TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TRAVELHOTNEWS.COM PROFILE: COLIN HUNTER, SUNWING VACATIONS

The Grandmaster: Colin Hunter, president, founder and CEO of Sunwing Vacations, always makes the right moves
Charmaine Pang

Colin Hunter, president, founder and CEO of Sunwing Vacations

Colin Hunter has had incredible success in the travel industry, always making the right moves at the right time. His name has been linked with Sunflight Holidays, Adventure Tours, Fiesta West, First Choice and Signature Vacations to name a few. Today, most industry folks know him as the president, founder and CEO of Sunwing Vacations. This travel industry veteran began his career with British Airways in Britain. “I worked there for 10 years and then came to Canada and joined Sunflight Holidays. I left, and then got into Adventure Tours from 1985 til 1988.” Hunter’s career is intertwined with success. In the 1980s, Hunter and his partner at the time, Paul Jervis, sold the tour operations of Adventure Tours, Fiesta and Fiesta West to First Choice, who then re-branded the group as Signature Vacations. Read on for more about Colin Hunter. [Full text and pictures]

COLLETTE OFFERS COMMISSIONS ON TOUR OPTIONS

Starting Mar. 1, Collette Vacations offers commissionable tour options for clients departing on May 1 and beyond

Collette Vacations is now offering travel agents an additional way to earn revenue. Starting March 1st, 2008, travel agents can purchase commissionable tour options for their clients who are travelling on a Collette tour departing May 1, and later. “As part of our Collette Agent Focus campaign, we are now proud to add this stream of revenue for agents,” Daniel Sullivan, Jr., President and CEO of Collette Vacations said. Collette’s Agent Focus campaign includes offering preferred agents 20% commission and all non-preferred agents 17% commission on land departures in the months of February 1 through February 15 2008; August 2008; January 2009; and February 1 through February 15, 2009. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

IBEROSTAR SAVINGS WITH SIGNATURE

Vacation the Iberostar way with $200 off per couple from Signature Vacations

Iberostar Cozumel

Have your clients vacationed the Iberostar way? If not, now is your chance with the Signature Vacations Iberostar sale. From February 1st to 14th, 2008 Signature Vacations is offering an additional savings of $200 per couple on any vacation booking to an Iberostar hotel departing from Toronto, Kitchener, Halifax or St. John’s. Choose from options in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. This offer applies to all departures in March (excluding March break) and April and cannot be combined with any other offer. Discounted rates will be reflected in current system rates. The $200 savings is valid on adult rates only, groups and children do not apply. For more product and pricing information visit signaturevacations.com.

TOURISM NZ’S NEW REGIONAL MANAGER

Annie Dundas, new regional manager, North America, Tourism New Zealand

Annie Dundas is new North America Regional Manager, Tourism New Zealand
Annie Dundas has been named Tourism New Zealand’s (TNZ) new Regional Manager – North America, effective Monday, January 28. Santa Monica-based for her three-year term, Dundas will lead the destination’s trade, media and marketing efforts in the U.S. and Canada, overseeing TNZ’s offices in Los Angeles and New York. Dundas succeeds Bruce Lahood, who completed his term on January 25. Dundas is a 13-year veteran of TNZ who started fresh out of college in the Wellington office in 1995. “North America is our third largest market, accounting for 264,175 visitors in 2007,” Dundas noted. “This is a strong market that is very well served in key travel niches including epicurean, active adventure, culture and wildlife – all backed by New Zealand’s enviable reputation for consistently meeting and exceeding our visitors’ expectations.” [Full text and pictures]

ARTA BOARD ELECTS BISHINS FOR TRIP

Bruce Bishins is new president of TRIP Corporation; orientation meeting scheduled for May 2008; new ID card underway

Bruce Bishins is the new president of TRIP

The ARTA board of directors, at its meeting last week in Savannah, Georgia, voted to appoint Bruce Bishins, CTC to the post of President of the TRIP Corporation. TRIP calls for the creation of a joint, industry-managed, non-profit corporation to establish a more effective and useful system of providing recognition and credentials to accredited travel retailers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including the implementation of a new travel agent ID card. Expansion on a global basis is an option which the TRIP leadership will also consider. ARTA first announced its support of and involvement in the development of the new industry-wide agency accreditation program in January 2007. TRIP is comprised of two key components: the Accredited Travel Retailer (ATR) designation, a travel agency accreditation for non-ARC, non-BSP reporting agencies and the TRIP ID Card. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

CUBA COMMEMORATES 10th TERRY FOX RUN

Largest Marathon of Hope outside of Canada will take place on Mar. 15

Cuba's Terry Fox Run celebrates its 10th year in 2008

The Terry Fox Run or “Marathon of Hope”, inspired by the Canadian runner, started in Cuba in 1998 and takes place every year all around the island. Over the past 10 years, the “Marathon of Hope” or “Terry Fox Run” has been successfully organized in Cuba and today is the largest race outside Canada by number of participants and the only event in the world developed simultaneously across a country. In 2007 a total of 4,700 races took place simultaneously all around Cuba with 2.3 million participants. Participants raise money which is donated to cancer-related research projects at the Cuban Oncology Institute. In 2007, the Run raised $65,000 CAD. On March 15th, participants will run a one or three-kilometre distance by biking, walking or rollerblading. For more information about the 2008 Marathon of Hope in Cuba, contact the Cuba Tourist Board at 416-362-0700 or email info@gocuba.ca.

SIRENIS PUNTA CANA PROPERTY REVAMPED

Nolitours exclusive, Sirenis Tropical Suites Casino & Spa in Punta Cana completes multi-million dollar reno

Sirenis Tropical Suites Casino & Spa

Exclusive to Nolitours, the Sirenis Tropical Suites Casino & Spa in Punta Cana has completed a multi million dollar renovation. This all-inclusive resort is located on a white sand beach in the Uvero Alto area and is surrounded by lush coconut groves. Children stay and eat free when sharing a room with two adults, and honeymooners receive special amenities. The renovations include new ŕ la carte restaurants totaling to 7 (Asian, Italian, Steakhouse, Mexican, Seafood, Vegetarian and Gourmet), a new lobby, landscaping, walkways and a complete refurbishment of the accommodations including the bathrooms. Read on for more information. [Full text and pictures]