TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

SUNQUEST ADDS MAZATLAN

Mazatl�n's new Riu Emerald Bay

Mazatl�n added for summer 2009 from YVR, YYC; will be available for winter 2009/2010 for national program; exclusive new resort, Riu Emerald Bay
Sunquest has added a brand new destination to their summer 2009 lineup from the western provinces, expanding it further for its national winter 2009/2010 program. Clients booking this new destination have many things to see and do around the entire region, whether it's bird watching, a jungle tour, a city tour of colonial Mazatl�n, deep sea fishing, golf, and more. The new charter program will commence on May 30, 2009, with flights out of Vancouver and Calgary, and will then expand, with flights out of Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg and Toronto starting this November, just in time for the start of the winter season. [Full text and pictures]

ANDERSON VACATIONS' PRODUCT LAUNCH

Anderson Vacations visits Ontario from Mar. 25-Apr. 2, 2009 for agent appreciation night and product launch
Throughout March and April, Anderson Vacations wants to say 'thank you' to travel agents and give them some updates for their 2009 product. The tour operator is visiting London (Mar. 25), Mississauga (Mar. 30), Toronto (Mar. 31), Peterborough (Apr. 1) and Ottawa (Apr. 2). Many agents are uncertain about how this year will shape up, and Anderson Vacations wants to give you the tools and packages to ensure your success. Sign up for one of the Agent Appreciation Nights to learn how you can earn incremental commissions by selling Canada and the South Pacific with Anderson. For more information and to RSVP, visit the TRAVELHotNews.com Events Calendar here.

TRANSAT'S OLYMPIAN JOURNEY

Transat Holidays introduces new Olympian Series in Greece

Transat Holidays is offering savings on their new Greece Olympian Series. The Olympian Treasure itinerary includes roundtrip airfare in economy class from Toronto to Athens, 5 nights in Mykonos, 2 nights in Athens, and 8 meals. This package departs May 3, 10, 17 and 24 for $898 plus tax. The Olympian Spirit includes roundtrip airfare in economy class from Toronto to Athens, 3 nights Greek island and Turkey cruise, 6 nights Crete, 2 nights in Athens, and 29 meals. This package departs May 24 and 31 for $1,598 plus tax. Packages include transfers to/from airports, hotels, ferries and cruiseships. Athens and Mykonos hotels include hot buffet breakfast daily; Crete hotel includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. [Full text and pictures]

EARN MORE WITH ACV

Air Canada Vacations launches additional 2% commissions on Europe bookings made by May 1 for travel March 26 and onwards
Agents booking flights or packages to Europe with Air Canada Vacations will earn an additional 2 per cent commission on new bookings made as of March 25, 2009. Agents can book an air and hotel package to Europe and earn up to 10 per cent commission with the additional 2 per cent. Book air only or air and car and earn 7 per cent commission with the additional 2 per cent. This offer is valid for new bookings made as of March 25 until May 1, 2009 for travel from March 26 onwards.

INSIGHT'S BA OFFER EXTENDED

Insight Vacations announces extension on Buy One, Get One Free offer on British Airways airfares through May 15

Insight Vacations has once again extended its 'Buy One, Get One Free' airfare deal with British Airways. Travel agents who book their client and pay in full by May 15, 2009 will now qualify for this offer. "Travel agents are telling us that this offer is really helping to seal the deal with Canadian travellers made hesitant by difficult economic conditions," says Andrea Theophilos, Insight Vacations Canada marketing manager. The offer is valid from major gateways across Canada, including Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. Applicable dates cover most of the year, from April 2 through to October 21 and from December 21 to 23. To qualify, all bookings must be made and paid in full by May 15. Insight will pay the base rate of the flight for the second passenger and both passengers must pay fuel surcharges and taxes. Group bookings do not apply and space is limited. [Full text and pictures]

GOOD2GO TRAVEL MARKETING RENAMED

Good2Go Travel Marketing has been rebranded as FMTM

As of March 1st, 2009 Good2Go Travel Marketing has been re-branded as FMTM. FMTM is the Canadian sales office for Real Resorts and El Cid Resorts. Owner Freddie Marsh is based in the Vancouver area. Marsh can now be reached by email at freddie@freddiemarsh.com. If you would like to start receiving the FMTM monthly newsletter please contact him directly via email to be added to the distribution list.

SANDALS BELIEVES IN AGENTS

Sandals and Beaches Resorts announce all new "We Believe in Agents" contest for bookings made by May 31; 25 trips being offered and grand prize is a Honda Element

Sandals and Beaches Resorts have announced a new "We Believe in Agents" contest. The grand prize is a Honda Element, complete with three-year lease, and 25 trips to Sandals and Beaches resorts including air and land-only with Air Canada Vacations are being offered. There will also be 100 gift packs as prizes, valued at $500 each including things like Appleton Rum, Jamaican coffee, Red Lane Spa products, DVDs, cameras and more. Agents have a chance to win with every Sandals, Beaches, Grand Pineapple Beach or Royal Plantation booking to Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Bahamas or Turks and Caicos. [Full text and pictures]

LONG BAY'S MARCH SAVINGS

Long Bay Resort & Villas announces "March Savings"; 25% off and a fifth night free

Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas have announced "March Savings" of 25 per cent, plus a fifth night free with rates starting at $129 per room per night. This offer applies to new bookings made by March 31, 2009, for travel now through December 20, 2009. "The British Virgin Islands is a destination where people like to explore, dive and sail. Our new "March Savings" gives Caribbean vacationers the perfect excuse to escape right now and do so," said Steven E. Heydt, Elite Island Resorts' president. For complete details, visit eliteislands.com.

CANADA IS PASSPORT READY

Canadians ready for U.S. passport requirement in June 2009, but Americans not so: Harper
Canadian Press

Stephen Harper

Canadians are well-prepared for a new rule in June requiring passports at land crossings into the United States, but Americans may not be quite so ready, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Friday. Speaking within sight of the Blue Water Bridge, Canada's second-busiest commercial crossing with the U.S., Harper also said he did not expect the Americans to push the requirement date back any further, as they have done several times. ``We believe that in Canada, we are pretty much ready for that deadline,'' Harper said. ``We now have close to 75 per cent of adult Canadians holding passports. It's a huge number. It's been a big change over the past few years.'' [Full text and pictures]