- TravelPress

Week of November 11, 2013
C A N A DA’ S M O S T
TRUSTED
T R AV E L T R A D E P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1 9 6 8
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11/7/2013 2:31:12 PM
Week of November 11, 2013
C A N A DA’ S M O S T
TRUSTED
T R AV E L T R A D E P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1 9 6 8
Beyond NDC:
Industry groups plan to
develop own standards
MIKE DUNBAR
The tourism board launched its North
American “Live It to Believe It” campaign
in Canada last week at a gala trade event
at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto.
Initially revolving around four classy
A coalition of five travel industry associations wants to
end the acrimony surrounding IATA’s New Distribution
Capability (NDC) project by calling on the airline body
to engage in a “co-operative multilateral” process to
develop a new set of technical distribution standards.
And the US-Europe coalition wants the standards
based on a series of principles that will ensure transparency, choice, competition, innovation, and privacy.
If IATA fails to grasp the olive branch being extended
by the group and forges ahead with its unilateral proposal, the airline trade association could face “strong
pushback,” warned one participant in a press briefing
held jointly in Dublin and Washington.
According to Christoph Klenner, secretary general of
the European Technology & Travel Services Association (ETTSA), the NDC debate has gone on for too long
and has caused a lot of opposition, including opposition
from within the airline community.
When asked which airlines are opposing the NDC initiative, Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel
Coalition (BTC)pointed to second-tier carriers operating
out of so-called “fortress hubs” in the United States, as
See MEXICO page 46
See NDC page 46
Jamaica’s Minster of Tourism, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham
McNeill was in Toronto recently to meet with the trade
here and to update them on all of the new developments on the island. During his visit,
the Minister was presented with the 2013 Agents’ Choice Awards for Favourite Tourist Board and Favourite Honeymoon Destination. Seen in the photo, from l to r, are:
John Lynch, director of tourism for Jamaica; CTP’s Edith Baxter presenting one of two
Agents’ Choice Awards to Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill
as CTP’s David McClung prepares to present the Minister with the second Agents’
Choice award. Looking on are the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Judy Nash, Jackie Marshall,
and Louise Paquette. In the back row, from l to r, are the JTB’s Racquel Queensborough; Philip Rose, Regional Director, Canada of the JTB; and Dan Hamilton of the JTB.
PICKING A WINNER:
Mexico targets the affluent
MICHAEL BAGINSKI
Mexico is reaching out to a new clientele
with its new marketing campaign, which
will soon being fi ltering out through consumer channels and the trade in the next
couple of years “and beyond.”
Expect the UNEXPECTED
Watch for the Anderson Vacations
2014 Downunder Destination Planner
to be revealed and delivered to
your doorstep in November!
We’re not reinventing the destinations,
we’re just re-imagining the way to see them.
Our 2014 Downunder Destination Planner is a travel
planning tool beyond the ordinary. You’re soon
about to find out why.
www.downundersolution.com
1-866-814-7378
1111PAGE03_46.indd 3
11/7/2013 2:22:07 PM
TRAVEL PRESS
Canadian
1
It’s a multi-channel, how do
you see that working? We
engage with people in a business
context in the right way through
that medium. On the other hand,
you’re not going to put hardcore
advertising on Facebook. So what
are the ground rules and how do I
do this and how am I successful?
had over a million unique
customers visit our web site last
year, but it’s not just the web site
or just the bricks & mortar – it’s
all integrated. So someone can
start with one of our agents in the
So what about today’s
office. Look at a luxury holiday,
“fickle” consumer, are
package holiday whatever, and
they really that different
then go on the web site after hours,
from the “fickle” consumers of
book that and the agent immedithe past? I think the only difately picks it up the next morning.
It’s seamless in terms
of allowing the customer do the clicks
themselves or we
help them inside the
agency. So no matter
Susan Bowman
what, I think the difVice-president, marketing &
ference is that lots of
industry relations
the web sites that are
Transat Distribution Canada
out there that consumers might think
about don’t necesference today... is at what point
sarily have a travel professional
do they [the consumer] think
attached to them and TDC does.
they know more [than the travel
Social media is big in this
agent.] But there are now a lot of
brave, new multi-channel
statistics reporting that maybe
world, how’s TDC dealing
there is a pendulum swing from
with that? Here’s an example.
people who have maybe tried that
With the world being on Facebook, [being their own travel agent] and
we are actually [just launched]
ended up at a resort that maybe
four levels of training about Facedidn’t quite look like they thought
book – how to use it for business.
it was going to. Or it didn’t have
And we’ve already done some
the best food. Or it didn’t live up
highlighting of these training sesto the things that the Internet
sions, and we had 120 members
said. There’s nothing like having
sign up within an hour in order
a professional that says I’ve been
to take this because they’re trythere done that or my customers
ing to understand how do you
have been there and done that.
3
2
4
®
Vol. 46, No. 8, Published November 11, 2013
Edith Baxter, Editor-in-Chief
And that’s what agents
bring to the table? Yes, it’s
their entire understanding of the customer’s needs and
looking at them from end-to-end.
You know, it’s interesting, I think
we all would have said 25 years
ago like will travel agents be there
forever, but you really don’t see the
demise in our network at all. Are
they challenged? Yes. But there
have always been challenges in the
marketplace.
[email protected]
Robert Mowat, Executive Editor
[email protected]
Michael Baginski, Managing Editor
[email protected]
Mike Dunbar, Assistant Editor
[email protected]
Greg Coates, Assistant Editor
[email protected]
Ian Stalker, Senior Writer
[email protected]
Ted Davis, Western Editor
[email protected]
Heifetz, Crozier, Law
Legal Affairs
[email protected]
Unterberg, Labelle & Associates
Legal Affairs
Western Canada Editorial Office
Unit 904, 207 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7
Tel: (604) 685-2588 Fax: (604) 734-9743
[email protected]
Quebec Editorial Office
149 Creswell Dr., Beaconsfield,Que. H9W 1E5
Tel/Fax: (514) 695-8126
Johnny Koo, Art Director
5
Downward
pressure on
agency commissions has become
a big issue can you
talk about this? We
pilot a lot of programs
in our companyowned stores to test
before we roll [them
out] to the network.
We were one of the first pioneers
on service fees, and we had many
naysayers in our franchise and
affiliate community that said
we can’t charge our customers,
[because] we will lose them to
[the] competition. The companyowned stores have been successful
doing that [charging service fees]
and not losing business. And now,
many, if not all, of our franchisees and affiliates pretty much
across the board have adopted this
practice. The second thing is, we
run about 6,000 engagements on
training last year and training is
the fore-front to profitability.
[email protected]
Wayne Labourn, Production Manager
[email protected]
Sharron Taylor, Adv. Material Coordinator
[email protected]
Dee Ristic, Circulation
Subscription Inquiries: [email protected]
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310 Dupont St., Toronto, Ont., M5R 1V9
Tel: (416) 968-7252 Fax: (416) 968-2377
www.travelpress.com www.travelpress.travel
[email protected] (Editorial)[email protected] (Advertising)
Michael Baginski, Publisher
[email protected]
Earl Lince,
Director of International Marketing
Canadian Account Executive – Travel Weekly UK
[email protected]
Rodney Tugwell, Sales Manager
[email protected]
Mitchell McClung,
Account Executive
[email protected]
Jacqulyn Bester,
Classifieds
[email protected]
Advertising Offices
Western Canada Terry Ohman
Tel: (604) 657-2100 [email protected]
Alberta Greg Ohman
Tel: (403) 804-3497 [email protected]
Southern Florida Dino Torres
Tel: (305) 775-8734 Fax: (305) 477-6607
[email protected]
Northern Florida Gillian Harper
Tel: (954) 933-2786
[email protected]
Hawaii Laurie Doerschlen, Media Links
Tel: 808-737-4621 Fax: 808-737-2695
[email protected]
Spain Luis Andrade
Luis Andrade Publicidad Internacional
Tel: 34-91-4416266 Fax: 34-91-4416549
[email protected]
Brazil Claudio Dasilva
Tel: 1-954-647-6464
[email protected]
United Kingdom Maureen Wingham, MW Media
Tel: +44(0)1449-771200
[email protected]
Mexico Paloma Martinez, Towmar Inc.
Tel: 52 55 2122-3900 Fax: 52 55 5395-4985
[email protected]
Central & South America Lillian Martinez
Travel Representations & Marketing
Tel: 305-476-1130
[email protected]
Subscriptions: $80 - 1 year (Canada), $140 - 2 year
(Canada), plus applicable taxes.
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Do you think renaming Thomas Cook’s Canadian operation
will have any effect on bookings?
Published 47 times per year
Copyright 2013 PRINTED IN CANADA
I don’t think it will change
them. Thomas Cook
has already changed.
They don’t do charters
[anymore], and I think
that’s already affected it.
No, it will continue
as normal. Agents are
very savvy.
Juanita Martin,
Maritime Travel,
Halifax
Hazel Affonso,
Affordable Travel,
Calgary
I don’t think so. The
individual divisions are
operating under their
original names. We never
talk about calling Thomas
Cook. We talk about calling Intair or whatever.
Stephen Pickford,
Aladdin Travel,
Montreal
W.H. Baxter
I don’t think so. They’re
staying with the same
products for us as
agents, like FunSun
and Intair. I don’t plan
on changing anything.
- 1919 – 2004
Founder
David McClung, President
[email protected]
Wendy McClung, Exec. Vice-President,
Operations
[email protected]
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government
of Canada through the
Canada Periodical Fund of
the Department of Canadian
Heritage.
Ken Stewart,
Crowfoot Travel Solutions,
Calgary
4 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
CTP masthead master.indd 1
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5/31/2013 9:23:42 AM
11/7/2013 3:47:02 PM
Make friends
in high places
Enjoy our exclusive Onboard Lounge.* Unwind in the onboard Shower Spa.**
And stay entertained with up to 1500 channels of inflight entertainment in all classes.
Once aboard the Emirates A380, non-stop comforts are just part of the experience.
Fly Emirates non-stop from Toronto to Dubai and beyond.
emirates.com/ca
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*Product shown is available in First Class and Business Class. **First Class only.
1111PAGE05.indd 5
11/7/2013 2:31:55 PM
1111PAGE06-7.indd 6
11/7/2013 2:27:57 PM
Sandals® Resorts has elevated the all-inclusive
experience to an entirely new level. Nobody
offers more in both quantity and quality, providing
your clients with a luxurious vacation each and
every time. Where we lead, others follow and
that’s what makes Sandals an icon in the industry.
MORE QUALITY INCLUSIONS THAN
ANY OTHER RESORTS ON THE PLANET
Call 1-800-545-8283 or visit sandals.com
®
Sandals is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations, Inc. is the affiliate of the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts.
1111PAGE06-7.indd 7
11/7/2013 2:27:59 PM
Tying the knot
Experience wedded bliss at ARIA
The Wedding Chapel at Las Vegas’ ARIA is
now enticing couples ready to tie the knot
to experience a new level of contemporary
elegance on the Las Vegas Strip.
Complemented by ARIA Resort & Casino’s
dining, entertainment and spa among other
amenities, the new Wedding Chapel is “the
icing on the cake, solidifying ARIA as a dream
destination where brides and grooms can say ‘I
do’ in style,” according to ARIA.
The Wedding Chapel has couples enter the
foyer to discover furniture wrapped in plush
fabrics that create a contemporary, high-end
residential feel. Within the 60-seat chapel,
walls upholstered with infinity symbols create
a sense of romance, while lighting accents can
be customized to complement any wedding
party’s scheme.
ARIA offers an array of wedding packages
starting at $1,600, all of which include photography, floral, limousine transportation to and
from the Clark County Marriage Bureau, and
an officiant to perform the ceremony. For the
most intimate of nuptials, the Passion package includes a stay in one of ARIA’s luxurious
Sky Suites, dinner for two at Jean Georges
Steakhouse and a small-scale wedding cake
from Jean Philippe Pâtisserie. For couples
looking to celebrate their day with religious
and cultural customs, the chapel offers a selection of specialized packages. Additionally, allinclusive packages are available for parties up
to 35 guests, featuring accommodations at the
resort, in-suite receptions with gourmet catering, open bar and videography services.
