TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TRAVELHOTNEWS PROFILE: STEPHEN HUNTER

Stephen Hunter, COO of Sunwing Vacations - TRAVELHotNews personality of the year 2007
Charmaine Pang

Stephen Hunter, COO, Sunwing Vacations

Earlier in the year, TRAVELHotNews.com held the first annual Awards of Merit for the year 2007. At the Addison Show in Toronto, Stephen Hunter was awarded the Personality of the Year 2007 for TRAVELHotNews. When asked about his success and his take on why he won the award, Hunter said, “I have ideas and I have things that I want to do, and I express those ideas well. I set out a clear path to follow, and put it on a timeframe. My employees now don’t ask me ‘when’, because the answer is usually ‘yesterday’.” “I explain the idea and the action and put a purpose behind it. I’ve worked for people and it’s helpful to know why you have to do something, how it impacts the rest of the company and other departments.” [Full text and pictures]

SCENIC MAKES A SPLASH

Scenic Tours hosts media lunch to launch 2009 brochure
Lisa Raffaele

Neil Dudley, Business Development Manager, North America, Scenic Tours; Nicole De Wilde, Vice President Sales and Marketing, North America, Scenic Tours

Friday afternoon, Scenic Tours hosted a media only lunch to launch their new 2009 European River Cruise and Luxury Touring brochure at Toronto’s Pangaea restaurant. Scenic Tours, which started with domestic product in Australia and New Zealand under the Goway brand, has recently entered the North American market. According to Nicole De Wilde, Vice President Sales and Marketing, North America, Scenic Tours, they have been very successful so far in the Australian and New Zealand markets, but its limits are finite and they see a great possibility for growth in the North American market for European river cruising. "We have been a market leader in Australia and New Zealand, but we wanted to grow our market," De Wilde told TRAVELHotNews. [Full text and pictures]

TPI UPDATE

2008 TPI annual conference in Cancun, Mexico

Travel Professionals International (TPI) held its 2008 annual conference, "Today. Tomorrow. Together.," April 7-10, 2008. Taking place in Cancun, Mexico, at the Hotel Riu Caribe, over 100 TPI associates from across Canada attended the platinum-sponsored event. TPI platinum-preferred partners included: Sunquest Vacations, Alba Tours, Holiday House, Network and Encore CruiseEscapes. Today. Tomorrow. Together. focused on the importance of relationships in the context of TPI’s past, present, and future. Key to delivering this message were keynote speeches by Morris Chia (TPI president & CEO), Phil Sproul (TPI executive VP & COO), and Jeff Mowatt (from Influence with Ease/The Art of Client Service). [Full text and pictures]

UNIVERSAL GETS NEW TEAM MEMBER

Hilary Kudlatz, Sales Representative - Canada, Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort announces Hilary Kudlatz as a new sales team representative for Canada
Universal Orlando Resort has added another member to its’ Canadian sales team, effective immediately. Hilary Kudlatz has been named sales representative for Canada. She joined the travel industry back in 1993 and has worked in several sales positions both inside and outside with Sunquest Vacations, Intair and most recently with the Globus Family of Brands as a business development manager in Eastern & Northern Ontario. In her present role she will be on the road promoting, training and assisting in the marketing of two Universal Theme Parks in Orlando. She is based in Toronto and can be contacted at hilary.kudlatz@nbcuni.com.

A GREENER CLIA

CLIA announces new ‘InfoCentre’ ordering feature to its online resources centre
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced new feature to its online "Your Business Resource Center" for its member travel agencies and agents. InfoCentre is a one-source service for agents to order sales and promotional materials from cruise lines and other travel suppliers. By accessing InfoCentre through the online, password-protected "Your Business Resource Center", agents can place orders for a variety of cruise lines and other travel suppliers' sales materials. Requested information is shipped by InfoCentre and delivered to the agent in two to five days, nationwide. [Full text and pictures]

SELL FLORIDA & WIN

Seaworld

Sunwing announces new promo - sell Florida attractions with Sunwing and win a holiday in Orlando
Any agent selling tickets to Sea World, Aquatica or Busch Gardens theme parks in Florida through Sunwing, are automatically entered into a draw for one of two holidays to Orlando. The prizes include return airfare for two from Toronto on Sunwing Airlines; three nights accommodation at the Radisson Resort Orlando – Celebration; use of an Alamo rental car and theme park tickets. The contest closes June 3.

INDIA SUMMER SALE

Jaipur City Palace

Tourcan Vacations announces India summer Golden Triangle Tour special
Tourcan Vacation is offering an 8-day Golden Triangle Tour visiting Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Offer valid form April 16 to September 30, 2008. The offer includes 6-nights accommodation in first class hotels, with daily buffet breakfast, transportation by private standard air conditioned car and entrance fees for monuments on itinerary. The olden Triangle Tour is priced at $1160CA per person, based on double occupancy, and does not include domestic and international airfare. Highlights consist of: An elephant ride at Amber fort, Tonga ride in Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and rickshaw ride in Jaipur city. Receive a $50 Petro card per booking. Airfare Toronto/Delhi/Toronto on Jet Airways from $1160 plus taxes.

ENTRIES NEEDED

2008 Governor’s Tourism Awards calls for entries in Arizona
The Arizona Office of Tourism invites you to submit your nominations now for the 2008 Governor’s Tourism Awards. The purpose of the Governor's Tourism Awards program is to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the tourism industry during the past year. Awards will be given in the following categories: Best practices: Cooperative Marketing, Innovative Promotions, Special Events (Rural & Urban) and Arizona Preservation, as well as a category for, Outstanding member & friends of the industry: Spirit of Service, Tourism Champion of the Year and Tourism Hall of Fame. The awards will be presented at the 28th Annual Arizona Governor's Conference on Tourism at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson on July 10th, 2008. Nominations are due by 5PM on Thursday, May 15, 2008.