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Awards of merit 2007

HERE ARE THE FINALISTS...
Last week to determine the winners!

You have until February 10th, 2008
to vote for the candidates.

NYC & CO. OPENS IN CANADA

George Fertitta, President/CEO; Fred Dixon, Senior VP, Tourism Development, NYC & Company

New York City opens tourism office in Toronto, attracts 880,000 Canadians in 2007
Charmaine Pang
Yesterday afternoon marked the launch of NYC & Company’s first tourism office in Canada. The launch party took place at Cheval Lounge in downtown Toronto, with media, airline partners, tour operators, consolidators and other travel partners in attendance. NYC & Company’s Canadian office is represented by Vision|Co. and is located in downtown Toronto. The office opened in January of this year. Jordan Bitove, President and CEO of Vision|Co., introduced George Fertitta, the CEO of NYC & Company. The time is right for a Canadian office, as New York City plans to expand their tourism reach and attract more visitors. In 2007, the projected number of Canadian visits to the city was 880,000, an increase from the previous year’s 840,000. Read on for some new incentives to get to New York, including a brand-new Air Canada Flight Pass, new attractions, and more. [Full text and pictures]

LYNN C. TORRENT IS NEW SENIOR VP AT CARNIVAL

Lynn Torrent, new senior VP of sales & guest services, Carnival Cruise Lines

Industry veteran leaves sister company, Costa, for new post as senior VP of sales & guest services
Cruise industry veteran Lynn C. Torrent has been named senior vice president of sales and guest services at Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator. She will take on her new role on March 3. She takes over the role from Vicki Freed, who recently left to join Royal Caribbean International. In this capacity, Torrent has overall responsibility for Carnival’s various sales activities, particularly as they relate to supporting our travel agent partners, who account for the vast majority of the company’s bookings. A 13-year cruise industry veteran, Torrent most recently served as president and CEO – North America of Costa Cruises, a sister company to Carnival Cruise Lines, where she was responsible for the company’s operations in North and Central America. [Full text and pictures]

ANGELA STECCA JOINS WALT DISNEY PARKS & RESORTS

Angela Stecca, new District Sales Manager, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Canada

New District Sales Manager will represent Walt Disney’s Florida, California parks and Disney Cruise Line from Toronto office
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (Canada) has welcomed Angela Stecca to their team. Angela recently started with the company as a District Sales Manager representing the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the Disneyland Resort in California and Disney Cruise Line. She has worked in the travel industry for the past 10 years and recently moved to Toronto from Vancouver where she was working for Sunquest / Holiday House as a Business Development Manager. She enjoys travelling to sunny destinations and loves roller coasters. Recently, she traveled to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where she enjoyed Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

INTAIR RELEASES EUROPE 2008 BROCHURE

New destinations include Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Manchester; added features, great prices

Intair has just released their Europe 2008 brochure, offering many new products and destinations. Here are some of the highlights. The France section of the brochure includes additional information, including comprehensive maps, attractions and descriptions of districts. There’s also new information on the 2-day Carte Paris Visite, a user-friendly travel card that gives your clients access to the transportation system in Paris. The brochure offers great pricing in France, including Cannes Beach prices starting at $61 per studio per night and the Cannes Verrerie at $75. There are four new destinations in the UK/Ireland this year, including Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin and Manchester. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

DISCOVER TUNISIA WITH EXOTIK TOURS

Discover the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’, a unique sun vacation for your clients

Tunisia's famous blue doors

Exotik Tours invites your sun-loving clients to experience “The Jewel of the Mediterranean”, a chance to offer something out of the ordinary. Tunisia offers a complete change of scenery, a touch of adventure, along with plenty of sun and sea. Exotik Tours’ 2-week Tunisia Discovery Tour allows clients to visit Tunisia’s most historical and architectural sites as well as spend a week soaking up the sun in a choice of seaside resorts. Guaranteed departures in April start at $2349 p.p. including taxes, round trip airfare from Toronto incl. air tax, three meals a day during touring, accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels, 7 days of touring and 6 day beach stay, all transfers, entrance fees and luggage handling. Clients can also stay over in Paris for extra nights. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

SITE Canada Announces 2008 Board of Directors

The new SITE Board of Directors

SITE (The Society of Incentive Travel Executives) Canada has announced their 2008 Board of Directors. From L-R: Joe Orecchio (Director Meetings), Rita Viggiani (Secretary/Treasurer), Michael Drake (Director Education), Susan Prophet (President-Elect), Cathy O’Connor (Director Social), Lesley Boughen (Director PR/Sponsorship), Mo McKenzie (Director Membership). Seated: Marsha Jones (Past President), Rachael Streek-Buma (President). Absent: Joanne Keating (Director Publications). SITE is the only international not-for-profit, professional association devoted to the pursuit of excellence in incentive travel. For more information about SITE, visit sitecanada.org or e-mail office@sitecanada.org.

CRUISE TRENDS FOR 2008

Cruise trends for 2008 include new ships, more luxury, deals
Canadian Press

The World

More choices in food, activities, itineraries and luxury are some of the trends shaping the cruise industry for 2008. But the big unknown is what will happen with prices. The Cruise Lines International Association estimates that 12.6 million people cruised in 2007, a 4.6 per cent increase over 2006. CLIA believes demand will hold, with a projected 12.8 million passengers for 2008 despite the weakening economy. A recent CLIA survey of 500 travel agents found 90 per cent expect 2008 cruise sales to be as good or better than 2007. Read on for more details and a comprehensive look at cruising in 2008. [Full text and pictures]