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| WHAT ABOUT GOTRAVEL DIRECT? |
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GO Travel Direct still in operation, booking packages; departure dates may change, as no air contracts have been secured yet
Charmaine Pang
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| GO Travel Direct website, still operational as of this morning | | With Zoom Airlines out of business, what will become of GO Travel Direct, the Ottawa-based direct-sell vacation retailer? As of this morning, GO Travel Direct’s website continued to be up and fully operational, including the online reservations system, which still allows potential consumers to book travel from Ottawa or Montreal to sun destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. The GO Travel Direct toll-free consumer number was also still in service as of this morning, with all options available. TRAVELHotNews.com attempted to reach a representative at the call center and was kept on hold for 38 minutes until a representative was reached. The call center representative confirmed that GO Travel Direct is still in operations and customers can continue to make bookings for 7-night vacation packages from Montreal or Ottawa. Keep reading for all the details.
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| ‘ZOOM’ING NO MORE |
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Zoom Airlines is finished; other carriers assisting with special fares and extra capacity
Charmaine Pang
Coast to coast across Canada, news outlets are reporting on the latest Canadian airline demise – that of Ottawa-based Zoom Airlines. The story is familiar: high gas prices force dwindling profits, not enough to cover expenses, and yet another airline shuts down. Canwest News reported that the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) is “pulling out all the stops” to make sure the thousands of passengers who are stranded are able to make their way home. Spokesman Jadrino Huot said they were “caught by surprise” and the CTA’s priority is to “provide advice to affected ticket holders about their options, rights and recourse and refer them to appropriate organizations for immediate help." Consumers who used credit cards to pay for their Zoom tickets should contact financial firms to have charges reversed.
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| CTO NAMES INTERIM SECRETARY GENERAL |
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The Caribbean Tourism Organization names Hugh Riley Interim Secretary General
The Chairman of The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Hon. Allen Chastanet, has named director of marketing for the Americas, Hugh Riley, Interim Secretary General. Riley will act in the position while the CTO’s executive committee completes the search for a new Secretary General. During this period, deputy director for projects and administration, Sylma Brown Bramble, will act in Riley’s former position as director of marketing for the Americas. His interim appointment was necessitated by the August 14, 2008 sudden passing of interim secretary general Arley Sobers, who assumed the position at the beginning of July when the secretary general, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace returned home to become minister of tourism and aviation of the Bahamas.
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| TRAFALGAR EXTENDS FUEL SURCHARGE SAVINGS |
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Save your clients $300 per couple on any air-inclusive Trafalgar tour booked between Jun. 15-Sep. 30, 2008
Trafalgar Canada has extended their savings on fuel surcharges, responding to recent market moves by competitors. Every new Trafalgar booking made between June 15, 2008 and September 30, 2008 will save $300 off per couple on any air-inclusive Trafalgar Tour departing before December 31, 2008. The offer is valid on all air-inclusive tours that depart before December 31, 2008. Valid on new bookings only booked between 15 June 2008 and 31 August 2008. It is not combinable with any other coupon offer, but is combinable with Trafalgar’s brochure discounts. Keep reading for all the details of this offer.
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| INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DEFICIT NARROWS |
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Canada’s international travel deficit narrows for a second straight quarter
Canadian Press
Canada's international travel deficit narrowed for a second straight quarter, but it remained one of the highest deficits ever. The difference between spending by Canadian residents abroad and spending by foreigners in Canada fell slightly to $3.2 billion in the second quarter of 2008. Statistics Canada says that's down $31 million from the previous quarter but still much higher than the $2 billion level recorded at the same time last year. The deficit had reached a high of $3.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007. Foreign travel spending in Canada climbed to $4 billion in the second quarter of 2008, 1.7 per cent higher than the previous quarter.
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| JAMAICA PREPARES FOR GUSTAV |
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The Jamaica Tourist Board announces closures and precautions for Tropical Storm Gustav
The Jamaica Tourist Board has learned all precautions have been taken in anticipation of effects of Tropical Storm Gustav and to ensure safety and comfort to guests. Sangster International Airport has closed yesterday at 5 p.m., as well as Norman Manley International Airport at 1:00 p.m. Travelers to Jamaica should contact their airlines, hotels or travel agents for individual travel information. All hotels in Kingston are full and every precaution is being taken to ensure the safety and comfort of guests. Most of the hotels on the South Coast have been evacuated and/or guests have been transported to nearby shelters. For more information on Gustav or closures in Jamaica visit visitjamaica.com or metservice.gov.jm.
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| 1ST EVER "FIRST CHOICE CARES" DAY |
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First Choice Cares Day educates employees, raises $1,000 to protect Costa Rica's rainforest
Taking environmental concerns and social responsibility to heart, First Choice Canada Sustainable Development Committee held its first ever First Choice Cares Day on August 20, 2008. The day focused on educating staff on the achievements of the organization to date, as well as what each employee could do on an individual level with the theory that ‘small changes add up.’ The interactive day included a contest where departments were challenged to create realistic and attainable sustainable commitments and showcase them through homemade, recycled posters, as well as a large charity raffle with proceeds of over $1,000 going to help keep several acres of Costa Rican rainforest.
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| ARGENTINA AND CANADA CELEBRATE CULTURES |
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Argentina and Canada form alliance to promote Celebrate Cultures international festival Sept. 3-7
Argentina Week, a one week event that will showcase Argentina’s tourism, culture and cuisine from September 3 to 7 is part of Celebrate Cultures, an international festival organized by Niagara’s Park Commission (NPC) that will also include China and Japan. Argentina Week is the result of an alliance between Argentina and Canada in order to promote tourism to their landmarks: Iguazu Falls and Niagara Falls. The objective is not only to jointly develop these famous sites through unique marketing strategies but to work in the advancement of education, research and knowledge exchange. Keep reading for a complete listing of the week's events.
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