SPRING INTO ADDISON!

Addison spring shows start in Victoria January 27; help you work smarter

We are all working harder in these challenging economic times, but the spring series of the Addison Travel Trade Shows helps you work smarter, too. The shows will kick off in Victoria at the Victoria Conference Centre on January 27, followed by the Langley show, at the Coast Hotel on January 28. The B.C. portion of the shows will close out at the Vancouver Trade and Exhibition Centre on January 29. Representatives from Canada’s two most popular sun destinations, Cuba and Mexico will be on hand to discuss what’s new and what’s hot down south, along with representatives from Morocco, India, Cayman Islands, Israel, the Philippines and more. For a complete show schedule visit addisontravelmarketing.com. Click here to register for the Addison Show near you. [Full text and pictures]

TTI GETS NEW TRAINING MANAGER

Carol MacEwan appointed as TTI’s new innovation and training manager
TTI has recently announced the appointment of Carol MacEwan, CTC, as Innovation and Training Manager. In this capacity, MacEwan will take a lead role to ensure the development of innovative training and learning solutions while providing expertise in workforce management. “We are excited to have Carol MacEwan join our team of professionals,” said Rocky Racco, President of TTI. MacEwan has over 25 years of management and training experience in the travel industry and most recently as business capabilities director for Sears Canada. She can be reached at TTI at 416 482-8612, or by email at cmacewan@tticanada.com.

U.S. AIRWAYS’ MIRACLE LANDING

Disabled jet ditches into New York's Hudson River; all 155 people on board rescued
Canadian Press

A US Airways pilot ditched his disabled jetliner into the frigid Hudson River on Thursday afternoon after a collision with a flock of birds apparently knocked out both engines, but officials said rescuers safely pulled all 155 people on board into boats as the plane sank. New York Governor David Paterson pronounced it ``a miracle on the Hudson.'' Flight 1549 went down minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport for Charlotte, N.C., splashing into the river near 48th Street in midtown Manhattan - one of the busiest and most closely watched stretches of the river. There were eyewitness reports the plane may have flown into a flock of birds. Keep reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

TRAFALGAR’s 2 FOR 1 OFFER

Get 2 for 1 airfares to Europe when booking with Trafalgar before Feb. 28, 2009

Trafalgar is offering your clients a two-for-one airfare incentive if they book their European vacation with you before Feb. 28, 2009. The airfare incentive is available with British Airways to many of their Canadian gateways. The offer is valid on new Europe & Britain, Egypt bookings including pre/post requests. All bookings must be booked and paid in full before Feb. 28, 2008. Agents, there’s also an incentive for you. Tell Trafalgar how you will market this deal to your clients, and the best idea will win a flight for two with British Airways, courtesy of Trafalgar Tours and Insight Vacations. Keep reading for all the details. [Full text and pictures]

TOTAL VACATIONS GIVES $20.09

Agent cash incentive offers $20.09 on every booking you make

Agents, Total Vacations wants to help you ring in 2009 with a $20.09 cash incentive on every single booking you make. The offer will give you 2009 pennies (that’s $20.09) on your bookings made from Jan. 19 to Jan. 31, 2009 on air only, land only and packages, for travel from Jan. 19 to June 30, 2009. As a bonus, if you book 100 passengers in the month of January with Total Vacations, you can double your incentive, earning an additional $20.09 cash incentive for a total of $40.18. This incentive is also valid for all group bookings. There are many ways that agents can qualify to receive the $20.09. [Full text and pictures]

GET YOUR FREE ACTA ID!

ACTA announces that ID card is now free; offer available only until Feb. 28, 2009

For a limited time all eligible personnel, new or renewal agencies, will be able to attain the 2009 ACTA membership free. Agencies with a valid IATA or TIDS number are eligible to participate. To get a new card or to renew your agency for a 2009 ACTA membership, visit http://acta.ca/id3.htm and download the application form. When submitting an ACTA ID card application remember to: include your photo or send in a digital photo, attach proof of eligibility, include the agency owner, director or manager’s signature, sign the application form and submit before the deadline of Feb. 28, 2009 to obtain your free one-year ACTA ID card.

IATA REPEATS GREEN COMMITMENT

IATA highlights their environmental responsibility

Giovanni Bisignani

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted aviation’s commitment to its environmental responsibility at the inauguration of its aviation and environment display at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. “Our commitment to environmental responsibility is firm and strong,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO. “Aviation accounts for two per cent of global CO2 emissions. The industry’s constant commitment to efficiency has kept us a small part of the big problem of climate change. Even as we face the worst revenue situation in 50 years - with $2.5US billion in losses this year, following a $5US billion loss in 2008 - we are determined to continue to deliver effective solutions that reduce aviation’s emissions.” [Full text and pictures]

WINNER RINGS IN 2009 VEGAS-STYLE

Nancy Sanchez

Travel agent Nancy Sanchez wins The Ultimate New Year’s Eve prize by the LVCVA
Nancy Sanchez, travel agent for HRG Worldwide, recently spent New Year’s in Las Vegas after winning The Ultimate New Year’s Eve prize by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Sanchez was randomly selected as the winner of the contest that ran from Nov. 7 to Dec. 15, 2008. The contest was open to all full-time Canadian accredited travel agents who submitted a ballot after booking at least a three-night stay at a hotel in Las Vegas. Sanchez and a guest won a trip for two provided by Sunwing Airlines; hotel accommodation at Treasure Island for three nights, two passes to WET – The Spa & Salon at TI; two tickets to Mystere by Cirque du Soliel; $1,000 shopping spree gift certificate at Fashion Show Mall; and VIP passes to JET nightclub for New Year’s Eve celebrations. [Full text and pictures]

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]