TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

SUNWING'S WINTER GROWTH

Sunwing Travel Group projects sales of over $700M gross this winter and looks to make acquisitions in 2009, says company
Charmaine Pang

Sunwing Travel Group, which includes Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations, says they are "on pace to achieve another sales record with over $700 million in gross sales this winter - up from just over $500 million at the end of last winter". That extra $200 million in sales is projected for this winter season. The Group has reported their total capacity in the market to vacation destinations has exceeded 600,000 seats in the winter. Sunwing Travel Group states, "according to several analysts, Sunwing now boasts 25 per cent of Canada's vacation market." Sunwing Travel Group also noted in the release that they "[have] received significant expressions of interest from potential buyers recently and in the past", and that they are looking to expand via acquisitions. [Full text and pictures]

CHARMING HOLIDAYS ADDS ISRAEL

Charming Holidays begins selling Israel product; Simon Chan from Scarborough, Ontario wins trip to Israel as part of fall contest

Oded Grofman, Consul Tourism, Director for Canada, Israel Gov't Tourist Office; Dinah Kutner, Sales Manager, EL AL; Tonny Wong, GM, Charming Holidays

Charming Holidays has announced it will begin selling Israel product. Tonny Wong, General Manager of Charming Holidays, recently signed an agreement to do so. The tour operator will include Israel as a new destination and has already added several unique programs and package tours to the Holy Land. To drum up interest in their new Israel program, the tour operator also held a fall contest that sent one lucky winner, Simon Chan from Scarborough, Ontario, to Israel. Wong recently returned from an inspection tour of Israel and noted that his visit to the country exceeded his expectations greatly. [Full text and pictures]

FLYGLOBESPAN TAKES YHZ TO SCOTLAND

flyglobespan to launch weekly non-stop service from Halifax to Glasgow, Scotland on May 27, 2009

Glasgow, Scotland

Flyglobespan has announced its expansion into Atlantic Canada with a new weekly, non-stop flight from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Glasgow, Scotland beginning May 27, 2009. The new service will operate every Wednesday through October 2009 and marks flyglobespan's first flights out of Halifax International Airport. The timing of the new Halifax-Glasgow route is ideal for travellers from the region planning a trip to Scotland as part of the year-long Homecoming celebrations throughout the country during 2009. Travel agents earn up to 10 per cent commission on all North American flyglobespan bookings and must have an online account in order to register the bookings by clicking on the "Agents Login" section on flyglobespan.ca. Keep reading to learn more. [Full text and pictures]

GIVE THE GIFT OF FUN SUN

Fun Sun Vacations tells agents to give themselves a gift this season; earn $10 Sears gift card for every air ticket booked online

Fun Sun Vacations would like to help you give yourself a great holiday present this year. This holiday season travel agents will earn a $10 Sears gift card for every single air ticket they book online with Fun Sun Vacations. This offer is valid for all bookings made December 17 - 31, 2008 for travel anytime. The gift cards will be automatically sent to you once the air ticket has been issued. The more you book, the more gift cards you earn. Restrictions apply. Go to funsunagent.com for more details.

CLUB MED'S HALF OFF OR FREE

Club Med launches 2 new promotions for 2009 - "Half off your Better Half", or Kids Stay Free

Club Med Ixtapa Pacific

Your clients looking to visit Club Med in 2009 have an additional chance to save on their next visit, as the company has launched two new promotions for 2009. To qualify for the offers, your bookings must be complete by Feb. 28, 2009 and travel must be between Feb. 14 and Oct. 29, 2009. Your clients can enjoy a "Half off your Better Half" special and save 50 per cent off the second person's stay; in addition, they can enjoy a "Kids Stay Free" special where one child or teen aged 0 to 15 years can stay free per one full paying adult. What else is new at Club Med this year? Your clients can enjoy two newly renovated family resorts, at the Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and the Club Med Ixtapa Pacific in Mexico. Keep reading to learn more about what's new at Club Med this year, including new facilities, a new dive program and more. [Full text and pictures]

WHITEHORSE AIRPORT GETS NEW NAME

Whitehorse International Airport to be renamed after Erik Nielsen, former deputy PM and MP
Canadian Press
Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie announced Monday that Whitehorse International Airport will be renamed after the late former deputy prime minister and MP, Erik Nielsen. Dubbed ``Yukon Erik,'' Nielsen won the Yukon's Progressive Conservative nomination in 1957 and never lost an election, holding his seat until resigning in 1987.

CARLSON ADDS OTTAWA AGENCY

Carlson Wagonlit Travel acquires Ottawa's CWT Madison Travel, former associate franchisee

Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has signed a definitive agreement and acquired the travel operations of Madison Travel, a CWT associate franchisee office based in Ottawa, Ontario. Established in 1982, the company operated as Intra/Executive Travel until 1989 when it changed its name to Intra/Madison Travel. In 1999, the company joined CWT as an associate franchisee and has operated as CWT Madison Travel for almost ten years. Over the years, Sandra Granatstein, outgoing owner of CWT Madison Travel, built a strong and diverse business portfolio while providing personalized, quality service to clients in the Ottawa area. With the acquisition, CWT welcomes 17 employees. Granatstein will continue to support the business in a consulting capacity. Granatstein and Helen Janes, Office Manager of CWT Madison Travel, will work closely with the CWT team to ensure a smooth transition for employees and clients. [Full text and pictures]