GO TRAVEL TO SOAR THIS SUMMER

Go Travel Direct partners up with Finnair Oyj to offer discounted transatlantic flights this summer

Go Travel Direct, majority owned by former Zoom Airlines chairman Hugh Boyle, has signed up Finland's national airline to launch transatlantic flights this summer, reported The Globe and Mail. The Ottawa-based tour operator said yesterday that its pact with Finnair Oyj will clear the way for discount flights to London from Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax and St. John's, starting at $299 each way. In late June, non-stop flights will begin once a week from those Canadian cities, while Montreal-Paris service will be twice a week. In July, Toronto-London service would be increased to twice a week. The announcement of Go Travel's seasonal service to London and Paris until October comes just one day after James Hultquist-Morrissey unveiled a proposal to run charter flights as early as this summer between Canada and Europe under the Zoom banner. [Full text and pictures]

DAYS INNS WELCOMES NEW ADDITIONS

Days Inns - Canada announces new national sales manager, Kelley Coville

Kelley Coville

Days Inns - Canada has announced the appointment of a new member to the company’s sales team. Kelley Coville joined the team in November 2008 as National Sales Manager. In her role, Coville will be based in Ontario and will be responsible for driving revenues to the Days Inn brand across a variety of market segments, including corporate, FIT, groups and associations. New additions and changes to the Toronto-based Days Inns corporate team include: Eric Barber has taken on the new role of senior director of national sales, Melissa Kenney has been promoted to senior director of marketing and Robb Frias has been promoted to senior director of operations. Continue reading for complete details. [Full text and pictures]

CIT ENCHANTS EUROPE

CIT Tours launches 2009 Enchanting Europe and the Best of Italy brochure

CIT Tours’ 2009 Enchanting Europe and the Best of Italy brochure will soon be available. The brochure features an extended range of hotels and country resorts in Italy’s main cities and most popular regions, as well as in lesser known areas such as Calabria and Puglia. This year’s new brochure highlights three new and exclusive Italian Wine and Gourmet tours, along with several new motor coach tours in Italy, Scotland and Spain. Also included in the 2009 brochure are CIT’s European City Escapes and an updated selection of self-guided walking and cycling vacations in Italy, Britain, Scotland, France and Spain, some of which can be found in the brochure’s Outdoor Adventures section. To request a brochure or for more details, visit citoutdooradventures.ca.

VIRGINIA GUIDE TURNS 40

New Virginia Travel Guide released; highlights 250 pages of personal stories, four collectable cover designs and Virginia Green section

The Virginia Tourism Corporation recently announced the new state travel guide is available to Canadian travellers. Agents can visit Virginia.org, where an electronic version is available or call 1-800-671-4195 in Canada to request a free copy of the new collectors guide. The 2009 Virginia Travel Guide celebrates the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers with nearly 250 pages of personal stories and travel tips from “Portraits of Passion” - real Virginians from the Eastern Shore to the Crooked Road. The new guide also features four collectable cover designs for the 40th anniversary. New additions to the travel guide include a section about Virginia Green, the state’s new program that certifies hotels, inns, restaurants, attractions and destinations that take important steps to improve and respect the environment. Other highlights in the guide include articles on Virginia’s four hundred years of history with an emphasis on the Civil War and heritage trails. [Full text and pictures]

ROYAL HIDEAWAY EXTENDS THE AIR

Royal Hideway Playacar announces air credit offer extension

Royal Hideway Playacar has extended its air credit special on bookings to the resort. All new double occupancy luxury rooms confirmed through March 31, 2009 for hotel stays until March 31, 2009 will receive an air credit of $300 per couple for three or four night stays; $500 per couple for five nights or longer. All blackout dates have been removed with this offer. Agents should also note that clients will receive a Night of Romance featuring a one-hour massage per couple, chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in their room. This offer is not combinable with the Early Booking bonus or any other offer. For more information on any Occidental Hotels & Resorts property, visit occidentalhotels.com.

CRUISE INDUSTRY IN CONTROL DURING CHALLENGING TIMES

CLIA announced that 2009 North American cruise industry is ready to take on economic challenges; 90% of all cruises sold through travel agents

Terry L. Dale

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the North American cruise industry is well-positioned to take on the global economic challenges of 2009. “There is no doubt that 2009 represents an uncertain environment, not only for CLIA members but for all industries and consumers alike,” said Terry L. Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “However, CLIA members are confident that they will weather the challenges and emerge stronger than ever, as they have before. This is an industry that plans ahead and invests in the future, as evidenced by the impressive number of new ships on order through 2012, and one that will contribute positively to the country’s economic revival.” [Full text and pictures]

PRINCESS' BIGGEST BOOKINGS

Princess announces biggest booking day in history; up 17% over previous best day
Princess had the biggest booking day in its history on Monday, January 12, with volume up 17 per cent over the best previous day. “The volume of bookings we received on Monday is a testament to the strength of our brand, and also to the success of our many promotional efforts during wave period, most notably our ‘Balcony Bonanza’ program,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service. The Balcony Bonanza enables agents to provide a free upgrade to a balcony stateroom for the price of a standard oceanview stateroom, representing a savings of up to $1,200 per cabin.

GET HIGH WITH AVIANCA

Sunspots Holidays announces higher commission program with Avianca for travel up to March 31
Sunspots Holidays has announced a higher commission level program with Avianca, which provides air service from Canada to Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Chile. The higher commission structure is available for travel from January 1 to March 31, 2009. Please note that ticket must be before Jan. 31, 2009 and restrictions apply. For complete details, visit sunspotsholidays.com.

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]