TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

TRAVELZEST OFFER SHELVED

Economic climate ends discussion for Travelzest�s sale; buyer rumoured to have been TUI Travel PLC
Charmaine Pang

In August, Travelzest, the UK-based parent company of Canada�s itravel2000 and Cruise Professionals, reported it was in �the early stages of discussions� with another company regarding its sale. As of this week, those talks have been withdrawn thanks to the continued turmoil of the global financial crisis. As late as November 4th, Travelzest announced that �discussions with the potential offeror were continuing and that completion of the due diligence process was anticipated in December 2008.� But things changed quickly. Travelzest made a statement, noting that it �has now been informed by the potential offeror that, as a consequence of the current uncertainties in financial markets, they have decided not to make an offer for the Company. Consequently, the Board announces that discussions in relation to the offer have been terminated.� Many in the industry believed that the potential buyer for Travelzest was TUI Travel PLC.

CUBA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Cuba is clear, post-Paloma; all airports are operational, all destinations receiving tourists

After being struck by three hurricanes this season, Cuba has announced the full recovery of tourist operations after Hurricane Paloma. The Cuba Tourist Board stated that �the preparation prior to the hurricane has kept the damages to a minimum and no damages to tourist facilities or casualties have been reported. All organizations and companies have worked together to ensure a quick recovery.� Most importantly, all airports are open for business for all inbound and outbound flights. Tourist arrivals from all countries are reported to be back to normal to all destinations on the island of Cuba. Keep reading for additional information. [Full text and pictures]

ADVENTURES IN BELIZE SEMINAR

Learn how to customize your clients' vacations to Belize and learn about the destination; info session in Toronto, Tuesday Nov. 18

Blue Hole in Belize

Belize-based company, Adventures in Belize, has teamed up with LATA Canada to offer a workshop and info session for Toronto-area travel agents on Tuesday Nov. 18 in Toronto. Learn about Belize�s natural attractions, including tropical rainforests, Mayan temples and warm hospitality. Adventures in Belize will also discuss the ways they can support you in customizing your clients� vacations to Belize at no extra costs. Attendees have a chance to win a one-week vacation for two to Belize. For more information and to sign up, go to TRAVELHotNews.com�s Events Calendar.

GOWAY GIVEAWAY WINNERS

First winners announced for contest; weekly prizes will be announced until Dec. 27, 2008

Book your clients to any Goway destination and you could win

Goway has announced the first series of winners for their 2008 �Great Giveaway�. For all new bookings until December 27, 2008, Goway is offering weekly prizes and a Grand Prize trip giveaway for 2 to the Cook Islands. This week, the lucky winners are Karen from Marlin Travel, Guelph, ON who made an Australia booking; Audrey from Cruise Ship Centers, Kelowna, BC who booked New Zealand; Luis from Cruise Connoisseurs, Newmarket, ON who booked a China trip and Marie from Renaissance Travel, Toronto, ON who is sending her clients to Egypt. To be entered into the weekly and grand prize draw, agents simply make a booking on any Goway vacation and will be eligible to win weekly prizes. Each week, one lucky agent will be selected at random to win a gift basket worth up to $100. Keep reading for all the details of this contest. [Full text and pictures]

MSC ANNOUNCES THEME CRUISES

2009-2010 Caribbean season theme cruises include first ever polka cruise, popular baseball and big band cruises

In addition to having two state-of-the-art ships sailing Caribbean itineraries for the first time� the new MSC Magnifica, fresh from her inaugural, and MSC Poesia � MSC Cruises� 2009-10 Caribbean season will feature several already popular theme cruises and the line�s first Polka Cruise. All rates are quoted in US dollars below. The newest addition to the Caribbean season theme cruise lineup is a Polka Cruise. Guests will be able to kick up their heels to the sounds of two polka bands on MSC Poesia�s Jan. 8 10-night �Tropical Splendor and European Charm� Southeast Caribbean sailing. Rates begin at $749 per person. Keep reading for more information and details on Baseball and Big Band cruises. [Full text and pictures]

NEW TRANSAT AGENCIES

Transat Distribution welcomes 7 new agencies to the Marlin Travel chain

Transat Distribution Canada has announced the arrival of seven new travel agencies within its network in the last three months. These agencies will now operate as Marlin Travel, the largest retail travel chain in Canada: Brant Heritage Travel in Brantford, ON; Selkirk Travel, Selkirk, MB; Marina Travel, Woodbridge, ON; Wide World Travel, Walkerton, ON; Goliger's TravelPlus, Embrun, ON; Marlin Travel Milton, Milton, ON and TJ Travel, Stratford, ON. Keep reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

ISRAEL�S ECO-FRIENDLY PARK

Israel transforms former dump site into 2,000-acre green space, Ayalon Park; largest green project in its history

Trails at Ayalon Park

Israel has embarked on one of the world's most dramatic eco-friendly initiatives, transforming the 2,000-acre Hiriya garbage dump on the outskirts of Tel Aviv into a magnificent park and 24-hour recreational hotspot. Since Hiriya's establishment decades ago, the ecological blight existed as an eyesore on the edge of Tel Aviv. Fast forward to 2008, the soon-to-be-completed 'Ayalon Park' will stand as one of the world's largest metropolitan parks containing a vast number of trees, hiking and horseback riding trails, and tropical gardens. The 230-foot Hiriya Mountain, a waste-mound located within the park's center, has been transformed into an eco-friendly attraction boasting an inner oasis of tilting terraces, ridge groves, shaded foot paths and a two-layered canopy with benches and tables for rest or picnics. [Full text and pictures]