At ARIA, receptions take a variety of forms
to suit any couple’s style, ranging from an
intimate dinner party within the private dining room of a restaurant, to an elegant soiree
in a ballroom. Brides and grooms looking to
live the high life can spice up the celebration at
one of the resort’s high-energy entertainment
venues, such as HAZE Nightclub, The Deuce
Lounge or LIQUID Pool & Lounge.
With only one chapel on site, couples
enjoy a completely exclusive space for their
ceremony. Wedding co-ordinators act as
personal concierge for each couple, ensuring every event is executed flawlessly.
Additionally, the wedding party benefits
from the adjoining dedicated ladies’ dressing lounge and groom’s private game lounge,
featuring its own pool table and wet bar.
The Wedding Chapel, conveniently located
on the first floor of ARIA’s Convention Center,
has the ability to broadcast each wedding
online for those who can’t attend the ceremony
in person.
In addition to the chapel, couples have the
opportunity to wed at some of ARIA’s other
locations including poolside, romantic fireside
lounge, inside the Chihuly Gallery surrounded
by works of glass art, or in front of the resort’s
water wall Focus.
The Spa & Salon at ARIA offers treatments
and technicians to ensure “every guest looks
and feels their very best. Brides will truly glow
at the altar after a Bridal Diamond Facial, a
gemstone massage and skin treatment featuring eye, lip and décolleté enhancement masks.
Perfect for bridal party primping, ARIA’s Spa
Suites provide exclusivity for groups to both
de-stress and look their best. Between treatments, the group may enjoy a private lounge,
complete with its own whirlpool, refreshments
and cuisine from a special spa menu. At the
salon, talented stylists work magic with a vast
selection of services.”
(www.arialasvegas.com/weddings)
8 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE08-9.indd 8
11/7/2013 2:38:23 PM
BEAUTIFUL PICTURE.
THE PLACE IS EVEN BETTER.
+1.702.770.7100
Amadeus: PHLASWLE
Galileo: PH 20616
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I wynnlasvegas.com
Sabre: PH 64086
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L A S
V E G A S
11/7/2013 2:38:27 PM
News In Brief
ASTA
The American Society of
Travel Agents (ASTA) welcomed the Federal Aviation
Administration’s (FAA)
decision to allow passengers to use personal electronic devices during all
phases of flight last week.
ASTA president & CEO,
Zane Kerby said: “Business
and leisure travellers alike
rely heavily on devices like
iPads and Kindles, while
travelling – to communicate with colleagues,
watch a movie with their
children or even work with
their travel agent to make
last-minute changes to
their itinerary. We applaud
the FAA for taking steps
to make flying a little less
stressful without compromising safety.”
Under guidance issued
by the FAA, airlines are
now authorized to allow
passengers to use personal
electronics like iPads,
Kindles and smartphones
during all stages of flight.
However, under the new
guidance, use of cellular
telephones during flights
will still be barred, and
electronic devices will have
to be safely stowed during
takeoffs and landings.
But the agency did say
it expects most airlines to
begin allowing gate-togate use of electronics in
airplane mode by the end
of the year.
Go to http://www.ASTA.
org for more.
load factor in September
(80.3%) was largely in line
with levels achieved in
September 2012.
Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO, said:
“We are seeing a more positive environment for air
travel demand, based on
rising business confidence,
IATA
In spite of a slight slowdown in August, IATA
reports that global passenger traffic results for
September show the strong
demand trend continuing.
Total revenue passenger
kilometres (RPKs) rose 5.5%
compared to September
2012. Capacity increased at
a slightly lower pace at 5.3%
over the same period. The
a strong increase in export
orders in September, and
better performance of key
emerging markets like
China. The strong growth
of recent months, coupled
with the continuing improvements in air travel
demand in September,
suggests that there could
be a further acceleration
in air travel growth before
the end of the year.”
Go to http://www.iata.
org for more.
Ireland
It couldn’t happen to
a nicer tourist board.
Tourism Ireland is cel-
ebrating a record breaking year as latest statistics
show a 16.5% increase in
North American visitors.
Based on those results,
it’s not surprising that The
Gathering 2013 is being
hailed as a great success.
The ambitious tourism
See NEWS page 15
From the resorts
MADE FOR LOVE
Their New Life Together Begins In A Paradise Where Everything Is Included.
“Where should we go on our honeymoon?” That’s the
question your clients will be asking as they plan their
wedding. So when you say, “You should go to Sandals,”
don’t be surprised to hear a few oohs and ahs. After all,
®
nobody does honeymoons better than Sandals Resorts.
®
A Sandals Luxury Included Honeymoon gives your clients
more ways to begin their new life together in paradise. Here,
love is all they’ll need, because we include everything else.
So they can do it all or nothing at all. Play together on land,
with every land sport imaginable—including championship
golf †. Explore together on or below the sea, with every
watersport under the sun—even unlimited scuba diving is
included.* And there’s nothing more romantic than a firepit
at the edge of the sea. At the end of the day, an impossibly
luxurious, incredibly unique suite awaits—perhaps one with
full butler service. No one offers more choices, with up to
15 specialty restaurants, up to nine bars where premium
brand drinks are always on the house, and parties around
the clock, every day. It really is the honeymoon of their
dreams…and the perfect start to the perfect marriage.
†Greens fees additional at Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. In Jamaica and Saint Lucia, caddies are mandatory, but not included. *Scuba included for certified divers. PADI dive courses
◆
and night dives are additional. Complimentary with stays of 6 paid nights or more, includes all room categories. All weddings subject to mandatory minister and government documentation
fees, which vary by island. All weddings that do not meet the minimum night stay requirement will be subject to a $750 processing and administrative fee, which is inclusive of government and
®
documentation fees. All fees are subject to change at any time. Sandals is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations, Inc. is the affiliate of the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts.
10 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
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11/7/2013 3:02:07 PM
Sandals and ACV: BFFs forever!
MIKE DUNBAR
While normally used in
a biological context, the
term “symbiosis” captures
perfectly the connection that has been forged
between Sandals Resorts
International (SRI) and
Air Canada over the past
30 years or so.
Defined as “a relationship of mutual benefit or
dependence,” symbiosis
has been a key factor in
the growth of Sandals
throughout the Caribbean
and, coincidentally, the development of AC’s regionwide route network.
It also allowed Air
Canada Vacations (ACV)
to get into the all-inclusive
business and expand its
reach beyond the traditional island gateways.
According to Manon
Leblanc, ACV’s marketing
communications direc-
Recommend the
HONEYMOON
of a lifetime
®
Sandals even
includes a
Love Is All You Need
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JAMAICA • ANTIGUA • SAINT LUCIA • BAHAMAS • GRENADA • BARBADOS
X
WEDDING
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More Quality Inclusions Than Any Other Resorts On The Planet
tor, the relationship was
initially forged with the
1981 opening of RSI’s first
resort in Montego Bay.
“Air Canada was already flying to MoBay so
ACV started packaging
the property,” recalled
Leblanc. “And as Sandals
opened more resorts in
Jamaica, so Air Canada
added more flights, and we
kept on packaging them.”
That scenario was duplicated throughout the
Caribbean, said Leblanc,
pointing to St. Lucia where
Air Canada was operating a weekly flight prior
to the opening of the first
Sandals there. Now there
are three SRI resorts on
the island and AC is up to
four flights a week.
“As they grew, we grew
and vice versa,” explained
the Montreal-based executive. “We had a daily
flight to Nassau, so it was a
logical place for Sandals to
build. Now, a huge portion
of the passengers on that
flight is Sandals-bound.”
It was the same with
the Turks & Caicos and
Antigua said Leblanc, who
revealed that SRI asked
Air Canada for lift support
three years ago when the
Emerald Bay resort opened
on Great Exuma in the
Bahamas. AC acceded to
the request, and market response has been so positive
that the carrier will soon
be flying twice a week.
The next chapter
in the symbiosis story
will play out on the
island of Grenada, according to Leblanc.
“They get to open a
new Sandals in December
and we get to add lift, so
we’ll be upping the sked
to two flights this winter,”
she stated.
The bond prompted SRI
founder and chairman
Gordon “Butch” Stewart
See FOREVER page 15
NOVEMBER 11, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 11
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11/7/2013 3:02:31 PM
TEEING OFF!
Trade turns out for the 19th annual
Baxter-Sandals golf tournament
The 19th Annual BaxterSandals Canadian Travel
Industry Golf Tournament
was held recently at the
Sandals Golf Camp, Country
Club in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Golfers from across the
industry were on hand for
the annual event, which
offers some keen competition on the links and the
opportunity to enjoy some
fine hospitality courtesy of
Sandals Resorts International – including the
Sandals Grande Riviera and
Beaches Boscobel.
Naturally, this year’s event
included a number of
awards.
Ray Warner, Barbara
Warner of Travel Is Holidays
and Paul Gray and Sonja
Laing of TPI earned kudos as
the Best Dressed Team.
Flight Centre Canada’s
Jason Du Sautoy, Carrie Le
Page, Aaron Dwyer and Luisa
Dizon earned the award for
Best Team Spirit.
Individuals awards went
to Bob Kane, CAA Atlantic
for Men’s Closest to the pin;
Sherry Scott, HRG for
Women’s Closest to the pin;
Cathy Matieshin, Artistic
Travel for Women’s longest
drive; Danielle Durocher,
Carlson Wagonlit Travel won
the chipping contest; and
Dawn Rzepka of Sunquest/
Holiday House was top in
the putting contest.
Kevin Percy, Jacques
Gilbert, Bob Wakeford and
Pert Vanderheyden received
top honours as tournament
champions.
Congratulations to one
and all!
12 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
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NOVEMBER 11, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 13
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11/7/2013 12:42:19 PM
Downunder destinations
from Anderson
Anderson Vacations is soon to release
its much anticipated 2014 Downunder
Destination Planner and announce the
current availability of the electronic version of “this revolutionary travel tool.”
The new travel planner – with the title
photo of the iconic Bay of Islands on New
Zealand’s North Island – is due to hit
travel agency shelves later this month.
To get a glimpse of the Downunder
Destination Planner already now, Anderson Vacations invites travel agents
to view the electronic version online
at http://bitly.com/Andersons_Travel
Planner_Aust_NZ_2014-15.
“The Downunder Destination Planner is a comprehensive reflection of the
company’s inventory for destinations in
Australia, New Zealand and the South
Pacific Islands. The products featured
in the new 164-page 2014 Downunder
Destination Planner include selected
itineraries for individual and inde-
pendent travellers and range to fully
escorted tours, Anderson Exclusive’s
luxury travel products, rail journeys
and new niche specialty products,” the
tour operator says.
The Anderson Exclusive tour programs are a highlight of the 2014
Downunder Destination Planner. They
consist of “five unique, new and exciting itineraries, with set departure dates
through Australia, New Zealand, the
Cook Islands and Fiji.”
All tours include airfare from Los
Angeles to the destination, while connections from other starting points are
available upon request. Each itinerary
is specifically designed to “provide
excellent value for money, while also
ensuring that travellers experience the
very best the destinations have to offer,”
Anderson Vacations states.
For more information, visit www.
downundersolution.com.
Miami looks to
the future
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
(GMCVB) is on track to welcome over 14.1 million
overnight visitors in 2013 and is looking ahead with
a new five-year plan.
Destination Miami, as the new plan has been
named, is the result of a year-long study that took
a comprehensive look at the travel and tourism
industry in Greater Miami and the Beaches. Commissioned by the GMCVB, the study offers five key
recommendations along with two marketing initiatives, in support of the findings, that include the new
MiamiandBeaches.com and the expanded It’s So
Miami (ISM) campaign.
