TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

ARIZONA SAYS HELLO TO CANADIAN FRIENDS

Arizona Office of Tourism hosts travel trade as part of Canadian marketplace; Vancouver mini tradeshow Jan. 22
Lisa Raffaele

The Arizona delegation - from Sedona, Scottsdale, Tempe, Flagstaff, Chandler, and Mesa

Yesterday evening at Toronto’s KiWe Kitchen the Arizona Office of Tourism hosted a meet-and-greet with the travel trade. As part of an initiative to showcase what’s new in Arizona, the 11-person team representing Sedona, Flagstaff, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa met with tour operators and media to discuss why Canadians should visit their state. The group will also be stopping over in Western Canada after the trade show portion of their visit to Toronto today at Intercontinental Yorkville. The Vancouver marketplace will be held at the Waterfront hotel on January 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. According to Erica Rich, Media Relations Manager, Arizona Office of Tourism, no one seems all that concerned with the economies financial woes. [Full text and pictures]

LITHUANIAN AIRLINES GROUNDED

flyLAL-Lithuanian Airlines flights grounded indefinitely as of Jan. 17, 2009
Charmaine Pang

Lithuania’s national airline, flyLAL - Lithuanian Airlines, has ceased operations as of Jan. 17, 2009. Swiss investment fund, SCH Swiss Capital Holding AG purchased shares from the airline, and, according to the airline, “breached…contractual obligations” by not transferring an agreed amount of funds to flyLAL. The airline then “decided that ceasing operations of flyLAL - Lithuanian Airlines [was] the only possible decision in the current circumstances,” said Vytautas Kaikaris, CEO of flyLAL - Lithuanian Airlines. Kaikaris further noted that “unfair market conditions, record-high oil prices and low demand for winter season flights were the main reasons for the airline’s business downturn”. [Full text and pictures]

THOMAS COOK'S EUROPE LAUNCHES

Thomas Cook Canada brands host 2009/2010 European product showcase; to visit Ontario, BC, Alberta and Québec
Thomas Cook Canada’s tour operator brands will be hitting the road during the last week of January to showcase their European program for 2009/2010. The brands presenting their product are: Holiday House, Network; Encore CruiseEscapes; Intair; Fun Sun Vacations; Exotik Tours; Sunquest and ALBATours. Continue reading for a complete schedule of dates and locations, or visit the TRAVELHotNews.com Events Calendar by clicking here. [Full text and pictures]

INSIGHT'S 2 FOR 1

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

Austria

Insight Vacations 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 Insight how you will market this deal to your clients, and the best idea will win a flight for two with British Airways, courtesy of Insight Vacations and Trafalgar Tours. Keep reading for all the details. [Full text and pictures]

EARLY BIRD SAVINGS WITH AAT KINGS

AAT Kings 2009 brochures offering Early Bird savings; 5% off fully escorted tours
AAT Kings 2009 brochures are offering an Early Bird savings where your clients can save five per cent off a fully escorted tour. Agents should select from any of AAT Kings fully escorted tours that depart after April 1, 2009 and make a deposit only before Feb. 28, 2009. Sample early bird sale prices include: a 13-day Highlights Australia tour for $420 per couple; a 17-day New Zealand Adventure for $560 per couple; and a 21-day OZ & Kiwi Highlights for $680 per couple. For more information on Early Bird savings, visit aatkings.com.

SUPERCLUBS TO EXPAND BREEZES BRAND

SuperClubs Resorts announces plans to expand and rename Breezes brand; to open two new Breezes resorts in Panama and Brazil

Grand Lido Negril

SuperClubs Resorts announced yesterday the decision to realign and expand its Breezes brand. On Nov. 1, 2009, the Super-Inclusive resort group will rename its Grand Lido Negril and Grand Lido Braco hotels Breezes Grand Negril and Breezes Rio Bueno, respectively. In addition, this year SuperClubs is opening two new Breezes resorts in Panama and Brazil, and is bringing its Starfish Trelawny under its Breezes brand name. [Full text and pictures]

CHECK IN ONLINE WITH NCL

Norwegian Cruise Line announces online check-in portal

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched online check-in via its new “My NCL” portal. This online gateway enables both travel partners and guests to update and track pre-cruise activity through a three step process. “By checking in online with ‘My NCL,’ guests will speed up the boarding process allowing them to start enjoying their Freestyle Cruising vacation sooner,” said Vivian Ewart, Vice President of Passenger Services. Travel partners can access the “My NCL” portal through NCL’s travel partner web site, bookncl.com, to check the status of their client’s pre-cruise activity and to assist in the process. [Full text and pictures]

VACATION.COM ADDS PULSE

Vacation.com announces Pulse Communications PR; adds 44 new member agencies

Vacation.com announced that Toronto-based Pulse Communications and Travel Marketing Inc. will provide public relations support for Vacation.com’s Canadian division, they have also reported the addition of 44 new member agencies joining in 2008. New member agencies that have joined in the last half of 2008 include: Globe – Time Travel Ltd., BC; Dante Travel Agency LTD, ON; Payless Travel, ON; Gala Toronto Travel Centre Inc., ON; Your Host Destinations Inc., ON; Camelot Travel, AB; Travel Excellence, ON; Vacations Yorkton, SK; Travel and Transit Corp., AB; Menno Travel, BC; Lobo Travel Agency, AB; and more. For more information and to join, visit JoinVacation.com. [Full text and pictures]