TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

JADE TOURS ‘SMILES OF ASIA’ PRODUCT LAUNCH

Jade Tours adds new tours and destinations, including Australia, New Zealand, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indochina
Charmaine Pang

Michael Scott, United Airlines; Trevor Simpson, Jade Tours; Betty Kam, Hong Kong Tourist Board; Sandra Ngoh-Fonseka, Malaysia Tourist Board; Frank Creasey, Korea Tourism Organization; Michael Lim, Hong Kong Tourist Board

Yesterday evening at Thee Asian Kitchen restaurant in Markham, Jade Tours unveiled their new 2008 product lineup. The tour operator is celebrating their 35th year in business in 2008. The company has launched several new destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand. The evening allowed travel agents to preview the latest Jade Tours ‘Smiles of Asia’ and ‘Faces of Australia & New Zealand’ brochure for 2008. [Full text and pictures]

THE NEWEST ‘STAR’ IN TURKS & CAICOS

Turks & Caicos launches new “Seven Stars” condo resort project
Lisa Raffaele

Marilyn Marx, Public Relations Representative, Seven Stars; Jeffrey Boland, Director of Operations Santral management Ltd., Seven Stars; Rosemarie Wilson, Sales & Marketing Executive, Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board

Yesterday afternoon at Toronto’s Canoe restaurant, The Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board invited the media to participate in the launch of their new and largest ever condominium resort project, “Seven Stars,” located on Grace Bay beach on the island of Providenciales. [Full text and pictures]

Transat Holidays launches new B2B Cruise Section

As of Jan. 21, agents can book cruises, check availability and verify prices online

Transat Holidays has introduced its new cruise section at transatholidaysagent.com. As of January 21, travel agents can now book cruises, check availability, and verify prices online via the Agent Direct site. Booking online provides agencies with many advantages, such as immediate access to real inventory, cabin descriptions, deck plans and information on the ports of call. All of this can be accomplished without picking up the telephone. As an added incentive, travel agents booking cruises via Agent Direct from now until March 31, 2008 will receive a $10 Petro-Canada gift card per cabin. Participating travel agents will also have the chance to win a one week Caribbean cruise for two onboard the Norwegian Sun. For further information please contact your Transat Holidays Sales Representative.

PORTER HITS THE BIG APPLE

Tickets now on sale for flights from downtown Toronto to New York area; service begins Mar. 31

Toronto-based Porter Airlines is expanding into the U.S. market with seven daily roundtrip flights between Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Newark Liberty International Airport starting March 31, 2008. Weekend service consists of two Saturday roundtrips and three Sunday roundtrips. Fares start at $120 CDN, plus applicable fees and taxes, for one-way flights. Porter Airlines flies the 70-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The company has taken delivery of two new aircraft to serve the New York route, bringing the fleet to six. Four more will come in the next year, as Porter expands to destinations such as Boston, Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia. [Full text and pictures]

SIGNATURE: AFFORDABLE PORTUGAL

Signature Vacations offers lowered rates to Algarve region of Portugal

Algarve, Portugal

Signature Vacations has lowered its prices to the beautiful and cultural Algarve region of Portugal. Rates are now so unbelievably low, your clients won’t be able to refuse. Air only starts at $298 per person plus tax; a 1 week stay with air and hotel starts from $568 per person plus tax; 2 week stay with air and hotel starts at $718 per person plus tax; 3 week stay with air and hotel starts from $998 per person plus tax. One-week all inclusive begins at $938 per person plus tax. With rates like these and direct flights from Toronto, the Algarve is closer and more affordable than your clients ever dreamed of. For complete availability and pricing details please refer to SignatureVacations.com.

Korea Launches North Korea Tours

New one-day cultural tours to Gaeseong, North Korea now available

Gaeseong, North Korea

Sootaek Lee, Director for Canada of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has announced that in partnership with Hyundai Asan, one-day cultural tours to the North Korean city of Gaeseong are now available for travellers. If you have clients who are going to South Korea and may be curious about what lies up north, this one-day tour will give them a taste of North Korea. The Gaeseong Tour brings travellers to the city, which lies just north of the demilitarized zone, and the surrounding environment. In the future KTO and Hyundai Asan hope to open tours to Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital city and Mount Baekdu on the North Korean – Chinese border. Read on for more details about the Gaeseong tour. [Full text and pictures]

CHICAGO GUIDE FOR THE DISABLED

Chicago offers a free guide for visitors with disabilities, now available
Canadian Press
Chicago is offering a new free guide for visitors with disabilities called ``Easy Access Chicago.'' Basic visitor information for city attractions like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Sears Tower are all in the guide, along with details on accommodations like ramps and elevators, handicapped parking, Braille signage and assistive listening devices, and accessible bathrooms, counters and ticket windows. Other tips include how to get a 21-day pass for paratransit services or arrange free guided tours for visitors with disabilities through the Chicago Greeter program, which offers 40 special interest areas and 25 neighbourhoods to choose from. Last year Chicago was named one of America's most disability-friendly cities by the National Organization on Disability. Read on for details on how to order the free brochure. [Full text and pictures]

Awards of merit 2007

IT'S TIME TO VOTE NOW!
A total of 175 candidates

You have until February 3rd, 2008
to vote for the candidates.