CANJET BOOSTS WINTER CHARTER FLIGHTS CanJet announced today that it will substantially increase the number of charter flights the airline will fly on behalf of tour operators this winter. Chris Kelly, Director, Finance & Strategic Planning, said, "With the completion of our fleet replacement program this past summer, we have been able to expand key partnerships with tour operators to move more of our capacity south during the winter season. Our longer range, more fuel efficient and roomier Boeing 737-500 series aircraft allows us to operate to most of the popular sun destinations this winter." Destinations . [Full text]

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET UPDATE - HOTEL NEWS Stephen Fountain Croatia, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Egypt, Kenya Zagreb, the capital of Croatia is in the midst of a building boom with new openings of nearly 3,400 rooms classified in the 3- to 5-star range. There have also been some important reopenings in the city. The classical Hotel Esplanade, which debuted in 1925 for Orient Express passengers, has undergone complete renovation and been relaunched as the 209-room Regent Esplanade. The 378-room Hotel Opera has been rebranded as Westin Zagreb and Hotel Panorama has been rebranded as a Four Points property. [Full text]

DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS TO LAUNCH JOURNEY INTO NARNIA ATTRACTION Chronicles of Narnia Stars Tour Attraction Disney-MGM Studios is set to premier a new attraction - Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  A behind-the scenes look at the movie-making magic used to create the new movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, the attraction will open December 9, the same day the film opens in theatres. [Full text]

MARTINIQUE SEEKS NICHE MARKETS The tourism office in France's Caribbean island of Martinique is seeking to promote new niche products, it was revealed at World Travel Market in London. These include eco-tourism (northern part of the island with volcanoes) and agro-tourism, diving, culture and gastronomy, handicrafts and festivals. Visitor numbers fell in 2004, due to a 40+ per cent decline in passengers from cruise ships. During the first half of 2005, cruise passengers fell another 47 per cent, although visitors staying on the island increased slightly. [Full text]

FAIRMONT ORCHID HAWAII NEW LOOK FOR THE HOLIDAYS The AAA Four Diamond Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is unveiling a new look as part of its 5-year, $20 million enhancement plan. Included in the face-lift is a new reception area for the Spa Without Walls, a room and suite makeover, plus a new menu for the award-winning The Grill restaurant. Along with the physical enhancements at the Spa Without Walls a new signature spa treatment will be introduced early in 2006. [Full text]

NEW TOURISM OFFICE FOR MEKONG REGION The decision to create the Mekong Tourism Coordination Office (MTCO) was one of several important results of a meeting between the Asian Development Bank and NTOs from Cambodia, China (Guangxi and Yunnan provinces), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The MTCO will look at attracting investors, implementing projects, and developing promotion in foreign markets. Funded by the NTOs, the Bangkok-located MTCO should have a $5 million US basic budget for the next five years. [Full text]

GULF REGION AIRLINES FIGHT FOR MARKET SHARE Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Gulf Air Race to Expand Service Aggressive expansion plans from airlines and airports, and the biggest order numbers for the double-deck A380 aircraft, has turned the Gulf region into an exciting market where a pitched battle for market share is raging. Dubai-based Emirates has lead growth in the region, now flying to 77 cities - [Full text]

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