TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

GREEN SPAIN SHOWS OFF NEW STYLE

Green Spain comes to Toronto to promote a different side to Spain, not only sun and beach
Lisa Raffaele

As part of an effort to promote the northern regions of Spain, The new Green Spain tourism brand image launched in 2007 made its first appearance in Toronto yesterday evening at the Carlu. Green Spain, made up of the four regions: Galicia, the Principality of Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, came together to create the new brand image offers a more updated look, which was designed to promote and educate alternatives to the traditional idea of 'sunny Spain', as the brand's main focus. According to Jorge Rubio, Director, Tourist Office of Spain, all four regions are considered to be full of rich diversity of food, gastronomy, culture and landscape. [Full text and pictures]

HOLGUIN UPDATE

Services of Gaviota in Holguin back to normal post hurricane Ike update

According to officials, the work of recovery in the hotels of Holguin after Hurricane IKE is being made quickly. The hotels: Playa Pesquero, Blau Costa Verde, Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa, and Sol Rio de Mares are now operating successfully with all of their services restored. Please note that maintenance work is still being carried out on a small scale. The repair work at hotels Paradisus Rio de Oro and Playa Costa Verde are on schedule and are said to be ready by the dates reported by Gaviota. Public Health authorities have conducted tests to all sources of water, as well as to the sea and swimming pools, and have given them satisfactory results. Continue reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

RESORTQUEST LAUNCHES EDU-VACATION

ResortQuest Hawaii announces eduVacations encouraging agents to learn, stay and play

ResortQuest Hawaii has launched a new program, "eduVacations," that encourages travel agents to "Learn, Stay and Play" to keep up-to-date on what's new and what each participating property has to offer clients. Special travel agent-only prices are based on the property's Palm Rating: two palm trees indicate moderate accommodations ranging to five palm trees for luxury accommodations. Standard Palm Rating prices start from $79 for a two-palm rating, $89 for three palms and $99 for four to five-palms. "Travel agents are one of our most valuable assets," says Kelvin Bloom, President, ResortQuest Hawaii. [Full text and pictures]

CELEBRITY'S 2ND PHASE

Celebrity Cruises announces second phase of Five-Star Academy for agents

After launching the first level of its Five-Star Academy for travel agents last month, Celebrity Cruises has introduced the second, or "Two-Star," level. Agents who have already completed the One-Star level can now move on to the second phase of the multi-tiered program. The multi-tiered program is launching in stages, each named with the number of stars earned by successfully completing it. The Two-Star level will cover detailed aspects of the Celebrity Cruises onboard experience, including dining, accommodations, Celebrity's Star Treatment, nightlife/entertainment, activities and spa services. Travel agents who complete the training and score over 80 per cent on its tests will earn the designation of being a "Celebrity Two-Star Agent." Continue reading for more information on levels three, four and five. [Full text and pictures]

NOLITOURS SUPER JAMAICA SALE

Nolitours announces Stretch Your Dollar Super sale

Nolitours invites you to discover Jamiaca with the Stretch Your Dollar Super Sale. The company is offering the recently renovated four-star Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay for $599 plus taxes of $256 per person departing Saturday, November 1 or 8. In addition to the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay, Nolitours resort selection includes the Royal Decameron Montego Bay, Royal Decameron Club Caribbean, Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica, Breezes Runaway Bay Resort & Golf Club by Superclubs, Hedonism II, Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa by Superclubs and Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa by Superclubs. Flights depart from Toronto to Montego Bay on Mondays from November 3, 2008 to April 27, 2009; Fridays, December 19, 2008 to April 24, 2009 and Saturdays November 1, 2008 to April 25, 2009.

KIDS SAIL FREE WITH COSTA

Costa Cruise Lines announces kids sail free promotion this 2008-2009 winter Caribbean season; includes holiday sailings

This winter season, kids will sail for free when travelling with their parents on Costa Cruise Lines. This offer is available on all 12 sailings, including Christmas and New Year's, aboard the Costa Fortuna, which departs from Ft. Lauderdale on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean routes each Sunday. Fares for parents begin at just $669 per person. "Now more than ever, families are searching for the best possible vacation values and we're offering it to them with our 'Kids Sail Free' promotion and exceptional fares this Caribbean season," said Maurice M. Zarmati, President and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines, North America. For more information, visit costacruises.com.

ETIHAD'S CORPORATE TRIP

Etihad Airways hosts Corporate Familiarization Trip September 25-30 in UAE

Participants at Shangri-la hotel in Abu Dhabi overlooking the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Etihad Airways hosted a 10-person Corporate Familiarization Trip form September 25-30. Highlights from the trip included: a tour of Abu Dhabi City, a tour at Emirates Palace, a Dhow Cruise, a desert safari tour and a tour of Dubai city. Participants stayed at the Shangri-la hotel, and when in Dubai they stayed at InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Participants included: Madeleine Eagleson, Forrec; Glen Davies, HRG; Daksha (Bobby) Dishnoi, Westend Travel; Phil Pyett, Travelpath; Alida Saleh, Trow International; Laura Oakes, Etihad Airways; Chris Lynes, FCM; Jeff Clarke, Uniglobe Enterprise; Jean-Pierre Chabot, American Express; Csaba Mate, FCM.