AIR CANADA LAUNCHES NON-STOP MONTREAL-MEXICO CITY SERVICE Air Canada today announced that it will introduce non-stop flights between Montreal and Mexico City. Beginning June 17, 2006, Air Canada will operate year-round daily non-stop service linking Canada's second largest city, and its eastern Canada network, with the Mexican capital. Flights are timed to offer travellers a wide range of connecting flights in Mexico City to and from: Acapulco, Cancun, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puerto Vallarta, and in Montreal to and from: Ottawa, Quebec City, Moncton and Halifax. Tickets are now available for purchase. [Full text]

ONTARIO'S MINIMUM EDUCATION STANDARDS - DEMYSTIFIED Laurie Carter Steve Gillick The Travel Insurance Corporation of Ontario (TICO) has mandated a new certification program - not to be confused with the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) certification programs - that requires all sellers of travel in the province to be certified by July 1, 2008. Steve Gillick, CITC's president and CEO, said that while travel professionals in Ontario are aware of the impending requirement, many are confused about what is actually involved. Speaking at the recent Travel Law Day in Toronto, Gillick demystified the requirements and procedures. [Full text]

EXPLORE BEYOND THE SHORE: NEW PUERTO RICO TOURISM CAMPAIGN Terestella Gonzalez Denton Explore Beyond the Shore, a new Puerto Rico tourism campaign, was recently introduced to the travel trade in Montreal by Terestella Gonzalez Denton, Administrative Director of the Puerto Rican tourist office. The key to the campaign is to "put emphasis on our uniqueness in order to attract more visitors," said Denton. "People see us as mere Americans, whereas we're Latino-Americans and as such we bring our Hispanic language and culture to the table." [Full text]

FUN SUN OFFERS WESTJET U.S. DESTINATIONS - 9% COMMISSION Fun Sun Vacations has announced that it now offers WestJet service to all of the airline's destinations throughout the United States - Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Maui, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa and Hawaii. These airfares must be sold in conjunction with land, and are commissionable at nine per cent. [Full text]

PALACE RESORTS RIVIERA MAYA UPDATE Aventura Spa Palace Palace Resorts has announced that all-inclusive Aventura Spa Palace has reopened the North section of the resort, which includes approximately 900 of the property's 1,266 rooms, as well as the resort's spa. While Aventura Spa Palace is normally an adults-only property, the resort will allow children for a limited time through January 8, 2006 to accommodate guests with prior reservations at other Palace properties that welcome families and are temporarily closed. [Full text]

CATHAY PACIFIC OPENS GAMEZONE Cathay Pacific recently launched a collaborative project with Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited to create a GameZone in its flagship Hong Kong lounge. Equipped with 11 of the latest and most popular games (such as GRAN TURISMO 4), the GameZone will offer passengers - both young and old - a change of pace from the normal lounge environment. However, peace and quiet will be preserved in the lounge as the GameZone is located in a separate area and each game console is equipped with noise-reduction headphones.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER ANNOUNCES SHUTTLE SIMULATOR Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced a $160 million US, 10-year thematic development plan to include a space shuttle simulation called The Shuttle Launch Experience. The 4,088-square-meter, $60 million attraction, slated to open in early 2007, will be the most technologically advanced exhibit ever created at the complex. Using a custom-designed motion platform as well as multiple video screens, advanced audio effects and special effect seats, the attraction promises to recreate the sensations of blasting into Earth's orbit. [Full text]

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