TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

SUNWING TALKS XL

Vice President of Sunwing, Lawrence Elliott, says Sunwing
Charmaine Pang

Lawrence Elliott

Last Friday, TRAVELHotNews.com spoke to Lawrence Elliott, Vice President, Sunwing Airlines, regarding Sunwing's fleet situation following the collapse of XL Leisure Group, the UK's third largest tour operator. Sunwing Airlines was set to lease "at least six" planes out of their fleet of 15 for the upcoming peak holiday season, confirmed Elliott. He also confirmed that the planes that were to have been leased from XL have also been replaced for Sunwing's flight schedule this winter. Last week TRAVELHotNews.com reported that Sunwing Airlines, in a statement, fully intended to meet all flight commitments for winter 2008/2009 and had expanded lease agreements with other aircraft providers. [Full text and pictures]

TORONTO ADDISON COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Register for Addison Toronto, Mon Sep. 29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Agents, don't forget to register for the Addison Toronto show - the biggest yet - at a brand new venue downtown. It's the first time in history that the Addison Toronto show will be hosted in the city (at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre), making it accessible to more agents than ever before. Expect to see more exhibitors, including some new ones, exciting door prizes, a new focus on niche markets, and more. Enjoy free food and drinks while networking with key suppliers in the industry. Don't forget to register now for the biggest independent travel show of the season. The Eastern Canada series of shows continues with London, Ottawa/Gatineau and Montreal from Sep. 30 to Oct. 2. Register today for the Addison Travel Trade Shows - click here.

CARIBBEAN FEVER COMES BACK TO TORONTO

TRAVELHotNews speaks with Susan Webb of the Caribbean Tourism Organization in Canada
Lisa Raffaele

The second annual Caribbean Week 2008 is returning to Toronto September 24-26, 2008. Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC), this year's Caribbean Week will feature new events, awards and presenters. TRAVELHotNews had the chance to speak with Susan Webb, President VoX communications and a representative of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in Canada regarding the upcoming weeklong festivities. "We believe that this [event] is really important, for the trade and to understanding how they [agents] can make more money when selling the Caribbean as a destination," Webb told TRAVELHotNews. [Full text and pictures]

OPEN THE LUCKY SUITCASE!

Win a trip for 2 to the Grand Paradise Bavaro in Punta Cana, courtesy of THN.com and Sunquest

Have you opened your lucky suitcase yet? TRAVELHotNews.com and Sunquest want you to grab a suitcase and have a chance to win a one-week vacation for two to the Grand Paradise Bavaro in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. The contest ends on October 19th, so you still have a month to enter. How does the game work? It's quite easy - 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 and 'open' the suitcase, 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. Good luck to all participants! [Full text and pictures]

IN DEPTH WITH TREK'S DALLYCE MACAS

THN.com takes an in-depth look at Trek Holidays' new president & CEO Dallyce Macas
Lisa Raffaele

Dallyce Macas

At the beginning of September TRAVELHotNews reported that First Choice Adventures Canada Inc. named Dallyce Macas as the company's new president and CEO for their Canadian distribution of adventure holiday products, Trek Holidays. TRAVELHotNews had the opportunity to ask Macas about her new position and what the industry can expect from Trek Holidays, the company's trade division, this upcoming 2008-2009 season. According to Macas, Trek Escapes - their retail brand, which makes up 60 per cent of the company's turnover - has been a Canadian success story for the past 37 years, and "the first to provide expert adventure travel products to the Canadian traveller." Continue reading for upcoming company highlights and 2008-2009 product offerings. [Full text and pictures]

SCENIC OFFERS CABIN UPGRADES

Book 11-day Moselle & Rhine European river cruise and enjoy a free room upgrade for any sailings in 2009

Moselle River

Your clients can now enjoy beautiful European scenery from their own private balcony with a new Scenic room upgrade offer. Clients can enjoy an upgrade to a cabin complete with its own spacious, furnished balcony when booking Scenic Tours' 11-day Moselle and Rhine Escapade tour on any of its 2009 sailings. The trip, which is offered with two departures in June and two in September, includes three nights in Paris (complete with accommodation at the legendary Scribe Hotel and a daylong sightseeing tour). Travellers will then board their brand new Scenic river cruise ship for a seven-night cruise in Germany passing medieval cities and lush vineyards along the way. Scenic ships offer spacious public areas and fine dining experiences, which include regional wines with lunch and dinner. [Full text and pictures]

G.A.P ADDS GABON

Travel like a 'Survivor' with G.A.P's newest West African itinerary

A visit to a gorilla sanctuary is included in the Gabon Independent Adventure

See a gorilla family up close, stay in remote lodges, spot monkeys and crocodiles in the rainforest and relax on beautiful beaches on G.A.P Adventures' newest trip in West Africa, the Gabon Independent Adventure. This extraordinary trip is also the spot selected for the 17th season of the CBS reality television show Survivor Gabon - Earth's Last Eden, airing in late September. G.A.P Adventures will offer agents $100 off their next G.A.P Adventures trip and a swag pack when they book a Gabon Independent Adventure between October 1-31, 2008 and say "my client wants to be a survivor" at the time of booking. Please note that G.A.P Adventures is not associated with CBS or its affiliates. [Full text and pictures]