TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

XL LEISURE GROUP REFINANCES

XL Leisure Group in "urgent talks" with banks over refinancing

The Times of London has reported that XL Leisure Group, Britain's third-largest holiday company (after Tui Travel and Thomas Cook), and a lessor of planes to Sunwing Airlines, is in "urgent talks" with banks after plans for a refinancing were delayed. Lenders include Barclays and Straumur, an Icelandic group. XL was reportedly looking for a new lender after Barclays ceased financing associated with fuel-hedging positions on Aug. 14. A company spokesman from XL confirmed to the Times that "third parties" had been engaged as part of its planned refinancing.

SUNWING TO HIRE ZOOM PILOTS?

Sunwing to hire Zoom pilots and flight attendants as it grows service; plans to double fleet this winter
Canadian Press

Sunwing is hiring pilots and flight attendants who formerly worked at Zoom Airlines as the discount travel company expands service to winter hot spots. Ten Zoom pilots began training Monday, just days after the Ottawa-based vacation airline suddenly stopped flying, stranding thousands of passengers and causing hundreds of layoffs, says Sunwing vice-president Lawrence Elliott. "We've offered positions to a lot of their staff," he said in an interview. The privately owned company expects to hire about 300 flight attendants, including up to 100 who worked at Zoom. Jobs could also be available for Air Canada employees who are slated to be laid off in November when the airline reduces its capacity by seven per cent. [Full text and pictures]

CONQUEST EXPANDS RES HOURS

As of September 7, Conquest Vacations reservations will now be open on Sundays
Conquest has expanded its reservations department hours to include Sundays. The new hours for the reservation department are:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-9 p.m. EST
Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. EST
Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. EST

TRAVELSAVERS' NEW FACES

Two new Business Development Directors for Eastern, Western Canada

Cynthia Vincent will represent Eastern Canada

Joan MacKenzie will represent Western Canada

TRAVELSAVERS Canada is expanding its sales and service team with the appointment of two new Business Development Directors. Effective immediately, Joan MacKenzie has joined the group as Business Development Director for Western Canada. She is responsible for increasing agency membership and bringing the group's strategic business-building programs to independent travel agencies throughout the region. Also now onboard with the TRAVELSAVERS Canada team is Christine Vincent. As Business Development Director for Eastern Canada, she is responsible for increasing membership and developing new business initiatives in the region. [Full text and pictures]

TOUR EAST LAUNCHES ISRAEL

The Dead Sea

Tour East expands Middle East program to include Israel; 9-day packages available
Tour East Holidays is expanding its selection of holiday tours to the Middle East, which already includes packages to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt and Jordan, with a new addition to Israel. Tour East offers a 9-day, 7-night tour departing November 8, 2008, featuring the places that have become so important to Christians, Jews and Muslims. For $3,450 per person from Toronto, Tour East Holidays makes it possible for your clients to see and experience historical and religious landmarks such as the Tomb of King David, the room of The Last Supper, the Western Wall, Mont Scopus, Mount of Olives, the Israel Museum, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the tomb of Jesus Christ - and those sites are just in Jerusalem. Read on for more. [Full text and pictures]

ONTARIO AGENTS CAN WIN JANET TIX!

Sunquest, ALBATours offer Ontario agents the chance to win Janet Jackson tickets for Sep. 28 concert in Toronto

Sunquest and ALBATours are offering agents the opportunity to win tickets to see Janet Jackson perform live at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Sept. 28, 2008, from the comfort of the Sunquest & ALBATours fully-catered private box suite. Starting Monday Sept. 8 and running up to and including Wednesday Sept. 24, every time you make any Sunquest or ALBATours booking, with any departure and at any price, you are eligible to win. The more you book, the more chances you have to win. The random draw will be held on Thurs. Sept. 25 from all eligible Sunquest and ALBATours booking numbers, and five winners will be selected. Each winner can bring one guest. Winning agents will be notified by phone. Contest is open to Ontario residents only; transportation and accommodation not included. Go to sunquestagent.ca for more information.

SIGNATURE CLUBS WITH THE KIDS

Signature Vacations and Azul Hotels launch exclusive Azulitos kids club program

Signature Vacations and Azul Hotels, by Karisma have announced the launch of the Azulitos Program. Designed exclusively by Fisher Price, Azulitos is a new play program that centers around enhancing the resort experience for young children and their families. Integrating toys, learning and other activities into daily events, Azulitos provides families with several options like: Enhanced check-in, Azulitos Kid's Club Room for children age five and under, Mom's Morning and the Jugueteca Toy Lending Library. As part of the Gourmet Inclusive program, families will be treated to all of the above listed extra's as well as kid's clubs for children over the age of five, teen's clubs, kid's splash park, face painting, pi�ata parties, DVD library with free popcorn, and a playground. [Full text and pictures]

TICO AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

TICO introduces new logo and branding materials for consumer awareness

As mentioned in last week's TRAVELHotNews.com, TICO has launched new consumer awareness materials and is running a campaign to highlight the importance of booking with a travel agent. Michael Pepper, President and CEO of TICO noted to TRAVELHotNews.com that with Zoom Airlines' recent failure, the organization "received hundreds of calls" from consumers who had booked direct and were unable to get assistance from TICO. Pepper added, "These consumers were all advised that had they purchased their travel services with a TICO registered travel agency - TICO could have had assisted them." This is a great time for travel agencies to support the organization's Consumer Awareness Campaign and display their own TICO window decal.