TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

AC TO CUT 2,000 JOBS

Air Canada to cut 2,000 jobs in fall as it reduces flights to deal with fuel cost
Canadian Press
Air Canada will cut up to 2,000 jobs at the end of this year as it sharply reduces capacity to deal with the rising cost of fuel and is warning there are likely more cutbacks to come. Canada's biggest airline said Tuesday it needs to fly fewer trips as oil prices keep rising to record levels and will cut capacity by seven per cent from its fall and winter schedule. Fewer flights mean the airline will require less staff to operate across all levels of the organization, the company said. [Full text and pictures]

JOEL SOLISH LEAVES EL AL

Joel Solish vacates his post as Sales & Marketing Manager of EL AL Israel Airlines
Joel Solish, the Sales and Marketing Manager with EL AL Israel Airlines, has vacated his position as of June 12, 2008. The decision was made jointly on both sides. No announcement has been made regarding his placement. Solish worked at the Israeli airline's Toronto office for five years.

CARLSON WAGONLIT NAMES NEW CFO

Marc Karako becomes CWT’s new Executive VP and CFO, based in Paris

Marc Karako, new CFO and Executive VP, Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the leading travel management company, has named Marc Karako to the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 1, 2008. Based in Paris, he will report to Douglas Anderson, CWT president and chief executive officer, and be a member of the global executive team. Mr. Karako, age 52, has broad experience in finance, strategy and investor relations. In his most recent position, he headed up the Finance practice at Resources Global Professionals, a management consulting firm and a former division of Deloitte. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Anderson said, “Marc will be a great asset to Carlson Wagonlit Travel. He’s had a variety of experiences in several business sectors, and he will play a significant role as we continue to maximize our effectiveness in a constantly changing business environment and successfully implement our three-year strategic development plan CWT 2010.”

TRAVELHOTNEWS POLL RESULTS

Last week's poll results on fuel surcharges are in; over half say the charges are forcing clients to use an alternative to flying
Last week, TRAVELHotNews.com put up a poll to get some insight on fuel surcharges in the travel industry and how charges are affecting businesses. We asked our readers that with fuel charges rising by the week, “how have the charges affected your business?” Most readers, 55 per cent, said “My clients aren’t booking as much, and they are using alternatives to flying.” Forty four per cent said that their clients are still booking, but aren’t happy about the changes, and no one felt that the charges aren’t affecting their business.

TIME TO TEE UP WITH ACTA

ACTA Ontario/GTAA Golf Tournament celebrates 20th anniversary, hosts this year’s tourney on July 14, 2008

Last year's event was hosted at the Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville

The 20th Annual ACTA Ontario Golf Tournament will be held on July 14, 2008 at the Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville. Back as Title Sponsor is the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). “We recognize the value of this important event not only to the members of ACTA, but to the entire travel and tourism industry”, commented Toby Lennox, Vice President, Corporate Affairs for the GTAA. Also “chipping in” is major sponsor WestJet and WestJet Vacations. The ACTA Ontario/GTAA golf tournament regularly sells out with the number of players limited to 144 players. Registration forms are now available, so register early to avoid disappointment. Read on for more information. [Full text and pictures]

TRANSAT SAYS IT WILL STAY UP

Transat says it has no plans to ground fleet because of rising fuel costs
Canadian Press
Tourism operator Transat A.T. said Friday that it has no plans to ground some of its fleet because of rising fuel costs. "Transat and Air Transat currently have no intention whatsoever of grounding aircraft in the short, medium or long terms," the company said in a news release. "Despite the significant rise of the cost of aircraft fuel, sales are up materially over last year, and there is no indication of a change in that trend.'' [Full text and pictures]

RCI AWARDS “ACCOUNT OF THE YEAR”

Royal Caribbean International awards Vasco and Gama Travel “Account of the year”

Vasco and Gama Travels team accepts RCI award

Kenneth Brooks, Regional Director and Lucie Nolette, Director of Business Development for Royal Caribbean International presented Sylvain Lastčre, President of Vasco and Gama Travel Agencies a plaque for Royal Caribbean International’s “Account of the year.” According to Brooks, this was the first time that recognition has been given by Royal Caribbean International, to an agency or a consortium based in Quebec. Read on for all details. [Full text and pictures]

SIGNATURE OFFERS A REFRESHING $25,000

Signature Vacations asks, "How would you Refresh Yourself with $25,000?", for consumer promotion

Where would you go? Who would you take? How would you help? These are the three burning questions that Signature Vacations is asking Canadians to answer for the chance to win during its Refresh Yourself contest. The prize for these questions is a $25,000 Signature travel voucher and a $25,000 donation to the charity of choice. Innovative and unique, the Refresh Yourself campaign gives travellers the chance to put their creativity to the test by logging onto refreshyourself.ca and creating a profile to tell the public exactly what they would do with the unbelievable prize. Continue reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

HOLA SUN'S CONTEST WINNER

Dena Nicholls of Selloffvacations.com, Hola Sun's 1st week contest winner

Hola Sun announces week 1 contest winner of a free trip - Dena Nicholls
Dena Nicholls of Selloffvacations.com’s London, Ontario office was announced Hola Sun’s week 1 contest winner of a free trip to Cuba. The giveaway was the first of eight trips to be given away once every week for eight weeks. Week 2 contest includes bookings made on Thursday June 12 to Wednesday June 18. The draw will take place on Friday June 20, 2008. The final draw will take place on August 1, 2008. Look for details every week. Once your booking is completed for the specified period fax or email your name, agency name and booking number to Hola Sun. This step is mandatory to qualify. Promotion restrictions apply. YYZ departures only based on ITC package bookings. Read on for more contest details. [Full text and pictures]