TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

ONE-ON-ONE WITH MADELINE BLACKMAN

Antigua & Barbuda adjusting to changes in tourism market; Canada a "significant" market, says Director of Tourism Board

Madeline Blackman, Consul General/Director of Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Board
Charmaine Pang
Recently, TRAVELHotNews.com had a chance to sit down with Madeline Blackman, the Consul General for Antigua and Barbuda in Canada and the Director of the country�s tourism office in Canada. She provided some insight on the changing nature of the country�s tourism offerings, as well as the Canadian travel industry landscape. Blackman says in Canada, �we have seen the industry move from one that was largely an FIT market where the more well-off persons were able to travel, for one.� Over the years, Antigua and Barbuda has also transformed into a major cruise port, which is a new challenge for the tourism board, which is trying to grow the market to entice more destination-based traffic. Continue reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

GULF AIR CANADA'S NEW TEAM

Behramjee Ghadially, Marketing Manager, Gulf Air Canada

Sanjay Kopalkar, National Sales Manager, Gulf Air Canada

Sanjay Kopalkar is National Sales Manager; Behramjee Ghadially is Marketing Manager
A new National Sales Manager for Canada has been appointed for Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain. From his former position in Bahrain as the GM Corporate sales, Sanjay Kopalkar has moved with his family to Canada to take on this new responsibility. Sanjay has extensive airline experience working not only with Gulf Air for four years, but prior to that with KLM for ten years.Sanjay joins the Discover the World Marketing Gulf Air team including newly appointed Marketing Manager � Behramjee Ghadially. For more information, go to gulfair.com.

FIJI VALUE WITH GOWAY

IslandsEscapes by Goway offers savings of up to $1,300 per person for 7 nights in Fiji

Vatulele Island Resort

IslandsEscapes by Goway is offering savings in Fiji with free nights at Vatulele Island Resort by Six Senses. Recently taken over by Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Vatulele Island Resort is an award-winning property set on a stretch of white sand beach only 25 minutes by plane from Nadi International Airport. The accommodation bures provide generous personal space together with natural architecture to present a high standard of luxury. With the free nights travellers can save up to $1300 per person with IslandsEscapes� exclusive 7 night escape starting at $3049 per person. Continue reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

ANTARCTICA IS SELLING OUT!

Book in advance for GLP Worldwide Expedition�s 2008/2009 season; bookings almost sold out
Antarctica expeditions for the 2008/09 sailing season are selling out quickly and GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel and Tours advises those interested in this coming season to book now as most of the regular cabins are already sold out. GLP Worldwide Expedition is the Canadian representative for Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyage) and other popular small and medium sized expedition cruises. �Bookings for 2008/09 voyages are well ahead of previous years so we encourage people to book as soon as possible or you might miss out on this year�s voyages," said Patrick Tsung, president of GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel and Tours. Cabins are almost sold out for the 2008/09 season with only mini-suites and suites available on the 13-day Antarctica Voyage. [Full text and pictures]

LOOK AND BOOK AHEAD WITH INSIGHT

Pre-register for your clients� 2009 holidays and save more; book now to avoid paying land tour surcharge

Insight Vacations� most popular tours sell out many months in advance, so to avoid disappointment Canadian travel agents should encourage their clients to pre-register for 2009 tours. The earlier clients book and pay, the more they save. Plus, by booking now, Insight guarantees no land tour surcharge; even if the cost of the tour goes up when complete 2009 brochures are distributed in October. �Our preview pricing brochure features 16 of our most popular premium escorted tours and cruises,� says Mariela Castro, Marketing Manager for Insight Vacations Canada. �Agents can book their clients now to secure the greatest savings. Best of all, tour prices in the preview brochure are valid until the release of our 2009 Europe & Britain brochure, as long as deposits are paid within 7 days of booking and no later than October 6.� Keep reading for all details. [Full text and pictures]

CANADIANS SPENDING MORE AT HOME

Canadian Press
Statistics Canada says tourism spending rose 1.3% in the first quarter. Canadians spent 2.3% more money in Canada and less on travel outside the country. International visitors to Canada spent 1.9% less, continuing a decline that began at the end of 2004. Americans, made fewer trips to Canada in the quarter, although visits from overseas rose slightly. The report says hotel operators expect less business in the second quarter of this year compared to last. They cite the exchange rate, excess room supply and labour shortages as problems for their sector.

ONE STEP TRAVEL FALLS

Mazdak Anvari, operating as One Step Travel, Student Escape Tours and Parsia Travel convicted, sentenced to 18 months in jail

Following an ex-parte trial in Ottawa, Mazdak Anvari and 1091873 Ontario Inc. operating as One Step Travel, Student Escape Tours and Parsia Travel were convicted of one count each of disbursing monies from the Travel Industry Act trust accounts for payments not related to the travel services for which the money was entrusted. Anvari and the company were also charged as failing to notify the Registrar of additional trust accounts that had been opened without consent of the Registrar. On the conviction of disbursing trust funds, Anvari was sentenced to 18 months in jail and 1091873 Ontario Inc. was fined $50,000. A warrant was issued for Mr. Anvari�s arrest. 1091873 Ontario Inc. was registered under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 as a travel retailer and travel wholesaler. [Full text and pictures]