtrip tickets, plus hotel accommodations and a guided tour of Dubai. [Full text and pictures]

EMIRATES SET TO SOAR IN CANADA

UAE-based airline will begin flying Toronto-Dubai nonstop on October 29th
Leyla Emory

Mary Heron - Regional Manager, Nigel L. Page - Senior Vice President Commercial Operations

With the Canadian government’s approval to begin flying from Toronto to Dubai, Emirates Airlines’ Senior VP of Commercial Operations, Nigel Page, was in Toronto yesterday morning to answer questions on the soon to soar 14-hour flight. Page, along with Senior Vice President of Cargo Commercial Operations, Peter Sedgley and Regional Manager, Mary Heron, conducted a press briefing to discuss the airline, its Dubai hub and the new Toronto route over lunch at the Carlu. At the luncheon, Page and his colleagues emphasized the quality and convenience of their latest enterprise. “We differentiate ourselves by the quality of the service we have on board,” explained Page, citing the in-flight entertainment, quality of food and multilingual crew as selling points. [Full text and pictures]

ADDISONTIME IN TORONTO!

Don’t miss it – Addison Toronto is coming next week on Thu Sep 26

Get ready for the Toronto Addison show!

There are four days left to register for the upcoming Toronto Addison Travel Trade Show, taking place on Thursday September 26, 2007. It’s the best place for travel agents to do business with their favourite suppliers and have a chance to meet them face to face. With over 650 expected to attend and 100 exhibitors, this is going to be one of the biggest and best-quality shows this season. Don’t miss out! Next Thursday’s event will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre at 650 Dixon Road. The Addison Travel Trade Shows continue next week with shows in Montreal September 24, Ottawa September 25, Toronto September 26 and London September 27. For a full schedule of shows, and to register online for your local show, visit www.addisontravelmarketing.com.

ACTA ONTARIO SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN!

Join the ACTA Open Forum at Addison Toronto, Sep. 26 to discuss “The Wholesaler/Travel Agency Relationship – Is it Working?”

Earlier this week, ACTA Ontario sent a survey to travel agent members and partners. When asked what their opinion was on "wholesalers who do not actively restrict discounting of their prices," 52.2 per cent of respondents answered “unacceptable”. It’s time to have a frank and open discussion with other agents and tour operators to see what can be done to improve the wholesaler/travel agency relationship. Ask questions, suggest solutions, and let’s work together to solve problems that exist. Representatives from Intair, SunWing Vacations, Transat Holidays/Nolitours and WestJet Vacations will be on the panel at the ACTA Open Forum. [Full text and pictures]

HOLA SUN: CAYO COCO FLIGHTS FOR 2008

The Cuba Specialist offers Cayo Coco built-in packages and flights

Cayo Coco

Hola Sun has announced that they have built-in system packages and air-only to Cayo Coco, Cuba. The Cayo Coco code is ‘CCC’ to search for packages. The destination line-up is now complete and ready to book for 2008, so early birds get ready! Cayo Coco flights are available for travel from Dec. 21, 2007 to Apr. 30, 2008, aboard Cubana Airlines on an A320 aircraft. Hotels (ranging from 3 to 5 stars) are ready to book, and include Sol Cayo Coco, Tryp Cayo Coco, NH Krystal, Sol Cayo Guillermo, Melia Cayo Coco, Villa Cojimar, Iberostar Daiquiri and Blau Colonial. For more information or to book, call Hola Sun Reservations at 905 882 9445 or 1 800 668 8178.

SUPERCLUBS MAKES A SPLASH IN BRAZIL

Brand new resort now open: all-inclusive Starfish Ilha de Santa Luzia offers opening rates at $50 per person, land-only

Santa Luzia, Brazil

SuperClubs is now welcoming even the youngest of travellers to its second family-friendly resort in Brazil, Starfish Ilha de Santa Luzia. The all-inclusive property is located on the estuary island of Santa Luzia, home to the beaches of Atalaia Nova, with easy bridge access to the port capital of Aracaju. To celebrate its opening, Starfish Ilha de Santa Luzia is offering 25 percent off rack rates, starting at $50 per person, based on double occupancy, and kids 2 – 13 years old stay for $25 per night. The US$18 million project is the second SuperClubs property in Brazil, following the 2000 opening of Breezes Costa Do Sauipe in Bahia; and the second Starfish property worldwide, following the launch of the affiliate brand in 2002 with Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica. The property rests upon almost four miles of private beach, and offers 183 rooms and suites and 25 bungalows. [Full text and pictures]

BA TO SCRAP DETROIT-LONDON ROUTE

British Airways plans to end Detroit London flights, cites auto industry woes

Citing problems in the U.S. auto industry, British Airways said Wednesday it will end its daily service between Detroit Metropolitan Airport and London Heathrow Airport next spring after 50 years flying the route. The company said it will halt the flights March 30. London is the only destination it serves from Detroit Metro, about 25 kilometres southwest of downtown. ``Detroit was a route very dependent on the auto industry, and the changing nature of this sector made it a very challenging market to be in,'' British Airways said in a news release. ``We see no possible upswing in the business.'' (CP)

Pan Pacific Vancouver “THINKS PINK”

Hotel supports CIBC’s Run for the Cure, room rate for participants includes donation
To honour the volunteers and participants in this year’s Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in Vancouver, Pan Pacific Vancouver is offering an exclusive pre–event room rate, allowing participants to be on site, fresh and ready to go for the Run on the morning of Sunday, September 30th. The hotel is also offering late check-out to allow participants to refresh, relax, and celebrate. On Saturday, September 29th, the deluxe Five Diamond Pan Pacific Vancouver is offering all runners, walkers and volunteers’ room rates starting from $179.00 plus applicable taxes so they can begin to build the momentum and camaraderie and also treat themselves to a restful, stay over and a late-morning start to the event. [Full text and pictures]

QATAR AIRWAYS UPGRADES KEY ROUTE TO AIRBUS A330

More Capacity and Personal Audio and Video Options For All Passengers

Qatar Airways has upgraded the aircraft used on its popular Doha – Kuala Lumpur – Bali route to an Airbus A330 offering passengers in every seat a fully interactive audio and video entertainment system. All 10 weekly services between Doha and the Malaysian capital will be served with the long-range aircraft non-stop. The aircraft will also operate on all four weekly flights on the Kuala Lumpur – Bali sector, a route launched in March this year. Qatar Airways launched flights to Malaysia in December 2001 with three flights a week and progressively increased capacity to the current frequency of 10 services. The Doha – Kuala Lumpur route had been operated with an Airbus A300, which is gradually being phased out of the airline’s fleet. Qatar Airways is now using two aircraft types on the route – an A330-200 featuring 22 Business Class seats and 259 in Economy, as well as an A330-300 with 30 Business Class seats and 275 in Economy. [Full text and pictures]