TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TOUR EAST SURVEYS CHINA

Executive team from tour operator confirms that Chinese programs will continue; were not affected by recent earthquake

Chongqing, China

An executive team from Tour East Holidays, led by Vice President Annie Tsu, returned from China this week after making sure Chinese destinations offered in the company's Asian Experience brochure were not affected by the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province and flooding in other parts of the country. The team carried out an exhaustive inspection of many areas, including Chongqing, a city closest to the earthquake zone and where Tour East Holidays' guests board ships for the company's popular Yangtze River cruise. With the build-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing, Tsu noted that many pre- and post-Olympic tours have been scheduled and there have been minimal cancellations. [Full text and pictures]

RMR GROUP'S NEW CARIBBEAN DIRECTOR

Stanton 'Stan' Carter signs on as Director, Caribbean and Central & South America
The RMR Group Inc. is pleased to announce that as part of a partnership with Brand Caribbean, Stanton “Stan” Carter will join the RMR Group Inc. as Director, Caribbean and Central and South America, to fill the position left vacant with the untimely passing of Andy Parris. Stan is well known in the Canadian travel and tourism industry, having been Manager, Canada for the Barbados Tourism Authority, Canadian Sales Manager, Divi Hotels and Director of Tourism for the Commonwealth of Dominica. He is currently CEO and Managing Director of Brand Caribbean, a tourism marketing and consulting firm. He has been actively involved with the development and promotion of Caribbean tourism most of his career and has served on many of the industry related organizations. [Full text and pictures]

TRAVELHOTNEWS POLL RESULTS

Last week's poll results on what Asian destination are you selling are in; almost 75% say Southeast Asia

Thailand

Last week, TRAVELHotNews.com put up a poll to get some insight on which Asian destinations agents are seeing a lot of interest. We asked our readers “Which Asian destination are you selling the most of/ are you seeing the most interest in this year?” Most readers, 71 per cent, said “Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand) – my clients want to get off the beaten path.” Twenty one per cent of those surveyed said “China, hands down…Olympic fever is taking off.” Five per cent said Japan and three per cent mentioned Korea as receiving some interest.

HOLA SUN'S NEW DEALS

Hola Sun Holidays offers new package deals in Cayo Coco and Santa Lucia; receive a free nature and city tour or nautical excursion

When you book your next Cayo Coco vacation with Hola Sun, your clients will receive a free Nature & City tour. This offer is valid for all bookings starting June 17, 2008 for departures December 21, 2008 to April 30, 2009. Book your next Santa Lucia vacation with Hola Sun and your clients will receive a free nautical excursion. This offer is valid for all bookings starting June 17, 2008 for departures December 18, 2008 to April 30, 2009. For bookings with Club Hola Sun at the Club Amigo Caracol, clients will be entitled to the nautical excursion tour and the one included in the category.

HOT FUN IN L.A. THIS SUMMER

Venice Beach

This summer has new things in store for Los Angeles travellers
The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau has several new things to add to their summer offerings this year, including additional attractions, lower priced accommodations and newly announced same-sex marriage laws. Here are some of the highlights: The Simpsons ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is now open. According to the Los Angeles CVB, in order to enjoy the rides, LA INC. has partnered up with 10 Los Angeles hotels from the San Fernando Valley to the Beach Cities to offer new summer guest room rates for as low as $119 per night through December 2008. LA INC. has also joined up with Universal Studios Hollywood, Hollywood CityPass, Wicked and American Airlines to provide travelers with a variety of unique Los Angeles experiences. For more new additions continue reading. [Full text and pictures]

NEW CONNECTION TO DOMINICA

LIAT now offers daily non-stop service to Dominica through St. Lucia

The coast of Dominica

LIAT, the regional Caribbean airline, has now introduced daily non-stop service between St. Lucia’s Herwanorra Airport (UVF) and Dominica’s Canefield Airport (DCF), located on the western portion of the island just 10 minutes drive from the capital city of Roseau. The flights are operated by Carib Aviation (3Q) in a codeshare agreement with LIAT (LI). Flight #131 will depart Dominica daily at 12:10 p.m., arriving into St. Lucia at 12:55 p.m. The return flight #132 will depart St. Lucia at 4:05 p.m., arriving into Dominica at 4:50 p.m. Carib Aviation uses a 19-seat DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft for these flights. These new flights have been designed to allow connections to and from various long-haul flights from the United Kingdom, Miami, Atlanta, New York and Toronto. [Full text and pictures]

OTTAWA AIRPORT CUTS TERMINAL FEES

Ottawa Airport Authority trims terminal fees five per cent: `industry in crisis'
Canadian Press

Ottawa Airport fees will drop soon

The Ottawa International Airport Authority is reducing its terminal fees by five per cent effective July 1. The airport operator said Monday it ``recognizes that this is an industry in crisis, given the skyrocketing cost of fuel and the weakened economies in Canada and the U.S.'' Air Canada and WestJet Airlines expressed gratitude for the Ottawa move and hope that other airports would offer similar cost reductions. ``This is not just an airline crisis, but one that impacts the entire industry and ultimately our communities,'' stated Paul Benoit, president of the airport authority, an independent non-profit corporation whose board of directors represents capital-region businesses, major airport users and the travelling public. [Full text and pictures]