CTHOTNEWS ASTA ON-SITE REPORT - ASTA TRADE SHOW AT A GLANCE Chantal Beauregard A large crowd turned out yesterday for the opening of the ASTA Trade Show at Montreal's Palais des Congrès. Of the more than 270 exhibitors, represented more than 40 countries, there were 75 tourism offices, 45 hotel brands/properties, 25 cruise lines, 40 travel and tour operators and a technology pavilion with 15 firms and specialists in the field. That particular section featured 50 computers in an open classroom setting to give agents hands-on technology training.  [Full text]

AIR CANADA GETAWAY CONTEST Air Canada is offering agents the chance to win gift certificates, airline tickets and a weekend spa getaway with its Getaway from the Everyday contest. Agents who visit www.aircanada.com/agents every day during the week to answer the daily question could be on their way to winning daily and weekly prizes, as well as the Grand Prize. Contest ends November 25, 2005. Click on the Air Canada Getaway From the Everyday Contest ad to get started.

AIR TRANSAT BENEFITS FROM EXPANDED AIR AGREEMENT WITH GREECE Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre and International Trade Minister Jim Peterson yesterday announced the expansion of Canada's bilateral air transport agreement with Greece. The new air services rights under the agreement will make it possible for Air Transat to request full designation by the Minister of Transport for its scheduled air services to Greece, which were operating under temporary authorization. [Full text]

AIR CANADA VACATIONS LAUNCHES NEW GOLF BROCHURE Air Canada Vacations new 2005/06 Golf brochure is on stands now. The 52-page brochure features an expanded product line and new fully customizable, component-based packages for serious golfers. Included are 72 golf courses and 80+ hotels in 40 destinations in the Caribbean, U.S. and Mexico. New program highlights include increased booking flexibility plus four new destinations to choose from: Alabama, North and South Carolina and Puerto Rico. Round-trip airfare aboard Air Canada is now optional and can be added on to any Golf package featured in the brochure. [Full text]

WORLDSPAN WARNS OF GDS COMPETITIVE THREAT Michael B. Parks Global travel technology company Worldspan, L.P. is using the ASTA 2005 World Travel Congress to raise questions about partnering with companies that have dual economic interests by serving as both global distribution systems (GDS) and as travel retailers. Worldspan claims travel agency businesses are at risk due to the growing market share of GDS-owned and operated travel agencies. ". GDSs make the astonishing claim that by being a travel retailer, they can better understand and serve the needs of travel agencies," said Mike Parks, Worldspan senior vice president - Worldwide Travel Distribution. [Full text]

CLIMATE CHANGE POSES RISK TO TOURISM - WTO Climate change poses a growing risk to the tourism industry, the tourists themselves and the economies that rely on their spending, WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli told the Technical Conference on Climate as a Resource in Beijing on November 1. [Full text]

NEW TERMINAL LURES CRUISE SHIPS TO QUEBEC CITY Port of Quebec A recently completed terminal complex has made Québec City the port of call for cruise ships like the Queen Mary 2, which are unable to reach Trois-Rivières or Montreal because of their size. Sea Princess, Seaborn Pride and Enchanment of the Seas have also chosen Québec City as their port of embarkation and arrival for a total of five voyages during the 2005 season. The Association des croisières du Saint-Laurent authorities estimate that performance for 2005 should exceed that of the 2004 season. Québec City residents are very enthusiastic about the cruise traffic with more than 38,000 admirers turning up on the docks last year.

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