TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

ON LOCATION AT ENSEMBLE

Ensemble Travel group hosts 5th annual travel conference in Las Vegas
Lisa Raffaele

At the Circle of Excellence Awards ceremony

From October 15 to 18 Ensemble Travel Group is officially celebrating its 40th anniversary before 900 members, suppliers and guests at this year's fifth annual international travel conference, hosted at Las Vegas' Red Rock Resort and Spa. Day one of the conference brought together and highlighted speakers such as; Nelson Gentiletti, President, Transat; Michael Londregan, President, Stella Travel Services (Qantas Vacations and Islands in the Sun); Diane Moore, President, Windstar Cruises; Horst Schulze, President and CEO, west Paces Hotel Group; Scott Wiseman, President, Abercrombie and Kent Inc.; Guy Young, President and CEO, Uniworld Boutique Rive Cruise Collection; and Ruthanne Terrero, Vice President Content and editorial Director, Luxury Travel Advisor and Travel Agent magazines as moderator. [Full text and pictures]

TWO DAYS LEFT FOR LUCKY SUITCASE

Lucky Suitcase Contest closes this Sunday, Nov. 19th - play to win!

This is absolutely your last chance to get in on the winnings. TRAVELHotNews and Sunquest want YOU to win a $3,400 trip to Punta Cana! You could win a one-week vacation for two to the Grand Paradise Bavaro courtesy of TRAVELHotNews.com and Sunquest. There's no better way to enjoy a relaxing vacation. The 24-hour all-inclusive resort will take care of all your needs. To play, simply choose one (1) of the seven (7) lucky suitcases presented to you when you click to play the game. When you click on the suitcase to 'open' it, you will find a number (from 2 to 300). Click here to play the Lucky Suitcase Game, and click here for contest rules and regulations. [Full text and pictures]

OUT ADVENTURES IS HERE!

Canadian-based gay and lesbian tour operator offers sustainable travel at affordable prices

Robert Sharp and Steven Larkin

Canadian-based OUT Adventures has announced the global launch of operations and website. Business and personal partners Robert Sharp and Steven Larkin have created eco-friendly OUT Adventures in order to address a current gap in the gay and lesbian travel segment that limits adventure travel to a handful of luxury operators. OUT Adventures will operate closed groups with a maximum of 12 passengers and has over 80 global departures planned in its first year. Trips are tailored to meet the needs of gay and lesbian travellers and begin at $875 CAD for an 8 day trip to Peru including a 3 day hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. Keep reading for more info. [Full text and pictures]

ST. KITTS IS OPEN, POST-OMAR

Tourists are safe, airport is operational, hotels and tourist areas open for business, says government

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority has reported their country is welcoming guests and has sustained only minimal damage following the passage of Hurricane Omar to the Northwest of the island in the pre-dawn hours on Thursday morning. Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Culture, said "all visitors are safe, the island's tourism product remains intact, and clean-up efforts are already underway in affected areas." No visitors were evacuated from St. Kitts and all are reported to be safe. Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport has reopened as of 12:00 pm today, Oct. 17th. Keep reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

ST. MAARTEN POST-OMAR UPDATE

St. Maarten is open for business; airport open and all hotels and tourism infrastructure intact

The Government of St. Maarten reported that Omar did not result in any deaths or significant damages to its infrastructure or hotel sector. The Government of St. Maarten also reports that hotels are fully operational and functioning normally, as well as are the established tourist sites, attractions and restaurants. While most of the damage appears to be limited to beach erosion and scattered debris, it is anticipated that within the next 12 hours all public utilities, including electricity, will be fully functional. The Princess Juliana International Airport is expected to open the morning of October 17th and will resume operating on a normal schedule. [Full text and pictures]

AMADEUS, FCM SIGN AGREEMENT

FCm Travel Solutions is now a global reseller of Amadeus e-Travel Management

Amadeus and FCm Travel Solutions have signed an agreement certifying FCm as a global reseller of Amadeus e-Travel Management (ATM). ATM can help increase business travel program compliance, reduce total travel spend and drive online adoption. Available in 15 languages, the global platform is easily adapted to local needs and connects to multiple Global Distribution Systems for air and rail reservations. Amadeus e-Travel Management will integrate with FCm's applications.

ATOURZ, COSTA, ETIHAD CRUISE TOGETHER

Burj Al Arab building in Dubai

Your clients can enjoy a unique cruise around the United Arab Emirates, stopping at Dubai and 4 other ports
ATOURZ/Airliners has joined forces with Costa Cruises, Europe's number one cruise line, and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, to offer a cruise exploring the Emirates. This sand-and-sea adventure features the best of the UAE, including the glittering city of Dubai, and stops at four other major Gulf ports. The highlight of the package is Dubai, which is fast becoming one of the world's most attractive leisure destinations. Your clients have the opportunity to discover the city's old world souks and modern shopping malls with free time. Toronto-area travel agents can learn more about this cruise partnership at several events taking place from Oct. 21-24. Go to the TRAVELHotNews.com Events Calendar to learn more. [Full text and pictures]

CRUISING IS STRONG, SAYS CLIA

CLIA releases study that shows cruise industry creates 350,000+ jobs, generates US$38B
Charmaine Pang
Cruising was a strong generator of business in the North American travel market in the first half of 2008, according to a recent study released by CLIA. The North American cruise industry's economic impact in the United States grew by more than six per cent in 2007, creating more than 350,000 jobs while generating $38 billion US in total economic output. CLIA's statistics also paint an interesting picture In addition to the national study, the association also released the latest passenger statistics for the first half of this year. For the first half of 2008, the cruise industry saw an overall 5.43 per cent increase in passengers worldwide, with occupancies at almost 105 per cent. [Full text and pictures]