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Thursday, 20-11-2008    Issue 492    Skip Navigation Links
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Caribbean Airlines Adds Capacity

Caribbean Airlines
Caribbean Airlines

Caribbean Airlines will add another aircraft to its fleet on Nov. 15, bringing its aircraft total to eight Boeing 737-800s and five Dash-8 300s. “This demonstrates the airline’s positive growth during a time when other carriers are pulling back service,” said Philip Saunders, CEO. “This enhancement allows us to provide more flying options during the upcoming peak season.”

 
Tourism Rss

Jamaica May Suffer ... if U.S. Lifts Cuban Embargo

posted by The Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica’s economy could suffer if the next United States president decides to lift the trade embargo on communist Cuba.

 

Tourist Arrivals in Dominican Republic on the Rise

Foreign tourist arrivals in the Dominican Republic increased 3.6 percent during the first nine months of 2008, in contrast to the same period last year.

 

Tourist Slump in the Caribbean Frets Jamaican Authorities

Jamaican officials plan to open a tourism training school as part of a campaign to reverse a downturn in visitors to the Caribbean island, including from the key U.S. market. “The (tourism) industry has been on a dangerous, downwards spiral over the last six months,” newly appointed Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett said in a recent statement.

 
 
Airlines Rss

US Airways Adds to Caribbean Service Out of Boston

US Airways starting Jan. 2 will offer Boston customers more nonstop service to eight fun-in-the-sun destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Totaling 75 average weekly departures through March 2009, US Airways will have more average weekly departures to Mexico and the Caribbean than any other carrier.

 

Air Jamaica Offers Webfares through November

Throughout the month of November, passengers flying on Air Jamaica can take advantage of special web fares on select routes from the United States and Canada, valid for travel now through Nov. 30.

Business Rss

Oceania, Regent Slash Fuel Surcharges

by Johanna Jainchill

Oceania and Regent Seven Seas have eliminated fuel surcharges for all cruises departing in 2010. For 2010 cruises already booked, the surcharge will be removed from final payment balances.

 

Fred Olsen to Refund Fuel Surcharges in 2009

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines will refund fuel surcharges on cruises departing after Jan. 1 if the price of oil is, on average, less than $63 per barrel in the calendar month before a scheduled departure.

 
 
News Picks Rss

Four Seasons Resort Nevis Closed through the Holiday Season

by Joe Pike

The Four Seasons Resort Nevis has had some pretty good luck as of late, considering its risky location in the Caribbean hurricane belt. But the resort’s nearly 10-year streak without a major closing will end this year when it is forced to shut its doors through the Christmas holiday to repair damages caused by Hurricane Omar.

 

Vacation.com Graduates First Agents

by George Dooley

Vacation.com has graduated the first agents to complete its new Travel Agent Training program, a comprehensive educational tool released in August of 2008. Shalona Goodfellow of Cruise and Travel Masters and Lori Salzman of Tampa Cruise Shop completed all 12 modules of the online Advanced Learning Platform.

 
 
New Destinations Rss

Budapest Expects to Grab 60,000 Guest per Night from BWI

As many as 83 partners, including 62 hotels, have joined this year’s Budapest Winter Invitation campaign, to raise HUF 35 million (140,000 euros), which sum was complemented by the HNTO’s HUF 100 million (400,000 euros). The most important, concentrated winter campaign is forecast to generate 60,000 additional guest nights in the Hungarian capital.

Hotels Rss

Mexico’s Fiesta Americana Grand Sets Resort Credit

Fiesta Americana Grand, Mexico’s premier luxury hotel brand, is offering $200 worth of resort credit. Now through Feb. 15, 2009, guests who book a three-night minimum stay at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun or the Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos will receive a $200 resort credit, applicable for dining, beverage and spa services, for travel now through May 31, 2009.

 

Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Debuts as Riviera Maya’s Ultimate All-Inclusive

Riviera Maya, an unspoiled luxurious destination located along the lush Yucatan Peninsula, furthers its appeal with the opening of Grand Velas All Suites & SPA Resort, representing the next iteration of the all-inclusive, ultra-luxury resort experience.

 

Aqua Cancun Debuts $200 Resort Credit

Aqua Cancun is offering a $200 resort credit with any three-night minimum stay, for travel now through May 31, 2009, if booked by Feb. 15, 2009. The resort credit is based on single or double occupancy for any three-night minimum stay, for travel starting now through May 31, 2009.

 
 
Cruises Rss

Royal Caribbean Unveils First-Time Cruisers Month

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled a month of new offers for first-time cruisers and veteran cruisers throughout November. Travel agents and vacationers can enjoy savings and benefits throughout First-Time Cruisers Month, from reduced thresholds for complimentary tour conductor’s staterooms and bonus GAP points to dollars off and onboard credit for customers booking a cruise or cruise-tour.

 

Cruise Lines Increase Calls to Antigua

Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line have increased their number of calls to Antigua. This announcement was made during the 15th annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference and Trade Show, held in Trinidad. Several local tourism officials attended the conference.

 

Silversea’s Silver Cloud to Sail Canada, New England

Silversea Cruises announced that the Silver Cloud will sail Canada/New England cruises next fall. The ship’s revised schedule replaces a London-to-Barbados repositioning voyage and three Caribbean cruises with four new itineraries spanning from London, Reykjavik and Montreal to New York and Bermuda.

Travel Technology Rss

Orient-Express Signs Deal with TravelCLICK

by George Dooley

Orient-Express Hotels has signed a global agreement with TravelCLICK. The new deal will offer an integrated suite of hotel distribution management, market intelligence, and GDS media solutions to its 41 hotels worldwide.

 

Pegasus, Net Trans Extend Commission Processing Pact

Pegasus Solutions, Inc. and Net Trans Services AS have extended an agreement to maximize the commissions travel agents receive from thousands of hotels worldwide. Pegasus and Net Trans extended for three years the partnership begun in November 2006 to help agents increase income, cut costs and streamline processes.

 
 
Around The World Rss

Africa Operator Unveils Obama Heritage Tour

by Gay Nagle Myers

One tour operator lost no time capitalizing on the African origins of president-elect Barack Obama. Less than 24 hours after Obama’s victory speech, New York City-based 2Afrika announced its 11-day Presidential Heritage Safari to Kenya, which traces Obama’s ancestral roots during a portion of the tour.

 

Visitors Consider Helsinki Modern, Trendy

Did you know that visitors to Helsinki consider it to be the most modern and laid-back city-break destination in Northern Europe? In particular, those interested in new experience, nightlife and trends recommend Helsinki. Families traveling with children tend to visit Helsinki less than other Northern European cities.

 
Past issue's hottest news:

Caribbean Hotel Bookings Plunge as Economy Sags

by John Marino

Hotel bookings in the Caribbean are plunging as financial turbulence dashes vacation plans, and hoteliers and governments are trying to ward off a deep slump by ramping up marketing efforts and slashing prices.

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