TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

FAIRMONT’S NEW PRESIDENT

Thomas Storey is new President of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts effective May 1, 2008

Thomas Storey, new president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) recently announced the appointment of Thomas Storey as President of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. With 56 hotels in the portfolio today and an additional 20 properties to open over the next several years in destinations such as Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and South Africa, Mr. Storey will move into this role to lead Fairmont during a period of global growth. This is a natural progression for Mr. Storey, who brings extensive experience and an impressive track record to this leadership position. He has invested much of his career developing and building brands and has been involved in many aspects of the hotel business, including sales & marketing, strategic planning and business development during his 25 years in the hotel industry. [Full text and pictures]

BRENDA KYLLO LEAVES CLUB MED

After 26 years at Club Med, Kyllo steps down from post as General Manager - Canada; Xavier Mufraggi to succeed position

Brenda Kyllo departs after 26 years with Club Med

Brenda Kyllo officially announced her departure from Club Med Canada in a statement. She stepped down from her position as General Manager of Club Med Canada at the end of March. Club Med has a strong corporate culture especially with regard to the international mobility of its executives. The company encourages rotation among its directors’ countries every three to five years, so as to ensure a smooth progression in the world of Club Med. This marks Kyllo’s fifth year at the position since her return to Canada, so a change was eminent. The longtime Club Med employee had been with the company for 26 years, working in Australia, Singapore, Montreal and Paris. During the past five years as head of the Canadian team, Kyllo said in a statement that she felt great satisfaction on both personal and professional levels. "This is a strong team comprised of resourceful, talented individuals," she said in a statement. Her successor, Xavier Mufraggi, will be in place effective April 1, 2008.

NCL’S NEW EXECUTIVE VP

Andy Stuart, 20-year NCL veteran, to lead F3 project team

Andy Stuart, new Executive VP, Chief Product Officer at NCL

NCL Corporation has announced that Andy Stuart has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer. In this role, Stuart has taken on a more broad-based responsibility for the delivery of the Freestyle Cruising product across the NCL fleet. He will ensure that the Freestyle Cruising product provides exceptional value and quality for guests and is consistent with the marketing and brand positioning of the company. In his new role, he has also assumed the role of F3 Project Chief which includes the planning, coordination and oversight of NCL’s two new F3 ships, including design, building, commercial and marketing launch, product development and operational delivery. Stuart joined NCL in 1988. In 2003, Andy was named executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger services. [Full text and pictures]

RCI AND TUI CREATE "TUI CRUISES"

New cruise line aimed specifically for the German market; begins service in early 2009

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd. and TUI AG today announced that they have successfully closed on their joint venture to form TUI Cruises, a cruise line specifically designed to serve the German cruise market. TUI Cruises will be based in Hamburg, Germany, and Richard J. Vogel, a long time cruise industry executive, will serve as chief executive. The new cruise line will begin service with one ship in early 2009. Sales and marketing activities will begin in the coming months. TUI Cruises will meet the needs of German-speaking customers seeking a premium cruise experience. The onboard product will be custom-tailored to German tastes, and encompass food, entertainment and amenities. German will be the language used onboard. The companies announced their intentions to form TUI Cruises on December 10, 2007. On March 10, 2008, they received permission to move forward from European antitrust regulators. Each company holds a 50 percent interest in the joint venture. [Full text and pictures]

TRANSAT EXTENDS $99 LONDON SEAT SALE

Due to its popularity Transat Holidays has extended their $99 seat sale to London Gatwick and added new applicable departures! The $99 roundtrip airfare is valid for bookings made from April 23 -28 for departures from Toronto on the following flights; May 06 (TS206 & TS222), May 09 (TS884), May10 (TS622), May 11 (TS706 & TS722) and May 12 (TS122) with returns on May 09 (TS423), May 10 (TS523), May12 (TS723), May15 (TS397), May16 (TS423 & TS883) and May 17 (TS259). Seats must be booked in W class and departure taxes are additional. For more information or reservations contact Transat Holidays Reservation Department in Toronto.

ACV ADDS 30 NEW HOTELS TO EUROPE PROGRAM

Europe Escapades now offers 30 new hotels; short stay packages also available

Barkston Gardens Hotel, newly added in London
Air Canada Vacations has doubled its Escapades program into Europe with the introduction of 30 additional hotels, including ten each in London, Paris and Rome. Short-stay Air & Hotel packages from three nights or more are available now to book from only $639 for May and June 2008 departures. “The timing is perfect. Europe visits are popular in spring and summer and now we’re proud to offer travelers twice the selection of high-quality hotels coupled with frequent flights that together make quick trips not only tempting, but right at your fingertips—even within 48 hours before departure,” said Air Canada Vacations, President and CEO Zeina Gedeon. All Air Canada Vacations pre-bundled short-stay Air & Hotel Escapades packages to Europe include roundtrip airfare, accommodation at centrally-located hotels and Aeroplan Miles. Read on to learn about the newest hotels added.

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MEXICO INTERNATIONAL AIR ARRIVALS UP

Canadian arrivals to Mexico rise 17%; highest increase of any market

According to the Integral System of Operation Migratory (SIOM), Mexico has registered an important increase of flight arrivals from international airlines in the months of January and February of 2008, in comparison to January and February of 2007. The countries that posted the most significant increases were Canada, the U.S., France, the United Kingdom, and Spain, altogether posting a 9.2 per cent increase when comparing the first two months of 2008 with the previous year’s period. The most significant increase by far was posted by Canadian arrivals, which rose 16.8 per cent from Jan-Feb 2008 compared to the previous year. That translates into an increase of 52,254 more entries than in 2007. [Full text and pictures]

DELTA CEO SAYS FARE HIKES NECESSARY

Delta CEO says 15 to 20 per cent fare hike needed to offset fuel costs
Canadian Press

Domestic airlines need to raise fares by 15 per cent to 20 per cent just to break even at current fuel prices, the chief executive of Delta Air Lines, which seeks to acquire Northwest Airlines, said Tuesday. ``An airline ticket has got to reflect the full cost of fuel,'' Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Richard Anderson told reporters, adding that such an increase was likely to depress demand and prompt carriers to further trim their flight schedules. Cost-cutting measures ``have largely been exhausted,'' Northwest Airlines Corp. CEO Doug Steenland said. Since Dec. 20, carriers have raised fares nine times, according to BestFares.com, and a number of airlines in recent weeks have also raised fees for checking a second bag and other amenities. [Full text and pictures]