TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

MERIT, TRAVELCUTS TO MERGE

Merit Travel Group, Travel CUTS have entered agreement to merge; will create one of largest specialty travel companies in Canada & North America

Merit Travel Group Inc. and Canadian Universities Travel Service Limited (Travel CUTS) recently announced that they have entered an agreement to establish a combined diversified travel business. The new company, which will be Canadian-based and privately owned, will be formed by the merger of Merit Travel Group and Travel CUTS, including the Adventure Travel Company, Voyages Campus, Odyssey Travel and Innovative Group Travel and their respective programs and office networks. [Full text and pictures]

CONDOR AIRLINES' CANADIAN REP

Condor Airlines names Discover the World Marketing as Canadian representative

Condor Airlines, Germany's largest leisure carrier, has chosen Discover the World Marketing to be their representative in Canada. Condor offers seasonal scheduled flights from May to October on a twice weekly basis from Halifax, Vancouver and Whitehorse, Canada to Frankfurt, Germany. Condor also has a partnership with Lufthansa which offers onward connections to over 40 destinations in Europe. Jens Boyd, Condor's Head of Distribution and International Sales said, "We are very aware of Discover Canada's great sales support and revenue growth records for their other clients and wanted to partner with them to help us increase our traffic on these flights." [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING CANCELS SYDNEY SERVICE

Sunwing Airlines announces cancellation of flights between Toronto and Sydney, N.S.

Sunwing Airlines has announced that it will not be proceeding with its scheduled flights between Toronto and Sydney, Cape Breton during summer 2009. Sunwing Airlines had planned to resume service on June 15, with twice weekly flights offered until September 10. This would have marked the fourth year of Sunwing flights on the route. "Unfortunately our program has been irreparably damaged by the refusal of the Sydney Airport Authority to allow Sunwing to operate into Sydney this summer," said Mark Williams, President of Sunwing Airlines. [Full text and pictures]

ACV OFFERS $50 OFF FOR CONQUEST PAX

Conquest passengers booking with Air Canada Vacations will receive $50 off

Air Canada Vacations is offering former Conquest passengers $50 off per person on any package to Europe, North America and the Caribbean. Valid for travel from May 1 and completed by Dec. 11, 2009. Proof of purcahse of a Conquest package is required. Once the new booking is completed, agents should fax the passenger's Conquest invoice to the sales department at 1-866-529-2097. For more details, contact Air Canada Vacations. Reservations department is available toll-free at 1-877-752-7710.

MEXICO SAYS CANCUN HOTELS OK

CEO of Cancun CVB says, "No hotel in this area will prevent any tourist from departing as planned from their hotels"

The Mexico Tourism Board, along with the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Cancun Hotel Association have issued an official statement regarding the Conquest Vacations shutdown. The statement says Canadian tourist are always welcomed to Mexico. In addition, Jesus Almaguer, CEO of the Cancun CVB, has officially stated that, "no hotel in this area will prevent any tourist from departing as planned from their hotels." The Cancun Hotel Association phone number is open to provide support at +52 (998) 882-8730 or at info@ahqr.com.mx. For the full statement, keep reading. [Full text and pictures]

U.S. TRAVEL TO CANADA IS UP

U.S. travel to Canada rises in February, offsets declines by other nations: StatsCan
Canadian Press

An increase in travel from the United States to Canada more than offset a decline in travel from overseas countries in February. Statistics Canada reports inbound travel climbed 2.3 per cent from January to 2.2 million trips in February - still one of the lowest levels since record keeping started in 1972. The agency says United States residents made a million overnight trips to Canada in February, up 1.9 per cent from the previous month. Canadians were also travelling in greater numbers in February - keep reading for more. [Full text and pictures]

CANJET SITUATION ALL CLEAR

Police say Jamaican hijacker of CanJet plane in custody, hostages freed from aircraft
Canadian Press

Six crew members on board a Canadian airliner bound for Cuba from Halifax were free and their captor in custody Monday after a lone gunman with ``mental issues'' forced his way through security and stormed the jet as it was preparing to depart a Jamaican airport. The hijacker-and-hostage drama that unfolded overnight on the tarmac at Sangster International Airport came to a peaceful end after eight tense hours, police said. [Full text and pictures]

RBC INSURANCE PROVIDES ADVICE

RBC Insurance offers guidance to all Conquest customers regardless if they are RBC policy holders or not

In response to Conquest Vacations' announcement that it has immediately ceased its tour operation business, RBC Insurance is offering to provide advice and guidance to all Conquest Vacation travel clients affected by the situation, regardless if they are RBC Insurance Company of Canada policy holders or not. "As a gesture of goodwill, we are providing all travellers, who've booked with Conquest Vacations, with access to information and advice to help direct them through this difficult and complex situation," said Stan Seggie, president and CEO, travel division, RBC Insurance. "Those travellers who are currently on holidays and need further assistance can be confident that our Assured Assistance team is available 24/7 to provide additional support that may be needed." [Full text and pictures]

CLOSED BANKS HAMPER CONQUEST PAYOUTS

Efforts to pay for trips of Caribbean travellers delayed by closed banks: industry
Canadian Press

The president of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario says efforts to help consumers affected by the demise of Conquest Vacations Inc., are being hampered because banks are closed. President and chief executive Michael Pepper says his staff has been trying to work with the Caribbean resorts where many departing Canadians are being told they must pay for their hotel rooms, even though they should've been paid by Conquest. Pepper says the hotels are being assured they will be wired money to pay for the rooms, but it can't be done until Monday, which is complicating matters in some cases. Pepper says Ontario travellers can apply for reimbursement. [Full text and pictures]