TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

LOUISIANA LETS THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Louisiana state tourism officials, Lafayette and Lake Charles CVBs provide annual update on tourism product
Charmaine Pang

Lisa Holland, New Orleans CVB; Gerald Breaux, Lafayette CVB; Joanne Scalamogna, Canadian representative, Louisiana; Tico Soto, Southwest Louisiana CVB; Lyndsey Lightfoot, Louisiana State tourism

Yesterday afternoon at Big Daddy’s Crab Shack & Oyster Bar in downtown Toronto, Louisiana state tourism officials and their CVB partners hosted their annual media get-together. Tour operators and the travel media were in attendance. The event was short but sweet, and provided a taste of Louisiana cuisine and music, including boiled crawfish flown in from Louisiana. A live demonstration on how to eat a crawfish – “pinch the tail and suck the head” – was also given. [Full text and pictures]

FLIGHT CENTRE ADDS BDM

Cameron McLeod, new BDM for FCm

Cameron McLeod heads to corporate travel division as Business Development Manager based in Chicago
Flight Centre North America has announced the appointment of Cameron McLeod to the position of Business Development Manager for its Corporate Travel division, FCm Travel Solutions. Based in Chicago, McLeod will be responsible for the growth of major business development across the United States. He brings more than 12 years of corporate sales and management experience to FCm’s North American operations. Most recently, McLeod held the position of Business Manager for six years at the global headquarters of parent company Flight Centre Ltd in Australia. He has combined a life-long passion for travel and a proven record in corporate sales, securing over $70 million for the company. His achievements have made him the company’s top corporate performer worldwide for the past two years. [Full text and pictures]

ICELANDAIR FREEZES YHZ

Halifax-Reykjavik winter service will be suspended; flights end Oct. 20, 2008

Icelandair has announced the suspension of winter service to Iceland from Halifax. In a statement sent out yesterday afternoon, the airline said it hoped to “secure future growth in Nova Scotia” and had an “intended goal of year-round service”. The suspension “is a reflection of broader strategies within the entire company; departments, employee numbers and schedules are being decreased in an attempt to streamline work processes and reduce costs. These actions are the result of external economic factors that could not be foreseen when the service was launched.” At the same time, the airline says there is a “full intention of establishing consistent year-round service with this gateway”. Continue reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

THN HOLIDAY SNAPSHOTS - LAST WEEK!

Last week to submit your photos; deadline is Sunday July 13; you could win a trip to Grand Sunset Princess in the Riviera Maya

You could win a trip to the Grand Sunset Princess, Riviera Maya

Time is running out for you to submit your three (3) holiday photos for a shot at the grand prize! You could win a trip to the Grand Sunset Princess in the Riviera Maya, a value of $2,300. It’s back and better than ever. All pictures must be your own original work and can be on any subject but must include a travel-related theme. All the pictures will be posted online at our National Holiday Snapshots Contest Online Photo Album at TRAVELHotNews.com. Only digital photos sent by email will be accepted. Click here to read the contest rules. Click here to submit your photo.

SIGNATURE'S HURRICANE POLICY

Signature offers your clients four options if a hurricane comes; automatic protection

Hurricane Bertha was downgraded recently

Automatically available to all customers who have booked a vacation for travel June 1st to November 30th, 2008 Signature Vacations’ Hurricane Policy helps to take the worry out of travel this summer. Free, the policy is available to those who fall under the following circumstances:
-A category 1 or higher hurricane has passed through the resort they are visiting within a week prior to departure.
-The U.S. National Hurricane Centre has issued a Hurricane Warning for a potential Category 1 or higher and the Canadian Government has issued a Travel Advisory for the country or area they are visiting.
Keep reading for all the details. [Full text and pictures]

FLORIDA LODGINGS GET GREENER

Florida tourism goes green, with accommodations getting eco-friendlier

As Florida’s travellers become more and more environmentally conscious, there is a growing demand for “green vacations.” Now, the accommodations, attractions and activities that have shaped Florida tourism are “going green.” Continue reading for a list of properties all over the state that are adapting and offering some innovative ways to enjoy a vacation that don’t hurt the earth. All sorts of properties from small to large, luxury to mid-range, are using more energy-efficient practices and encouraging their guests to do the same. Continue reading for all the latest developments in Florida. [Full text and pictures]

LOVE ME DO

Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, hosts ‘Beatles Week Festival’ from Aug. 20-26

A mural of the Fab Four in Liverpool

Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, is hosting a Beatles Week Festival from 20 to 26 August. Bands from more than 20 countries and fans from more than 40 will be travelling to the city for live concerts, art exhibitions, record fairs, guest speakers, video shows, tours, a fleamarket and a Beatles Convention. The Festival starts with an evening of live Beatles music at the Cavern Pub. On 21 August ‘Elvis meets The Beatles’ at the Cavern Club. There will be an auction of memorabilia on Saturday 23. The free Mathew Street Festival on Bank Holiday Monday (25 August) will feature many live bands playing most styles of music outdoors. [Full text and pictures]