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| INSIGHT TOURS IN STYLE |
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Insight Vacations launches new product, new tours, and new bonus offers
Lisa Raffaele
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| John Boulding and Doug Patterson | | Insight Vacations Canada, along with John Boulding, President and CEO of Insight International hosted a 2009 product launch at Toronto’s Casa Loma yesterday evening to introduce new tours for the upcoming seasons. The new Europe and Britain Premium brochure was recently released to agencies across Canada. The new brochure holds over 80 Premium itineraries throughout Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, and highlights specially selected “Premium Highlights” smaller groups of a maximum 40 guests per tour. The 2009 brochure has added several new Premium tours to its portfolio, including a number of additions to the Elegance Series.
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| JOHN LYNCH BECOMES JAMAICA’S DIRECTOR OF TOURISM |
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| John Lynch, new Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board | | John Lynch appointed as Jamaica’s Director of Tourism; replaces Basil Smith, whose contract expired in October 2008
Charmaine Pang
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett yesterday announced the appointment of John Lynch as the new Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), effective December 1, 2008. Lynch, previously Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the JTB and the country’s global tourism marketing. Minister Bartlett indicated that the current environment dictates that “quick and decisive action” be taken to fill the post of Director of Tourism. Former Director of Tourism, Basil Smith, opted not to renew his contract in the position, which expired in October 2008. Prior to the announcement, Lynch worked for 16 years as executive vice president of Unique Vacations, with overall responsibility for public relations, sales promotions, and group sales.
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| THE SOUL OF SOL MELIA |
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Sol Melia hosts agent and tour operator evening
On Tuesday, Sol Melia Cuba hosted approximately 120 Canadian tour operators, travel agents and media at Toronto’s Gossip Restaurant. The evening highlighted: Weddings, the renovations at Cayo Guillermo and the reopening of Paradisus Rio de Oro, located on Playa Esmeralda beach in Holguin. According to Sol Melia representatives, their 24 Cuban hotels will have conducted 700 weddings by the end of 2008 compared to seven years ago when they hosted 30 weddings in one year. A wedding cake and complimentary massages were available for the agents and operators who attended the event. Keep reading to learn what's new with Sol Melia for the coming year.
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| GET MARRIED FOR FREE WITH SIGNATURE |
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Signature Vacations, along with Karisma Hotels & Resorts and LUXE Destination Weddings announce free LUXE wedding planning package valued at $4,000
Signature Vacations, Karisma Hotels and Resorts and LUXE Destination Weddings are giving brides a chance to have a free wedding with their new promotion. Beginning Nov. 15, 2008 until Jan. 31, 2009 all couples who book their wedding to anyone of the Karisma Hotels and Resorts in the Riviera Maya through LUXE Destination Weddings and Signature Vacations will be given a free LUXE wedding planning package valued at $4,000. Continue reading for complete package details.
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| REST OF INDIA IS "NORMAL", SAYS MINISTRY OF TOURISM |
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India's Ministry of Tourism states that Mumbai terror incidents “[do] not impact tourism and day-to-day life in the rest of the country”, states “normal” operations in rest of country
Charmaine Pang
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| Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, prior to Nov. 26, 2008 | | India’s Ministry of Tourism has issued a statement regarding the security situation for foreign tourists in or around the Mumbai area. It reads, “There have been security concerns on account of terror strikes in Mumbai. The Indian Security forces are in control and the situation is being constantly monitored at the highest level. Central Security Agencies and the State Governments have also acted swiftly and the security all over the country is being beefed up to ensure the safety of all the citizens and tourists visiting the country." Keep reading for more information. TRAVELHotNews.com attempted to contact Indiatourism in Toronto, with no reponse.
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| FLYGLOBESPAN CELEBRATES 2008 SEASON |
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Flyglobespan announces a successful 2008 season; adds new routes in Hamilton, Calgary and Vancouver in 2009
Flyglobespan has announced a successful 2008 season, which saw the opening of new dedicated check-in facilities at Hamilton International Airport, the winning of “Rookie of the Year” at the annual Tourism Hamilton Awards and launching the first-ever direct flight from Vancouver to Dublin. Building on the successes of the 2008 season, flyglobespan is now looking ahead to the summer of 2009 with new routes, expanded service and an affordable air travel option to the UK and Ireland from Hamilton, Calgary and Vancouver.
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| THAILAND DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY |
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Tourists with ‘urgent needs’ will get priority to leave Thailand
Charmaine Pang
Thailand has declared a state of emergency, as thousands of anti-government protesters have camped out at Bangkok’s two airports, halting all normal operations. The demonstrations have stranded about 4,000 travellers. It is not known when airport activity in the city will return to normal. Weerasak Kohsurat, the tourism minister of Thailand, says authorities will begin flying thousands of stranded tourists out of one or two military bases in the next 48 hours. Only tourists with ``urgent needs'', which could include parents with young children and people with medical conditions, will be taken to U-Tapao air force base, 140 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and possibly an Air Force base at Kamphaeng Saen, a northern suburb of Bangkok.
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