TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

WESTJET, SOUTHWEST TEAM UP

CEO of WestJet, Sean Durfy, says future of air travel lies in low-cost, high-value airlines like WJ, SWA

The airlines have signed a codeshare and distribution agreement

WestJet has signed a memorandum of understanding to build a distribution and codeshare agreement with U.S. based Southwest Airlines. This is the first step that will see both airlines, by late 2009, have the ability to commence codeshare flights across both networks. In the near future, southwest.com will become a distribution channel for WestJet's existing Canadian and transborder flights. Sean Durfy, President and CEO of WestJet commented, "This is a defining moment for WestJet." Continue reading for all details of the agreement. [Full text and pictures]

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO’S NEW REP

Michelle Jones is new tourism representative for T&T in Canada
The Caribbean destination of Trinidad & Tobago now have an official presence in Canada. TRAVELHotNews.com has learned that Michelle Jones will be the new tourism representative for the island nation. Keep reading TRAVELHotNews.com for more information to come.

FRANK ADDISON: 22 YEARS LATER

An interview with the founder of the Addison Travel Trade Shows on the history and the future of travel trade shows
Charmaine Pang

Frank Addison

TRAVELHotNews.com recently had a chance to catch up with Frank Addison, whose last name is attached to the travel trade shows that crisscross Canada. Addison Travel Marketing was founded in 1981 by Addison. The very first Addison Show took place 22 years ago, in the fall of 1986. Prior to his involvement in Addison Travel Marketing, Frank Addison began his career in the travel industry in 1967, when he purchased 3 travel agencies, building them up to a total of 17 and selling them in 1976. That time period was quite active for Addison. “In 1969 I started a tour company with a partner – it was Hagen’s Travel, and we built that up over time and sold [the business] in 1980.” Continue reading for more. [Full text and pictures]

SUN SETS ON SUNWING'S PANAMA

Panama program from YYZ, YUL cancelled; hotel fails to meet contractual conditions

Sunwing Vacations has announced that it will not be operating flights from Toronto and Montreal to Panama commencing this upcoming fall as originally scheduled and as previously announced. The reason provided by the tour operator for the discontinuation of the program is Playa Blanca Hotel's failure to meet standards and conditions as outlined in the contractual agreement between the property and Sunwing Vacations. As a gesture of goodwill by Sunwing, customers have been contacted through their travel agents and have been offered a change of destination with a credit towards that vacation, or cancellation with full refund. Continue reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

NEW REP FOR TURQUOISE BAY RESORT

LATA Canada to represent Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort in Honduras

Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort

LATA Canada has been appointed the sales and marketing representative in Canada for the Turqoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort. The property is located in Milton Bight on the north east shore of Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras. The resort features 26 room in 5 duplex bungalows. All beautifully decorated rooms are air conditioned and have a balcony with an unobstructed view of the beach and ocean. Each room features two double beds or a king size bed, a bathroom with hot and cold water, telephone, cable TV. The resort also features an excellent restaurant and bar, a pool, white sandy beach and a full service watersports center that offers fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, jet skis. [Full text and pictures]

AMA WATERWAYS SAVINGS

Cruising on the Danube River

Roundtrip flights from Toronto-Europe as low as $299 for select cruises
GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel and Tours which represents AMA Waterways (formerly Amadeus Waterways) in Canada, is offering incredibly low round-trip airfares to Europe for select European river cruises in November and December 2008. Enjoy the holiday season when there are less crowds but just as much to see and do while in the luxurious comfort of AMA Waterway’s new ships – and pay only $299.00 CAD roundtrip airfare (via Toronto) to get to Europe. The airfare promotion is available only on the following cruise departure dates: Amsterdam to Paris – November 12, 2008; Blue Danube Discovery – November 12, 2008; Christmas Time Cruise – November 19 & 22, and December 12, 2008; and Christmas Wonderland – November 22 & 26, 2008. [Full text and pictures]

ENSEMBLE TRAVEL’S TOP 50

Ensemble Travel Group celebrates top Canadian, U.S. producers in Puerto Rico

Ensemble Travel's top 25 Canadian producers

Ensemble Travel Group recently honoured their Top 50 agencies - 25 each from Canada and the U.S. - and celebrated their success as a unified North American group with a spectacular weekend at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort just outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Kicking off with a welcome reception overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the weekend was officially opened by president and CEO Jack Mannix and Lindsay Pearlman, Ensemble’s executive vice-president and general manager of Canada. [Full text and pictures]

SIGNATURE’S SET FOR FALL

Fall 2008 in Dominican Republic available; Signature Saver$ hotels offer best-price guarantee

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Signature Vacations is offering great deals on Fall 2008 packages to the Dominican Republic with their Signature Saver$ program. A grouping of quality resorts and properties are on sale for travel beginning November 1st, 2008 and are perfect for customers seeking the best value for their vacation dollar. The tour operator is so confident that the prices on their Signature Saver$ represent the best value, that if they put the price lower on the exact same package and dates at any point after you book, Signature will adjust the price. Keep reading for some of the highlights and prices/resorts available, including departures from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. [Full text and pictures]