In addition to record overnight visitors in the past
12 months, the GMCVB announced a record $22.3
billion in visitor expenditures, representing a 2.3%
increase over the previous year. Revenue Per Available
Room (RevPar) set a new record with double-digit
growth of 10% during the same period. Accommodations and food service jobs reached a record 122,000,
representing a 4% increase over the previous year and
44 months of consecutive job increases.
Go to http://www.MiamiandBeaches.com for more.
in
14 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE10_11_14_15.indd 14
11/7/2013 3:03:00 PM
News In Brief
Continued from page 10
initiative resulted in 4,000
events taking place across
the country with participants coming from around
the world to be part of
those festivities.
Here in Canada, Tourism Ireland is now looking ahead to 2014, putting
plans in place to highlight
the newly introduced yearround direct air access
from Toronto to Dublin
– by both Aer Lingus and
Aire Canada rouge – with
a number of cross media
co-operative marketing
campaigns rolling out
across the provinces.
As Tourism Ireland’s
Canadian manager, Jayne
Shackleford sees it: “With
year-round direct access
to Ireland, 2014 marks
the start of a new era for
marketing the island of
Ireland in Canada, and it’s
an added bonus that we’re
wrapping up this season on
such a tremendous high.”
For more, go to http://
www.trade.ireland.com.
Hotels partner
Following the successful
opening of the Occidental Grand Cartagena in
Colombia, Occidental
Hotels & Resorts together
with Estelar Hotels have
announced a strategic
marketing agreement
which will allow the two
companies to collaborate
in a joint sales strategy
for five key flagship hotels
from each chain.
The alliance is designed
to enhance the visibility of
Occidental Hotels & Resorts, as well as Estelar Hotels in those markets where
the companies currently do
not have a presence.
Go to http://www.occiden
talhotels.com for more.
Manon Leblanc and Butch Stewart
Forever
Continued from page 11
to comment, “Our relationship with
Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
goes back over 30 years, and they have
been magnificent partners through
thick and thin.”
Stewart added, “They know our
product well, and the partnership
has become enormously beneficial
to both parties. I’m pleased to say
that it continues to grow stronger and
stronger as time goes by.”
While the investment on both sides
has been substantial and the logistics
sometimes complicated, the relationship is deceptively simple, according
to Leblanc, who stressed that ACV
strives to mimic the Sandals tie with
all of its accommodation suppliers.
She said, “They need us because
they want the Canadian visitor, and
we need them to fill our airplanes.”
And isn’t that what symbiosis is
all about?
WHY GO TO THE POOL
WHEN THE POOL
CAN COME TO YOU
At Sandals Resorts, innovation earns bragging rights.
Such as reinventing the very concept of R&R (romance
& relaxation) in suites that let your clients swim right
up to their private patio from a crystal lagoon pool. Oh,
and the personal butler who caters to their every whim
is also included. Why not brag about it when we include
more luxury than any other resorts ever have. Or ever will.
®
novative
#SwimUpSuites
MORE QUALITY INCLUSIONS
THAN ANY OTHER RESORTS ON THE PLANET
Call 1-800-545-8283 or visit sandals.com
®
Sandals is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations, Inc. is the affiliate of the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts.
NOVEMBER 11, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 15
1111PAGE10_11_14_15.indd 15
11/7/2013 3:03:18 PM
Escape to Palladium for luxurious fun
GREG COATES
What has crocodiles, pink flamingos, nine
restaurants, a world-class spa, new children’s
aquatic centre, and a wedding chapel – all set
along a 720-metre stretch of beautiful, whitesand beach?
If you guessed Playa del Carmen, Mexico,
you’d be close. It’s the all-inclusive Grand
Palladium Resorts complex and The Royal
Suites Yucatán in Riviera Maya.
Located close to the village of Akumal and
approximately 25 minutes from Playa del
Carmen, the Palladium complex is like five
resorts in one offering 1,500 rooms and suites
– the Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort &
Spa, Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa,
Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa,
Grand Palladium Riviera Resort & Spa, and
the exclusive adults-only Royal Suites.
Popular with Canadians, the five-star Grand
Palladium is having its best year since 2002
with general manager Jose Luis Caneiro Rey
telling Canadian Travel Press that 2013 is seeing an average occupancy rate of 80-85%.
“It’s a good product, not only us, the Riviera
Maya (region) is great for tourists,” said
Caneiro Rey. “There are many nice resorts in
the area, but I would say the Grand difference
is the staff. Here, we work (train) like a school.”
Staff are trained to be courteous and
attentive to guests’ needs, helping make the
Palladium vacation a memorable experience,
And, while the resort is unquestionably large,
it does not seem overly crowded when near full
capacity. There are enough nooks and crannies that guests can get away and enjoy some
privacy if so desired.
For agents with clients looking to treat
themselves, consider Palladium’s The Royal
Suites Yucatán – basically an all-suite, adultsonly boutique hotel located within the Grand
Palladium complex. Guests have many exclusive amenities, including butler service, a restaurant not open to other guests and their own
section of the beach, but also have full access
to all Palladium resort facilities.
The Royal Suites Yucatán surrounds an
artificial lagoon and consists of 130 rooms in
See PALLADIUM page 20
16 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE16-21.indd 16
11/7/2013 2:58:34 PM
Make Your Big Day Even Brighter.
Stay for Free.
Natural splendor sets the stage for absolute luxury when you
choose Palladium Hotels & Resorts as your destination wedding or
honeymoon. Our team of experienced planners ensures that every
detail reflects your vision of the perfect day. Start your future
together with memories to last a lifetime, only at Palladium Hotels
& Resorts.
KAREN BUSSEN
simple stunning weddings
New wedding packages by wedding designer Karen Bussen, now available
in all Mexico & Caribbean Destinations.
Experience
PALLADIUM
/PalladiumHotelsandResorts
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1111PAGE16-21.indd 17
SPAIN | MEXICO | DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | JAMAICA | BRAZIL
11/7/2013 2:58:39 PM
ADVERTISEMENT
Princess Cruises – The best way to
escape completely from cold weather
®
hen the thermometer goes down
at home, Princess heats up with
spectacular opportunities for your
clients to escape the cold and
relax on warm weather cruises.
W
Embrace the Warmth of the Caribbean
The Caribbean is everything a tropical paradise
should be: inviting beaches, turquoise waters
teeming with colorful fish, lush jungles and
amazing natural wonders. Each Caribbean island
tells its own story, but you’ll always find friendly
locals, soft breezes and the warmth of the sun. Princess sails to over 20 of the most
popular Caribbean ports, and our fleet in the Caribbean features some spectacular
vessels, including our newest ship – Royal Princess®. No matter which ship your
client is on, you’re assured they’ll enjoy warm and welcoming Princess service,
superb dining featuring award-winning regional specialties, exciting activities and
wonderful entertainment. With an array of Caribbean sailings to choose from, even
travelers with limited vacation time will benefit from Princess® Getaway cruises, 4- to
5-day roundtrip sailings departing from Ft. Lauderdale. Clients wanting an extended
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cruise itineraries ranging in length from 7 to 20 days. The crystalline waters of St.
Thomas, the ancient Mayan treasures of Belize and the sugar-soaked hills of Antigua
are just some of the things to look forward to in the alluring Caribbean ports we
visit. A highlight of many itineraries includes a day at our exclusive Bahamian retreat,
Princess Cays®, filled with activities, watersports, island cuisine and shopping!
Experience the Epic Panama Canal
Princess offers a variety of ways to experience the world’s greatest shortcut on a
cruise that is filled with exotic cultures and rich history. A dream more than 500 years
in the making, the Panama Canal is a marvel of engineering and one best viewed
from Princess ships custom-built to sail these legendary locks. And what could be
better than sailing through the Canal during its 100th anniversary in 2014! From
the time you set sail, you’ll embark on an extraordinary journey to ports famous
for their natural wonders, like the Costa Rica rain forests or Jamaica’s magnificent
Dunn’s Rivers Falls. Along the way, you’ll also have the opportunity to tour UNESCO
World Heritage sites in Cartegena and Old Panama City that date back to the Age
of Exploration. Many cruises also call at Princess Cays, our exclusive island retreat
for a day of fun in the sun and an island barbecue. And when you arrive at the epic
Panama Canal, Princess enhances your experience with onboard presentations
by Canal experts and an on-deck buffet featuring regional dishes from both sides
of the Canal. It’s easy to see the Canal with Princess, which offers more Canal
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1111PAGE16-21.indd 18
partial transit of the Canal and through the
Gatun Locks - perfect for your clients that
don’t want to take the longer Panama Canal
cruises other cruise lines offer. And if your
clients have more time to spare, choose a 15day sailing between Ft. Lauderdale and Los
Angeles or San Francisco that sails through
all three sets of locks, visiting exciting ports
in the Caribbean Sea and along the Pacific
Coast. Select 15-day itineraries also feature
a Signature Two-Day Canal Experience, a
full Panama Canal transit combined with a
full-day excursion at Fuerte Amador on the
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this fascinating city in greater depth. With easy to reach
departure cities and an array of colorful ports, a Panama
Canal Cruise with Princess offers a world of adventure
close to home.
Discover the Aloha Spirit
Why choose just one Hawaiian island when your clients
can visit four Pacific jewels – Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai and
Maui – in a single round-trip sailing from Los Angeles or
San Francisco, or between Vancouver and Honolulu?
The all-encompassing Hawaiian experience begins the
moment your clients step on board. Passengers can
get into the “Aloha Spirit” by immersing themselves in a
variety of authentic Hawaiian activities, including learning
how to strum a ukulele, make flower leis, dance the hula
and more! Plus they’ll taste authentic, freshly prepared
Hawaiian cuisine like Hawaiian Haupia Pudding with
Coconut and Vanilla Kona coffee, and tropical rum
tastings will give guests a real taste of island flavors as
they relax with Hawaiian-themed movies and music
performed poolside. At each glorious destination, palmlined beaches and hibiscus-scented island breezes
greet guests, who can choose to explore the volcanic
beauty of the Big Island, stroll famed Waikiki Beach and
marvel at the splendor of the “Grand Canyon of the
Pacific,” Waimea Canyon in Kauai.
The best cure for your clients’ winter blues is a
Princess Cruises vacation to sunny islands, colorful
ports and modern marvels. For sales tools, in-depth
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OneSourceCruises.com.
11/7/2013 2:58:40 PM
Suffering from cold weather?
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To learn more about Princess Cruises warm weather vacation destinations,
please contact your Business Development Manager or
for reservation support call Princess Cruises at 1-855-428-6273
O NE S O UR C E CR U I S E S .C OM
©2013 Princess Cruises. Ships of Bermudan registry
1111PAGE16-21.indd 19
11/7/2013 2:58:40 PM
Palace Resorts now
sailing with ‘Casanova’
Grand Palladium Resorts in the Riviera Maya include 22 Mayan Suites (above).
Palladium
Raggs is an Emmy award-winning
live action TV series starring five
three villas with six suites and 30
musical pups. The new program
junior suites per villa. Twenty-two at Palladium resorts features
Mayan Suites – featuring unique
live 45-minute shows, character
outdoor Mayan showers – are also appearances around the resorts,
available.
disco parties and even a chance to
All Royal Suites rooms have a
dine with the characters.
king-sized or two double beds,
Other entertainment activisofa bed, air conditioning, ceiling
ties at the resort include a disco,
fan, fully stocked mini-bar, sateltennis (there are six courts),
lite TV, and Jacuzzi. Royal suites
volleyball, basketball, salsa and
and junior suites feature a Jacuzzi merengue classes, Olympics on
on the terrace with two sun chairs. the beach, Spanish lessons, quiz
Another special touch is the pillow games, PlayStation, billiards,
and aromatherapy menus.
mini golf, ping-pong, sand
Other exclusive services at The
castle competitions, treasure
Royal Suites Yucatán include
hunts, horseshoes, kayak races,
private check-in, complimenand karaoke. There is also a salttary room service, free Internet
water pool.
at reception and in the rooms,
Newly opened is an aquatic
private pool with Jacuzzi, pool bar park for children up to the age
and private lounge.
of 16. A nightly arts and crafts
When it comes to dining at the
market featuring local artisans
Palladium, guests staying a week
is available for guests feeling the
never have to repeat their dinneed to shop.
ner venue, unless of course, they
For nature lovers, the Palladium
choose to. Venues include the
has a crocodile habitat (with
Main Buffet “Kabah” featuring an weekly exhibitions of their feedItalian Corner, Mexican Corner
ing) and flamingo ponds.
and Show Cooking, as well as
Completing the luxury experiMediterranean, Japanese and
ence is one of the largest and
Mexican restaurants, and a steak
most complete spas in the Mayan
house (El Dorado).
