TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

THOMAS COOK GROUP BUYS IFS VOYAGES INC.

Manny Fontenla-Novoa, CEO, Thomas Cook Group plc

IFS Voyages Inc., including Fun Sun, Intair, Exotik and Boomerang Tours, purchased by Thomas Cook Group
TRAVELHotNews.com has obtained press releases from IFS Voyages Inc. (IFS), and from Thomas Cook Canada, detailing the specifics of IFS’ buyout by Thomas Cook Group plc, headquartered in the UK. The acquisition will see IFS Voyages inc. (IFS) whose shares are controlled by Triwest Travel Holdings (TTH) sell 100 percent of the shares to Thomas Cook Group plc. subject to regulatory approval. Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Group CEO, Thomas Cook Group plc said: “Through the acquisition of TriWest Travel Holdings we are gaining incredibly strong brands and significantly expanding our distribution reach and customer base in the region. This deal also offers substantial opportunities and we look forward to working with both teams to deliver on our plans for future growth.” Read on for full details of the purchase. [Full text and pictures]

STEPHANIE BISHOP TAKES THE HELM AT GLOBUS

TRAVELHotNews.com offers an exclusive interview with the new Managing Director
Charmaine Pang

Stephanie Bishop, new Managing Director at Globus

It’s official: Stephanie Bishop has made the move over to Globus as its Managing Director based in the Toronto head office. She will be in charge of operations for the Globus family of brands. TRAVELHotNews.com spoke to her yesterday afternoon about her new role. Bishop was most recently the Vice President for Encore CruiseEscapes, part of the Thomas Cook portfolio, a position she held for over 10 years. “It [was] a big decision [to make the switch] but I’m thrilled. I really have to say, the team has made me feel very welcome. Globus is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year so it’s fitting,” and a great year to come onboard, Bishop said. The Globus brands comprise the eponymous coach tour product, Globus, as well as Cosmos, a more affordable coach tour product; Monogram, which offers independent coach tours, and Avalon, a river cruise program. Read on for more. [Full text and pictures]

COSTA NORTH AMERICA: TWO NEW EXECS

Scott Knutson is VP Sales and Ruben Perez becomes Senior VP of Guest Services and Revenue Management

Ruben Perez, Senior VP, Guest Services & Revenue Management

Scott Knutson, VP Sales

Maurice M. Zarmati, President and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines North America announced yesterday afternoon that industry veteran Scott Knutson, CTC, has been named Vice President of Sales and that Ruben Perez has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Guest Services and Revenue Management for Costa’s North American headquarters. Most recently, Knutson was Regional Vice President of Sales for the Southeastern United States with Carnival Cruise Lines. Perez has been with Costa North America for 24 years, most recently as Vice President of Passenger Services. Both Knutson and Perez will report directly to Zarmati. Read on for full details about each. [Full text and pictures]

CHANGES AT MAISON DE LA FRANCE

Caroline Putnoki to become Director; Jacqueline Dillmann-Faure to retire

Caroline Putnoki will be the new Director for Maison De la France

Thierry Baudier, the Chief Executive Director of Maison de la France, announced on June 5th that Caroline Putnoki will be the new Director of the Canadian office of the French Government Tourist Services, taking over for Jacqueline Dillmann-Faure. Caroline Putnoki joined Maison de la France in 1998 and was promoted to Deputy Director in 2001. Caroline Putnoki has accumulated more than 12 years of experience in the field of travel marketing and management. Born in French Guiana from a French mother and Hungarian father, Putnoki has dual citizenship (French and Canadian). Prior to working for Maison de la France, she worked for Consultour (Transat AT), Voyages Régence and Parks Canada. She entered the travel industry upon completing a Masters in Tourism Marketing at the University d'Angers (France) and UQAM (Montréal). Read on for all details. [Full text and pictures]

WESTJET SAYS ‘HOLA’ TO MEXICO

WestJet receives approval to fly to popular resort destinations

WestJet today commented on the federal government's granting of designation for WestJet to provide increased scheduled service to Mexico. Included in this announcement are designations that apply immediately and some that apply in December 2009. As WestJet's fleet continues to expand, the airline remains well positioned to serve these destinations on a scheduled basis. Specific information regarding dates and fares will be available in the coming weeks. WestJet received the following designations effective immediately: Vancouver-Mazatlan; Calgary-Puerto Vallarta; Edmonton-Cancun; Edmonton-Puerto Vallarta; Winnipeg-Mazatlan; Winnipeg-Puerto Vallarta; Halifax-Cancun. Read on for more. [Full text and pictures]

TRANSAT/NOLITOURS NO FUEL SURCHARGE PROMO

Clients can save up to $300 per couple when booking their next sun holiday
Nolitours and Transat Holidays are pleased to announce the launch of the “No Fuel Surcharge” promotion, which will provide the tour operators’ clients with savings of up to $300 per couple when booking their next sun vacation. Customers who book a flight or package to any Nolitours/Transat Holidays Sun or Florida destination or a cruise package (departures from La Romana, Dominican Republic and Florida on flights sold by Transat Holidays) will save up to $300 per couple on the fuel surcharge. This promotion is valid for all departures between September 1, 2008 and April 20, 2009 and applies to all new reservations. This is a limited time offer and can be withdrawn at any time.

THE SUN IS FUN IN HAWAII

Fun Sun Vacations hosts eight-day FAM trip to Hawaii

Lindsay Wray, Prelude tvl; Nicole Leavoy, American Express Worldwide tvl; Naomi Schwarzberg, Peerless tvl; Michelle Green, Carlson Wagonlit tvl; Timothy Obrien, CAA; Ian Dickie, IMG Loyalty Group; Waldemar Jegier, Carlson Marketing td gold; Natasha Elms, hrg; Mimi Hines, Skyway Tours; Susan Alce, Carlson Ellison tvl; Malgorzata Rataj, Merit Loyalty; grp; Bruce Slade, Fun Sun; Linda Sharpe, Travel Point; Karie Hartle, cwt global tvl centre

From May 5th to the 12th Fun Sun Vacations’ Bruce Slade hosted a FAM trip to Hawaii for 14 travel agents from Ontario and the Maritimes. The group travelled to the Islands of Oahu, Maui and Lanai. They arrived in Honolulu city for a 3 night stay at the Embassy Suites, close to Waikiki Beach. The next four days were spent on the Island of Maui where the group enjoyed some down time. In addition to spending time at the Westin Maui Resort and the Westin Villas, the group also took in the Royal Lahaina Resort Luau.

IMAGINE CARD BECOMES REALITY

TruCa$h, Sunwing Travel Group and SkyLink Travel announce the agent IMAGINE card

TruCa$h, Sunwing Travel Group and SkyLink Travel announce that effective June 9, 2008, the IMAGINE program will allow agents to earn reward points on every booking that they make with Sunwing Vacations, Sunwing Airlines or the SkyLink Travel. This loyalty card will allow travel agents to convert their points for cash money. Agents can then use their card where they normally shop or cash out at ATMs worldwide where MasterCard is accepted. Travel agents will be able to earn reward points on all Sunwing and SkyLink bookings and at over 900 online merchants, and a number of hotels and car rental companies will soon join the program as participating partners. [Full text and pictures]