TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

FIJI ME!

Fiji Visitors Bureau hosts travel agent education seminars; cross-Canada tour from Apr. 14-Apr. 17
Charmaine Pang

The Fiji delegation

Yesterday evening at the Westin Harbour Castle hotel in downtown Toronto, the Fiji Visitors’ Bureau (FVB) hosted approximately 90 travel agents – many of them South Pacific specialists and ‘Matai’ specialists – in the first of a four-part series of events taking place across Canada. Last night’s event showcased the buoyant, uplifting spirit of Bula, a universal greeting used to say ‘hello’ or ‘welcome’. It’s the spirit of Bula that you or your clients will experience when visiting this set of islands – a warmth and friendliness that is genuine and sincere. [Full text and pictures]

NO SURPRISES

Delta and Northwest directors sign off on merger, creating world's biggest carrier
Canadian Press

The new airline will be called Delta

Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp., squeezed by record high fuel prices and a slowing economy, are combining in a stock-swap deal that would create the world's biggest carrier. The boards of both companies gave the deal the go-ahead Monday. Delta said the combined airline, which will be called Delta, will have an enterprise value of US$17.7 billion. It will be based in Atlanta, and Delta CEO Richard Anderson will head the combined company. There will be an unspecified number of job cuts or transfers through the consolidation of overlapping corporate and administrative functions, Delta said. The two airlines employ more than 80,000 people combined. The company expects no involuntary furloughs of front-line employees and said the existing pension plans for both companies' employees will be protected. [Full text and pictures]

TRAVELHOTNEWS POLL RESULTS

49 per cent of readers predict more airline shutdowns to come

Airlines are not flying high this year, with many shutdowns and bankruptcies

Last week, we asked TRAVELHotNews readers about the recent shutdown of airlines (at the time, Aloha Airlines, ATA and Skybus had shut down); this week, two more airlines have bitten the dust, including Oasis Hong Kong Airlines and, more recently, Frontier Airlines. The majority of readers – 49 per cent – agreed with the statement, “Skybus likely won’t be the last airline to shut down this year”. Twenty-three per cent of readers agreed with the statement, “These things happen in lean times; it’s nothing new”. Seventeen per cent of readers said their business was not affected, as the last few airlines that shut down were regional U.S. carriers, but 11 per cent of readers said the shutdown of Aloha, ATA and Skybus “affects my business and I’m not pleased about it”.

SIGNATURE’S NEW GROUPS GUIDE

Signature Vacations publishes 5th annual Groups Sales Trade Reference

While winter 2008 might have just ended, the Signature Vacations Groups department is already thinking about the upcoming winter season with the launch of its annual Groups Trade Reference. The 42-page planning guide outlines the service commitment, flexibility and innovation that the Signature Group Sales Department offers agents. New in 2008, there is a Price Guarantee that allows agents to book early and get the space their group needs while ensuring the best possible rates through a one-time price adjustment on your group. There is also StarClass upgraded seating with 35” seat pitch, inclusive drinks, priority check-in and other perks, which will be available on all of Signature’s flights departing Nov 1, 2008 onwards for as little as $60 gross per flight ($120 round trip). Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

HOLA SUN WINTER 2009 READY TO BOOK

Get ready for winter and summer 2009 – now available with Hola Sun

Hola Sun Holidays has announced that their winter and summer 2009 products are available in their system. ITC and ABC products are now available. A new Cuba 2008/2009 brochure will be available in mid-May. The brochure features the Havanatur Collection, Sun & City Combos (Cuba & International), Escorted Bus Tours, Long Stays, Car Rentals, Prepaid Excursions, NEW - Diving Packages, NEW - Specialized Tours to Brazil, Panama, and Guatemala, and new - Coast to Coast Departures with Westjet featuring 8 Canadian gateway cities and many more. Read on for more. [Full text and pictures]

INTAIR CRUISES OFFERS COSTA IN 2009

Intair announces that all Costa Cruises programs are open for sale up to November 2009. The variety of itineraries offered will be unsurpassed. Virtually all regions of the world will be covered: Middle East, Far East, South America, Indian Ocean and even itineraries to Canada and New England! Of course, the traditional European and Caribbean itineraries will remain part of the core program. Group and individual reservations can be made by contacting Intair Cruises at the toll-free number 1-888-223-0259.

FLYGLOBESPAN WINS TOURISM AWARD

Tourism Hamilton gives airline “Rookie of the Year” award; new Hamilton-Bristol flight this spring

Tim McCabe, General Manager, Planning & Economic Development, City of Hamilton; Peter Fonseca, Minister of Tourism, Ontario; Stephen Elmy, General Manager, North America, Flyglobespan; Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton; Mark Farrugia, President, Tourism Hamilton Board of Directors

Flyglobespan was recently honoured with the “Rookie of the Year” award at the 10th Annual Tourism Hamilton Awards. The awards were presented by the Federal and Provincial Ministers of Tourism, Flyglobespan starts its second season of offering an affordable alternative for direct flights to England, Scotland and Ireland from Hamilton with its flight to Belfast on May 24, 2008. New this year is the Hamilton – Bristol flight which serves as an ideal gateway to the south-west coast of England or to nearby Wales. [Full text and pictures]