Riviera featuring a gym, Jacuzzi
A key feature of any stay at
pool, sauna and steam baths, and
Palladium is the entertaina variety of massage and beauty
ment with nightly live music
treatments (Swedish, Sports,
and weekly shows in the theatre.
Reflexologies, Vichy, massages for
Agents can confidently recomcouples etc., baths (with therapist),
mend the “Rock Show 4 Ever” and facial and corporal treatments
“Pirates” shows, the latter featurand defoliations).
ing a combination of dancers and
For the wedding market, as
Cirque-like acrobats.
well as Catholic mass on Sundays,
For families, Palladium recently there is an on-site colonial wedunveiled a new segment to its
ding chapel (Nuestra Señora de
already extensive family program
las Nieves).
– “Play at Palladium with Raggs.”
(www.palladiumhotelgroup.com)
Continued from page 16
Palace Resorts – which has five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations on Mexico’s Caribbean coast – has a new lavish yacht –
the “Casanova” – at Isla Mujeres Palace. The new yacht transports
guests seamlessly from the pier in Cancun directly to the secluded
island property, removing the added cost and inconvenience of
utilizing a ferry.
The new service, exclusively available for Isla Mujeres guests
upon reservation and provided as part of the resort’s all-inclusive
offers, operates daily from Dolphin Discovery’s Aquatours marina
located at Boulevard Kukulcán KM 6.5 on the Hotel Zone. A
51-foot Sea Ray featuring mahogany finishing and plush seating,
the Casanova has the capacity for 10 passengers, along with their
luggage. The 30- to 40-minute voyage to the property includes
complimentary beverages on board for guests. Guests must
reserve a spot aboard the vessel 24 hours in advance between
9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST.
Guests who book a stay of five nights or more can also “take
advantage of the most valuable vacation promotion on record” – a
$1,500 Resort Credit, which can be used on room upgrades, spa
and beauty salon treatments, golf outings, romantic dinners, and
off-site excursions and tours.
“Enjoy sweet beachside relaxation and amazing personalized
service at the couples-only, all-inclusive Isla Mujeres Palace in
beautiful Isla Mujeres,” Palace Resorts adds. “Escape to a luscious
tropical island paradise where you’re treated like royalty.”
Designed for an intimate island experience, Isla Mujeres Palace
features 62 accommodations offering island, pool or ocean views
and balconies, double Jacuzzis, mini bars, 24-hour room service,
wireless Internet, and more.
Palace Resorts all-inclusive accommodations start at $172 p.p.,
per night, based on double occupancy.
(www.PalaceResorts.com)
The Hard Rock Panama Megapolis
was rocking on Oct. 31, with the
Panama City property hosting a Halloween party for those on a Nolitours’ fam. Joining in the merriment were (l-r) Irene Hawrylyshyn of
TravelOnly in Brantford, Ont.; Cindy Carey of Marlin Travel in Kingston,
Ont.; and Sheila Aue of TPI in Missisauga.
Rockin’ at the Hard Rock
20 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE16-21.indd 20
11/7/2013 2:58:42 PM
IT’S NOT A SHOPPING
TRIP. IT’S A TRIP WITH
GREAT SHOPPING.
1111PAGE16-21.indd 21
11/7/2013 2:58:45 PM
Botswana retreats:
Follow in the footsteps of the ancients
IAN STALKER
Uncharted AFRICA SAFARI
co. is inviting people to follow
in the Botswana footsteps of
some locals whose forefathers
began crisscrossing that area
long, long ago.
The company – which has
one lodge and three tented
camps – includes among its
tented camp activities walks
lead by Bushmen, who company spokesman Lee Edelstein
notes have plenty of familiarity
with the desert-like area.
“They are the oldest surviving culture on Earth,” he says,
adding their hunter-gatherer
Jack’s Camp offers an upscale retreat for those visiting Botswana.
lifestyle dates back some 35,000
years. “They show you how they track, and
Also to be seen are meerkats, which are
build traps and fires.”
related to mongooses. Meerkats frequently
And in doing so participants will see what
seek vantage points that enable them to locate
Edelstein says is a remarkable ecosystem that
predators and “sometimes even climb on you,
resulted from a “super-lake” that dried up
sometimes want to use you as a lookout post.
10,000 years ago and now forms a salt-pan sys- People love it,” reports Edelstein, adding that
tem that’s roughly the size of all Switzerland.
the creatures aren’t tame and can’t be petted.
Those trekking it during its mid-AprilUncharted AFRICA SAFARI has three
through-October dry season will find
tented camps – Jack’s Camp, Camp Kalahari
themselves hoofing it through an area that’s
and San Camp – found in a sprawling
home to what Edelstein says is a “huge
2,200-square-kilometre region by the salt-pan
amount of fossils and artifacts,” among
system that’s reserved for their clients, along
them pre-Iron Age stone tools. “You see the
with Planet Baobab, a lodge popular with
area through their [Bushmen’s] eyes and see
backpackers. Simona Quaglia, the company’s
how they have successfully adapted to live
marketing manager, says camp guests will
in a harsh environment.”
find their accommodations provide “incredThe vastness of the region – which some
ible comfort,” while the lodge is more suited
have labelled “exploring the great nothing” –
for backpackers.
means you can “almost see the full curve of
Jack’s Camp has been named one of
the Earth,” Edelstein adds.
Botswana’s five national museums, thanks in
Exotic mammals that may be spotted include part to its displays of fossils and ancient artibrown hyenas and curious-looking aardvarks.
facts, such as Bushmen tools.
Those staying at the lodge,
Planet Baobab, can visit local
families, gaining insights into
Botswana lifestyles.
Each of the tented camps is
found in a different environment – grasslands, woodlands
and salt pan – and Quaglia
notes the rainy season leads to
the arrival of huge numbers of
wildebeest and zebra that visitors can spot.
“We are well-known for
wildlife,” she says of Botswana,
adding Uncharted AFRICA
SAFARI also sends clients
to the country’s watery and
sprawling Okavango Delta,
home to hippos, elephants,
giraffes, buffalo, crocodiles, different bird species, and many other creatures. Double-decker
boats are one of the methods used to explore
the delta, with those vessels providing a good
vantage spot to see local wildlife. Some delta
islands are large enough that they have such
predators as lions and leopards living on them,
Quaglia notes. “On our mobile safaris, you’re
entering the animals’ territory. We’re guests in
their territory.”
Delta animals may be found right outside
tents at night, Quaglia continues. “The trick
is to zip yourself in. They won’t come in if you
zip yourself in.”
High season 2013 rates for the lodge start
at US$95, while high season rates for Jack’s
Camp start at US$1,400 per person, per night
and high season rates for San Camp start
at US$1,100 per person, per night and high
season rates at Camp Kalahari start at US$590
per person, per night.
(www.unchartedafrica.com)
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22 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE22-26.indd 22
11/7/2013 2:51:07 PM
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LE BLANC SPA RESORT DAZZLES
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Nestled beside azure Caribbean waters, Le
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CELEBRITY’S ALASKA: WHERE COMPLETELY
SPOILED GUESTS MEET UNSPOILED WILDERNESS
elebrity Cruises knows that your clients’ vacation time is precious, which is
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A Celebrity Alaska Cruisetour is the best way to be completely immersed in the
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As much fun as there is on board, the ports of call offer even more
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Celebrity goes all out to make your vacation a modern, upscale experience that will
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on creating opportunities for your clients and their families to experience a vacation that
will stay with them long after their vacation has ended.
Celebrity has some the coolest, kid-approved activities and spaces – including the
Fun Factory for younger kids and the X-Club for teens – at sea. Kids will discover
activities that will keep them going throughout their entire vacation. Start with Celebrity’s
partnership with Xbox – Celebrity has outfitted their ships with dedicated Xbox stations
to feature one of the largest game and entertainment experiences at sea. They also
*Features and amenities vary by ship and stateroom category. ©2013 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.
1111PAGE22-26.indd 24
11/7/2013 2:51:11 PM
It’s that time of year for giving thanks—so we have two great offers for your clients
Give your clients 15% off more than 280 sailings in Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Europe if they’re one of our valued
Captain’s Club members and 10% off if they’re not members.* Or, give your clients $250 to spend on board an Alaska Cruisetour
if they’re Captain’s Club members and $200 if they’re not.** It’s our way of giving thanks to you and your clients.
Book now through November 24, 2013.
Learn more at CruisingPower.com
*Discount Offer applies to 4-night and longer Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, or Europe, sailings departing January 1– December 31, 2014 (“Offer Cruise”). Cruise must be booked November 1 – 24, 2013 (“Offer Period”
Captain’s Club members, Classic level and above, receive 15% off unrestricted standard cruise rates. Valid membership number must be provided at time of booking. New members may book on board without a
membership number but must provide the membership number by December 5, 2013, to be eligible for the Offer. Non-loyalty guests receive 10% off unrestricted standard cruise rates for ocean view and above categories.
**Onboard Credit Offer applies to Alaska Cruisetours departing May 2014 – September 2014. Captain’s Club members, Classic level and above, receive $250 Onboard Credit (“OBC”) in USD, applicable to ocean
view, verandas, Concierge Class, AquaClass®, and suites. Non-loyalty guests receive $200 OBC per stateroom. Valid membership number must be provided at time of booking; new members may book on board
without a membership number but must provide the membership number by December 5, 2013. One Offer per stateroom. OBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, not redeemable
for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise.
Offers limited to one per stateroom. Offers are applicable to new individual bookings and to staterooms in non-contracted group bookings that are named and fully deposited during the Offer Period. Promotion can be
applied only to current group or individual standard rates that are available for sale during the Offer Period. Single occupancy bookings eligible for Offers. Offers not applicable to contracted groups or chartered sailings.
Offers are non-transferable and applicable only to the Offer Cruise. Offers are subject to availability, subject to change without notice, and capacity controlled. Offers cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion,
including, but not limited to, Exciting Deals, Category specials, Celebrity’s ChoiceAir specials, reduced air, Interline, senior, resident, Travelzoo, travel agent, and employee rates, or discounted rates. Refer to cruisingpower.
com for complete terms and conditions. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions and to change or update fares, fees, and surcharges at any time without prior notice.
©2013 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships registry: Malta and Ecuador.
1111PAGE22-26.indd 25
11/7/2013 2:51:11 PM
ADVERTISEMENT
A CAREFREE AND ENCHANTING
ENVIRONMENT
At Couples Resorts, we believe in going further than merely meeting your
expectations – we strive to exceed them by adding a special personal touch to
every facet of your Caribbean experience. From the five-star service delivered
by our friendly staff to our world-class amenities, each of our Jamaican resorts
offers a carefree and enchanting environment that encourages you to forget about
everything except enjoying each other. Whether you are playing in the sea, dancing
under the stars or simply unwinding in a hammock on your own private balcony, our
all-inclusive boutique resorts ensure your stay is perfect from start to finish. Perched
on the lush coastline of Ocho Rios, the iconic Couples Tower Isle embraces a ‘high
design’ aesthetic infused with the authentic vibrancy of the Caribbean. It even boasts
its very own namesake island. Discover the delights of snorkeling among the reefs,
windsurfing on the waves and relaxing in our Zen-inspired spa – named “Best in the
Caribbean” by Travel+Leisure. Award-winning chefs craft some of finest dishes on
the island.
