Archives July 29, 2008 Travel News

WESTJET’S SUNNIER THIS WINTER

Airline introduces seasonal non-stops to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, enhances winter schedule

Cancun

WestJet and WestJet Vacations have announced the introduction of seasonal non-stop service to two new international sun destinations in Mexico: Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. These new sun destinations are part of WestJet's enhanced winter schedule, which also includes increased frequency to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Orlando, Honolulu, Maui, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan (Mexico), and Nassau (Bahamas) from many cities across Canada. Non-stop flights from Vancouver and Calgary to Cancun are operated by WestJet for WestJet Vacations and are only available for sale at westjetvacations.com at this time. Keep reading for detailed schedules. [Full text and pictures]

AGENTS WIN BIG WITH CAYMAN ISLANDS

Karen Zaremba from Travel Professionals International, Winnipeg, wins $300 in Cayman Rewards Booking Contest

Karen Zaremba from TPI Winnipeg won the first contest

The Cayman Islands is inviting agents from across Canada to put some well earned cash in their pockets. The Cayman Rewards Booking Contest is a first of its kind for the destination, with monthly cash prizes being awarded to the top three travel agents who book the most trips to the Cayman Islands and track their bookings at caymanrewards.com. Agents, and the agencies they work for, can each win $300, $200 or $100. Karen Zaremba of Travel Professionals International in Winnipeg, earned both herself, and the agency, $300 each this past May by being the top booking agent in Canada of vacations to the Cayman Islands. A second prize of $200 was awarded to both Gloria Nadeau and the agency she works for, Carlson Wagonlit Travel of Toronto, and third prize of $100 to both Michelle Lombos and itravel2000.com. [Full text and pictures]

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S TASTE TRAIL

Follow your taste buds…New Hampshire launches Wine and Cheese Trail brochure

New Hampshire is the new kid on America’s winemaking block. The burgeoning industry is beginning to turn noses and palates in the direction of the Granite State. There are now 12 commercial wineries and vineyards in New Hampshire and the industry is growing rapidly. To help visitors sample what the state has to offer the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development has produced a four-colour print brochure (also available as a downloadable brochure from its website at visitnh.gov) to encourage culinary travellers to help Canadians discover New Hampshire’s wineries, restaurants and creameries. The newly printed 9-page Wine and Cheese Trails brochure is also available as a downloadable brochure, on-line or in print. Using maps, directories and beautiful pictures, this brochure spotlights wineries, creameries and farms in the Seacoast Region, the Merrimack Valley and the “Apple Way” (western area of the New Hampshire). [Full text and pictures]

NO MERCY FOR U.S. PASSPORT RULE

U.S. officials: No grace period for land border passport rule in 2009
Canadian Press

U.S. embassy officials have a message for Canadians and Americans living in Canada: Don't procrastinate when it comes to getting the travel documents you'll need to cross the border by next June. Customs and Border Protection attache Ricardo Scheller warns there'll be no grace period for implementing the final part of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - the post 9-11 tightening of border rules. Air travellers have needed their passports or a Nexus trusted-traveller card since last year but by next summer those arriving at land crossings will also need a passport or an electronically enhanced driver's licence. Homeland Security attache Theresa Brown says compliance with the air rules has been high, with up to 98 per cent of travellers having their documents. [Full text and pictures]

CANADIAN TRAVEL ABROAD CONTINUES

Canadian Travel Abroad continues under direction of vice president, owner after passing of founder Himo Mansour

Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. has announced the unexpected passing of founder and president, Ibrahim (Himo) Mansour in Toronto on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008. A well-respected Canadian travel industry veteran, he was a leader among Canadian tour operators in promoting special interest groups to Europe, Russia, and the Middle East for the past 34 years. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all that knew him. Honoring Mansour's achievements, day-to-day operations will continue under the capable direction of Vice-President, Janice Snider and Owner, Nadia Mansour. Snider has been with the company since 1976 and was personally trained by Himo Mansour and worked side-by-side with him.

G.A.P JUMPS FOR A CAUSE

G.A.P Adventures' 5th annual skydive for charity event raises $18,545

G.A.P Adventures recently held its 5th annual skydive for charity in Toronto and Calgary, raising a whopping $18,545. More than 30 skydivers participated and selected either an Instructor Assisted Deployment skydive, jumping solo from 3500 feet, or a Tandem skydive, where the skydiver and Jumpmaster freefall together for 35 seconds from 10,500 feet at over 120mph. G.A.P Adventures covered 50% of the jump fees for all participants and in return, skydivers raised funds for Planeterra - G.A.P Adventures’ non-profit foundation which is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world. [Full text and pictures]

ETIHAD TO KAZAKHSTAN

Almaty, Kazakhstan

New flights will be launched Dec. 2 to Almaty from Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways has announced the launch of flights from Almaty, Kazakhstan from Abu Dhabi, beginning December 2, 2008. Kazakhstan’s largest city, with a population of 1.2 million people, will be served non-stop, four times a week from Abu Dhabi with the airline, using an Airbus A319 aircraft. Flight EY296 will depart Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10.20am and arrive in Almaty at 4.35pm the same day. Return flight EY297 will depart Almaty on the same days at 5.35pm, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 8.30pm. Almaty will be Etihad’s ninth destination in its expanding flight network in the Asia-Pacific region which already includes services to Brisbane, Sydney, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and Beijing. [Full text and pictures]

AC ATTENDANTS PROTEST CUTS

Air Canada attendants rally across the country to fight for jobs
Canadian Press
Air Canada flight attendants took to the streets in several cities Monday to protest job cuts and warn of more delays in the skies. ``I say to (Air Canada CEO) Robert Milton, how dare you send letters to these employees telling them they're surplus to your requirements?'' Paul Moist, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, told more than 300 cheering attendants and supporters outside an Air Canada call centre in downtown Winnipeg. There were similar scenes in other cities. About 100 Air Canada flight attendants and supporters marched at the Calgary International Airport, while 150 people rallied in front of city hall in Halifax. In Montreal, some 100 flight attendants demonstrated outside the departure lounge of Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport. [Full text and pictures]