TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TRAVELHOTNEWS PROFILE: MADELINE BLACKMAN

Antigua & Barbuda representative has spent over 20 years serving her country; considers it “a privilege”
Charmaine Pang

Madeline Blackman, Consul General and Director of Canada's Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Office

This month, TRAVELHotNews.com continues its series of industry profiles, turning its attention for the first time to the tourism boards. June’s profile features Madeline Blackman, one of the few tourism board directors who have spent over 20 years in service to her home country, Antigua and Barbuda. Another unique fact about Blackman is her dual role as both tourism director and Consul General for the island nation. She has worked for the tourism board for “well over 20 years,” not only in Canada but in her home country; at the same time, she has served as the Consul General of Antigua for the past nine years. [Full text and pictures]

BARCELO’S NEW VP OF SALES

Claudio Zboznovits, VP Sales and Marketing Director for the US

Barceló Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of Claudio Zboznovits as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the U.S. and Canada
Barceló Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Claudio Zboznovits as Vice President of Sales & Marketing Director for the U.S. and Canada. Zboznovits joins Barceló from The Mark Travel Corporation, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was director of the Latin America Division. Zboznovits brings more than 27 years of travel industry experience. At The Mark Travel Corporation Zboznovits was responsible for strategic and corporate planning for the company’s Latin American product line. He managed and coordinated all inter-governmental relations for the enterprise, as well as supervising corporate strategic alliances for all brands of the company as it relates to Latin America. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING SAILS WITH PRINCESS

Sunwing Vacations announces Caribbean cruise offering via Princess Cruises

Sunwing Vacations has announced that the company will be offering luxury Caribbean cruises in conjunction with Princess Cruises for departures beginning this winter. The one week cruise packages will include airfare from Toronto or Montreal to San Juan, Puerto Rico on board Sunwing Airlines, cruise accommodation, transfers, on board meals, as well as snacks and entertainment. Sunwing has also included the gratuities to cabin stewards and dining room staff in its cruise prices. Two one week itineraries are being offered: The Classic Southern Caribbean visits Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Southern Caribbean Explorer sails to Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Thomas. Both itineraries include a day at sea. [Full text and pictures]

THN SNAPSHOTS 3: LAST CHANCE TO VOTE!

The photos are in and now it’s time for you to choose the winner; voting ends July 27

TRAVELHotNews has collected all 300 submissions from you, the readers. Now we ask you to choose your favourite pictures. Voting began July 14 and will continue until July 27. The grand prize winner will be announced in TRAVELHotNews.com on July 28. Get voting, there are only a few days left. To vote simply enter your Bonus Club membership number, or sign up to receive your number with no charge to you. Joining the TRAVELHotNews.com Bonus Club entitles you to receive special offers and other deals, and a chance to win prizes each month. To join the Bonus Club visit http://www.travelhotnews.com/club/. The winner who receives the most votes this year will collect the grand prize, a trip for two to the Riviera Maya courtesy of Sunwing Vacations. The one-week trip, worth over $2,300, includes hotel stay at the all-inclusive Grand Sunset Princess hotel. Click here to choose your winner.

PORTER CONTINUES EXPANSION

Porter Airlines restores 7 daily flights in September with Newark expansion
Porter Airlines will fly a full schedule of seven roundtrip flights every weekday between Toronto City Centre Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport as of Sept. 3. In addition, Porter will operate three roundtrips on Saturdays and six on Sundays. This year-round schedule is approved by the FAA through summer 2009. With 44 weekly roundtrip flights, this represents a 16 per cent increase over Porter’s current schedule and a 10 per cent increase compared to its inaugural March 31 schedule. “Our continued efforts working with the FAA and other airlines have resulted in an even better schedule than we initially started with,” said Robert Deluce, President and CEO of Porter Airlines. [Full text and pictures]

ACV ADDS 5

Air Canada Vacations adds 5 cities to short-stay Escapades Europe offerings

Air Canada Vacations increases short-stay Escapades to Europe by adding five destinations - Dublin, Frankfurt, Madrid, Munich and Zurich. Travellers can choose from over 50 hotels available throughout the five newly-added cities and from more than 60 weekly non-stop flights from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Ottawa. Air & Hotel Escapades to Europe, which include London, Paris and Rome, are available to book for two-nights or more from $799 for select departures in October. “This is a major step forward for Escapades as Europe is in peak travel season,” said Air Canada Vacations, director, international development, Armando Mendonca. “The addition of five new cities nearly triples our selection and each features something unique for travellers. With daily flights aboard Air Canada, Escapades is more flexible and convenient than ever.”

SHERATON SAYS “LOVE YOUR FAMILY” THIS SUMMER

Sheraton’s Cable Beach Resort in Nassau, Bahamas unveils new family-friendly guest program

The all-new Sheraton Cable Beach Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, has launched the new “Love Your Family” program, which offers a variety of activities catering to children and parents. The resort is the only international Sheraton property to currently feature the brand’s signature “Love Your Family” guest program. Families will be able to partake in a number of family-friendly activities, such as fireside storytelling, stargazing and ‘dive-in’ movies. In addition, the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort offers a variety of exclusive experiences indigenous of its location, including Junkanoo Jamboree, a festival featuring authentic foods, dance and music; cultural dance lessons for guests who want to learn native dances of the island; Bahamian Idol, a talent competition featuring local folk songs; and Bahamian Spelling Bee where guests will be tested on the spelling of native words. [Full text and pictures]

TRAIN WITH SMP

SMP Training announces new agent workshop with Steve Crowhurst

Steve Crowhurst, CTC of SMP Training Co., has created a new agent workshop. SMP’s new workshop SQUEEZIN’ LEMONS aims at tackling the current, known and future industry challenges. In this workshop Crowhurst will demonstrate how agents can “think through, fight back and get the squeeze on those challenges.” This workshop is suitable for all levels and can be adapted to suit senior management to front line staff, home-based, agency owners and managers. Visit smptraining.com for further details.