TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

NOLITOURS/TRANSAT LAUNCH AGENT BOARD

Agent Direct Posting Board allows agents to learn about new promos, specials and announcements

Nolitours and Transat Holidays have announced the debut of their new Posting Board, which is now accessible from the Your Tools menu on the Agent Direct website. This handy tool will enable travel agents to find out about new promotions, specials and announcements posted by tour operators at any time. Travel agents can now keep informed with this newest section on the Nolitours and Transat Holidays’ Agent Direct websites. For more information, please consult the user’s guide. Ask your sales representative for details.

CAVORTING IN THE CAYMANS

Cayman Islands hosts FAM of 18 travel agents from May 18-25

Jenni Abas, Vision 2000 Travel Group, Calgary; Gabriela Enriquez, Exotic Destinations Inc., Toronto; Breanna Barker, Footloose Travel Ltd., Vancouver; Tara Ebanks, DoT Canada Rep; Fasil Kasa, Marina Travel & Cruise, Toronto; Milka Cook, Business Travel Network, Toronto; Simmy Lewis, Travel Sensations East, Toronto; Emmanuel Sapina, Voyages Aquanautes, Montreal; Dolores Squires, Sears Travel, Toronto; Lily Lai Kuon Dong, Happy Holidays, Toronto

From May 18 to 25, 2008, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism recently hosted 18 travel agents from across Canada in Grand Cayman where they experienced Stingray City and Seven Mile Beach. Accommodations were provided by Regal Beach Club and the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. The group visited: the National Gallery, Boatswain's Beach/Cayman Turtle Farm, cultural demonstrations with Cayman traditional arts, Stingray City snorkel tour, the Tortuga Rum Cake factory, the town of Hell and the Hell Post Office, Cayman Butterfly Farm, Bio Bay tour with Cayman kayaks, QEII Botanic Park and the sister island, Cayman Brac.

AGENTS CAN WIN WITH OCCIDENTAL

“Sizzling Summer Giveaway” promo offers agents booking bonuses, gift cards and more

Occidental Hotels & Resorts has announced its new “Sizzling Summer Giveaway” promotion. To get started, agents can simply visit the contest website to register their bookings and start winning. All bookings made at participating Occidental Hotels & Resorts with any tour operator or wholesaler from June 1 through August 31, 2008 for hotel stays from June 1 through December 15, 2008 will receive a $25 gift certificate from a choice of Home Depot, Petro-Canada or HBC (The Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters). Read on for more bonuses and details. [Full text and pictures]

GOWAY TO INCREASE EGYPT OFFERINGS

Goway Travel announced that they will increase demand for Egypt

Goway Travel has announced that they will be increasing demand for Egypt, because Egypt’s - Land of the Pharaohs - is drawing record numbers of Canadians to its country. “Egypt has taken off for many Canadian travellers wanting that ‘deluxe vacation’ at a reasonable cost to an exotic and interesting destination”, commented Christy Fraser, Product & Marketing Manager, Africa. “Consumers see that Egypt offers an affordable vacation permitting them to visit cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Red Sea resorts - to name just a few. Pre or post extensions to Israel and Jordan are also popular choices. The colourful bazaars, fascinating history, amazing monuments and holy cities make for a memorable travel experience.” [Full text and pictures]

SIA and SILKAIR RAISE FUEL SURCHARGE

Fuel surcharge will rise after June 24, 2008; infants' fuel surcharge will be waived

As a result of the continued escalation in the price of jet fuel recently, Singapore Airlines will increase its fuel surcharge for tickets issued on or after 24 June 2008. The new surcharges will apply to Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights as follows: On regional routes, the surcharge is now US$40 (from US$35) per sector. For flights between Singapore and ASEAN countries. The surcharge has risen to US$180 (from US$150) for flights between Singapore and gateways in the United States and Canada on a single-sector basis US$180 (from US$150) per sector, and US$110 (from US$95) per sector, on all other flights. Singapore Airlines/SilkAir has decided to waive fuel surcharge for infants (not occupying a seat) effective for ticketing on or after Tuesday 24 June 2008. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

CONTINENTAL AND UNITED…UNITE

Continental Airlines and United Airlines announce plan for global cooperation; Continental plans to join Star Alliance

Continental Airlines and United Airlines announced a framework agreement yesterday to cooperate extensively, linking their networks and services worldwide. In addition, Continental plans to join United in the Star Alliance. “Continental's plan to partner with United and join the Star Alliance will provide substantial new opportunities for all of our customers,” said Larry Kellner, Chairman and CEO of Continental. “In a network business, there is significant value gained from linking with larger networks to provide truly national coverage and expanded global reach, and exploring new ways to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. As we experience some of the most challenging conditions airlines have ever faced, we look forward to the benefits of a new relationship with United and the other Star Alliance members.” [Full text and pictures]

SUMMER'S HOT IN OTTAWA

Ottawa announces 2008 summer activities and festivals

Ottawa Tourism has announced their activities for the summer of 2008. Events include: the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, the annual Canada Day bash, the Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival, the Chamber Music Festival and the new green-themed Rideau Canal Festival. “As we head into summer we are noticing a keen interest especially from Ontario and Québec residents who want to have affordable and experiential vacations in their own backyards,” explained Noel Buckley, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “Ottawa’s rich and diverse tourism product continues to lure discerning travellers from the United States, Europe and beyond.” According to the Ottawa Tourism office the increased interest in Ottawa is being fuelled by the city’s festivals, events and shows. [Full text and pictures]