TRAVELHOTNEWS.COM RETROSPECTIVE 2008 PART 2

Retrospective 2008

It�s time to look back at 2008. The most newsworthy stories of the year included Thomas Cook�s purchase of IFS Voyages Inc., parent company of Fun Sun Vacations and Intair, adding another two companies into their wide portfolio of brands. Other news which dominated headlines included the collapse of XL Leisure Group in the U.K. and the demise of several airlines including Oasis Hong Kong, Zoom Airlines and additional regional carriers, all serving to highlight the biggest story of the year � the economic crisis. [Full text and pictures]

CITC�S NEW CERTIFICATION PROCESS

CITC recognizes new certification process for supplier-based training

As part of the restructuring process for travel counsellor certification, CITC certification manager, Coralie Belman announced on Dec. 8, 2008 that counsellors will be able to reduce the required work experience by completing training programs offered by approved suppliers. Suppliers may contact CITC to have a training event approved for a certain number of credits based on a set of criteria which includes the length of time it takes to complete the training. Counsellors may then transfer those credits into hours to be deducted from the 1,000 hours of occupational experience required for certification. Up to 50 hours may be offset using approved supplier based training. The number of credits assigned for a training event is roughly equivalent to the number of hours that may be deducted from the occupational experience. [Full text and pictures]

CARNIVAL�S EARLY SAVER

Save your clients up to 25 per cent when they book early; protected rates available

Carnival Destiny

Carnival Cruise Lines is launching a new cruise pricing option called Early Saver which offers fares as much as 25 per cent lower than the best generally available rates and provides rate protection if rates later drop below what the consumer originally paid. Early Saver rates will be available beginning January 12, 2009 and offered up to three months prior to sailing date for cruises of five days or less and up to five months prior to sailing date for longer length voyages, subject to availability. Early Saver fares include all stateroom types, including suites. Keep reading for full details on the Early Saver incentive. [Full text and pictures]

ICELANDAIR PACKAGE SAVINGS

Save $500 off spring package until Jan. 31, 2009; flights resume from YYZ in April

Arriving in time for the start of the 2009 flight schedule for Toronto and Halifax, Icelandair is offering savings off of one of its newest packages. The Nordica Spring Getaway is based on double occupancy and includes round-trip airfare, three nights hotel at the four-star Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Scandinavian breakfast daily after arrival day, and all booking and fuel charges. Book now until January 31, 2009, and your clients receive $500 off for departures in April through the middle of June. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING�S SUPER SALE

Buy one and get a second holiday at half price between Jan. 10-23, 2009

Florida

Sunwing now offers its newest sale, which offers your clients savings of 50 per cent. When they book selected package holidays with Sunwing, their companion travels for half the price. This offer is good for bookings taken between Jan. 10 and Jan. 23, 2009 for holidays departing during the months of January, February and March. The sale price applies to selected Sunwing holidays departing from over 20 departure cities across Canada to Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida and Las Vegas. Please note, group travel and air-only bookings do not qualify for the sale. Go to sunwing.ca for more details.

ALITALIA AND AIR FRANCE MAKE NICE

Alitalia and Air France launch new partnership; Air France-KLM takes 25% minority stake

Alitalia and Air France-KLM have reached an agreement to launch a new partnership, cemented by Air France-KLM taking a minority stake in Alitalia. The primary objective of the partnership is to deliver the best possible service between Europe and the rest of the world to all customers of Air France, Alitalia. Alitalia, strengthened in its domestic market via the acquisition of Air One, will play a key role in international markets due to its extended cooperation with Air France-KLM. The partnership between Alitalia and Air France-KLM will be based on a multi-hub strategy, until yesterday focused on Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol, and that will be strengthened by the introduction of Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa on an equal basis. Air France-KLM will underwrite a reserved capital increase of approximately 323 million euros, giving Air France-KLM a 25 per cent equity interest in the new Alitalia. [Full text and pictures]

LET IT SNOW WINNERS

itravel2000 announces winners of `Let it Snow' promotion
Canadian Press

Annalisa Turner is one of hundreds of Atlantic Canadians who won vacation packages they had earlier booked online through an itravel2000 promotion. Turner, will be heading to Cuba with her mother and two young children for two weeks in April. The online travel company promised to cover the entire cost of holidays in the sun if more than 12.7 centimetres of snow fell in Halifax on New Year's Day. Customers who booked their trips between June 17 and Nov. 2, 2008 qualified for the promotion. The blizzard that hit Halifax on New Year's Day left an official snowfall of 13.6 centimetres at Robert L. Stanfield International Airport in Halifax. [Full text and pictures]