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MONTREAL SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

What’s new with Tourisme Montreal this summer
Charmaine Pang, photos by Lisa Raffaele

Magalie Boutin, Press Relations; Isabel Gil, Director; Gillian Hall, Media Relations Director, Tourisme Quebec

Yesterday afternoon, Tourisme Quebec and Tourisme Montreal hosted a media luncheon to highlight some of the new developments this summer in Montreal. Approximately 91 journalists were present for the event, which was hosted at Flow restaurant in Toronto. Isabel Gil, director of Tourisme Quebec, introduced the emcee, Bertin Jacques, Manager of Tourisme Montreal. Jacques announced the revamp of the Tourisme Montreal website, which was re-launched in May of this year. In the last few years, Montreal has become more of a world-renowned destination, with more visitors from further points in the U.S. coming (not just those within driving distance), as well as visitors from Mexico, South Korea, the UK and France. Read on for more details about what's new in Montreal. [Full text and pictures]

ANDERSON’S NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Martin Dodd, new BDM, Anderson Vacations

Martin Dodd is the new Business Development Manager, based in Calgary head office
Anderson Vacations has announced the hire of Martin Dodd, previously with Pacesetter Travel, who has joined the company in the role of Business Development Manager. “Martin has tremendous industry experience and an excellent work ethic,” said Corey Marshall, President/CEO of Anderson Vacations. “He brings a lot of value to the company and our dynamic team.”

THE EAST GETS SOME SUN

Sunquest’s 2008/2009 Eastern Canada Southern Sun brochure available now and extends
Sunquest’s 2008/2009 Southern Sun brochure (the Eastern Canada edition) features over 300 hotels & resorts, 20 Canadian gateways, a new design, more destination & hotel information, listings and descriptions of some of Sunquest’s top selling tours by destination and early booking bonuses. Sunquest’s brochure also features hundreds of hotels and resorts that can accommodate any traveler’s budget with the Hotels-At-A-Glance reference chart, found at the front of the brochure. In this chart, travelers and agents can look up the hotel that interests them and find out how many restaurants, bars and pools it has, whether it offers wedding packages and honeymoon bonuses, if it offers a deal for kids and kid-friendly activities and facilities, whether there is golf onsite or nearby, or if it has a spa and fitness centre. [Full text and pictures]

VARAPLAYA TOURS’ FIRST YYZ FAM

Ontario agents visit Varadero and Havana on Varaplaya’s first-ever Toronto FAM

The Varaplaya Tours fam group enjoying Cuba

The first Varaplaya tours Toronto fam trip was a success, with 15 travel agents participating from all over Ontario. The participants had a chance to experience the professionalism of Sol Y Son Viajes and Paradiso, the company which specializes in excursions for Sol Y Son, as well as Cubatur, the transportation and substitute representative for Sol Y Son / Varaplaya Tours. During the stay in Cuba, participants spent 3 nights in Varadero at the newly renovated Hotel Villa Cuba. They visited different categories of hotels from 3 to 5 stars with Cubatur. Agents had a day off for shopping, relaxing and sightseeing, then it was off to Havana to stay 3 nights at the presticious Hotel Nacional. In Havana, with the help of Paradiso, FAM participants enjoyed a full day excursion of the city and its main attractions.

CITYPASS LAUNCHED IN HOUSTON

New Houston CityPass saves up to 50% on attractions and more
Houston, Texas is first city in the Southwestern U.S. to offer CityPass. CityPass is a pocket-sized ticket booklet saving visitors almost 50 per cent on admission to six of Houston’s must-see attractions. Also included are directions, best times to visit, a map and much more. With CityPass, visitors can blast-off at Space Center Houston (NASA); discover the hidden treasures of Lucy’s Legacy at Houston Museum of Natural Science, submerge in underwater fun at Downtown Aquarium. CityPass saves money and time once spent researching and tracking down amazing attractions. Houston CityPass is now available for US $34 (a 65.50 value) for adults and US $24 (a US $44.70 value) for children ages 4-11 and can be purchased at any participating Houston attractions or online at VisitHoustonTexas.com or citypass.com.

CONTINENTAL ‘CRISIS’ SPURS CUTS

Continental Airlines to cut 3,000 jobs, cut capacity by 11 per cent in `crisis'
Canadian Press

Continental Airlines Inc. said Thursday it is cutting 3,000 jobs and reducing capacity in the fourth quarter by 11 per cent, citing record fuel costs and an industry in "crisis.'' Also, the company's chief executive and president say they will not take a salary for the rest of this year and will decline bonuses. The job cuts represent about 6.5 per cent of the company's total staff of 45,000. The carrier said it will start pulling back on flights in September, when it expects mainline departures will be down about 16 per cent year-over-year. This will result in a total capacity reduction of about 11 per cent. By the end of the second quarter, Continental will operate 375 mainline aircraft. Houston-based Continental plans to take 67 planes out of service through 2009.

[Full text and pictures]