TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

PRINCESS CRUISES INTO EUROPE

Princess Cruises unveils 2010 Europe season, including shorter sailings and 2-day experiences; bookings open Apr. 9, 2009

Princess Cruises has just announced their 2010 Europe program. Your clients can sail to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Russia, the British Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, and the Holy Land with 9 new routes, including 5 new "Interlude" voyages that offer the opportunity for shorter 7-day getaways from London or Rome. Princess also offers its signature two-day experiences, allowing clients the opportunity for an in-depth exploration of regional highlights in Egypt, Israel and St. Petersburg. The line's 2010 Europe program features 96 departures, and its ships will visit 130 destinations, including 11 added ports of call. Bookings for the season open April 9, 2009. Keep reading for full details. [Full text and pictures]

ACTA FRAUD ALERT

ACTA advises agencies across Canada about fraudulent requests for tickets

ACTA is warning all agencies across Canada that agents have received fraudulent requests for tickets from unknown persons. The individuals phone in sales to the agency using forged identities, and forged/stolen credit cards for payment. Criminals do not target a single agency, but rather contact several agencies, until they succeed in finding a gullible victim. ACTA reminds agents to exercise extreme caution and notes, "be vigilant when doing business with someone you don't know, particularly for travel paid by credit card. Remember, positive identifications are probably impossible when you deal with someone by long distance phone, fax and email. Keep reading for more details about the method of fraud used on agencies, and ensure it doesn't happen to you. [Full text and pictures]

FUN SUN'S DISNEYLAND DEAL

Clients get 5-day Park Hopper tickets for the price of 3-day tickets; special hotel rates available when booking before Apr. 3, 2009

Disneyland in California is offering five-day Park Hopper tickets for the price of 3! Applicable to bookings made between Mar. 24 and Aug. 11, 2009, it is valid on admissions between Apr. 1 and Sept. 30, 2009. And if you clients book before Apr. 3, 2009, and in conjunction with a four-night hotel stay, they will receive a special rate of just $199 for adults and $179 for kids (ages 3-9). What's more, when your clients purchase Disneyland Park Hopper tickets during this time, they will also receive an exclusive Fun Sun bonus - two Magic Mornings while in destination. For more information, visit funsunagent.com or call 1-800-938-6786.

SUNWING PUTS THE FREEZE ON GROUPS

Sunwing freezes group rates to 2008/2009 levels for all departures; reservations must be made by Apr. 30, 2009

Sunwing has frozen all group rates at 2008/09 levels on all group departures, as long as the reservation is made by April 30. This applies to ITC groups travelling between November 1 of this year and the end of October 2010. Under Sunwing's group policy, as few as 10 passengers travelling together from the same gateway qualify for group discounts.
"We're ready and able to help with any group quote, from weddings to incentive travel," says Sunwing's Daryl McWilliams, adding that the company has recently added staff in its group department which is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday. [Full text and pictures]

SAIL INTO SPRING WITH ACV

Air Canada Vacations launches extra Aeroplan Miles; earn 2,500 bonus miles when booking select Alaska and Europe cruises, or 1,000 bonus miles when booking select sun destinations
Agents can now earn 2,500 bonus Aeroplan Miles when booking an air and cruise package with Air Canada Vacations on select Alaska and Europe cruises. This offer is applicable for bookings made by April 30, 2009 for travel May 1 to September 30, 2009. Cruise lines included in this offer are: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Norwegian Cruises, Holland and Costa. Agents should also note that Air Canada Vacations is offering a book by May 3, 2009 and save $150 per person on air and hotel packages to select sun destinations. Your clients can save $100 per person on packages to Florida, Hawaii and Las Vegas, in addition to, booking early and earning 1,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles. [Full text and pictures]

N�RAT PARTNERS WITH ETIHAD

N�RAT announces partnership with Etihad on Middle Eastern, African tours

N�RAT has announced a new partnership with Etihad Airlines on its Middle Eastern and African tour product. Etihad flies out of Toronto 3 times per week with convenient connections via Abu Dhabi to principal African and Middle Eastern cities where N�RAT tour programs operate. Agents can also opt to receive special fares on Etihad Airlines for any of its other international tour destinations on a request basis. As a promotional offer, N�RAT will be offering a new 10-day comfort class 'Discover Jordan' tour program at a promotional rate of $2,337 per person with flights on Etihad Airlines. Prices are commissionable to travel agents and include return airfare. The promotion is valid for bookings until Apr. 30, 2009 and conditions may apply. [Full text and pictures]

IATA SAYS AIRLINES WILL LOSE $4.7B US

World's airlines en route to US$4.7B in losses this year: IATA
Canadian Press

Giovanni Bisignani, CEO, IATA

World airlines will lose a total of US$4.7 billion this year due to the economic crisis as revenues will drop by more than after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a major industry association predicted Tuesday.The loss estimate - nearly double the previous forecast in December - reflects ``the rapid deterioration of the global economic conditions,'' said the International Air Transport Association.``The state of the airline industry today is grim,'' said IATA chief executive Giovanni Bisignani. ``Demand has deteriorated much more rapidly with the economic slowdown than could have been anticipated even a few months ago.'' Revenues are expected to fall by $62 billion, or 12 per cent, to $467 billion, the association said. [Full text and pictures]

FLIGHT CENTRE MAKES A WISH

Hostelling International Canada announces $1 donation from every membership sold through Flight Centre; proceeds going to Make-A-Wish Foundation
Hostelling International Canada is donating $1 from every hostelling membership sold through Flight Centre to the company's charity of choice, the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Pictured in the photo are membership manager Grant Millar, and presenting a cheque for $368 is Flight Centre's Allison Wallace, who also sits on the Foundation's board of directors.