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| AEROMEXICO COMES TO CANADA |
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AeroMexico launches first Canadian service with Toronto operations March 3; to start Montreal service April 9
AeroMexico is expanding its North American operations with new service to Toronto and Montreal in early 2009. Service in Toronto will be launched on March 3 and will include daily, non-stop flights to Mexico City with connecting service to 40 destinations throughout Mexico and cities in 12 other countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Toronto will become the airline’s first route in the Canadian Market. AeroMexico will also add service to the airline’s second Canadian market on April 9 with twice weekly, non-stop flights between Montreal, Quebec, and Mexico City.
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| NCL SAYS BOOKSAFE |
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Norwegian Cruise Line launches BookSafe Travel Protection Plan; offers full cash reimbursement in case of job loss
Yesterday Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced its BookSafe Travel Protection Plan, designed to provide a full cash reimbursement to guests should they need to cancel because of job loss prior to their cruise. In addition to the new job loss protection feature, NCL’s overall travel protection plan includes additional benefits and services for guests. Benefits of the program include: trip cancellation/trip interruption protection; medical protection including emergency evacuation coverage; baggage protection for lost or delayed luggage; and worldwide emergency assistance, such as emergency cash transfers, medical consultation and assistance with lost travel documents.
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| SANDALS BELIEVES IN CANADIAN AGENTS |
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Sandals Resorts announced fifth annual “We Believe In Travel Agents” contest; chance to win Sandals co-branded Honda Element
Sandals’ fifth annual promotion exclusively for Canadian agents – “We Believe In Travel Agents” – has begun with agents having a chance to win a three-year lease on a Sandals co-branded Honda Element, 25 prize trips to Sandals and Beaches resorts (some with air transportation courtesy of Air Canada Vacations), and 100 gift packs valued at $500 each. “We’ve always believed in the importance of travel agents and today more than ever, travel agents play a vital role in stimulating business and helping consumers choose how to spend their hard-earned dollars on a quality vacation that’s right for them,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Founder and Chairman, Sandals Resorts.
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| HUNTINGTON REWARDS AGENTS WITH VISA |
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Huntington Travel launches new Agents Scotiabank Visa Rewards Program
Huntington Travel has recently announced the new Huntington Agent Scotiabank Visa Rewards Program. Agents should note that this program was designed to eventually replace the gift card program, along with Huntington’s Points Program. Agents wishing to convert their Huntington Points into Visa Rewards should email rewards@huntingtontravel.net after they have registered, received and activated their Visa rewards card. The Visa Rewards Card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.
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| GOWAY GOES ON FREE SAFARI |
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Goway AFRICAExperts launches free safari for children
Goway's AFRICAExperts has announced a four-night family friendly deal where the first child under 12 stays free and the second child pays $380 when sharing with their parents'. Agents should note that while in Africa guests can choose a traditional game drive in a 4WD vehicle with a ranger and a tracker in the early morning or late afternoon, or learn about the flora and fauna of the region on a bush walk led by a ranger. Another option available to guests includes a day or half-day drive into the Kruger Park. They can also take day trips to nearby Mozambique and to its capital, Maputo, to Swaziland, and to Matsamo Cultural Village. For complete details, visit goway.com.
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| CANADA'S TRAVEL DEFICIT SHRINKS |
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Canada announces $3.1 billion international travel deficit in fourth quarter of 2008; down $76 million from the previous quarter
Canadian Press
Canada's international travel deficit was $3.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008, down $76 million from the previous quarter. Statistics Canada reports foreign travellers spent $4.1 billion in Canada in the fourth quarter, up 1.3 per cent from the third quarter and the highest quarterly level of 2008. Canadians travelling outside the country spent $7.2 billion, down 0.3 per cent from the previous quarter. On an annual basis, Canada's international travel deficit climbed $2.6 billion to $12.6 billion in 2008, the highest level ever. The agency says inbound travel spending has remained fairly stable over the last five years at around $17 billion annually, while outbound spending has increased significantly.
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| MTB SEES CANADA INCREASE |
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The Mexico Tourism Board announces 20.1 per cent increase in Canadian tourists for 2008
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) has announced that the number of Canadian tourists to Mexico increased by 20.1 per cent in 2008. These results, provided by The Bank of Mexico, also constitute international tourists arriving to Mexico by plane. Canadian tourists totaled a record number of 1,144,650 visitors to Mexico, an increase of 191,840 travellers over the previous year. According to Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, Secretary of the Mexican Federal of Tourism, the increase is partly due to efforts by the government and strong private investment in the tourism market, which enabled significant improvements in infrastructure and accommodations.
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| US TRAVEL TO CANADA LOW |
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U.S. travel to Canada shows lowest third-quarter-levels; travel to Canada from other countries rose 1.1%
Canadian Press
Visitors from the United States made 5.2 million overnight trips to Canada during the third quarter of 2008, the lowest third-quarter level since records were first kept in 1972. Statistics Canada reports overnight travel to Canada from the United States fell 6.9 per cent compared with the third quarter of 2007, while overnight travel to the United States from Canada rose 4.6 per cent. Travel by car accounted for 60 per cent of all overnight trips to Canada from the United States, but the number of trips fell 8.8 per cent to 3.1 million. Pleasure travel from the United States was down 7.6 per cent, while the number of trips to Canada to visit friends and relatives declined 8.4 per cent. However, business travel rose 0.5 per cent.
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