TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

Awards of merit 2007

Who will be the personality of the year 2007?
You have until January 20, 2008
to submit your candidates.

SIGNATURE BRINGS SANTA TO WINNIPEG KIDS

North Pole Express delivers Christmas cheer to inner-city children

Children onboard the North Pole Express

Laughter, smiles and the occasional scream of excitement were all a part of Signature Vacations� fifth annual North Pole Express, held on December 18 in Winnipeg. Partnering with the Winnipeg Airport Authority and Skyservice Airlines, Signature took to the skies with 160 children, teachers and chaperones in search of the �North Pole�. The event gave inner-city children between the ages of six and twelve the opportunity to fly onboard a Boeing 757 and meet Santa Claus at 22,000 feet. [Full text and pictures]

AIR CANADA/AIR CANADA VACATIONS LAUNCH NEW YVR-MEXICO FLIGHTS

Ixtapa, Los Cabos/Cabo San Lucas non-stops from Vancouver among seven new sun destinations launched Canada-wide

Ixtapa

Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations have launched new non-stop flights from Vancouver to two popular Mexican destinations, Ixtapa and Los Cabos/Cabo San Lucas. The Ixtapa service, which launched on December 22, will depart every Saturday until April 5, 2008. All flights are operated onboard 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft, offering a choice of Executive Class or Economy service. The inaugural Vancouver-Los Cabos/Cabo San Lucas service departed the following day, December 23. The flight will depart every Sunday until March 30, 2008, also using the Airbus A319 aircraft. [Full text and pictures]

MILLION-DOLLAR SCRATCH & WIN WITH SUNQUEST

Agents can win vacations, luggage and gift cards when booking Southern Sun air-only or package vacations until Jan. 31, 2008

Sunquest Vacations yesterday launched an online Scratch & Win promotion that guarantees agents a prize � including vacations, luggage sets, gift cards and one of 35 vacations � each time they participate. Running through until 9 p.m. (PST) on Jan. 31, 2008, agents booking a Southern Sun air-only or package vacation for their clients can log on to Sunquest�s dedicated agent website to play the game. Prizes include five-piece sets of Samsonite luggage, Heys xcases, Sears gift cards (valued at a minimum $25 per play) and 35 all-inclusive vacations for two. [Full text and pictures]

GROUPS INCENTIVES FROM ENCORE CRUISEESCAPES

16% commission, free berth & free air seat when booking a group on Monarch Classic Cruises for 2008

Monarch Classic Cruises' MSC Sinfonia

Encore CruiseEscapes is offering agents several groups incentives on all 2008 departures on Monarch Classic Cruises. Along with earning 16 per cent commission on all groups (when a minimum of eight staterooms are booked, double occupancy), agents booking 15 full-paying guests, the 16th berth is free. Agents adding Encore CruiseEscapes� air to the cruise booking (minimum 15 full-paying guests), the 16th seat is also free. Escorted Cruise Tours will also offer valuable deals for groups. [Full text and pictures]

INSIGHT VACATIONS CANADA WINS BIG

Insight Vacations� Canada office named #1 worldwide in 2007

The Insight Vacations Canada office with their trophy

Thanks in large part to the efforts of travel agents across Canada, Insight Vacations Canada was named Office of the Year from among all the company�s worldwide offices, including the U.S., UK, Australia and Singapore. For the past four years, Insight has set new records in the Canadian market each year, with near sell-out on available inventory. Pictured celebrating the honour are, top row, left to right: Doug Patterson, President; Brad Gibson, Regional Sales Manager, Alberta; Dorothy Switalska, Regional Sales Manager, Eastern Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Provinces; Melissa Heath, Regional Sales Manager, GTA & Northern Ontario; and Mariela Castro, Marketing Manager. Bottom row (l to r): Claire Rottare, Sales & Marketing Manager BC/YT/NT; Amanda Warman, Regional Sales Executive, Southwestern Ontario.

CATS SEMINARS FROM TREK

Learn more to earn more as a Certified Adventure Travel Specialist

Trek Holidays has announced the dates for its 2008 series of the Certified Adventure Travel Specialist (CATS) program. This full-day seminar is designed to teach agents the key destinations for adventure travel, why people choose these destinations, their key selling features and the options available for travel. Among the benefits CATS agents will receive: increased commission to 13 per cent minimum, override commissions up to an extra two per cent, six approved credits towards CTC, fam benefits and agent discounts, sales leads from the Trek Holidays website and more. Registration is $55; all sessions run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch and coffee breaks provided. Read on for details, dates and locations. [Full text and pictures]