TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

AIR FRANCE REWARDS TOP AGENTS

Four travel agents honoured in Toronto and Montreal, win a pair of Air France Business Class tickets

Air France agent winners

Air France has rewarded its top 2 Maestro members of the Crescendo program for both Western and Eastern Canada regions, with a trophy and a pair of tickets in l�Espace Affaires (Business) to an Air France destination of their choice. Maestro membership gathers participating travel agents who obtained at least 500,000 Crescendo points during the 2007 Edition of the program. Points are earned through the sale of Air France tickets. In the Eastern Region, the awards went to Carmela Falcone of Carlson Wagonlit Travel (Montreal), Maestro Gold and Clementina Pallotta of Amex Canada Inc. (Montreal), Maestro Silver. [Full text and pictures]

ALBATOURS� NEW ROME CITY BREAK

Get ready for 7-night Rome City Break package; departures available Aug. 3 and Aug. 31, 2008

View from the Hotel Galles

ALBATours has introduced a brand new Rome City Break package featuring two departures next month � Aug. 3rd and 31st� tell your clients to turn their long weekends into a week in the Eternal City. Starting from just $1,147 (plus tax; prices are gross and are commissionable at 8%) per person, this eight-day/seven-night package includes roundtrip airfare from Toronto to Rome via Skyservice, transfers from the Rome Fiumicino Airport to & from the hotel, nightly accommodation at the three-star Hotel Galles (or similar), daily buffet breakfast, hotel taxes and services charges. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

TRANSAT HOLIDAYS ADDS ARUBA

Aruba is Transat�s newest winter destination; departures from YYZ
Transat Holidays has announced Aruba as their newest destination and is now available to book with departures from Toronto this winter. Bonbini means �welcome� and Transat Holidays would like to welcome your clients to discover Aruba. With breathtaking crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, Aruba is a great choice for a winter getaway. Transat Holidays is offering the 4-star Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Aruba; located on the lovely Palm Beach and close to the capital of Oranjestad. Each of its 600 rooms have been fully renovated and offer air-conditioning, TV, Internet access ($), mini-fridge, balcony or terrace. Guests of the Holiday Inn Sunspree will enjoy a wide mix of facilities and services for all ages including 2 � la carte restaurants, pizzeria, pool, whirlpools, bars, Kids Club and other great activities. Keep reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING ADDS YAM-CANCUN, RIVIERA MAYA FLIGHTS

Weekly flights launching this winter from Sault Ste. Marie to Mexican sun destinations

Cancun

The beaches of Cancun and the Riviera Maya are now more accessible than ever before for residents in and around Sault Ste. Marie: Sunwing has just announced weekly flights to this popular hotspot this winter.
This is Sunwing�s inaugural year of service out of Sault Ste. Marie. The flights will operate every Wednesday from December 17 to March 18 with one and two week vacations available. Travellers can book air only or choose from a wide range of hotels in Cancun � 23 in all � plus another 34 resorts available in the Riviera Maya, a sunsoaked stretch of beachfront hotels south of Cancun. Sunwing is also offering flights to Varadero, Cuba this winter, with an excellent selection of holiday packages in both Varadero and Havana. [Full text and pictures]

HOLA SUN LAUNCHES E-INVOICES

Send your information to begin receiving e-invoices from Hola Sun

Hola Sun has just announced that e-invoices are available to their travel agent partners. In order to complete this process, the tour operator requires the agency manager to advise an e-invoice email address to which all electronic invoices will be sent. One email per agency is permitted. To receive e-invoices, send your agency information (agency name, agency #, e-invoice email address) via email to sales@holasunholidays.ca. You can order the new 2008/2009 winter brochure online at e-contac.com. Agent rates are now available for Fall 2008 as well. Go to holacaribeagent.ca to book online, 24 hours a day.

NOLITOURS ADDS JAMAICA!

Departures from YYZ to Montego Bay now available for fall and winter

Montego Bay

Nolitours has just added Jamaica to their winter program. Departures from Toronto are now available to book for the fall and winter. The tour operator is offering the 4-star Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay; located in Montego Bay, the recently renovated resort is a short 10 minutes from the airport and only 20 minutes drive from downtown Montego Bay. Each of its 524 rooms offer air-conditioning, TV, in-room safe, balcony or terrace. Guests will enjoy a wide mix of facilities and services including 2 � la carte restaurants, pools including one for adults only, bars including a swim-up bar, disco and more. Read on for departures and pricing. [Full text and pictures]

SIGNATURE FREE UPGRADES

Free room upgrade offer available at the Sensatori Azul by Karisma; book between Jul. 16-31, 2008

Signature Vacations is offering a luxurious free room upgrade offer at the Sensatori Azul, by Karisma. Book your holiday between July 16 to 31/08 for travel Nov 1 to Dec 16/08 and receive a Swim-up Jacuzzi Junior Suite or Luxury Jacuzzi Oceanview Junior Suite room at no extra charge! Suitable for families, couples and everyone in between, the new 5-star Sensatori Azul by Karisma offers many holiday indulgences, including dedicated pool and beach butler service; all-suite accommodations featuring family and adult only rooms; supervised activities & lounges for both kids and teens; 8 bars including a swim-up bar and Mojito bar; and 6 gourmet � la carte restaurants. For more information on product, pricing and available dates visit signaturevacations.com.

OTTAWA TAKES A LOOK AT AC CUTS

Ottawa reviewing Air Canada's plan to cut jobs and close flight attendant bases
Canadian Press

Federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn is reviewing Air Canada's request to be exempted from part of the Labour Code in connection with its decision to close its Halifax and Winnipeg bases for flight attendants as part of a plan to lay off up to 2,000 employees. ``If protections and supports provided to affected employees by a collective agreement are not equal or stronger than, provided the group termination provisions of the Canada Labour Code, there would not be grounds for granting a waiver,'' Blackburn said in a letter to the airline. Air Canada has asked for a waiver from developing a so-called adjustment plan with employees as required under the Labour Code. Without the waiver, the airline would be required to create a joint committee with employees that would work to minimize the impact of the layoffs. [Full text and pictures]