Nestled on the cliffs of Jamaica’s emerald coast, Couples Sans Souci beckons
you to surrender mind, body and soul. The resort’s intricate latticework, white
woven furnishings and feathered palms pay tribute to an understated colonial
elegance. Melt away stress in the healing natural mineral springs.
Savour authentic Jamaican fare and five-star international cuisine.
Tucked amidst the coconut trees, Couples Negril sits on a
secluded stretch of pure white sand beach with the inviting Caribbean
waters just beyond. The central cluster of restaurants, grills and bars
encourages mingling with fellow guests over cool tropical drinks.
Beach-side massages and late night bonfires are perfect for those
quieter moments. Couples Negril offers an endless array of activities,
such as snorkeling, sailing, scuba, tennis, yoga or simply relaxing.
Immediately upon entering Couples Swept Away, you realize
that you have arrived in paradise. Never crowded or hurried,
experience tranquility on seven miles of pure white sands. Dotted
among the resort’s tropical gardens – you’ll find open-air cafés,
small pool enclaves and fresh fruit oases. All rooms embrace a
quiet elegance with private verandahs overlooking the gardens and
stunning azure sea.
Find out more at www.couples.com.
VOTED THE #1 HOTEL SPA
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800.268.7537
1111PAGE22-26.indd 26
COUPLES.COM
11/7/2013 2:51:12 PM
Selling wellness:
Agents report spa stays on the upswing
SpaFinder Wellness’ recent
sixth annual “State of Spa
Travel” report reveals that the
spa travel category weathered
the recession relatively well,
showing that in 2012 bookings
to hotel, resort and destination
spas turned a meaningful corner, with more than two-thirds
of travel agents seeing positive booking growth, and the
average price-per-night-booked
rising significantly.
“While the upswing in spa
travel is being driven by the
wider economic rebound, the
survey clearly indicates that
other factors are at play,” said
Susie Ellis, president, SpaFinder Wellness Inc.
“With more than two-thirds of agents reporting that people are now more interested in
travelling to spas specifically for programs
like stress-reduction, fitness, and weight loss,
the results are a clear indication that more
travellers are deciding they simply can’t afford
exhausting, unhealthy vacations.”
Ellis noted that “wellness tourism” is no
longer an exotic concept, but is becoming a
powerful, mainstream trend that will continue
to fuel the spa travel market – and influence
where people go, and what they choose to do,
on their increasingly precious time off.
While 37% of travel agents reported that spa
travel bookings increased in 2011 over 2010,
that number roughly doubled for 2012. Sixtyeight percent reported growth in the number
of clients choosing spa travel last year, with
only 9% reporting declines.
The high end of the market is clearly
spurring spa travel growth, with the average price-per-night-booked in 2012 rising
spa vacations with a strong
health/wellness focus in 2012,
and 30% noted it was just as
strong a trend as in 2011. (And
given that roughly four in five
agents reported growth for
spa travel with a strong health
focus in 2011, it’s clear that
the wellness-seeking traveller trend has serious, ongoing
momentum.)
The health-obsessed Baby
Boomer generation (individuals aged 48 to 67) remains this
travel sector’s core demographic, with 67% of agents
reporting that they were the age
group most likely to book spa
dramatically over recent years. In 2010, only
10% of bookings topped $350 a night, but last
year that jumped to 29%. And the majority
of bookings now fall above $300 a night, up
significantly from 2009/2011, when only 25
to 40% fell in that range.
With the economy officially “post-recession,”
one might expect the hotel, resort and destination spas deals to dry up. Agents report otherwise: 35% claim that the “stay spa” deals were
actually more aggressive in 2012 over 2011,
with 55% reporting they held firm. (Only one
in 10 agents saw a decline in spa discounting.)
Mexico’s tourism industry is clearly recovering from negative press about safety concerns
in recent years. The Mexico Tourism Board
reported a record number of inbound tourists
in 2012, and agents surveyed reported that the
Mexico/Caribbean region was the No. 1 global
spa travel destination in 2012, leapfrogging the
2010 and 2011 leader, North America.
Sixty-seven per cent of agents reported
that their clients were more interested in
SPIRITED.
C APTIVATING.
VIBRANT.
travel in 2012.
But a significant 31% of agents pegged the
younger, 26-45 age group as now most likely
to book spa vacations. (This age breakdown is
essentially the same as reported for 2011.)
SpaFinder Wellness connects people seeking access to a healthier lifestyle with its
network of over 20,000 wellness providers.
The SpaFinder Wellness Network has the
resources to support a range of corporate/
business and personal wellness initiatives.
Its digital platform gives people everywhere
the ability to discover, search, evaluate and
purchase services easily and conveniently –
whether they are seeking spa, fitness, yoga,
Pilates, or other wellness experiences and
services. The company is the largest retailer
and wholesaler of gift cards for the spa and
wellness industry, and also offers SpaFinder
Wellness currency to support corporate wellness programs that help employees maintain
healthy, productive lifestyles.
(www.SpaFinder.com)
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1111PAGE27-29.indd 27
11/7/2013 2:52:19 PM
ADVERTISEMENT
THE ALL-NEW JUBILEE TOWER
ally’s Las Vegas renovated and renamed its existing South tower the
all-new Jubilee Tower, named after the property’s iconic show, Jubilee!,
which celebrates its 32nd anniversary this summer, making it the
longest-running show in Las Vegas.
B
The fresh, new Jubilee Tower Premium Room encompasses 450 square feet of
living space with chic lounge furniture yielding a stylistic atmosphere. Juxtaposed
geometric patterns create a contemporary feel, set with neutral tones and
striking pops of red visible throughout decorative accents and fashionable wall
coverings. Each room comes equipped with a 42-inch flat screen, work desk and a
refrigerator. Bathrooms feature spacious glass-enclosed showers.
A total of 121 remodeled one- and two-bedroom suites will span 800 to 1,600
square feet, each which will feature a separate living and dining room, bar, ample
workspace and a master bedroom retreat with an oversized, central whirlpool
bathtub. Redesigned common areas will include refurbished corridors and elevator
lobbies that will incorporate the signature geometric patterned carpets, updated
wall coverings and modern light fixtures.
The Jubilee Tower is just one of the new and exciting additions taking place at
Bally’s Las Vegas offering guests fresh, new accommodations and lively additions
to entertainment and nightlife right in the heart of the Strip at Bally’s marquee
location.
Bally’s Las Vegas
The 44-acre Bally’s Las Vegas is located on the
center of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, across
from Caesars Palace and next to Paris Las Vegas.
Bally’s features two 26-story hotel towers, offering
2,814 guestrooms and suites. The resort features 11
restaurants, a relaxing pool oasis, a lavish spa and
casino space featuring a Party Pit, poker room, 1,100
slot machines and a first-class Race & Sports Book
known for its stadium-style seating and abundance
of high-definition television screens. Bally’s Las Vegas
is also home to Donn Arden’s Jubilee!, the renowned
production that has been thrilling audiences since
1981 with its beautiful showgirls, music, lavish sets
and spectacular choreography. Every Sunday, guests
can indulge in the finest array of food from around the
world, including caviar, sushi, lobster and champagne
at the world-famous Sterling Brunch.
For more information, please visit
www.CaesarsTravelAgents.com and
www.ballyslasvegas.com
New to Bally’s entertainment lineup is VÉRONIC
Voices. Proudly co-produced by Celine Dion, the
show features unique talents of Véronic, the only
female tribute artist of her kind who pays homage
to the most popular female recording artists in
the world. Whether she’s singing Lady Gaga
or Madonna, Whitney or Adele, Pink or Celine,
Véronic’s amazing repertoire of voices backed by
six dancers and five state-of-the-art video screens
takes audiences on a jaw-dropping, captivating
entertainment journey like no other.
A staple in Las Vegas nightlife for more than 15
years, the legendary Drai’s After Hours recently
celebrated the opening of its new location at
Bally’s Las Vegas. Drai’s After Hours is owned and
operated by Victor Drai, who is regarded by many
as the “father of the Las Vegas after hours scene,”
having created and founded Las Vegas mega-clubs
Tryst and XS.
1111PAGE27-29.indd 28
11/7/2013 2:52:22 PM
EIGHT
RESORTS.
ONE CALL.
EXPERIENCE SPECTACULAR
ENTERTAINMENT AT EIGHT
LAS VEGAS RESORTS
Caesars
Entertainment
provides
the
playground
for
your imagination with a stunning array of performances.
With legendary entertainers including Penn & Teller at the Rio,
Donny & Marie at the Flamingo and the resident performers of
the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Celine Dion, Shania Twain
and Elton John, Caesars Entertainment has it all.
Learn more at CaesarsTravelAgents.com
Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2013, Caesars License Company, LLC.
1111PAGE27-29.indd 29
11/7/2013 2:52:22 PM
ADVERTISEMENT
North America showcase their best films to the world
2nd Baja International Film Festival in Los Cabos
rom Nov. 13-16, 2013, The Baja International
Film Festival, Los Cabos (BIFF 2013) will be
held in one of the most exclusive and beautiful
beaches of Mexico, promoting actors, directors
and celebrities from around the world. In addition
to a lively industry program, there will be galas, free
screenings, concerts and outdoor activities.
F
BIFF 2013 is dedicated to this multicultural and vibrant
region that brings international audiences bold, reflective
and inspiring films.
Horas Muertas (by Aarón Fernández; Mexico / France / Spain), Short Term 12 (by Destin
Cretton; U.S.), Sarah préfère la course (by Chloé Robichaud; Canada) and Who is Dayani
Cristal? (by Marc Silver; Mexico / UK).
Mexico First bets on new Mexican directors. There will be worldwide premieres, such
as Bering. Equilibrio y Resistencia (by Lourdes Grobet), Filosofía Natural del Amor
(by Sebastián Hiriart) and Luto (by Katina Medina Mora); and films already domestically
showcased, such as Cumbres (by Gabriel Nuncio), La vida después (by David Pablos)
and Los insólitos peces gato (by Claudia Sainte-Luce).
The second edition will see BIFF’s red carpet receive international celebrities such as Charlie Sheen, Peter Greenaway, Gael García Bernal, and the Café Tacuva band.
Strengthening film industry
BIFF has created the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund to help Mexican filmmakers. From this
fund – which collected 124 proposals – seven developing projects have been selected
to receive $5,000 each, whereas two in final stage will receive $52,000 in postproduction
services, thanks to the alliance with Labodigital.
The program is arranged into the sections: Los Cabos
Competition (fiction and documentary from the three
countries), Mexico First (first and second films; fiction or
documentary), Work in Progress Mexico (exclusively
Mexican projects) and Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund (for
projects in development and post-production stage).
Regarding Work in Progress BIFF 2013, a jury of national and international film industry
members such as Genna Terranova (Tribeca Film Festival Programming Director, USA),
Nadia Dresti (Locarno Film Festival Artistic Direction Delegate and Head of Industry Office,
Switzerland) and Mauricio Duran (Marketing and Distribution Vice President for Latin
America, Universal Pictures International) will select a Mexican project that will benefit from
a prize of $10,000 awarded by BIFF.
Official Selection
For the Official Selection – 150 films were received from
which 14 were selected for the competition, where they
will be evaluated by prominent national and international
film industry members. For Los Cabos Competition:
they will be Philippe Falardeau (Canadian filmmaker,
Oscar nominee for Monsieur Lazhar), Peter Scarlet
(Prestigious film consultant, former director of the
Tribeca Film Festival, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and
the Cinémathèque Française) and Ana de La Reguera
(Internationally renowned Mexican actress). For Mexico
First, the jury will consist of Daniel Giménez Cacho
(Mexican actor with a long career in film, and theatre
and television director), Rémi Bonhomme (Cannes
Film Festival International Critics’ Week Programmer)
and Luis Puenzo (Argentinian filmmaker, producer and
screenwriter. Oscar winning-director for The Official Story).
Moviecity will award a participating film an advanced purchase of broadcasting rights, and
Splendor Omnia - Mantarraya will provide a prize for finishing postproduction in Carlos
Reygadas’ studio in Tepoztlan.
