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| COSTA RICA SHOWS OFF ITS GREEN |
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The Costa Rican Tourism Board, along with Grupo Imagen, host Costa Rican workshop to lend some expertise to Toronto travel agents
Lisa Raffaele
In order to create awareness for Costa Rica, Grupo Imagen, a Costa Rican non profit group, in conjunction with the Costa Rican Tourism Board, held a workshop and presentation yesterday evening at Toronto’s Courtyard Marriott. At the mini tradeshow travel agents were able to sit down one-on-one with local Costa Rican hoteliers, airlines representatives and attraction and tourism delegates. Among the nine tourism partners were: Acoprot; DoubleTree by Hilton; Best Western Irazu and the Best Western Jaco Beach; Sonesta Jaco Resort, a new five-star hotel opening in March; Tango Mar Hotel, Beach, Spa and Golf Resort, currently undergoing a two million dollar investment; Museos; Travel Excellence Tour Operator; Terra Nova Travel design; Organization for Tropical Studies and Nature Air.
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| ARTA EXPRESSES CONCERNS |
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| IATA agency changes approved at Geneva conference; agencies have until Oct.31, 2008 to join ARTA Canada free of charge
At this month's United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations (UFTAA) congress in Manila, several matters were discussed which involved consequential changes to agency rules and resolutions made by IATA at the October 7, 2008 Passenger Agency Conference (PAConf) in Geneva. The local Agency Program Joint Council (APJC) for Canada is represented by ACTA, and on information and belief, no meeting to discuss proposed changes to the agency program and rules was convened. Accordingly, new resolutions and changes to existing resolutions were approved by IATA at PAConf without any input from those affected by them. Continue redaing for complete details on the key matters decided by the airlines at PAConf which have raised concerns.
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| GOWAY BRINGS SOUTH AFRICA TO TORONTO |
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AFRICAExperts by Goway hosts South Africa Night in Toronto
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| Seth Mompei, South Africa Political Consul & David Chorley, South African Airways | | Wednesday evening AfricaExperts held their South Africa event at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. Over 150 people attended to learn about the destination and to meet destination experts, as well as several visiting suppliers from South Africa. "South Africa is such a spectacular country with so much variety of scenery, cultures and game," said commented Moira Smith, General Manager AFRICAExperts. "Our event served to educate agents on the destination and inspire potential travellers to start planning their trip. The strong attendance at the event serves to highlight the interest in South Africa, and reinforce AFRICAExperts reputation as the leading experts in travel to Africa." South Africa Tourist Board statistics report double digit growth in visitor arrivals from Canada and the US, and the strength of the dollar against the South African rand, is said to be encouraging this trend.
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| HAS OPENS FOR BUSINESS |
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Host Agency Solutions begins operations; provides coast-to-coast back office services and support and access to TPI’s networks across Canada
Host Agency Solutions (HAS) has begun operations, effective immediately, providing bricks and mortar travel agencies from coast-to-coast with back office services and support. Agencies keep 100 per cent ownership of their store and their brand while adding on the cost benefits of outsourcing their back office operations. HAS members will benefit from included IATA, TICO, and BPCPA membership, regulatory requirements, ticketing, invoicing, PNR accounting and support. HAS members also gain access to the back office system that supports Travel Professionals International’s (TPI) agent network across Canada servicing HAS with forty-five staff at IAS headquarters in Winnipeg, Canada.
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| MY ESCAPADES’ EARLY XMAS |
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Agents can earn a $50 gift card or a $100 gift card when booking MyEscapades.ca trips
My Escapades is offering agents some sweet early Christmas bonuses. If agents book any MyEscapades.ca 7-day (or longer) safari or holiday in Africa or India, they can receive a $50 gift card. Agents must book land only or air and land. Agents who book any MyEscapades.ca 10-day (or longer) safari or holiday in Africa or India (land only or air and land) are eligible to receive a $100 gift card. The gift cards are redeemable at HBC, Wal-Mart, Petro Canada or the LCBO. For more information, call 1-888-887-9710 or email info@myescapades.ca.
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| NCL ELIMINATES FUEL SUPPLEMENT |
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Norwegian Cruise Line announces end to fuel supplement for bookings made after Nov.10; offers refund guidelines for fuel supplements paid
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced that the company’s current fuel supplement will no longer apply to bookings made on or after November 10, 2008 for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010. For guests booked prior to November 10, 2008 for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010, the company has established the following guidelines for the refund of fuel supplements paid: The criteria for refund will be determined on a quarterly basis. Should the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel be below $65 per barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), the company will refund fuel supplements paid in the form of an on-board credit. Continue reading for guests booked on sailings that depart in 2009 (on or after January 1, 2009 and that depart on or before December 31, 2009).
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| LUFTHANSA PLANS BMI TAKEOVER |
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Lufthansa announces plans to buy controlling stake in bmi
Lufthansa is buying a controlling stake in bmi for $519US million. The German carrier, which already owned 30 per cent of the airline, is buying the 50.1 per cent share owned by the UK airline's founder Sir Michael Bishop. Lufthansa signed an agreement with Sir Michael in 1999 which said that if he ever wanted to sell his stake, it would make the purchase. Analysts now expect Lufthansa to make a bid for the remaining 20 per cent, currently owned by Scandinavian carrier SAS. Bmi controls 11 per cent of landing and take-off slots at London Heathrow, making it the second largest airline operating out of the airport behind British Airways. If concluded, the deal would open the door for Lufthansa to start transatlantic flights from Heathrow. Lufthansa said it plans to complete the deal no earlier than January 12. Continue reading for more details.
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