TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

JUMERIAH’S NEW SINGAPORE VP

Tony Cousens, Senior VP Asia Pacific, Jumeirah

Jumeirah group appoints Tony Cousens as new senior VP of Asia Pacific
Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury international hospitality management group and a member of Dubai Holding, has announced yesterday the appointment of Tony Cousens to the position of senior vice president Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. Tony Cousens will be responsible for all Jumeirah Group activities and operations in Asia Pacific. “It is an honor to join an energetic company in such an exciting phase of its expansion, especially as we develop Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts and brand in Asia Pacific,” he said. “This includes the opening of the Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi in Shanghai in late 2008, Jumeirah’s first hotel in China and flagship property in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the Jumeirah Private Island Phuket opening in 2009. I am impressed with the Jumeirah Group’s vision and commitment to excellence.” [Full text and pictures]

JAMAICA JAMEX

The Jamaica Tourist Board announces tenth annual JAMEX in Ocho Rios June 5-9
The tenth annual Jamaica Meetings Exchange "JAMEX," takes place at the RIU Ocho Rios Resort, June 5-9, 2008. The Jamaica Tourist Board invites qualified meetings & incentives specialists to attend this event and exchange ideas and information with other meeting & incentive professionals from across North America, the Caribbean and Europe. The program will allow participants to to see meeting facilities in Montego Bay, Runaway Bay and Ocho Rios; as well as attractions and off-site venues. JAMEX is an opportunity to meet individually with DMC representatives, hoteliers and other suppliers. Meetings & incentives specialists with current RFPs for sun destinations are especially invited to attend JAMEX. Program fee of $158 includes return air fare from Toronto, accommodation and on-island hospitality for qualified and accepted meetings & incentives specialists.

NEW GROUP TOOLS FOR AGENTS

Carnival Cruise Lines launches new electronic group management tools for agents
Carnival Cruise Lines announces enhancement to its travel agent Web portal. The new tool is designed to provide travel agents with a means of managing their group bookings electronically. Through the new tool travel agents can perform a host of functions that previously had to be done over the phone through the line’s group reservations department. These functions include: Berth group cabins and select/modify cabin assignments, select/modify specific cabin requirements for guests such as selecting interior, ocean view or balcony accommodations, enter/modify guest detail information, assign/modify cities for FlyAweigh air supplements, submit cruise payment information by posting a credit card payment or a check number, assign/modify pre- and post-cruise land packages, assign pre-paid gratuities and/or Carnival’s Vacation Protection Plan and view or request cabin level account summary. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING GOES TO VEGAS

Sunwing Airlines announces new fall route to Las Vegas
Sunwing Airlines announced yesterday that Las Vegas will be one of its new routes, launching this fall. The carrier will be offering service to Las Vegas from Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Flights will be offered on Thursdays and Sundays, with Vancouver and Toronto inaugural flights on September 11 and Calgary launching on November 20. The program will also include a full range of hotels and car rentals. To celebrate the launch, Sunwing is offering an introductory rate of $49 (plus tax) one way from Vancouver and Calgary and $99 (plus tax) from Toronto based on roundtrip fare. Flights are ready to book now.

SUPER BEIJING SWEEPSTAKES

Summer Palace, Beijing

Super 8 lodging to award 8-day trip to Beijing
In the spirit of the Beijing summer games, the Super 8 lodging chain this summer plans to give one lucky winner an eight-day trip to Beijing. The grand-prize winner in the Super 8 Celebrate the 8 Sweepstakes will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to China that includes historical tours and accommodations at a Super 8 hotel in Beijing. The first-prize winner will receive two free nights at any Super 8 hotel in the United States and Canada, excluding Quebec, and a $100 gas card. Eighty-eight second-prize winners will receive free one-night stays at any Super 8 hotel in the United States and Canada, excluding Quebec, along with a $25 gas card. [Full text and pictures]

ROYAL RAISES FUEL SURCHARGE

Royal Caribbean Cruises announces increase in fuel surcharge for booking after May 1st
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. announced that for bookings made on or after May 1, 2008, it will increase its fuel surcharge to $8 per person, per day for the first two persons in a state room. The increased fuel surcharge applies to Royal Caribbean's three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and Azamara Cruises. The new maximum fuel surcharge for the first two persons in a state room is $112 per person, per cruise. Additional passengers in a cabin will be charged $3 per person, per day and no more than $42 per person, per cruise. According to Royal Caribbean, bookings for which full deposits have been made prior to May 1 will pay the lower, previously announced surcharge of $5 per person, per day, for the first two cabin passengers.

NEW ORLEANS’ NUMBERS HIGH

New Orleans' releases 2007 visitor numbers
The number of visitors to New Orleans increased from 3.7 million in 2006 to 7.1 million in 2007, according to a survey conducted by the University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center for. In 2007, the total number of visitors was 7.1 million and those visitors spent a total of $4.8 billion. Overnight visitors stayed an average of 3.8 nights in 2007. Seventy per cent of visitors indicated they were there for pleasure, 13.6 per cent went for a convention or tradeshow, and 11.5 per cent went for a corporate meeting or business. The percentage of “hurricane related” visitors has decreased from 31.1 per cent in 2006, to 4.3 per cent in 2007. Ninety three per cent of visitors reported eating in restaurants in 2007; 86 per cent reported visiting the French Quarter; 80 per cent saw Bourbon Street; 69 per cent visited the French Market and 53 per cent took advantage of the city's nightlife. [Full text and pictures]

NEW FACE FOR HOTELCONNECT

HotelConnect announces Susan Laurin as regional director of Canada
HotelConnect welcomes Susan Laurin in her role of Regional Director Canada. As Regional Director, Laurin will be responsible for growing and managing the existing Canadian business and providing strategy and direction in product line and expansion plans. She joins the HotelConnect team from her previous post as regional director Canada for Transhotel. Prior to her tenure with Transhotel Susan acted as regional director Canada for Utell. “Susan comes to us with years of experience in the Canadian travel industry, the bulk of those working primarily in the hotel market,” commented Orlina Howard, Vice President, HotelConnect. “HotelConnect has an ambitious plan for growth in 2008, and we are looking forward to an exciting year of expansion with such a seasoned industry player on board.”