Los Cabos Competition collects independent voices
from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada; among them:
Alphée des étoiles (by Hugo Latulippe; Canada), The
Dirties (by Matthew Johnson; Canada / U.S.), Hide
your Smiling Faces (by Daniel Patrick Carbone; U.S.), I
Used to be Darker (by Matthew Porterfield; U.S.), Las
1111PAGE30.indd 30
From more than fifty received projects, six were selected for the first Work in Progress:
Asteroide (by Marcelo Tobar; prod. Zensky Cine y Bolchevique), Edén (by Elise Durant;
prod. Alma Películas), El comienzo del tiempo (by Bernardo Arellano; prod. Agrupación
Caramelo Cinematográfica), El regreso del muerto (by Gustavo Gamou; prod. Centro de
Capacitación Cinematográfica), Los bañistas (by Max Zunino; prod. Películas Avestruz) and
Mexicanos de Bronce (by Julio Fernández Talamantes; prod. Cine Caníbal y Perro Rojo).
International celebration
Baja International Film Festival, Los Cabos seeks to bring the best of the Mexican,
American and Canadian film proposals, and is an international celebration, which will open
with animated feature Metegol (Foosball, Argentina/Spain, 2013), in the presence of the
filmmaker Juan José Campanella –Oscar winning director for El secreto de tus ojos.
There will be an Out of Competence section, which will include the most recent films
of recognized directors such as Lucía Puenzo, Jim Jarmusch and Lukas Moodyson,
among others.
BIFF 2013 is established as a platform of dialog, negotiation, and international projection
and recognition for filmmakers from North America, under the premise: “Come see what
the neighbors are doing. Mexico, U.S.A. and Canada showcase their best films to the
world.”
11/7/2013 12:43:05 PM
1111PAGE31.indd 31
11/7/2013 12:43:37 PM
ADVERTISEMENT
VALLARTA – NAYARIT IS CERTAIN
TO ENCHANT VISITORS
wo destinations
united geographically
that live as one.
This region is one
of Mexico´s most popular
tourism corridors because of
its great climate and incredibly
diversity. It´s this boundless
diversity that provides our
visitors with such a range of
unique experiences too many
to describe, so you have to
LIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT.
T
PUERTO VALLARTA:
Puerto Vallarta is an open portal to an unforgettable vacation; the one you would
only have dreams about. With the charm of a colonial city, beautiful nature and
picturesque seaside setting against a backdrop of mountains, Puerto Vallarta is
a unique, all-year round destination, where history coexists with cosmopolitan
amenities, the warmth of the Pacific Ocean and its welcoming people.
In Puerto Vallarta you will also find a dynamic combination of brilliant cultural
expressions and entertainment. From art galleries, cozy cafés, traditional markets,
and vibrant nightclub scenes with live music that lead to a fun atmosphere for a late
night of dancing and excitement, Puerto Vallarta has a deep appreciation for the
finer things in life without ever loosing its true identity and traditions.
In fact, as in typical Mexican fashion, tradition lives on in the cobblestoned streets
and squares, with an impressive lineup of hotel options ranging from world-class
all-inclusive resorts to boutique hotels with their unique personalities. A magnificent
combination of hospitality, sophistication, relaxation and excellent service caters to
the city’s array of domestic and international visitors.
The coziness and natural splendor of Puerto
Vallarta whispers tranquility and intimacy. Its
sensual beaches and romantic settings will
therapeutically pamper you, rekindle romance,
and fulfill all imaginable fantasies you and your
significant other may have. Puerto Vallarta is
now considered one of the world’s favorite
honeymoon destinations.
For the more adventuresome and nature conscious, if you can dream it, Puerto
Vallarta can bring it to life! Puerto Vallarta’s natural beauty offers more than a tan. It
offers a large selection of eco tours and excursions which allow the visitors to swim
with dolphins, come face to face with migrating Humpback whales or release baby
turtles into the sea. Amazing experiences you will find all together in one place.
And like so many visitors to Puerto Vallarta before you, you’ll never want to wake
up from this dream vacation and leave. And if you do, you’ll want to come back for
more elegant beauty, romantic fantasy and unforgettable memories.
Puerto Vallarta, the greatness of Mexico by the sea.
www.visitpuertovallarta.com
RIVIERA NAYARIT:
Riviera Nayarit is also known as Mexico’s Pacific Treasure, a young destination
that covers over 185 miles of beaches and boasts an incredibly wide diversity
that becomes the main allure for its visitors,while only 10 minutes away from the
International airport of Puerto Vallarta.
1111PAGE32.indd 32
When we speak about diversity in this heavenly
destination, we really mean it, as this diversity can
be found not only in the hotel selection and in the
services it offers for tourists, but also in landscapes,
flora, fauna, gastronomy, recreational activities, and
even in the infrastructure designed for travelers.
From the hotel developments in Nuevo Vallarta to
the virgin beaches in the north, visitors can choose
between dozens of activities and environments,
or they can even choose to experience this entire
universe of possibilities.
Luxury in Riviera Nayarit includes the sophisticated
world-class resorts that have been built from Nuevo
Vallarta to Punta de Mita, the six world-class golf
courses, and the three marinas that provide stateof-the-art nautical
services and
facilities.
Luxury in Riviera
Nayarit also
encompasses
the personalized
details offered
by exclusive
boutique hotels perched in little-known beaches or in
traditional fishing towns.
Luxury in Riviera Nayarit means history, which
reaches its climax at the heroic port of San Blas,
and is also tangible through its biological diversity,
which offers environments preferred by species like
the humpback whale, the blue-footed booby and
Olive Ridley turtles, which travel hundreds of miles
to reach our coasts.
More importantly, luxury in Riviera Nayarit can be
enjoyed while visiting its beaches and its traditional
seaside towns, as every one of these destinations
reveals a different calling, a different pleasure, just like
discovering jewels in a treasure chest.
www.rivieranayarit.com.
11/7/2013 3:30:39 PM
LIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT
HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE UNEXPLAINABLE?
A PLACE WITH THE ARTISTIC VIBE OF A BIG CITY BUT THE FLAVOR OF TRADITIONAL MEXICAN TOWN.
SOME THINGS CAN´T BE EXPLAINED. YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THEM.
Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, two destinations united geographically that live as one. This
region is one of Mexico´s most popular tourism corridors because of its great climate and
incredible diversity.
It´s this boundless diversity that provides our visitors with such a range of unique experiences too
many to describe that you have to LIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT.
Be part of the hottest vacation spot in Mexico and become a certified specialist.
www.vallarta-nayarit.com
1111PAGE33.indd 33
11/7/2013 2:32:26 PM
Tauck's Europe: old cities, new luxury
Tauck is broadening its European portfolio with special in-depth explorations
of some of Europe’s most iconic cities.
The coming 18 months will see
the launch of two different explorations of London, the debut of a third
“city-centric” itinerary in Florence,
and the reprise of Tauck’s first such
event with the return of its popular
“Roman Holiday Event” in Italy’s
capital city next year.
Two of the four itineraries, “The
Tauck London Event” and “Roman
Holiday,” are part of the company’s
Tauck Events portfolio, while “World
Cities... London” and “World Cities...
Florence” together comprise Tauck’s London’s Piccadilly Circus
new collection of World Cities tours.
Tauck Events are larger (average capacity
experiences that travellers could never get on
is approximately 200 travellers, divided into
their own. And each offers the ease of a single,
smaller groups for sightseeing) and they typirelaxing, extended hotel stay, with the convencally have a maximum of just one departure
ience of unpacking just once.”
per year. Most evenings at Tauck Events also
Tauck’s World Cities trips and European Tauck
include special gala gatherings at exclusive
Events are all-inclusive, with five nights accomvenues, from the historic Guildhall in London modations at luxury hotels, all sightseeing and
to the Vatican Museums where Tauck guests
entertainment, admission to all attractions, most
enjoy a private dinner.
meals, airport transfers, and more included
By contrast, World Cities trips are smallin the price. Mahar added that Tauck will be
group, city-specific tours that each have
expanding both its Tauck Events and World
multiple departures, with an average of just 24 Cities portfolios, with a New Year’s Eve event in
travellers per departure.
Paris late next year, and World Cities itineraries
According to Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, the
in both Rome and Paris also in the works.
new Tauck Events and World Cities pro“The Tauck London Event” will have its
grams reflect the company’s long history of
inaugural departure later this year, from Sept.
innovation. “For 88 years, we’ve continually
19-24. A 2014 departure is scheduled for May
redefined the tour category and reimagined
22-27 of next year, with both departures featurwhat guided travel can be,” said Mahar. “In
ing a five-night stay at The Langham, London.
much the same way, these in-depth exploraAll guests will join together for special gala
tions offer our guests a new way to experience
experiences, including an exclusive discussion
some of Europe’s most classic cities. Each of
on Winston Churchill’s life and times with his
these journeys delivers the in-depth learning
noted biographer (and granddaughter) Celia
gained from travelling with expert guides, and Sandys, a private viewing of the Crown Jewels
incredible ‘insider’ access to people, places and in the Tower of London, and a memorable
OUR NEWEST
dinner at the newly restored clipper ship, the Cutty Sark. Prices for
the six-day event this September are
from $5,290 p.p., double occupancy,
plus air, and from $5,590 for the
2014 departure.
The second new London itinerary, “World Cities... London” (six
days, from $3,590 p.p., double,
plus airfare) will launch with eight
departures between April and
October 2014. Each day’s sightseeing will explore different themes,
from the Diamond Jubilee and Royal
Wedding, to Shakespeare and the
arts, to London in film and television. This also includes five nights at
The Langham, London.
Tauck’s other new “World Cities” itinerary, “World Cities... Florence,” (six days, from
$3,190 p.p., double occupancy, plus airfare)
explores Italy’s classic Renaissance city.
Next year will also see the return of Tauck’s
“Roman Holiday Event,” which was first
launched in 2010 and again offered in 2012.
The single-departure, six-day itinerary (Oct.
18-23, 2014) will feature four themed sightseeing tracks; “Ancient Rome: Romulus to the
Caesars,” “The Eternal City: Geniuses of Rome,”
“First Families, Private Palaces & Movie Sets,”
and “Caput Mundi: Rome & the Middle Ages.”
Special gala evenings will include a private
fashion show highlighting the works of Italian
designers, an opera performance in a historic
“palazzo,” and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a private dinner inside the
Vatican Museums.
Tauck’s “Roman Holiday Event” includes
five nights accommodations at The Westin
Excelsior, Rome, and the all-inclusive itinerary
is priced from $5,390 p.p., double occupancy,
plus airfare.
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34 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE34-35.indd 34
11/7/2013 2:59:08 PM
DISC
O V E R W H AT ’ S N E W W I T H
UNIWORLD
for 2014
N e w f o r 2 014
NI
Boutique River Cruises in Europe
WO R L
D
U
True
ALL-INCLUSIVE
represents our core value:
Uniworld is excited to welcome their newest Super
The finest and most elegantly appointed
delivering the highest standards
Ship, S.S. Catherine, which will sail the popular
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and Saône rivers. The S.S. Catherine will be one
All scheduled airport transfers
of Uniworld’s largest ships, with a capacity for 159
Unlimited beverages onboard, including
guests. Guests can enjoy deluxe signature touches
a selection of distinctive wines, craft and
IE
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Sail Uniworld’s Newest Super Ship, S.S. Catherine
SIX-ST
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EX PE
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too small” is the credo of the Uniworld
Discover Bordeaux—Uniworld’s Newest Destination
All meals onboard
staff, who go above and beyond for
The Bordeaux region of France is renowned for its
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speaking local experts
Uniworld takes guests there in impeccable style
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onboard the striking River Royale. For those wishing
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shore excursions.
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Pay in full at time of booking to
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itineraries than any other river cruise line,
U Truly all-inclusive Our Europe 2014
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2014 Europe & Russia Brochure | 800-868-7905 | uniworldcruises.ca
*Savings listed in Canadian dollars. Actual savings vary by program and category. Pay-in-Full Savings is not combinable with Early Booking Savings or any other promotional offers, and requires full payment at time of booking. Early Booking Savings is not combinable with any other promotional offers, and requires a C$400 per couple deposit at time of booking. Subject to availability.
