Archives July 31, 2008 Travel News

A TASTE OF ST. MAARTEN

St. Maarten Tourist Board and Stile Diva present an evening of Caribbean fashion and food
Charmaine Pang

Susan Melnyk; Shereen Ashman and models at the Taste of St. Maarten event

Yesterday evening, the ‘Taste of St. Maarten’ event took place at Six Degrees nightclub in Toronto. The St. Maarten Tourist Board, in conjunction with Stile Diva Inc., presented an evening of “culture, couture, cuisine and celebration” to guests in the travel and fashion industries. The Toronto event was hosted to raise awareness of the second annual Caribbean World Beauty & Barber Tradeshow (CWBBT) which will be hosted in St. Maarten from August 23-30, 2008. The tradeshow will bring together participants from the host country, as well as Canada, the U.S., Caribbean and Africa. [Full text and pictures]

GOWAY GROWS GROUPS DEPARTMENT

David Pitts joins Goway's GROUPSOnly
David Pitts, Latin America specialist, is newest member to Goway's groups department
Goway's GroupsOnly Department has announced the appointment of David Pitts, a Latin America specialist, to the Groups department. Pitts is originally from Australia and is well respected in the tourism industry, having most recently held a senior Product Management position with a major Canadian wholesaler. "David brings a wealth of product and destination expertise to Goway's newest group destinations in Latin America," commented Groups Manager, Barbara Norton. "David has first-hand knowledge of the destination, and his sales team will be the departments, driving force for all our Latin American Groups." [Full text and pictures]

PORTER’S QUEBEC CITY NOW YEAR-ROUND

Successful Toronto-Quebec City route extended year-round
Porter Airlines has announced they will continue flying year-round between Quebec City and Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) after its summer schedule concludes on Sep. 2, 2008. The ongoing roundtrip flights will operate every weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with daily summer service resuming next year. Special holiday schedules, including everyday flights from Dec. 17, 2008 to Jan. 7, 2009 are also part of the program. “We’re extremely pleased to be extending our Quebec City flights after being welcomed so enthusiastically this summer,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. The regular fall schedule features morning and midday departures. For detailed schedules, agents can visit flyporter.com.

FAIRMONT AGENT REWARDS

Travel agents can redeem points for Fairmont gift cards; available through Aug. 31

Fairmont FAmous, the travel agent education and recognition program for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, has announced increased reward options: Fairmont gift cards that may be used toward hotel stays, dining, spa treatments, golf and retail items at the Fairmont Store. Available through August 31, 2008, Fairmont FAmous agents may redeem 25 booking points for a $25 Fairmont gift card. The new Fairmont gift card offer allows agents to further experience on-property luxury amenities such as restaurants, the Willow Stream Spas and championship golf courses at a preferred price. Member agents can also pass the gift card along to family, friends or clients as a gift. Click to read more. [Full text and pictures]

TICO UPDATE

TICO Board of Directors adds Carole Cooper; approves compensation fund claims

TICO approved payment of $39,910.32 for 46 consumers

TICO’s Board of Directors has added a new member – Carole Cooper, Vice President Leisure North America for Flight Centre. Cooper is one of three ACTA appointees on the Board and she replaces Annika Klint. In other news, TICO’s Board of Directors yesterday approved payment of $39,910.32 assisting 46 consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid. These payments were due to the closures of Aero Canadian Tour & Travel in Scarborough ($38,957.50) and Aloha Airlines in Honolulu ($952.82).

NÂRAT GOES TO RIO

Tour operator offers new Rio Carnival 2009 packages

NÂRAT has just added new Carnival 2009 packages to Rio de Janeiro, the “Carnival Capital of the World”. The Rio Carnival is the biggest event of its kind and is the benchmark against which every other carnival is compared. Bring the magic and festivities alive to your clients this year with 6-day packages. The 2009 dates for Carnival are February 21-24. NÂRAT’s 6 day packages for Rio Carnival are part of the tour company’s 2009 World Festival Experience line-up of branded tours. The tour operator has partnerships with over 50 of the city’s best known hotels - including those situated in the famed Copacabana Beach stretch. [Full text and pictures]

DELTA RAISES BAGGAGE FEES

Domestic baggage fees rise to $50 from $25 for 2nd checked bag; 1st checked bag remains free of charge

Delta Air Lines raises domestic baggage fees for second checked bag from $25 to $50 USD; the first bag is still free of charge. International customers can check their first and second bags free of charge. These changes will apply to travellers who purchase a ticket on or after Jul. 31, 2008 for travel on or after Aug. 5, 2008. Other fees for specialty items such as surfboards or ski equipment will increase on domestic and international flights. First Class, BusinessElite and Medallion customers will continue to be able to check up to three bags at no charge. Fees will remain the same in Brazil and Canada pending tariff change approval.