TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

UP CLOSE WITH AUSTRALIA'S NEW COUNTRY MANAGER

THN.com sits down with Tourism Australia's new country manager, Daryl Hudson to discuss the launch of new campaign
Lisa Raffaele

Coinciding with the November release of the new Baz Luhrmann film Australia, Tourism Australia has launched their new creative campaign with a strong message. The "tailor-made" arrived/departed theme for both print and television highlights Australian landmarks and cultural images from the movie, as well as a very clear "arrived with a 1,000 things on our minds, left without a care in the world" meaning. The images highlighted in the spots, and seen in the Luhrmann film, end with the line "Arrived Ms. K. Mathieson, Executive VP of Sales; departed as Kate." A second similar themed version was also created appealing to trade professionals with a work setting in the forefront. [Full text and pictures]

ACTA ASKS YOU

ACTA conducts survey to all retailers

ACTA is currently conducting a survey to collect information in response to the challenges of recruiting and retaining personnel as expressed by our regional councils. Completion of this survey will: 1. Allow ACTA to provide you with benchmark information on compensation and benefits and recruitment and training issues. 2. Allow ACTA to better represent your interests in dealing with government and training institutions. 3. Help ACTA to develop member services and benefit programs that respond to the needs of your agency. The survey will be circulated to all retail members by your ACTA regional manager. If you did not receive the survey, please contact your regional manager at acta.ca/staff.htm. All members who complete the survey will receive a copy of the survey report at no cost. [Full text and pictures]

CITC PREPS FOR EXAM

CITC announces additional TICO exam prep courses in Ontario

To assist the industry in preparing for the TICO Travel Counsellor Exam, CITC has organized a number of training sessions to respond to the various audiences who must write and pass the exam prior to June 30, 2009. CITC offers the reminder that there is no 'grandfathering' for the TICO Travel Counsellor Exam, which means that 'every person (including supervisors and managers) working for a retail travel agency or providing travel advice to the public must meet the industry's education standard by July 1, 2009'. The TICO Travel Counsellor Exam is based on the TICO Education Standards Study Manual. Please note that the preparation course is not mandatory. Continue reading for a list of courses and locations. [Full text and pictures]

INTAIR ROLLS DICE IN VEGAS

Intair launches 2008-2009 Las Vegas brochure
Intair has announced the launch of its new Las Vegas brochure. The 2008-2009 edition has 16 pages of hotels, car rentals, shows and excursions. Avis, Alamo and Hertz are the three featured car rental companies. New items featured in this year's brochure include: the cruises of Carnival Cruise Lines from the California Coast - San Diego and Long Beach. Please note that the 2008-2009 Las Vegas brochure has included several hotels at several prices points starting at $64 per room per night, and the brochure presents consumer prices in Canadian dollars.

KUMUKA HEADS TO ASIA

Kumuka Worldwide launches new Asia brochure

Kumuka Worldwide's new Asia brochure has launched a range of new tours in China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Japan. Some of the new tours in the brochure include: Contrasts of China, a 14-day tour from Beijing to Shanghai; Images and Colours of Nepal, an eight-day tour of Nepal starting in Kathmandu with an exploration of the three mini kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley; Brunei Unveiled, a seven-day tour which begins in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan; Flavours of Thailand, an 11-day tour that highlights Northern Thailand and includes cooking classes and market visits; Colours of Vietnam, an eight-day tour which takes travellers to the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, amongst the hill tribe villages and indigenous people. Continue reading for complete itinerary details and pricing. [Full text and pictures]

THE LUCKY SUITCASE TESTS YOUR LUCK

Less than two weeks left for a chance to win a trip for 2 to the Grand Paradise Bavaro in Punta Cana, courtesy of THN.com and Sunquest

Have you picked the Lucky Suitcase yet? The contest has less than two weeks left and ends on Oct. 19. If you don't enter, you don't have a chance, or 300 chances depending on your luck, to win a one-week vacation for two to Punta Cana's Grand Paradise Bavaro courtesy of TRAVELHotNews.com and Sunquest. 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. Continue reading more more details. [Full text and pictures]

CANADIANS FLOCKING TO CALIFORNIA

Canadians are travelling to California in record numbers, according to Statistics Canada and CIC Research Inc.

According to recent figures from Statistics Canada and CIC Research, Inc. and released by the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC), 2007 marked the highest ever annual volume of visitors (1,148,000) to California from Canada. This represents an 11 per cent increase from 2006 (1,037,000), which contributed approximately $1 billion to the state economy in travel-related spending. "The news just keeps getting better," said CTTC president and chief executive officer Caroline Beteta. "In June we learned that 2007 international travel to California surpassed the five million mark for the first time since 9/11. As part of that, Canadians are visiting California in record numbers to experience our diverse state and laid-back lifestyle." [Full text and pictures]

OCCIDENTAL OFFERS CANADIAN SPECIAL

Occidental Hotels and Resorts announces special Canadian travel agent rates for Royal Hideaway Playacar

Occidental Hotels & Resorts has announced Canadian travel agents the opportunity to visit one of its premier properties, the Royal Hideaway Playacar. Royal Hideaway Playacar is now offering a nightly rate of $130US per person per night based on double occupancy between October 8 to December 20, 2008 and January 3to 21, 2009. Bookings must be made from October 8 through January 20, 2009.