Capacity controlled. Other restrictions may apply. Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw or change offers at any time. For complete details on all promotions, general information, and terms and conditions applicable to all Uniworld trips, please visit uniworldcruises.ca. TICO reg. #50018458 | Uniworld River Cruises (Canada) Limited, 33 Kern Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1S9 Canada
1111PAGE34-35.indd 35
11/7/2013 2:59:13 PM
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11/7/2013 3:53:28 PM
1111PAGE37.indd 37
11/7/2013 1:40:23 PM
Paul Gauguin Cruises debuts 2014 voyages
Paul Gauguin Cruises has debuted its 2014
Australia to Fiji voyage, and two 14-night
in Cartagena, Colombia; Oranjestad, Aruba;
Voyages by Gauguin brochure.
voyages between Australia and Southeast
and Les Saintes, F.W.I., along with a sevenThe 104-page brochure showcases a variety
Asia. Maiden ports include: Guadalcanal,
night roundtrip St. Maarten cruise visiting
of cruises aboard the Paul Gauguin and the
Solomon Islands; Kieta, Bougainville, Papua
a mix of sophisticated islands and unspoiled
90-guest Tere Moana, which can be viewed on- New Guinea; Rabaul, Papua New Guinea;
gems in the French West Indies, British Virgin
line at www.pgcruises.com/e-brochure. Itinerar- Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea; Thursday Islands, and St. Kitts & Nevis.
ies are grouped by region and feature
In November, a 14-night St. Maarten
cruise schedules, maps, highlights and
to Puerto Caldera voyage sails to five
fares. Fleet distinctions, dining venues,
Caribbean islands; overnights in Cartaentertainment options, activities, shore
gena, Colombia; transits the Panama
excursions, pre- and post-cruise hotel
Canal; and visits Costa Rica. In Deprograms, the air/sea program, deck
cember, The Moana sails a new sevenplans, and general information are also
night Colón to Puerto Caldera itinerary
highlighted.
featuring a transit through the Panama
For 2014, seven- to 14-night voyages
Canal and ports in Panama and Costa
are offered on both ships, with The
Rica. The seven-night Roundtrip PuerGauguin sailing in French Polynesia,
to Caldera cruise explores Costa Rica’s
the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia,
natural wonders.
and The Moana offering voyages in EuFrom April through October, The
rope, the Caribbean and Latin America,
Moana operates a variety of EuroPaul Gauguin Cruises has unveiled its 2014 lineup, with some itinalong with transatlantic crossings.
pean voyages. Maiden ports for
eraries featuring Australia.
Gauguin itineraries include: sevenThe Moana in 2014 include: Mahón,
night Tahiti & the Society Islands; 10-night
Island, Australia; Darwin, Australia; Komodo
Menorca, Spain; Palamós, Spain; Villefranche,
Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook
Island, Indonesia; Benoa, Bali, Indonesia;
France; Isla Gamez, Panama; Golfito, Costa
Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night MarSemarang, Indonesia; Singapore; and Maupiti, Rica; Drake Bay, Costa Rica; Quepos, Costa
quesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.
Society Islands.
Rica; and Isla Tortuga/Curú Wildlife Reserve,
New itineraries on The Gauguin include an
In March, The Moana offers a new sevenCosta Rica.
11-night Fiji to Australia voyage, a 12-night
night Colón to St. Maarten voyage with calls
(www.pgcruises.com)
Cruise Lines
Crystal Cruises has introduced an airfare
allowance of up to $800 on select Asia
cruises that enables worldwide guests to fly
for less, whether air is purchased through
Crystal or independently. Available in conjunction with “Book Now” savings, the special offer expires Jan. 3, 2014. The air credit
is available with eight 12- to 15-day Spring
and Fall cruises that depart from Singapore,
Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo, Sydney, Bali,
and Bangkok, several of which are completely new Crystal itineraries. Depending
on the sailing, these special offers include:
Reduced Single Supplements; Kids Sail Free
when sharing a third-berth accommodation with two adults; “Book Now” Fares
offering savings up to $2,500 off the cruise
fare for voyages booked by Jan. 3, 2014;
Complimentary Hotel Programs – threeday inclusive land programs in Beijing and
Angkor Wat/Thailand; Crystal Family
Memories enabling families/friends to
enjoy perks and even free berths for groups.
(www.crystalcruises.com).... Princess
Cruises has launched a Winter Clearance
Sale running through Nov. 19 and offering
cruise deals of up to 50% off on Caribbean
cruises and other warm weather destinations, as well as up to $100 in onboard
spending money. More than 100 worldwide cruise departures are featured in the
sale, including popular cruise destinations
such as Asia, Australia & New Zealand, the
Caribbean, the California coast, Hawaii,
Mexico, the Panama Canal, South America,
Tahiti, and Princess’ new shorter Getaway
cruises from Fort Lauderdale and Los
Angeles. (www.princess.com/cruisedeals/
winterclearance.jsp).... Carnival Cruise
Lines, New Orleans’ largest cruise operator, has scored the new title of Official
Cruise Partner of the New Orleans Saints
and its first-ever partnership with an NFL
franchise. Carnival will be bringing more
of its signature brand of fun to the Big
Easy through this new partnership. The
line will have the opportunity to create fun
in-stadium festivities, social media activities, prize promotions and more for Saints
fans. Coinciding with the Nov. 17 arrival of
New Orleans’ newest ship, Carnival Sunshine,
Carnival will serve as the presenting partner of the “American All-Star Tribute Show”
during halftime of that day’s home game
against the San Francisco 49ers.... Windstar
Cruises 2014/2015 Winter Caribbean and
Panama Canal voyages are open for sale.
Windstar’s three sailing yachts will explore
the warm waters of the islands and Latin
America with four unique voyages, including Classic Caribbean, a new seven-day
roundtrip itinerary from St. Maarten. Windstar’s 2015 Winter Collection, showcasing
voyages from December 2014 – March 2015,
is rounded out with the recently announced
Southeast Asia & Arabia voyages on the allsuite Star Pride. Windstar recently unveiled
its expanded, 128-page 2014 Voyage Collection brochure which features Star Pride’s
inaugural season and more than 25 itineraries. (www.WindstarCruises.com)
— Greg Coates
38 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE38.indd 38
11/7/2013 2:27:56 PM
Our chefs’ world-class credentials
are revealed on every plate.
Sophisticated Five-Star Dining is one
of Holland America Line’s hallmarks,
and delectable cuisine will be a
highlight of your clients’ next cruise.
Guests may choose from a wide selection of dining options on board to suit
every taste and mood, including:
• A five-course meal in our elegant main Dining Room, where the flexibility of
Our Culinary Council , a renowned
As You Wish® dining allows our guests to enjoy dinner when they choose, or select
team of top-name chefs, helps guide
a pre-set dining time. Also open for an elegant breakfast or a leisurely lunch.
®
and enhance the shipboard culinary
experience. And our executive chefs
are members of the prestigious
• The intimate and sophisticated Pinnacle Grill, a Pacific Northwest steak house featuring
choice, sustainably raised beef and premium seafood. It’s transformed once per cruise into
“An Evening at Le Cirque” with select menu items from the legendary New York restaurant.
Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs,
an international food and wine society.
• Canaletto, with plates designed for sharing the best of authentic regional Italian fare.
• The critically acclaimed Tamarind, featuring exceptional Pan-Asian dishes.
• The Lido Restaurant, offering relaxed dining with a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order
selections. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner; in the evening savor entrées from
both the Lido and the main Dining Room.
• Alfresco dining by the pool at the Terrace Grill, or gourmet pizza at Slice.
• Complimentary In-Room Dining available 24 hours a day.
No matter where your clients choose to dine, they’ll enjoy delicious and innovative menus
from classic favorites to vegetarian choices to regionally inspired cuisine.
Culina ry
Cou ncil
®
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
As members of our advisory
Culinary Council®, some of the
world’s most influential chefs help
direct our culinary program and
have contributed their own
signature dishes to our menus.
RUDI SODAMIN,
CHAIRMAN
DAVID BURKE
ELIZABETH FALKNER
JONNIE BOER
JACQUES TORRES
CHARLIE TROTTER
Book via POLAR Online by visiting Travel Agent HQ
at www.hollandamerica.com or call 1-800-426-0327.
A nominal fee is charged for dinner in Canaletto and Tamarind, and for lunch and dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. Slice Pizza available on select ships. Tamarind is available on the ms Eurodam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.
1111PAGE39.indd 39
11/7/2013 12:44:07 PM
Celebrations at sea:
CLIA members offer festive cruises
It really doesn’t matter
whether your client is cruising to Tahiti or Tanzania,
Argentina or Antarctica, a
holiday cruise is one of the
best ways to celebrate with
family and friends.
And the member lines
of the Cruise Lines
International Association
have certainly put together
a variety of itineraries
and onboard programs for
Christmas and New Year’s
that are guaranteed to bring
tidings of comfort and joy
with familiar traditions in
far-flung locations.
If your clients want to go
where few will ever venture, then consider a
a chance to experience Norway’s natural
winter wonderland Christmas as Seabourn
beauty and holiday traditions such as indulgsails to Antarctica for the first time this fall.
ing in local foods, visits from “Norway’s
On Dec. 11, the Seabourn Quest 24-day
Father Christmas” and the chance to see “The
cruise departs from Santiago, Chile, sailing
Northern Lights” of the Aurora Borealis.
to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a Christmas
For those looking to discover some of the
Day landing on the “White Continent.”
different ways people celebrate the holiday
Passengers enjoy two days at South Georgia
season, consider a southern- or Cajun-style
Island, with its vast rookeries of king pencelebration with American Cruise Lines.
guins and other seabirds, as well as breeding
The seven-night “Historic South & Golden
elephant and fur seals
Isles” cruise, departing from Jacksonville,
Crystal Cruises’ has a new 17-night
Florida on Dec. 21 features a holiday decor
Antarctica cruise on the Crystal Symphony
tour of Charleston’s famous mansions and a
that departs Dec. 21, visiting Argentina,
traditional Sapelo Island holiday oyster roast
Uruguay, Chile, Falkland Islands, Drake
on the beach, while the Dec. 28 New Year’s
Passage, Cape Horn, and the Chilean Fjords,
Eve sailing, departing from Charleston, South
offering chances to fly, hike and zodiac over
Carolina, features fireworks over Savannah.
and on the icy continent and to view the gorThe seven-night “Cajun Christmas” cruise
geous glacial scenery of both King George and on the Lower Mississippi River, departArdley Island.
ing from New Orleans on Dec. 21, features
Or your clients can celebrate ancient tradiOak Alley Plantation in its holiday finery,
tions. Holiday markets, with hand-crafted toys, Christmas Eve bonfires along the levee
crafts and festive holiday food and drinks are
lighting the way for Santa and a traditional
a tradition dating back centuries and a special
Reveillon-style feast.
treat on many northern European cruises
Or celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in
between November and January.
Hawaii with hula and ukuleles on Norwegian
Avalon Waterways invites travellers to
Cruise Line’s Pride of America seven-day
spend Christmas in Prague and New Year’s in
Hawaii cruise, departing Dec. 21 and Dec. 28
Vienna on its nine-day “Christmastime on the from Honolulu.
Danube” voyage departing Dec. 25.
For a little serenity, sail into the South Seas
Or experience charming Christmas markets with a seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands
with AmaWaterways, which is offering four
voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises onboard
land-and-cruise itineraries on the Danube
the m/s Paul Gauguin. The cruise departs
River, the Rhine and the legendary canals of
on Dec. 21 and features a holiday celebration,
Amsterdam.
while the New Year’s voyage departs Dec. 28
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is offering
and picks up the tempo with rock ‘n’ roll classeven holiday cruises ranging from eight to
sics, jazz and original compositions played by
13 days, taking travellers along Europe’s great
musician Robert Thomas, as well as a lecture
rivers.
and wine tasting led by vintner Judy Jordan of
While Hurtigruten offers itineraries with
J. Vineyards & Winery.
Holland America Line
features in-depth cultural
experiences as part of its
new fleet-wide “On Location”
immersion program on a
28-day “New Zealand and
Pacific Treasures Collector
Holiday” cruise on the
Oosterdam, departing Dec.
