TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TRAVEL SOUTH USA 2008

A look at this year’s Travel South USA Showcase in Biloxi, Mississippi
Lisa Raffaele

Journalists at the Travel South Showcase in Biloxi, Mississippi

Last month, the Mississippi Gulf Coast hosted the annual Travel South USA in Gulfport-Biloxi. Tour operators and media were on hand to confer on what the southern US states have to offer travellers in 2008 and 2009. TRAVELHotNews focused on the international marketing intended for Canadian tourists. Approximately 650 people came to this year’s Travel South. The showcase featured representatives from the 12 southern destinations of the US, which included: Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, West Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina and Virginia. [Full text and pictures]

BARB TRAINER TO RETIRE FROM RPD

President of Royal Pacific Destinations to retire May 16th
Barb Trainer, the President of Vancouver-based Royal Pacific Destinations, has announced her retirement and exit from the travel industry, effective May 16, 2008. After many years of working in the industry, she will be leaving her post at the tour operator to spend more time with her family and friends. Amber Golding will continue as the reservation manager. In an email, Trainer wrote, “Amber and the rest of the crew here at RPD have been so very dedicated to this company for such a long time and they have the combined ability, experience and intelligence to do amazing things with this business.” Trainer will depart the company this month, but will continue to work on a contract and part-time basis with Royal Pacific Destinations.

EXOTIK/BOOMERANG LAUNCHES

London, Kitchener and Barrie agents learn about emerging destinations like Tunisia, Vietnam, Tahiti

Sabrina Bernacchia, Air New Zealand; Dan Prior, Boomerang and Exotik Tours; Farrida Inni, Tunisian National Tourist Office

Intair and Fun Sun’s Bruce Slade and Boomerang and Exotik Tours’ Dan Prior were on the road last week conducting a series of presentations highlighting some of the Exotik and Boomerang emerging destinations. The evenings were held in London, Kitchener and Barrie, focusing on the new Exotik World Book and Boomerang South Pacific brochures, highlighting several key emerging destinations. Agents were educated on destinations that they may not normally sell on a regular basis, but which have potential in the marketplace. Exotik and Boomerang believe those destinations are Tunisia, Vietnam and Tahiti. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

WESTJET GOES TO QUEBEC CITY

Quebec City

Initial fares start at $79 each way; flights begin May 17, 2008
WestJet has announced that the inaugural flight of daily non-stop service from Toronto to Quebec City will now depart on May 17, 2008. In addition, guests have the opportunity to take advantage of an incredibly low fare of $79 each way on this date only. This is greater than 64 per cent off the regular fare. The $79 one-day fare offer is only available for purchase for travel on May 17, 2008, in both directions from Toronto to Quebec City. Seats at this fare are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Read on for a detailed schedule. [Full text and pictures]

WIN A TRIP TO ‘KOREA, SPARKLING’

Win a trip to Korea; Toronto, Vancouver advertising campaigns begin in May
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will launch their ‘Korea, Sparkling’ promotion with partner airline Korean Air and tour operator Goway Travel from May 5- June 1, 2008 to the Greater Toronto Area. The campaign will run locally on radio station 680News and outdoor advertising throughout the TTC subway system all over the city of Toronto. Vancouver, the gateway of Korea and Asia, is also included in this promotion, which runs from May 12-June 8, 2008 with the radio station News1130. People can enter to win a trip for 2 to Korea compliments of Korean Air and Goway Travel at visitkorea.ca and plan a trip to Korea, China, Asia and beyond. Read on for more. [Full text and pictures]

ACTA ID CARD CONTEST WINNER

Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia

Elisa Hamelin from Algonquin Travel, in Cornwall wins a trip for 2 to Tunisia
Elisa Hamelin from Algonquin Travel in Cornwall, Ontario is the lucky winner of a trip for two to Tunisia, courtesy of Sultana Tours. The response ACTA received for their first anniversary promotion was great, with over 1,000 travel professionals registering to take advantage of the 50% discount and the chance to win the trip to Tunisia. The list of suppliers recognizing the ACTA ID card continues to grow with recent additions such as Alpha Executive Air and Sandman Hotel Group. Before you plan your next business trip or holiday, be sure to check the ACTA Website for a full list of supplier benefits. If there is a supplier that you do not find on the list, please notify ACTA, who will work to add your preferred supplier to the list.

TRANSAT AGENTS AT SEA

Agents on the MSC Orchestra

Transat Distribution agents discover Europe aboard the MSC Orchestra
From March 28th to April 4, 2008, 22 agents from the Transat Distribution Canada network and their guests discovered Europe onboard the MSC Orchestra for a series of training seminars at sea. The agents were able to experience firsthand, what MSC has to offer. The agents appreciated the beauty of the ship, the quality of the food onboard, and the opportunity to visit many countries in Europe on a cruise. Transat Distribution thanked all participants “for their dynamic and enthusiastic attitudes and for their diligence through all the training.”