TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

INTREPID TRAVEL'S NORTH AMERICAN TEAM

Steven Larkin, President, Intrepid Travel North America

Steven Larkin is new President, Intrepid Travel North America, based in Toronto
Intrepid Travel has opened a new North America Sales & Marketing Company. Intrepid Travel Inc., based in Toronto, will be responsible for growing Intrepid's brand presence in the Canadian marketplace as well as managing and developing Intrepid's North America industry relationships. North America is the fastest-growing outbound market for Intrepid Travel, and a dedicated industry team has been appointed to manage this growth. Steven Larkin will assume the role of president, Christian Wolters is the marketing manager. Two business development managers have been hired for Western Canada/Western USA (Kirk McDonald, based in Vancouver) and for Eastern Canada/Eastern USA (Kate Rosen ). [Full text and pictures]

CTO HEAD STEPS DOWN

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace leaves Caribbean Tourism Organization; will return to Bahamas as Minister of Tourism and Aviation

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace will step down on July 7 from his positions as secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and co-CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) to become Minister of Tourism and Aviation for the Bahamas. According to Senator the Hon. Allen Chastanet, chairman of the CTO and co-chairman of CTDC, Mr. Arley Sobers, the CTO�s director of research and information management, will be the interim secretary general/chief executive officer. The CTO�s executive committee will immediately begin the search for a new secretary general. Vanderpool-Wallace assumed the position of CTO secretary general in 2005 and helped lead the formation of the CTDC in January 2007 and create the first marketing and business development unit owned equally by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the CTO. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING�S NEW 737

Boeing delivers brand new �Next-Generation� jet to Sunwing Airlines

This week, Boeing delivered Sunwing Airlines� latest Next-Generation 737-800. The airplane is equipped with performance-enhancing blended winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4 percent; while the interior features all leather seats with several rows of additional-legroom seating. "The delivery of this Next-Generation 737-800 enhances our fleet with the most cost-efficient airplane available," said Mark Williams, president of Sunwing Airlines. "The addition to our fleet, of yet another state-of-the-art Boeing aircraft, will allow us to continue our expansion and serve even more customers from more Canadian centres across the country.� The new aircraft will go into service immediately. [Full text and pictures]

INSIGHT VACATIONS� AGENT WINNER

Jennifer Brown from TripCentral, Moncton, won a trip for 2 with Insight

Jennifer Brown from TripCentral in Moncton, NB, wins Insight trip for two in Online Training Program contest
There were tears of joy from Jennifer Brown, an agent with TripCentral in Moncton, New Brunswick, when Insight Vacations Business Development Manager Dorothy Switalska delivered the news that she was the big winner in Insight�s Online Training Program contest. Brown�s name was chosen from among the many agents who completed Insight�s new Online Training Program by May 31. Her prize is an Insight European vacation for two, valid through the end of this year. �I visited our winner on Friday in person and she was very happy. In fact she even cried and the office Manager called Tripcentral�s Regional Manager and head office folk in Hamilton to share the great news,� Switalska reports. [Full text and pictures]

SKAL HITS THE TRACK

SKAL Toronto holds June meeting at Woodbine Race Track

SKAL Toronto members enjoying the Woodbine Racetrack

Last week, more than 60 Toronto SKAL members and their guests enjoyed an evening of delicious food, effective networking and the chance to cheer on their favourite horses at the June meeting held at Woodbine Race Track. None of the members would disclose their winnings for the evening but it was obvious that everyone enjoyed themselves. The upcoming SKAL Toronto Golf Tournament will be held July 28, 2008 at Eagles Nest in Maple, Ontario. There are a very limited number of places available; contact SKAL Toronto immediately to sign up for the tournament. For more information and photos of the SKAL Woodbine event, visit torontoskal.org.

�DREAM� BIG WITH CARNIVAL

Carnival Dream, ready for Sept. 2009, is now taking reservations for Caribbean, Europe

Carnival Dream - architect's rendering

Carnival Cruise Lines has begun accepting reservations for the previously announced European and Caribbean itineraries of the new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, which is scheduled to enter service in September 2009, introducing a host of innovations and amenities. The largest �Fun Ship� ever constructed, the 3,646-passenger SuperLiner is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with a 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia). There will also be a trans-Atlantic crossing, as well as Caribbean itineraries in the wintertime. A new class of �Fun Ship,� Carnival Dream will offer a variety of unique features and facilities, including a bold new concept in entertainment called The Piazza, a stunning indoor/outdoor caf� and live music venue. [Full text and pictures]

SITE CANADA�S UNICEF WALK

SITE Canada walks for UNICEF, donates to charity

Back Row: Stephanie Whiteman (Park Hyatt Toronto), Michael Drake (Park Hyatt Toronto), Neval Greenidge (Barbados Tourism Authority), Pam Graham (Congress Canada), Amanda Zappia (Tourism Toronto), Leslie Wright (SITE Canada Secretariat), Catherine Dawson (Tourism Toronto), Jeanette Favia (North Carolina Division of Tourism)
Front Row: Lesley Boughen (Vaughan Mills), Joanne Keating (Meridican Incentive Consultants), Cathy O'Connor (Carlson Hotels), Susan Prophet (Destination Quebec), Joe O'recchio (CWT Meetings & Events), Rachael Streak-Buma (The Fairmont Royal York)
SITE Canada (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) started their morning off right on Thursday June 26th with a refreshing walk along Toronto's Harbourfront. Proceeds from the registration fee were donated to SITE's Run the World campaign in support of UNICEF. The global program promotes health and fitness amongst the membership. SITE member Pam Graham led the walk, which was also supported by Radisson Admiral Hotel, Queen's Quay.