TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

MAGICAL KENYA'S ROADSHOW

Kenya Roadshow encourages Canadians to visit Kenya in 2009; become a KATS specialist agent
Charmaine Pang

Kenya, country of the 'original safari', wants to bring the magic of its destination to agents across Canada. The roadshow began on Monday in Ottawa, continued yesterday in Toronto at the Novotel North York, and will continue on to Calgary today and then Vancouver on Thursday. The Kenya High Commission, Kenya Tourist Board, Kenya Airways and TOPAC (Tour Operators Promoting African Countries) banded together with a trade show and reception for travel agents. [Full text and pictures]

SKYSERVICE FLIGHTS ARRANGED

TICO announces new flight arrangements for Skyservice customers departing between Apr. 22 to 28
TICO has announced the new flight arrangements for Conquest consumers with return flights on Sky Service departing between April 22 - 28, 2009. The following flights have been protected by TICO for consumers currently in destination: from Roatan, Honduras to Toronto; Varadero, Cuba to Toronto; Holguin, Cuba to Toronto; and Punta Cana to Toronto. Keep reading for detailed schedules. [Full text and pictures]

LONDON CALLING

VisitBritain and British Airways sponsor Canadian press for a hands-on experience of London
Lisa Raffaele

After attending the first-ever Best of Britain and Ireland (BOBI) Travel Trade Forum, the group of Canadian media had some time to experience London and travel in true British elegance aboard British Airways (BA). Rolling out across the BA fleet, the Club World experience was designed to let you sleep, eat, work and relax the way you want. [Full text and pictures]

THN.COM CORRECTION

Monday TRAVELHotNews reported on the Mexico Tourism Board, along with the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Cancun Hotel Association's official statement regarding the Conquest Vacations shutdown. Please note that the Cancun Hotel Association phone number is +52 (998) 881-8730.

AUSTRALIA'S MOVIE OFFER

First 500 travel agents who sign up and finish Aussie Specialist program by May 15 receive a free DVD copy of the movie 'Australia'

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in 'Australia'

Tourism Australia is offering a free DVD copy of Baz Luhrmann's movie, "Australia", to the first 500 travel agents who log on to specialist.australia.com, take the Aussie Specialist Training program, finish and qualify by May 15, 2009. Today's Aussie Specialist program offers retail agents an opportunity to specialize in promoting and selling a destination that has dominated the preference list of North Americans. Once qualified, agents can undertake a number of additional specialist units to gain an even deeper knowledge and appreciation of Australia's diverse experiences. [Full text and pictures]

TRANSAT GETS LEANER

Transat cuts 53 administrative jobs to streamline operations
Canadian Press
Transat A.T. is cutting 53 administrative jobs, but the Canadian tour giant denies the change is part of a larger restructuring. "This is the kind of adjustment an organization our size needs to do from time to time to remain competitive and efficient," spokesman Jean-Michel Laberge said in an interview. The positions are based in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. In January, its airline subsidiary Air Transat trimmed about 30 administrative positions. Montreal-based Transat employs 6,500 people in Canada, and has hired about 250 people since the beginning of the year. It is also transferring some call centre jobs from Vancouver to Montreal and Toronto. Keep reading for the full story. [Full text and pictures]

FUN IN THE SUN WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN & NCL

Fun Sun Vacations offers Royal Caribbean and NCL

Fun Sun Vacations has announced the addition of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and NCL sailings to its cruise product offering. Effective immediately, Fun Sun will now feature select Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and NCL sailings. For Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean that includes all Los Angeles departures, as well as Hawaii and Alaska sailings; for NCL that includes all of the line's Alaska and Hawaii sailings, and also features the 'Best Value program'. As part of the Best Value program, customers will receive prepaid gratuities and one complimentary cover charge ("Dinner on Us") at one of NCL's � la carte specialty restaurants. [Full text and pictures]

FREE SHUTTLE FOR CONQUEST CUSTOMERS

CancunShuttle.com is offering free shuttle transportation from any hotel in Cancun & Riviera Maya to the Cancun International Airport, available for any passenger with Conquest Vacations. All your client needs to do is contact CancunShuttle.com's local Cancun office at 998-848-0333 or 998-848-0335 and arrange the transfer. The company said in a statement that it has contacted TICO, the Cancun Hotel Association and the Cancun Conventions & Visitors Bureau to spread the word.

SANDALS' CANJET OFFER

Sandals offers a complimentary 7-night stay to passengers and crew of its Jamaica resorts
Sandals Resorts said in a statement yesterday they were "thankful for the peaceful conclusion" of this week's recent incident aboard CanJet flight 918. The resort company says "in the spirit of friendship and reassurance", it is extending a complimentary seven-night stay at any Sandals resort in Jamaica for the passengers and crew of Flight 918. [Full text and pictures]

ARE AGENCIES NEXT TO GO?

Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty warns Conquest not only travel business having financial problems
Canadian Press
Premier Dalton McGuinty warns other travel agencies may be in financial difficulties similar to Conquest Vacations, and he wants a quick review of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. McGuinty says he thinks the government owes a little more to people who were stranded when Conquest abruptly folded last week, but he doesn't know what that is. He says there are likely a number of travel companies experiencing real challenges, but warns that TICO has to be careful about when it goes public with such information. McGuinty says having the council blow the whistle on those companies is the equivalent of a ``death sentence'' and puts all the employees out of work. [Full text and pictures]