TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

JET AIRWAYS' NEW GM IN CANADA

B. Chandrashekar, new acting GM for Jet Airways, Canada

B. Chandrashekar is new acting General Manager for Canada, replaces Justin Gosling
Jet Airways, following its launch of service from Toronto to Brussels and India in 2007, has appointed B. Chandrashekar as the new acting General Manager for Canada. Chandrashekar replaces Justin Gosling, the current General Manager, who is leaving to pursue a career outside the aviation industry. Chandrashekar, known as "Chandra," has had a long career with Jet Airways and was instrumental in launching the airline's North American service. Most recently, has been responsible for overseeing sales for Jet Airways in both the Midwestern USA and Canadian markets. While embarking on his new duties as acting General Manager for Canada, he will retain his sales position in the Midwestern USA. [Full text and pictures]

CIT TOURS' WINTER ESCAPES

Your clients can get away to Rome and London at great prices this winter at affordable prices with less crowds

Rome

Whether your clients are looking a short Europe City Getaway, an off-season rail tour of Italy's 'art cities' or a fully escorted coach tour highlighting Italy or Portugal & Spain's main attractions, CIT Tours offers a wide choice of fall/winter specials and vacation options. If your clients are going to the 'eternal city' of Rome, clients can take advantage of CIT Tours' Enchanting Rome package. Travelling at this time will give your clients during a less crowded time of year with accommodation at the four-star Ambra Palace Hotel. CIT Tours also offers their 'Showstopper' London theatre package, featuring the best of London's attractions combined with an unforgettable theatre night. [Full text and pictures]

THAI TOURISM UPDATE

The Tourism Authority of Thailand announces special flights and Sunday explosions; no resolution as of yet

Since the protesters seized the airport last Tuesday, all commercial flights have been suspended in and out of Bangkok. As of November 29, 2008 the Tourism Authority of Thailand announced that it has opened its Ticketing Office yesterday. Starting on Sunday some 30 planes flew out Bangkok, and an additional 50 are to be moved later today. Some flights are set for protest-free airports elsewhere in Thailand so that stranded tourists, businesspeople and others can leave, said Serirat Prasutanont, acting director of the Airports Authority of Thailand. He said the airport will remain closed at least until Wednesday, renewing a shutdown that has been repeated every 48 hours. [Full text and pictures]

TPI'S NEW PREFERRED PARTNERS

TPI adds five new partners: Gateways International, Goway, Kensington Tours, Silversea Cruises, WestJet Vacations
Travel Professionals International (TPI), has announced its new preferred partner agreements. Forecasted travel trends have meant an introduction of higher-margin specialty operators into TPI's current preferred partner strategy. The latest additions to TPI's preferred partner listing include Gateways International, Goway, Kensington Tours, Silversea Cruises, and WestJet Vacations, respectively. New suppliers are required to meet guidelines regarding training, marketing, and commission participation. With a strong focus on niche suppliers that provide higher-margin products, TPI pledges they will continue partnering with both specialized players as well as mass-market ITC organizations to offer their agents the products their clients want. [Full text and pictures]

TRAVEL COUNSELLORS IN SPAIN

Annual conference draws biggest numbers yet; 20 Travel Counsellors in Canada expected by end of year

Over 1,300 delegates attended Travel Counsellors' Annual Conference which took place in Marbella from Nov. 21-24, 2008. The conference was held at the Marbella Exhibition and Conference Centre, and was sponsored by the Spanish Tourist Office and the tourist offices of Andalucia and Costa Del Sol. It was the best attended conference in the company's history and included over 100 Travel Counsellors from the company's international operations with a strong contingent from its operation in Canada, which launched in June of this year. The conference was a successful one for the company, whose financial year ended on Oct. 31, 2008. Travel Counsellors reported a 16 per cent increase in sales to C$450M from C$390M in 2007. The company also forecasts a turnover of C$524M for the next financial year. [Full text and pictures]

TRAVEL DEFICIT NARROWS

Statistics Canada announces that Canada's international travel deficit has narrowed this summer
Canadian Press

Canada's international travel deficit narrowed in the summer quarter, shrinking to less than $3 billion for the first time in a year. Statistics Canada said Thursday that lower spending by Canadians abroad and higher spending by foreigners in Canada both contributed to the decline. Canadians spent about $7.1 billion on travel outside the country in the July to September period, down 1.7 per cent from the previous quarter. Spending by foreign travellers in Canada edged up 0.2 per cent to $4.1 billion, the second consecutive increase and the highest level this year. [Full text and pictures]

CANADA / U.S. SHARING DATABASE?

Canada announces change of heart on sharing personal database with U.S.
Canadian Press

Ottawa has quietly dropped plans to let the United States house a database of personal information about Canadians who hold special driver's licences aimed at better securing the border. The move follows vocal criticism from federal and provincial privacy commissioners, who warned earlier this year the scheme could open the door to abuse of the sensitive data. However, the office of federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart is still wary of the plan to share information on so-called enhanced driver's licences with the United States, and stresses the passport is still the ideal travel document for Canadians. [Full text and pictures]