TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

BEST WESTERN’S BIZ OUTLOOK

Best Western 5th annual Business Travel Roundtable returns; business travel will increase, but at a slower rate this year
Charmaine Pang

The Best Western Business Roundtable returned for another year to Toronto, bringing with it several experts’ opinions and predictions for the year in business travel. Moderator Tanya Racz, President of the National Business Travel Association in Canada (NBTA), posed a series of questions to industry experts regarding 2009. This year, the speakers at the roundtable included: Richard Bartrem, VP Culture and Communications, WestJet; Dorothy Dowling, Senior VP of Marketing & Sales, Best Western International; Nathalie Belanger, General Manager, Rewards Management, Aeroplan and Tony Pollard, President, Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). [Full text and pictures]

G.A.P ADDS CONTI TO THE U.S.

G.A.P Adventures appoints Daniel Conti to U.S. Sales Manager

Daniel Conti

G.A.P Adventures has announced that it has named Daniel Conti to the position of U.S. Sales Manager. Based in New York City, and reporting to Anita Emilio, North America Sales Manager, Conti will be responsible for the management of key preferred partnerships in the U.S., as well as building brand recognition in the U.S. market. Previously, Conti worked with Ensemble Travel Group where, for the past two years, he aided in the creative development of the quarterly publications and acted as a liaison between industry suppliers and agency members. Prior to Ensemble Travel Group, Conti spent some time freelance writing and travelling throughout Europe and the U.S. Conti holds a BA in journalism from St. John’s University. "Having Daniel based in New York City will provide G.A.P Adventures with the opportunity to offer our key U.S. partners an even higher level of support," says Emilio. [Full text and pictures]

GOWAY’S HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

Goway Travel announces Holidays of a Lifetime tours to Africa, Asia and Downunder; agents can earn up to $200 cash per booking on all new bookings

Goway Travel has recently announced Holidays of a Lifetime, a program which offers a range of exclusive tours to Africa, Asia and Downunder. Goway’s AFRICAExperts is also offering agents the opportunity to earn cash for their sales. For all new bookings made between Jan. 17 until March 31, 2009 agents can earn up to $200 per booking ($100 per person) on Goway’s 18-day Treasures of Africa (Kenya and Egypt) June 12, August 14 and Nov. 6, 2009 departures. The 20-day Magic of Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana and Victoria Falls - Zambia) March 1, July 25, Sept. 12, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14, 2009 departures are also available for this promotion. Continue reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

IRELAND’S 2009 PACKAGES

Tourism Ireland partners launch new Ireland 2009 Vacations Packages brochure

Tourism Ireland and partners have launched their new Ireland 2009 Vacation Packages brochure, complete with 20 pages highlighting exclusive vacation packages from major Canadian tour operators and Irish suppliers. The packages offered include a selection of escorted coach tours, independent self-drive vacation packages, as well as a range of golf vacation packages. Details on return airfares to Belfast, Dublin and Shannon are also featured from Air Canada, Air Transat, Flyglobespan and bmi. [Full text and pictures]

TOUR EAST ESCAPES THE COLD

Tour East wants your clients to escape to Thailand, Singapore and Dubai this winter

Phuket, Thailand

Tour East wants Canadians to look beyond the Caribbean this winter to try several exotic hot spots, including Thailand, Singapore and Dubai, which guarantee your clients lots of sun and sea. Those destinations are more affordable than Canadians might think in the winter months, and are less expensive than most Caribbean island destinations. From a starting price of $1,999 (from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton) your clients can visit Thailand’s island paradise, Phuket, and combine it with a stay in Bangkok. [Full text and pictures]

INTREPID’S OBAMA TOUR

Barack Obama in Africa

Intrepid offers new Kenya tour, inspired by Obama’s African heritage
U.S. President Obama’s African heritage has inspired Intrepid Travel’s latest Africa tour. A new eight-day tour of Kenya, “Roots of Obama”, follows in the president’s footsteps. The tour features a visit to the town of Kogela, the president’s father’s birthplace, guided by one of President Obama’s many cousins who will take the tour members to Senator Obama High School and the home of Mama Sarah, Obama’s step-grandmother. The balance of the tour will comprise visits to the popular game parks of Lake Nakuru in the heart of the Rift Valley and Masai Mara National Reserve so the group – no more than 12 passengers – can experience some of Africa’s most spectacular nature and wildlife. [Full text and pictures]

NTA’S NEW MEMBER WEB SITE

NTA has introduced a redesigned industry website, NTAonline.com. Some enhancements to the site include: Members Corner, which includes member photos, testimonials, as well as the Meet the Members Section from the current issue of NTA’s magazine; a For Travelers section, designed for consumers; and a a blog and industry job bank to be introduced in the first quarter of 2009.

ST. KITTS FORGES AHEAD DESPITE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Culture

St. Kitts faces economic challenges; Tourism Minister of State explains how country will forge ahead
On Jan. 20, 2009, St. Kitts’ senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Culture, reported that despite the current global economic conditions, St. Kitts remains on target to fulfill its long-term plan for the sustainable development of its tourism sector with various projects. “Kittitians are a resilient, passionate people and will not allow an economic downturn to stand in the way of the pursuit of our goals,” said Senator Skerritt. [Full text and pictures]

EXPEDIA CRUISE SHIP CENTERS REPORT

Expedia CruiseShipCenters report year end growth; 2009 bookings up 14% and 2008 sees increased interest in luxury and river cruises
Results from 2008 and early indications for this year are pointing to more growth for Expedia CruiseShipCenters. The company, has report a year end growth of 18 per cent on sales of $310 million. According to them, the numbers are a clear indication that the popularity of cruise vacations remains strong, with a growing interest in river and luxury cruises. “Cruising offers the best value for the money and for 2009 we already are showing a 14 per cent increase in cruise bookings over this time last year” says Matthew Eichhorst, President, Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “The Caribbean, Alaska and Europe remain the most popular especially with first time cruisers but we also see strong sales in exotic destinations and world cruises.”