TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

NEW FACE AT AIRLINERS/ATOURZ

Denis D’Souza, Sales Manager, Airliners/ATOURZ

Airliners/ATOURZ announces new sales manager – Denis D’Souza
Airliners and ATOURZ has named Denis D’Souza as sales manager, responsible for business development. A 15-year travel industry veteran, D’Souza’s experience with wholesale tour operators and airlines will add to the presence and growth of Airliners and ATOURZ in the marketplace. D’Souza’s position is effective immediately and he can be reached at (416) 485-6387, 1-877-727-6387 or denis@airliners.ca.

RCC'S NEW POSITION

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. names Jamie Sweeting as new VP of environmental stewardship
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has named conservation advocate Jamie Sweeting as its vice president of environmental stewardship. In his position, which is new to the company, Sweeting will be responsible for establishing the company’s long-term environmental strategy, including goals and objectives that ensure responsible corporate environmental performance. These objectives will incorporate factors such as climate change, destination stewardship, current and future environmental regulations and agreements, and programs that lead to sound environmental policy, compliance, incident response and training. “We are delighted to have Jamie join our team," said Gary M. Bald, Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, Environment and Health for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. [Full text and pictures]

"DISCOVER JAMAICA" FAMS AND SPRING SEMINARS

Jamaica announces new series of FAM trips from Toronto and spring seminar dates
The Jamaica Tourist Board will be conducting a series of agent fams from Toronto. Fam rates range from $299 to $429, including return airfare and on-Island hospitality. Participants will see new properties which have come on-stream in recent time. Some itineraries will also feature a selection of Jamaica’s small inns, boutique hotels and villas. Fam dates so far include: June 12-18, 2008, September 24-30, 2008 and November 6-12, 2008. The Jamaica Tourist Board invites travel professionals in and around Belleville, Oshawa and Newmarket Ontario, to come out and discover what’s new on the Island. These dinner seminars will provide updates on the new and renovated properties, new attractions, and special trade incentives being offered by various resorts in Jamaica. [Full text and pictures]

FAST TRACK WITH CLIA

CLIA announces new cities, courses and certification credits for TrainingFest 2008
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced details of TrainingFest 2008. New in 2008 is the ability to earn all the certification credits needed during the two-day TrainingFest to become a Master Cruise Counsellor (MCC). TrainingFest provides travel agents throughout the United States and Canada with a way to earn credits toward CLIA certification by attending the two-day seminar program and trade show in any of 11 cities between July and September. For the first time, participation in four seminars and attendance at the trade show will fulfill CLIA Institute requirements for MCC accreditation. TrainingFest was launched in 2006, and has had 10 percent increase in attendance in 2007 for a total of more than 1,200 agents attending the event throughout North America. [Full text and pictures]

A CRUISING CURVE

Norwegian Cruise Line introduces New Wave staterooms onboard F3 ships
Yesterday, at Aker Yards in France, NCL Corporation revealed their New Wave Staterooms by NCL. Designed for its next generation of freestyle cruising ships, F3, the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms provide contemporary curved architecture and open living space. “We have thrown away the rule book with the design of F3 and today are revealing the very first element with our New Wave staterooms,” Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “Gone are the regimented typical designs and in place are sleek staterooms that are totally outside the box, designed for the needs of tomorrow’s guests. Today’s announcement is just the first chapter in a series of innovations we will be revealing about our new F3 ships leading up to their launch in 2010." [Full text and pictures]

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SPECIALISTS WANTED

Become a Trinidad & Tobago specialist with the Trinidad & Tobago 2008 Education Program
With the completion of the Trinidad & Tobago course agents can become a certified Trinidad & Tobago Destination Specialist eligible for incentives. Plus, the Trinidad & Tobago Tourism Development Council will be offering FAM trips to lucky graduates who are randomly selected to participate. Complete the program now for a chance to win a FAM. Additional incentives and benefits will be announced soon. Please see their website for complete details.

VACATION DEALS WITH NOLITOURS

Nolitours announces Disney free dining plan and kids fly free, and new spring vacation deals
Nolitours announced a new Walt Disney World Resort offer. One child flies free when booking a Disney Vacation with Nolitours. Travellers can also receive a free Disney dining plan. Child flies free offer is available for bookings made by June 22, 2008 for travel Fridays and Saturdays May 2 – June 20 and August 30 – October 25, 2008. One child flies free (ages 3-9) when traveling with two paying adults staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, child pays taxes only. Free Disney dining plan is valid with a seven-night stay at a select Walt Disney World Resort Hotel combined with a seven-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket. Disney packages must be booked by June 22, 2008 for travel August 24 – September 20, 2008. [Full text and pictures]

CARNIVAL’S BIG NEWS

Carnival declares dividend, appoints board committee members and announces results of annual meeting
Following its annual shareholders meetings and boards of directors meetings held this week in Coral Gables, Fla., Carnival Corporation & plc has announced the declaration of a quarterly dividend, three board committee appointments, and the results of the resolutions voted on at its annual general meetings. Yesterday, the boards declared a dividend of $0.40 per share. The boards approved a record date for the quarterly dividend of May 23, 2008, and a payment date of June 13, 2008. Holders of Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ADSs will receive the dividend payable in U.S. dollars. The dividend for Carnival plc ordinary shares will be payable in U.S. dollars or sterling. In the absence of instructions or elections to the contrary, holders of Carnival plc ordinary shares will automatically receive the dividend in sterling. [Full text and pictures]

FLIGHT CENTRE GOES GREEN

Flight Centre North America creates Environmental Industry Award to recognize the ‘greenest’ supplier
Flight Centre North America and its corporate division, FCm Travel Solutions, announced that an annual award has been established to recognize the industry supplier that has made the greatest effort to minimize their environmental impact. The award originates from Flight Centre’s corporate Green Policy which outlines the company’s initiatives on climate change including its carbon emission offsetting program for its customers, an internal office policy and partnering with like-minded suppliers. “Our company is extremely passionate about this issue and wants to do business with companies who are equally environmentally conscious,” says Greg Dixon, President of Flight Centre North America. “We want to recognize our partners that are demonstrating environmental leadership and excellence.” [Full text and pictures]