TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

'BEST VALUE EVER' TO MEET IN MEXICO

Mexico highlights 'Best Value Ever' for meeting and incentive planners at Monday night reception
Charmaine Pang

Fernando Compean, Alfonso Sumano, Juan M. Campuzano

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) wants all meeting and incentive planners to know they can find the 'best value ever' this year in Mexico. On Monday night at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto, the MTB in conjunction with Avanti Business Solutions hosted a reception to welcome meeting and incentive planners to highlight some of the exceptional value they can find in Mexico. [Full text and pictures]

ACTA, IATA OFFER PCI DSS TIPS

Twelve easy steps to make sure your company is compliant for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS)

ACTA, in association with IATA, are offering merchants a document to help understand PCI DSS, how it affects businesses, and what you will need to do, in 12 easy steps. The object of the standard is to help your organization protect your clients' card data in a secure manner. PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. The Payment Card Industry (Visa, MasterCard, Amex et al) formulated a global set of security requirements to help protect cardholder's information against theft. [Full text and pictures]

TOTAL VACATIONS' MARCH MADNESS

Agents can earn 17 per cent commission with Total Vacations' March Commission Madness
March may be on its way out, but agents can still earn 17 per cent commission for all land only bookings made from March 13 to 31, 2009 for travel from March 13 to Dec. 31, 2009. There's also a group bonus...earning agents a little extra. For every group booking of 10 passengers or more, you can earn an additional $20 per passenger! The group booking bonus is valid on land only bookings made from March 13 to 31 2009 for travel March 13 to Apr. 1, 2010. Contact Total Vacations for more details at 1-800-769-4147.

GOWAY'S GOLDEN TRIANGLE

Goway offers special pricing for India's Golden Triangle region at $949 US through Sep. 30, 2009

Rajasthan

Goway Travel reports they are experiencing an increase in inquiries and bookings to India. To meet the demands of your clients, the tour operator has designed an offer to encourage more North Americans to visit 'Incredible' India. The 6-day 'Goway's Golden Triangle' tour provides your clients with a stay at India's Oberoi Trident Hotels and gives them a tour of the Golden Triangle of Rajasthan. "India tourism is up significantly even in lieu of the current economic turmoil", said Doug Vogl, Product & Marketing Manager, Asia. Keep reading for full details. [Full text and pictures]

PORTER BULKS UP ROUTES

Porter increases routes this spring; 18 daily Toronto-Montreal and 14 daily Ottawa flights with increased connectivity

Porter Airlines is significantly increasing flight frequencies on its Toronto-Montreal and Toronto-Ottawa routes. Flights between Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Montreal will double by May 6, to as many as 18 roundtrips each weekday from the current level of nine. An initial increase to 14 daily roundtrips takes place April 14. On the TCCA-Ottawa route, the number of roundtrips increases to 14 from 10 on April 30. Weekend service is also increasing on both routes. Your clients can now fly further and to more destinations by booking connecting flights on Porter, with service available beginning March 30. The network will be strengthened with 10 new city pairs that initially create various new routes among New York, Chicago, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and Thunder Bay. [Full text and pictures]

'BUSINESS RIGHT HERE' IN HONG KONG

Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong launches new incentive program, 'Business Right Here!'

Hong Kong Exhibition Centre

Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) are launching a new 'Business Right Here!' campaign to offer added incentives to delegates who are travelling to Hong Kong for exhibitions participating in the campaign. The campaign has been ongoing since Mar. 1, 2009 and runs through June 30, 2009, also in conjunction with the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA). A number of partners including airlines, local attractions and hotels are offering a series of special offers. A new website, mehongkong.com/promotions/bizrighthere provides all the details on participating exhibitions, and the deals registered buyers can qualify for.

PRINCESS ASKS AGENTS TO "I DO"

Princess Cruises' Princess Academy launches new wedding course for travel agents

Princess Cruises' Princess Academy is launching a new weddings course that offers travel agents information on the line's "Tie the Knot" program for weddings, vow renewals and honeymoons at sea. The course provides agents with sales tips and background on Princess' onboard romance activities, including the renewal of vows program, honeymoon and anniversary packages, and the "Engagement Under the Stars" option where proposals are shown on the ship's big outdoor movie screen. [Full text and pictures]

JAPEX 2009 IN MONTEGO BAY

Jamaica Product Exchange takes place in Montego Bay from May 11-14, 2009

JAPEX 2008 was hosted in Kingston

Jamaica's resort capital, Montego Bay, will host the 19th annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) from May 11-14, 2009. This year's theme is "Jamaica...It Happens Here" which embodies the diversity of the destination's products, including its business offerings, abundance of attractions, nightlife, history and culture. Attendees will also participate in a new session this year which focuses on the emerging Latin American market and its role in the growth of Jamaica's tourism. For more details and how to register, keep reading. [Full text and pictures]