TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

ANDERSON APPRECIATES AGENTS

Anderson Vacations hosts Agent Appreciation Night 2009, highlights new program and introduces travel partners
Charmaine Pang

Bahadur Samji, Christie Makowichuk, Katrina Ball, Hala Dehais, Kristi Tegg

Anderson Vacations hosted their 2009 Agent Appreciation Night in Toronto last night at the Delta Chelsea hotel. Katrina Ball, sales manager for Eastern Canada, along with four partners from Alberta, provided an overview of their product offerings for the year. Anderson Vacations offers FIT product for your clients, as well as escorted tours to Canadian destinations, with many guaranteed departures, which allows agents to sell with confidence, said Ball. Popular Canadian destinations include the Western Rockies, a cross-Canada tour, the Maritimes and more. A custom tour planning and groups department will help you coordinate your groups (as small as 6 people). Ball encourages you to sell your clients �their own backyard� to discover the beauty and diversity of Canada. [Full text and pictures]

AIR CANADA�S NEW EXECUTIVE VP & COO

Duncan Dee named as new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Duncan Dee

Air Canada has announced the appointment of Duncan Dee as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 3, 2009. Mr. Dee will report directly to Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. Dee succeeds Bill Bredt who is retiring from the company after 36 years of service with Air Canada and Jazz. "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Duncan to this key role in overseeing the airline's operations," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Duncan's extensive knowledge, his experience in all key areas of the airline and his proven leadership abilities will further strengthen our executive team as we manage through this challenging environment. I look forward to his contribution in our drive towards operational and customer service excellence at the airline." [Full text and pictures]

ICELANDAIR ADDS ONE

Petur Omar Agustsson

Petur Omar Agustsson named Icelandair�s new Regional Sales Executive � Atlantic Canada
Icelandair introduces the newest member to its Canadian Sales team, Petur Omar Agustsson, Regional Sales Executive � Atlantic Canada. Agustsson joined the Icelandair team in Canada effective March 1, 2009, and has many years experience with Icelandair, having served as former Sales Manager � The Americas and most recently as Icelandair Manager � Corporate Sales in Iceland. Agustsson brings with him a high level of customer service and knowledge for the Atlantic Canada territory. He can be reached by phone at (800) 757-7242, option 4, extension 784 or by email at poa@icelandair.is. Scheduled flights from Toronto resume April 1, 2009, with up to six flights weekly, while flights from Halifax resume June 4, 2009, with up to three flights weekly. More details on this as well as how agents can make commission on bookings can be found at icelandair.ca. [Full text and pictures]

SPROUL NAMED TPI PRESIDENT

Morris Chia, outgoing president, stays on as chairman; names Phil Sproul new president

Phil Sproul

Independent Agency Services Corp. (IAS), home to Travel Professionals International (TPI), has announced the appointment of Phil Sproul to the position of President and Morris Chia to the position of Chairman, effective April 1, 2009. As IAS�s outgoing President, Chia is touted as taking the organization from its grassroots beginnings in Winnipeg to its current status as service provider to the largest network of independent travel consultants in Canada. �Morris is an indelible part of the success IAS has achieved,� said Sproul, �and while he is taking a further step back from the day-to-day operations of the business, his commitment of growth and insight for TPI and its sister companies will not disappear.� [Full text and pictures]

FCM RESTRUCTURES

Susbir Singh

FCm Canada and USA restructured as two separate regions; Susbir Singh named VP for FCm Canada
FCm has changed its business structure in North America, making it more regionalized to enhance its operations and service to its clients. Rather than operating as one region, FCm Canada and USA have been restructured as two regions to strengthen focus on the market needs of those regions. President for FCm USA and Liberty Corporate, Gregory Lording will continue to oversee sales, account management, business development, and services. He will be based in Chicago. Former Director of Sales for Eastern North America, Susbir Singh, has taken on the role as Vice President for FCm Canada. Based in Toronto, he will focus on driving sustainable and profitable growth by creating a strong long-term vision for FCm Canada. [Full text and pictures]

CONTAC APPOINTS TWO

Deress Asghedom named President of Logistics; Riaz Pisani is new President, CEO of eConcierge

Riaz Pisani

Deress Asghedom

Contac announced two new appointments to its executive team. Effective April 1, Deress Asghedom will serve as the company�s President of Logistics, and Riaz Pisani will take over as President and CEO of eConcierge. Since April 2006, Asghedom has served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, working alongside the CEO to provide strategic leadership and manage day-to-day operations. In his new role as President of Logistics, Asghedom will be responsible for developing operational programs and business opportunities in an effort to increase the company�s growth. CEO Riaz Pisani will be adding President and CEO of eConcierge to his growing list of responsibilities. [Full text and pictures]

INTREPID�S FREE AFRICA AGENT TRIP

Intrepid Travel will offer 150 free trips to Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa to agents online

As a thank you to agents around the world who have booked Intrepid Travel adventure tours this year, the company is treating 150 lucky agents to their choice of African adventures � and you could be one of them. The offer is open to all agents worldwide who have booked even just one passenger on any of the 500-plus Intrepid Travel adventures since Jan. 1, 2009 this year. 150 places will be made available online globally at 10 p.m. PDT April 1 (1 a.m. EDT April 2) with spaces being allocated on a first come, first served basis. Agents are asked to visit intrepidtravel.com/africaforfree to take up the exclusive travel agent offer. Itineraries are offered in Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa during April, May and June this year. Keep reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

SWISS SEEK MOUNTAIN SWEEPERS

Switzerland Tourism strikes partnership with Association of Mountain Cleaners; seeks volunteer mountain cleaners

Switzerland Tourism is partnering up with the Association of Mountain Cleaners to make certain that holiday guests will continue to be able to enjoy the clean Swiss Alps. The first objective is to find new volunteer recruits expected to clean our mountains as soon as they have been marred by bird droppings. Switzerland�s avian population has grown significantly over the past few years, and with that expanse in population, bird fecal matter is becoming a problem in the Alps. Interested mountain cleaning candidates may now apply online and qualify for a one-week training camp. [Full text and pictures]