TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

THN'S ONE-ON-ONE WITH ALFONSO SUMANO, MEXICO�S NEW DIRECTOR

Alfonso Sumano, Regional Director for Canada, Mexico Tourism Board

Alfonso Sumano, Mexico Tourism Board�s new regional director comes back to Canada
Lisa Raffaele
As TRAVELHotNews recently reported, the Mexico Tourism Board has a new regional director for Canada, Alfonso Sumano. Sumano comes back to Canada from his most recent posting in Houston as supervisor of Mexico�s tourism marketing for Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Colorado. He is also the former deputy director of the MTB�s Toronto office (2001 to 2005). As regional director Sumano will be overseeing three tourist offices for Mexico in Canada: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, but will be based in the Toronto office. Yesterday, TRAVELHotNews had the opportunity to sit down with Sumano to discuss what the Canadian market can expect from the Mexico Tourism Board in 2008 to 2009. [Full text and pictures]

THN SNAPSHOTS 3: WE HAVE A WINNER

Randy Sharman wins trip for two to the Riviera Maya courtesy of Sunwing Vacations

Alaska Sunset by Randy Sharman

TRAVELHotNews and Sunwing Vacations are pleased to announce the grand prize winner of THN�s Snapshots 3 contest. Congratulations goes out to Randy Sharman of J & R Travel, who�s �Alaska Sunset� entry won him a trip for two to the Riviera Maya courtesy of Sunwing Vacations. The one-week trip, worth over $2,300, includes hotel stay at the all-inclusive Grand Sunset Princess hotel. This was Sharman�s first time entering the THN Snapshots contests. He told TRAVELHotNews that it was taken while cruising aboard Holland America Line�s the MS Prinsendam. �It was a gorgeous sunset,� he explained to TRAVELHotNews. �II just had to get my camera out and take a picture of it, that�s it.�

INTAIR SAYS STAY LONG OR STAY IN THE SUN

Intair launches two new brochures available now; Long Stay and Sun Destinations
Intair has introduced two new brochures this winter. Their Long Stay brochure 2008-2009 features the French Riviera and Costa del Sol. Intair�s Sun Destinations 2008-2009 brochure has combined products in Florida including the Walt Disney World Resort, Costa Rica, Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico all in one 88-page brochure. Keep reading for complete details. [Full text and pictures]

TRAVELHOTNEWS POLL ANSWERED

Majority of readers � 78%, say they�re affiliated with a major chain or agency

Last week, TRAVELHotNews asked you who you were affiliated with. A whopping 78 per cent of readers who voted said they were affiliated with a major chain or agency at a retail location. Seventeen per cent said that they were affiliated with a home-based agency group, and only five per cent said they are affiliated with no one, �I�m independent and work from home, for myself.�

DELTA UPS CARIBBEAN OFFERINGS

Delta Airlines Announces addition of flights to seven Caribbean destinations and adds 5th between Atlanta and san Juan

Yesterday, Delta Airlines announced the addition of seasonal frequencies to its current schedule to seven Caribbean destinations during the winter season. Starting Dec. 20 Delta will add nonstop service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to each of the following destinations where it already offers service: Aruba (second daily flight); George Town, Cayman Islands (second Saturday flight); Montego Bay, Jamaica (third daily flight); Providenciales; Turks and Caicos (second Saturday flight); Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (second daily flight); and St. Maarten (second Saturday flight). Delta also will add four weekly flights between Atlanta and St. Thomas effective Dec. 18. Schedule details are available at delta.com. [Full text and pictures]

AGENTS RECEIVE INCENTIVE WITH EMIRATES

Emirates launches trip incentive promotion for agents

Agents will have an opportunity to fly Business Class from New York to Dubai aboard Emirates on a new A380 super-jumbo every time they book a passenger on the airliner from New York�s JFK International to Dubai from Aug. 8 to Sept. 30. �We want to give every travel agent booking the A380s New York-Dubai flights to have a chance to experience the Emirates A380,� said Mary Heron, Manager for Canada, Emirates. �It truly revolutionizes air travel and offers a level of comfort and space never seen before on a commercial airliner.� A380 flights will be operational beginning Aug. 8 on Emirates flight EK 201 from Dubai to New York�s JFK International Airport (Sunday/Wednesday/Friday) and on Emirates flight EK 202 from New York JFK International Airport to Dubai (Sunday/Wednesday/Friday). For every booking made and ticketed on the A380 service, agents have to fax a copy of the ticket to 416-221-8891.

MSC�S NEW ADDITIONS TO SAIL CARIBBEAN SEASON

MSC Cruises adds two new ships to 2009-2010 season in the Caribbean and offers early booking pricing from $499 per person

North American guests will be able to experience the Caribbean on two of MSC Cruises� newest and largest ships when MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica arrive in Fort Lauderdale for their inaugural 2009-2010 Caribbean seasons. �We are extremely excited to be able to offer our guests this wonderful opportunity,� said Richard E. Sasso, President and CEO of MSC Cruises USA. �The new MSC Magnifica will surely live up to her name. She will arrive Dec. 26, 2009 directly from her christening to begin her inaugural season as a part of the MSC Cruises� fleet. Once in the Caribbean, she will join the equally beautiful MSC Poesia, which was introduced earlier this year.� Guests can select from a variety of roundtrip itineraries that include a 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings and four different 10-night itineraries. [Full text and pictures]

FARES FALL AT UNITED

United Airlines announces lower fares this fall

United Airlines� fares are falling this autumn for travel to many destinations across the globe. These special fall fares are available for purchase for select U.S. and international destinations. Sample domestic fares on United are each way for travel based on required roundtrip purchase by August 8, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday with travel beginning by August 19 to November 20. Domestic fares include: Chicago-Los Angeles ($177), Chicago-Denver ($124), Los Angeles-San Francisco ($55), San Francisco-New York/JFK ($173) and Washington Dulles-Orlando ($86). Sample international fares on United are each way, based on required roundtrip purchase by August 8, for outbound travel Monday through Thursday on select off-peak days and travel periods vary by destination. International fares include: Chicago-Rio De Janeiro ($541), Denver-Munich ($319), Los Angeles-Tokyo ($593), San Francisco-Beijing ($426) and Washington Dulles-Frankfurt ($250).

GO ON-LINE WITH ANDERSON

Anderson Vacations introduces on-line webinar training

Anderson Vacations has announced on-line webinar training sessions. These webinar training sessions will give an insight into Anderson Vacations the company, as well as in depth training on their product lines. These webinars are fully interactive and hosted by Corey Marshall & Seth Downs. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments.