TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

MEXICO MOVING FORWARD

One-on-one interview with Mexico Tourism Board’s Eduardo Chaillo, Director, Strategic Business Unit for US & Canada
Charmaine Pang

Eduardo Chaillo, Director, Strategic Business Unit, US & Canada, Mexico Tourism Board

On Friday afternoon, TRAVELHotNews.com conducted a phone interview with the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB)’s Eduardo Chaillo. Based in Washington, he is the Director, Strategic Business Unit for US & Canada, which specializes in all tourism segments with an emphasis on meetings and conventions. TRAVELHotNews.com asked Chaillo about the Canadian market and he provided an update. Canadians are an important part of the Mexico tourism landscape, and in 2007, there was “tremendous growth” with a 21 per cent increase in visitors. Read on for more. [Full text and pictures]

INTAIR’S 2008 CANADA BROCHURE

New this year – cruises in Canada with Costa

Intair has launched the 2008 edition of its Canada brochure.The 4-page document is a quick overview of the many properties (well over 400 in more than 80 cities across the country!) available through the wholesaler. In addition to accommodations, Intair also represents 4 car rental companies - Budget, Hertz, Alamo and Avis - ensuring that travel professionals will always be able to find the right product at the right price. As always, all hotel and car products can be booked through intair.com. New this year, Intair’s cruise partner, Costa Cruises, is offering cruises to Canada. Costa will be operating 3 itineraries in 2009, visiting Quebec City, Saguenay, Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax. Group and individual reservations can be made by contacting Intair at the toll-free number 1-888-223-0259.

LAST CHANCE FOR IATA PAPER TICKET TRIBUNAL

Today is the last day to authorize your agency’s representation with CSTAR at ticket tribunal; deadline at 1 p.m.

CSTAR issued a press release this morning, calling all IATA-accredited agencies to action. The organization will file an application this week with Canada's Competition Tribunal to challenge IATA's removal of paper tickets on June 1, 2008. CSTAR is providing a final opportunity for all IATA-accredited travel agencies in Canada which wish to be represented in this matter to complete the authorization form before 1:00PM ET today. Complete the web form authorization at cstar.ca/tribunal. CSTAR intends to argue that IATA's removal of paper tickets from travel agencies in Canada is a "refusal to deal" and will, among other things, substantially affect the business of IATA-accredited travel agencies. Cases involving an allegation of refusal to deal come under Part VIII of the Competition Act and may be reviewed by the Competition Tribunal. Read on for full details. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING’S WINTER SEASON FROM HAMILTON

Sunwing begins Varadero, Cuba and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic service in Dec. 2008

Growth continues at Hamilton International Airport with the recent announcement that Sunwing will commence flying to Varadero, Cuba and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic out of Hamilton in December 2008. The flights to Varadero, Cuba will operate on Tuesdays from December 16 – April 14. Service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic will operate on Saturdays throughout the winter from December 20 – April 18. The flights from Hamilton International Airport are in keeping with Sunwing’s philosophy of “bringing the plane to your door.” Due to its smaller size, the Hamilton International Airport offers its passengers convenient and speedy check-in and security clearance; the airport has added a new international arrivals area, a duty-free shop, foreign exchange, and additional concession stands for passengers. [Full text and pictures]

PORTER UPDATES NEWARK SCHEDULE

Newark weekend service increases; one more Montreal flight added

Porter Airlines is implementing an updated schedule with substantially increased weekend service between Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Newark Liberty International Airport as of June 20, 2008. The new schedule is effective for the busy summer season and features six return flights every weekday, three return flights Saturday and five return flights Sunday. Total flights per week change to 38 from 40. Porter is also adding one TCCA-Montreal return flight Monday through Friday during the busy afternoon period. This route increases to 10 return flights from nine every weekday. During the summer, there will be eight return flights every weekday, up from seven. [Full text and pictures]

WESTJET ADDS 2ND QUEBEC CITY FLIGHT

Quebec City

Twice-daily service from Toronto will be available Nov. 2, 2008
WestJet recently announced the addition of a second daily non-stop flight between Quebec City and Toronto. Support for the destination has been very strong and the addition of a second daily flight will enable guests to access new markets, particularly sun destinations for winter travellers. Starting May 17, 2008, WestJet will operate one daily flight between Quebec City and Toronto and starting November 2, 2008, it will increase to two flights daily. Current pricing for Quebec City to Toronto is $109 for travel through June 25, 2008. Quebec City business passengers will also find more convenient connections for their travel. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

TRAVEL TO CANADA AT A RECORD LOW

Travel to Canada hits record low for fifth straight month in March
Canadian Press

Travel to Canada hit a record low for the fifth straight month in March, following big declines in both same-day car trips from the United States and the number of visitors from overseas nations. Statistics Canada reports foreign visitors made 2.3 million trips to Canada in March, the lowest since record keeping started in 1972. That's a one per cent decline from February, and a 12.4 per cent drop from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the number of Canadian trips abroad rose 1.4 per cent to almost 4.5 million, the vast majority (85 per cent) to the United States. U.S. residents made only 730,000 same-day car trips to Canada in March, down 2.5 per cent from the previous month. [Full text and pictures]