TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

NEW ZEALAND SHOWS OFF 100%

Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand host event to launch new Canadian campaigns
Lisa Raffaele

George Hickton, Roger Poulton, Annie Dundas, Adriena Daunt

Yesterday evening Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand launched their new campaigns at Toronto's ORO Restaurant. The event introduced members of the trade to the new Tourism New Zealand "100% Pure New Zealand" and the Air New Zealand "Summer is Just Beginning" campaigns. Annie Dundas, Regional Manager, North America, Tourism New Zealand, spoke to TRAVELHotNews about the strategy behind the new campaign. According to Dundas this is the first time Tourism New Zealand has launched in Toronto. The campaign, specifically targeting cinema, television and digital billboards has already received positive attention and highlight the youth of the country. [Full text and pictures]

EL AL ADDS SALES REP

Jacob Mazgaonkar is new sales representative in Toronto, effective Sep. 1
Effective Sep. 1, 2008, EL AL Toronto is happy to announce that Jacob Mazgaonkar's will be filling the position of sales representative for EL AL Canada. Mazgaonkar has been with EL AL since 2006 and has prior experience in the travel industry. He can be contacted at 416-967-4222 ext. 231 or jacob@elalcanada.com.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO ADDS MARKSER

Lidia Markser leaves Alio for Universal Orlando Resort

Lidia Markser is new Toronto-based Regional Sales Manager for Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort has added a new Regional Sales Manager to its Canadian team. Lidia Markser arrives at the company with over 11 years travel industry experience, most recently at Alio Tours as a sales manager working with national and key accounts. Prior to that, she worked at Americanada; she began her career as a travel consultant with Carlson Wagonlit. In her new role, Markser will be on the road promoting and training agents on how to sell tickets to both theme parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - and three on-site Loews properties. She will focus on channeling sales through Canadian Wholesale Partners. Webinars will also be key in assisting with national exposure. Markser is based in Toronto and can be reached at lidia.markser@nbcuni.com.

TRANSAT RELEASES Q3 RESULTS

Transat A.T. falls to loss in Q3 as fuel cost bites into earnings
Canadian Press

Jean Marc-Eustache

Transat A.T. Inc. reported Wednesday a third-quarter net loss of $2.4 million, reversing a year-ago $16.1-million profit, as the tour operator was unable to adjust its prices to keep up with surging fuel prices. The Montreal-based company said the loss amounted to seven cents per share, compared with net income of 47 cents per share in the prior-year period. Quarterly revenues rose 15.9 per cent to $859.9 million in the quarter. ``Oil prices have diminished since the end of the quarter, but still, they have quickly reached unprecedented levels and remain very high,'' president and CEO Jean-Marc Eustache said in a statement. Transat also reported that bookings for the rest of the 2008 summer season are generally higher than the same period last year. Selling prices are generally higher on the transatlantic market and lower on the Canada-South market. For Q4, the company predicts higher revenues than in 2007. [Full text and pictures]

CAYMAN ISLANDS PLANNER IS OUT!

2009 edition of Cayman Islands Travel Planner now available

Just in time for planning your clients' winter getaways, the 2009 Cayman Islands Travel Planner is hot off the presses and available free of charge. Filled with information on the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, the guide highlights the abundance of accommodation choices, from hotels, condominiums and apartments to guest houses and villas. A description of each property is given along with their rates, amenities and contact details. The planner also features information on attractions, including Boatswain's Beach (home of the Cayman Turtle Farm), Pedro St. James National Historic Site and Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, as well as a calendar of events, maps, car rental information and a detailed restaurant directory. Keep reading to learn how to order. [Full text and pictures]

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES OFFERS ZOOM DISCOUNTS

Those with proof of future travel on Zoom can book discounted fares; must book by Sep. 15, 2008

In an effort to assist passengers affected by the closure of Zoom Airlines, Caribbean Airlines is offering a special fare discount for those with proof of future travel on Zoom. The discount is subject to availability and must be booked by Monday, September 15, 2008. To receive the discount, eligible customers must contact Caribbean Airlines directly at 1-800-920-4225 (Canada) or 1-800-744-2225 (Caribbean) or by visiting a Caribbean Airlines ticketing location. The discount is for one-way travel only between Toronto, Canada; Port of Spain, Trinidad; and Georgetown, Guyana.

AIR CANADA GETS WIRED

First wi-fi service in Canadian airline history; AC will offer service in spring 2009
Canadian Press
Air Canada intends to begin offering live internet service to customers inflight starting next spring under an agreement announced today with Aircell. Charles McKee, Vice President, Marketing, said that pending Canadian regulatory approvals, the airline plans to eventually offer internet access system-wide. Air Canada intends to begin operating Gogo by spring 2009 aboard Airbus A319 aircraft on select flights to the U.S. west coast and will be accessible by customers with a standard, wi-fi equipped laptop or Personal Electronic Device (PED). Initially, the Gogo system will be powered by Aircell's existing network and only available in the U.S. in order to make Air Canada's rollout fast, economical and simple. [Full text and pictures]

SINGAPORE, SILKAIR REDUCE SURCHARGE

Selected flights will experience reduction in fuel surcharges
Singapore Airlines has announced they will reduce fuel surcharges for tickets issued on or after 9 September 2008 for travel on short- and medium-haul flights, following a recent easing of jet fuel prices. There will be four tiers of surcharges, from the existing three, to differentiate between medium- and longer-haul flights. The new levels will apply to Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights. Keep reading for all the details. [Full text and pictures]