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| MAISON DE LA FRANCE OPTIMISTIC FOR ‘09 |
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| Caroline Putnoki, Director, Maison de la France, Canada | | Director Caroline Putnoki says Canadians will continue travelling to France despite economic crisis; new programs planned this year, including Agent Certification Program
Charmaine Pang
Yesterday morning, TRAVELHotNews.com interviewed Caroline Putnoki, Director of Maison de la France about the organization’s outlook and upcoming events planned for Canada this year. “Paris is a classic destination, an easy destination [to get to], a stable destination. In a period of crisis, you always come back to classics”. In these troubled times, Putnoki says people stick to what they know and France is a tried-and-true destination that Canadians will return to again and again. Canadian travel agents will be pleased to know that a long-awaited certification program for agents will be launched in late March. Agents will be able to receive training and get referrals to prospective customers via the Maison de la France website. Keep reading for more information.
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| AWARDS OF MERIT - DAYS LEFT TO VOTE! |
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The final votes will be tallied this Monday - last chance to vote on Sun Jan. 25
Don't miss out on your last chance to vote for the winners of the TRAVELHotNews.com Awards of Merit 2008. It's time to give recognition to all of your hard-working colleagues in the travel industry! Please note, the last day to vote is this Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. After that, votes will be tallied and the winners announced in February...so start clicking on your favourite individuals and companies! Vote for the Personality of the Year and many more. Don't wait - have your say and vote today!
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| HH DISCOVERS GREECE |
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The 2009-2010 Holiday House Greece brochure now available; features new tours, packages and early booking bonuses
Holiday House’s 2009-2010 Greece brochure is now available and features flexible customized vacation ideas to suit any taste and budget. For 2009, there are a number of new organized tours, the addition of Greek Island weddings and honeymoons packages, cruising in and around the Greek Isles, and some early booking bonuses. Agents should note that the new tours itemized below can be purchased air-inclusive or land-only. Continue reading for more information on the new Greek Island Weddings and Honeymoons options in either Santorini or Crete, and the two honeymoon programs available, as well as more new tours, promotional offers early booking discounts.
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| OTI RELEASES 2009 BROCHURE |
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The Mediterranean 2009 brochure now available; Italy is newest destination this year
OTI has changed the name of its brochure to The Mediterranean (formerly the Greece & the Greek Islands Brochure with Turkey and Egypt) in order to better reflect the company’s increasingly diverse offerings in Greece, Italy, Egypt and Turkey. Italy is the tour operator’s newest destination this year. The expansion into Italy provides your clients additional travel options and tour possibilities. In response to the challenging global economic environment, OTI is offering Standard Packages in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Egypt that provide excellent value to your clients at reduced rates. In addition, hotels have received a new classification, 37 new hotels are now available, and many new itineraries and tours are ready to book. Keep reading for more.
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| TRANSAT ADDS CARADEC |
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Transat appoints Patrice Caradec to head operations in France
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| Patrice Caradec | | Lina de Cesare, President, Tour Operators, of Transat A.T. Inc., has announced the appointment of Patrice Caradec as President, Transat France S.A.S. In his new role, Caradec will oversee the development and implementation of Transat’s strategy in France, and will direct its main business development initiatives. He will also continue to hold his current position as head of Vacances Transat (France). Cédric Gobilliard, General Manager of Look Voyages, and Patricia Chastel, General Manager of the Club Voyages network, will report to Caradec and, together with him, will form the new Transat France management committee. “Our operations in France have grown strongly in recent years and the French market, which remains promising despite the current economic slowdown, has evolved significantly,” De Cesare said.
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| INTAIR MAKES WAVES |
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Intair now selling Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines; includes sailings with Azamara and Celebrity
Intair has recently started to sell Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines product as part of its portfolio. Made available through sister company Encore CruiseEscapes, Intair’s cruise line-up now consists of: Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. For more information on Intair’s full product line, visit intair.com.
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| WHERE WILL TRAFALGAR TAKE YOU? |
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Trafalgar announces 2009 agent trip giveaway
Trafalgar has recently announced their annual 2009 agent trip giveaway, destination unknown. With every new booking made from Jan. 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009, agents will receive a ballot in the agent trip. Group bookings qualify, and there is no need to track bookings, as Trafalgar will be keeping records of all bookings made. In total, 10 agents from across Canada will win. For more information, visit Trafalgartours.ca. Winning agents will be drawn randomly on April 1, 2009 and contacted shortly thereafter. Agents must be able to travel on the dates of June 4 to 8, 2009 and hold a valid passport.
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| SUNWING ADDS LOS CABOS RESORT |
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Sunwing announces a new resort in Los Cabos, Royal Solaris
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| Royal Solaris Los Cabos | | Sunwing has recently announced that it has added a new resort, Royal Solaris Los Cabos to its selection of hotels in Los Cabos. The Royal Solaris is a mid-sized (389 rooms) all-inclusive resort located beachfront in San José del Cabo. The resort features five restaurants and four bars and offers facilities including a spa, gym, and tennis court. Sunwing’s current “Buy One Holiday and Get the Second at Half Price” sale valid until January 23, is offering the Royal Solaris at $845 (plus taxes) per person for one week based on double occupancy. Sunwing offers Saturday departures from Toronto to Los Cabos until March 14.
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| G.A.P’S GROUPS ‘FIT’ RIGHT |
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G.A.P Adventures offers their Groups and FIT department for your custom tours
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| G.A.P group at the Great Wall of China | | If you are looking to book an adventure trip for a group of your clients or to build a unique custom tour, G.A.P Adventures wishes to remind agents of their Groups and FIT department. The tour operator’s groups department will design and organize unique adventures for all group types – from leisure travellers to special interest groups. A wide range of accommodation styles is available, including safari camps, jungle lodges, simple hotels and even superior boutique properties. G.A.P Adventures’ FIT department can also help you customize a brand new tour, or recreate an existing itinerary to your client’s needs. Keep reading for more details.
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