TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

CLAUDINE MCCANN HEADS TO TRANSAT DISTRIBUTION

Claudine McCann will move to Transat Distribution on May 5th

Leaves Sears Travel after 22 years to serve as Regional Director at Transat Distribution
After spending 22 years at Sears Travel in Quebec, where she most recently served as Regional Manager, Claudine McCann has confirmed that she will be moving on to Transat Distribution Canada as Regional Director. It had been speculated that McCann was going to Carlson Wagonlit. Regarding her new role at Transat Distribution, McCann told TRAVELHotNews.com, “I deny the rumours about Carlson Wagonlit. I will be occupying the position of Regional Director at Transat Distribution Canada. I am happy with my decision and I am going forward!” She will be leaving Sears Travel this Friday and will be at Transat Distribution Canada beginning May 5th.

ROYAL SCENIC FAM TO THAILAND, SINGAPORE

Agents at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi

Agents celebrate Thai New Year, visit elephant camp and more
Royal Scenic's recent Certified Asia Specialist FAM returned from Chiang Mai, Thailand & Singapore where agents stayed at the famed Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi as well as celebrated Thai New Year – Songkran, by getting wet with the elephants. A real highlight of the trip is to "own an elephant for the day" by feeding, bathing, riding and learning all about the largest living land mammal. The elephant camp experience is included in Royal Scenic's 2008/9 Asia brochure’s Chiang Mai program in Glorious Southeast Experience and ThaiMazing Cultural Odyssey itineraries. Read on for more information and more pictures. [Full text and pictures]

SUMMER SELLOFFS AT COLLETTE VACATIONS

Lava flow in Hawaii

Agents can get a 20% land commission when booking!
Great deals are available for both agents and their clients with today’s announcement of Collette Vacations Canada’s summer sell-off tours. They are available immediately with departures slated for August 2008. In addition, the following Collette tours offer savings to the traveller and 20% land commission to agents. Read on for complete details of the itineraries available. Save your clients money and earn extra commission! [Full text and pictures]

NETAIR CALL CENTRE NOW OPEN

New call centre open and taking reservations

The Netair Call Centre is now open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Dedicated reservation agents can be reached toll-free at 1 888 752-6228 to assist travel agents with inquiries, quote requests, as well as bookings that can also be made online anytime, from anywhere at netair.ca. “This is a first step toward growing Netair and making competitive net fares more accessible aboard Air Canada, its Star Alliance partners and most international scheduled carriers,” said new General Manager, Netair, Carlo Cardone.

DOUBLE INTAIR POINTS PROMO

Get double Intair points when booking 4+ hotel nights
For all files booked for four hotel nights or more between May 1st and 31st, travel agents will earn 2000 IntairPoints for bookings made on intair.com and 1000 IntairPoints for all files booked by telephone. Valid for travel anytime. Bookings for 3 nights or less will get the regular IntairPoints allocation.

‘SKAL’LING ALL MEMBERS…

Toronto, Hamilton and Toronto North Skalleagues meet on Apr. 22

Over 70 Ontario Skalleagues and guests met on Apr. 22

Members of the Toronto SKAL Club joined their ‘Skalleagues’ from SKAL Hamilton and SKAL Toronto North at Spencers at the Waterfront Restaurant in Burlington, April 22nd. The annual joint SKAL meeting, organized this year by the SKAL Hamilton Club was a great success with over 70 Skalleagues and guests in attendance. Mary D’Alton, President of the Hamilton Club Phil Reid, President of the Toronto North Club and Tim Booth, President of Toronto SKAL were on hand to promote their clubs' upcoming events including golf tournaments and meetings. Toronto SKAL club will organize the annual joint meeting next year. The next Toronto SKAL meeting will be held over lunch on Tuesday, May 27th at the Boulevard Club in Toronto. For more information, visit torontoskal.org.

GOWAY OFFERS PLATINUM RAIL SERVICE IN OZ

New platinum service on The Ghan rail link between Adelaide and Darwin, Australia

The Ghan

Goway Travel have announced that they are now offering a new level of service aboard The Ghan rail service between Adelaide and Darwin for travel from September 10, 2008. Ticket sales will open on Monday, May 5, 2008. Platinum Service introduces a new spacious deluxe cabin with a level of appointment that matches the best train cabins in the world. This is complemented by a new standard of service that reflects a deluxe hotel. Platinum Service will be very exclusive, with a total of 25 cabins in 5 carriages that accommodate up to 50 guests. This service will be available once a week on The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin (departing Wednesday) and once a week on The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide (departing Saturday). [Full text and pictures]

ITALIAN GETAWAYS WITH TRANSAT

Naples, Italy

Transat Holidays offers “Magnifico Italy” promo to Campania, Tuscany, Rome and Florence
Transat Holidays announces an Italy program with more choices. Campania: Visit Campania, a region of Italy along the Amalfi Coast, with mountainous terrain and a cluster of townships. A 7-night seaside package staying at the Hotel Mare starts at $1469 per person departing on June 22, and 29. Package includes flights, 7-night accommodation, car rental, continental breakfast, lunches and dinners. Bonus offer includes Ľ litre of house wine provided with lunch and dinner. Tuscany: Countryside packages are available in Tuscany. Packages are available departing July 7, 14, 21 & 28 starting at $1649 per person staying at the Manzoni Hotel. Located in Montecatini, the countryside packages include flights, 7-night accommodation, car rental, buffet breakfasts and dinners. Excursions are available for purchase to Pisa, Florence, Siena & San Gimignano and a 2-day Tuscany Discovery Tour. [Full text and pictures]