TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

NYC LAUNCHES SPECIALIST PROGRAM

NYC & Company launches online training academy for Canadian travel agents, hosts first trade mission to Canada in Toronto and Montreal
Charmaine Pang

Regan Stulbaum, Diarmid O'Sullivan, Charmaine Singh

NYC & Company kicked off their first official trade mission to Canada yesterday afternoon, hosting a reception at Kultura Restaurant in Toronto. Today, the Big Apple delegation heads off to Montreal to do the same thing - conduct business with Canadian partners and announce their new online training academy for Canadian travel agents. The NYC Online Training Academy offers Canadian agents a series of 10 interactive learning modules, featuring sections on hotels, shopping, dining, culture and more. Now agents can become certified official NYC Specialists. [Full text and pictures]

MAXXIM'S MAXIMUM 2009

Maxim Vacations launches summer 2009 product
Lisa Raffaele

Judy Sparkes-Giannou

Yesterday evening at Toronto's Campbell House Museum, Maxxim Vacations' president Judy Sparkes-Giannou invited an intimate group for an evening of authentic Atlantic Canadian hospitality, complete with charming seafood chowder. The evening highlighted the company's summer 2009 program and gave attendees the opportunity to discuss Maxxim Vacations' current state in this global recession. According to Sparkes-Giannou travel is almost a right for Canadians and they will continue to travel, she assured the crowd. [Full text and pictures]

AUTO EUROPE REWARDS AGENTS

Canadian agents can earn extra commission, free car rental days with Auto Europe

Auto Europe has announced its 2009 Agent Rewards Program for Canadian travel agents. Agents can earn $5.00 bonus commission or $10 Auto Europe travel dollars with a minimum of five completed client car rental reservations with a minimum of a five-day rental period for reservations now through September 30, 2009 for travel through December 31, 2009. In addition, Auto Europe is continuing to give agents one free day of car rental earned for travel agents with every client booking. These Free Day Coupons can be redeemed for car rental service for the agent's personal use in Europe or redeemed against any current promotion that Auto Europe may be running such as free airfare or familiarization trips to Europe. [Full text and pictures]

AGENTS: SELL MALAYSIA & WIN!

Tourism Malaysia celebrates 20th anniversary in Canada, launches agent contest - you could win a trip to Malaysia

This year marks Tourism Malaysia Canada's 20th anniversary in the country. Tourism Malaysia would like to thank all its travel partners for their efforts to support tourism to the country, and is introducing a new contest that could earn agents a trip for 2 to Malaysia. As of Apr. 1, 2009, the "Sell Malaysia & Win" contest is offering travel agents the chance to win a grand prize - a trip for 2 to Malaysia. Agents, keep selling Malaysia to have a chance to win. In 2008, Malaysia broke all previous records and welcomed 77,664 Canadians to Malaysia, with growth of 65.6 per cent over the previous year. It is Tourism Malaysia's hope that with agent and industry support, "we will carry this growth right through 2009 and beyond." To enter the contest, click to read more. [Full text and pictures]

COSTA HAS MORE 'AMORE' FOR YOU

Costa launches 'So Much More Amore' agent promotion; you could win a grand prize to attend inaugural June sailing and more

Costa is showing travel agents the love with a 'So Much More Amore' promotion throughout April that features daily and weekly prizes as well as a grand prize giveaway to attend Costa's double inaugural in June. For every FIT Europe or Exotic 2009 cruise booking made between April 1 and 30 agents will automatically become eligible for twice daily $100 Italian-themed giveaways and weekly Caribbean cruise giveaways, complete with onboard credits. A grand prize giveaway features one trip for two to Genoa, Italy to attend the dual naming ceremony of the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica on June 5. [Full text and pictures]

SIGNATURE LAUNCHES GROUPS REFERENCE

Signature releases 2009/2010 Groups Trade Reference guide

Ensuring agents always have the best tools on hand to close the sale, Signature Vacations has launched its 2009/2010 Groups Trade Reference earlier than ever before. A desktop flip book with display calendar, the new guide offers valuable planning tools for you. Features include an exclusive $500 Travel Trunk Shopping Spree for Platinum Club agents; promotions including Price Guarantee, 10% Attrition, Hold the Rate$ and Book 10, Hold 10; helpful tips on how to market to groups and understanding your group quote; and important information on specialty groups markets including weddings, corporate, seniors, golf and more. [Full text and pictures]

TICO AGENCY FRAUD ALERT

Agencies looking to sell businesses should be aware of new fraud scheme, says TICO

Travel agencies looking to sell their business should be aware that there have been several recent incidents of fraud perpetrated on the selling agency, says TICO. Fraudulent individuals are interested in purchasing agencies who currently have IATA/BSP ticketing ability and entice the seller with a deposit payment for the agency and then ask to operate the agency before approvals have been received from TICO and from IATA/BSP. Registrants are reminded that the owner on record with TICO remains responsible for the entity until the new owner has been approved by the Registrar. Agencies are warned to be extremely vigilant and should not permit proposed new owners to operate the agency until all legal documents and approvals have been completed. Keep reading for more. [Full text and pictures]

MARTOUR & LAN'S ARGENTINA & CHILE ESCAPE

Martour International, along with LAN Airlines host FAM trip to Argentina and Chile

From March 11 to 19, Martour International, in collaboration with LAN Airlines, hosted a FAM trip for Ontario and B.C. agents to Argentina and Chile. The itinerary included excursions to Fiesta Gaucha (an Argentine BBQ), the San Telmo market, a tango show in Chile and a wine tasting in the vineyards, as well as Vina del Mar. [Full text and pictures]