8 from Sydney, that explores
New Zealand, Fiji and New
Caledonia.
To experience exotic
Asia and beyond, there’s a
14-night Myanmar, Malaysia
and Sumatra voyage with
Azamara Club Cruises
departing Dec. 23 from
Singapore and combining a
festive Christmas at sea with exotic ports and
a relaxing New Year’s Day on the beaches of
Phuket, Thailand.
SeaDream Yacht Club offers a seven-night
journey departing from Singapore on Dec. 21
on its elegant mega-yacht SeaDream II, featuring golfing, diving and beach time.
Oceania Cruises’ 30-day Lands of Grandeur
sailing aboard Nautica departing on Dec. 8
from Dubai visits ports in Oman, India, the
Maldives and Seychelles, as well as Kenya,
Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, and
South Africa.
So the question is: Why stay home for the
holiday? Considering that CLIA-member
cruise lines are bringing the holidays onboard
for their passengers.
Each cruise line, in its own way, is incorporating
the traditions and decor of Christmas, Hanukkah,
Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve into the decor, dining and activities on board its ships.
For example: Carnival Cruise Lines has occasional “snowfalls” in its ships’ atriums; Regent
Seven Seas Cruises is known for its gingerbread
house displays; American Cruise Lines has
ornament making, as well as gift giving; and
Celebrity Cruises will hold pre-Christmas
trunk shows in its boutiques, which are taxand duty-free; and Disney Cruise Line’s “Very
Merrytime” Cruises feature a “deck the deck
holiday party” with Disney friends.
In addition to holiday-themed entertainment, many cruise lines offer special concerts,
carolling and festive receptions, as well as
religious services. Princess Cruises features a
tree lighting ceremony and a holiday-themed
variety show. For families, most lines feature
special holiday crafts sessions, parties for kids
along with visits from Santa and surprise gifts.
(www.cruising.org)
40 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE40.indd 40
11/7/2013 2:59:35 PM
THE CARNIVAL
GREAT VACATION
GUARANTEE.
™
WE CAN SAY WE VALUE OUR GUESTS.
OR WE CAN SHOW IT.
The Great Vacation Guarantee. * If for any reason you’re not happy with
any 3–8 day Carnival vacation you take to The Bahamas, Caribbean,
Mexican Riviera, Canada/New England or Alaska between now and
April 30, 2015, just let us know within the first 24 hours of your departure
and we’ll refund 110% of your fare. Our Guest Services team will arrange
complimentary transportation to either fly you home or get you back
to the port you sailed from. With no hassles and no questions asked.
TM
For more information, Travel Agents visit GoCCL.com for more information!
*This is where the legal disclaimer would go if the Carnival Great Vacation GuaranteeTM had any fine print.
But it doesn’t – it really is as good as it sounds.
1111PAGE41.indd 41
11/7/2013 2:26:22 PM
APPOINTMENTS
Brewster Travel
Canada
Brewster Travel Canada
has picked Pacific by ISO
Travel Solutions as its new
central reservation system,
using it for all of its business areas. As a result, this
will allow the Canadian
corporation to maintain
its entire product portfolio
from a central hub, while
generating more product
combinations and providing them across all sales
channels and brands. As
a result of its modular
design, Pacific can easily
be adapted to existing processes and offers interfaces
to own property management, as well as external
purchasing and sales
systems. The web-based
reservation system Pacific
supports all the tasks of a
tour operator.
Realstar Hospitality
Richard Dickson has
joined Realstar Hospitality
as its national sales manager for the Days Inn
brand in Canada. In his
new position, Dickson
will play an integral role
providing a strategic outlook and new direction
for corporate sales initiatives for Days Inn. Based
in Calgary, he brings with
him a wealth of management experience in various
positions in the tourism
and hospitality industry.
Prior to joining Realstar
Hospitality, Richard worked
at Custom Travel Solutions
as Director, Strategy and
Global Accounts.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises has
announced that Jan
Swartz has been promoted to president of
Princess Cruises, effective Dec. 1. Reporting to
Holland America Group
CEO Stein Kruse, Swartz
will oversee the Princess
line’s worldwide operations, which includes 17
ships, 22,000 employees
serving more than 1.4
million passengers annually with sales, marketing
and operational efforts in
over 60 countries around
the world. Swartz was
It was a festive atmosphere in Toronto recently as
representatives of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce and a host of partners from the popular South Carolina destination descended on the city to provide travel trade personnel with an update on what’s going on
in Myrtle Beach this year and on into 2014. It was also an opportunity to have a little
party to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the City of Myrtle Beach. Pictured at the event
are (l-r) Danna Lily, director of sales of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce;
Scott Schult, executive vice-president of marketing for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce; Kimberly Hartley, Travel Solutions by Design Corp. providing services for
Visit Myrtle Beach in Canada; Susan Phillips, director of marketing for the Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce; and Elaine Michaud, international sales convention services
manager CVB for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Myrtle Beach celebrates:
appointed to her prior
role of executive vicepresident, sales, marketing and customer service
in January 2009, having
previously served as senior
vice-president of customer
service and sales for both
the Princess and Cunard
brands since 2004. In
2001, she was appointed
the company’s vicepresident of strategy and
business development,
and worked on the P&O
Island Routes, ACV team up
Island Routes Caribbean Adventures has
launched an exclusive partnership with Air
Canada Vacations (ACV), to offer destination management support in Jamaica.
The agreement was made after a successful tender process that sees Island
Routes offer destination management
services and will now provide Air Canada
Vacations with an extensive range of receptive services including ground transportation services at-destination, support
to guest services for Canadian guests in
Jamaica and in-destination tours and
excursion services.
Island Routes general manager David
Shields commented, “This is a major
milestone in this company’s relatively
short, but exciting history and signals our
intent to continue on this path of explo-
sive growth within the Caribbean region.
We understand the needs and high expectations of Air Canada Vacations and share
their ethos of providing our clients with
the best experience possible, and with
our award-winning local knowledge and
infrastructure we’ll do just that.”
“Air Canada Vacations, in partnership
with Air Canada rouge, are signaling
continued growth to the island with
new routes to Montego Bay soon to be
announced,” said ACV president Eamonn
Ferrin. “With over 40 properties offered
through Air Canada Vacations to this
popular destination, and with the recent
flight to Kingston providing shorter transfer times to Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho
Rios, and other exciting properties, our
product will continue to grow in value.”
Princess/Carnival corporate acquisition. Before
joining Princess, Swartz
worked as a management
consultant with Bain &
Company, where for five
years she worked with
leading consumer and
service companies on
growth strategies.
SeaDream
SeaDream Yacht Club has
announced the resignation
of Pamela Conover as chief
executive officer, effective Dec. 4. This follows
the consolidation of the
organization and decision making in Norway.
Atle Brynestad, chairman
and owner of SeaDream
will once again assume
the role of chief executive
officer. Conover will spend
the next month working
with Brynestad to ensure
a smooth transition of her
duties. Brynestad stated
that he respects Conover’s
decision to leave and
thanked her for her contributions to SeaDream.
HONOURED
Ensemble Travel Group
Ensemble Travel Group
recently honoured its
top-producing members
in Canada at its annual
Circle of Excellence
Gala during the 2013
Ensemble Travel Group
International Conference
at The Broadmoor in
Colorado. The top 10
Canadian member agencies based on 2012 sales
of Ensemble preferred
suppliers (in alphabetical order): Cruise Connections Canada Ltd. of
Vancouver; Cruise Professionals of Mississauga, Ont.; Cruise-Plus
Management Ltd. of
Lantzville, BC; Jubilee
Tours & Travel Ltd. of
Burnaby, BC; Skyland
Travel Inc./Escapes.ca of
Vancouver; TierOne Travel of Calgary, Edmonton
and Victoria BC; Travel
Masters of Vancouver;
TravelOnly of Brantford,
Ont.; Voyages Bergeron
Inc. of Longueuil and
Montreal, Que.; Voyages
Groupe Ideal of Montreal.
In addition, V the Vacation
Store of Grande Prairie,
AB was honoured for
achieving the highest
growth based on 2012
preferred supplier sales
compared to 2011.
42 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE42.indd 42
11/7/2013 3:47:34 PM
1111PAGE43-45.indd 43
11/7/2013 3:00:01 PM
The following people identified
the Oct. 21 “Where in the World”
as the Devil’s Bridge, Antigua:
Timothy Edgecombe, Rosewood
Hotel Georgia; Heather Shatford,
Alberta Motor Association; Jocelyn
Silver, Continental Travel Group;
Heather MacDonald, Maritime
Travel; Pauline Williams, Total
Vacations; Susan Hopkins,
Advantage Intravel; Barb Hricina,
Carlson Wagonlit; Ronald
D’Souza, Vision 2000; Andre Gere,
TravelOnly; Joe Lupiani, New
Wave Travel; Donna Dougherty,
Marlin Travel; Pauline Williams,
Total Vacations; Juliet DiGennaro,
Ranalli Travel Agency; Chris
McSavaney; Jackey Lashmar,
Alberta Motor Association;
The following person identified
the Oct. 14 “Where in the World”
as The Music Centre, Los Angeles:
Michelle Pion, Carlson Wagonlit.
itravel2000
bought by
Aldenham
Aldenham Canada
Acquisition Corporation has
entered into a sale agreement to acquire itravel2000
in for a “strategic, long-term
investment in the growing
online travel industry.”
Sources indicate that
the transaction has been
approved by the Ontario
Superior Court of Justice
and registration has been
approved so that there is a
smooth transition.
Chris Howell, former
chairman, Travelzest PLC,
said “This acquisition
ensures that itravel2000 will
continue to offer customers
exceptional travel selection
for the best value and the
lowest prices guaranteed
on travel and travel related
products with no interruption to services or travel.
“Today marks a significant and exciting business milestone for us and
for Aldenham Canada as
we come together with a
strengthened management
team and true focus on our
business going forward.”
While “itravel2000 customers won’t see any changes to
vacations booked or being
planned, and TRAVELCASH
gift cards remain valid as
usual, what this ownership
change does offer travellers is
continuity of superb customer
service, competitive rates and
amazing travel experiences for
years to come.”
(www.itravel2000.com)
44 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE43-45.indd 44
11/7/2013 3:00:04 PM
WIN A TRIP
FOR TWO TO
THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa, are teaming
up to give Canadian travel agents a chance to win a beautiful trip for two
to experience the stunning Cayman Islands.
The prize package will include roundtrip economy class airfare via
Air Canada to Grand Cayman and a seven-night stay at the
beautiful Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa
situated on the pristine white sands of the famous Seven Mile Beach.
Blackout dates and travel restrictions apply, ground transportation not included.
In order to be entered in the contest, please answer the
following question online at
http://promo.baxter.net/contest/caymanislands.asp
'HDGOLQHIRU&RQWHVW(QWULHV'HFHPEHU
Being a world class destination, the Cayman Islands
are famous for;
a) Cayman Cookout, Caribbean’s premier Culinary event
b) Both hotel and Condo/Villa offerings
c) 365 Officially Named Dive Sites
d) Seven Mile Beach
e) All of the above
1111PAGE43-45.indd13 45
1104PAGE13.indd
11/7/2013 11:46:06
3:00:05 PM
10/31/2013
AM
Mexico
Continued from page 3
“Our target is people
with the means to travel
internationally and are
interested in much more
than simply sun and
sand,” says Mexico Tourism Board CEO Rodolfo
Lopez-Negrete. “The
beach resorts are fantastic, but there is much
more to Mexico... and we
don’t think this message
has sunk in.”
Lopez-Negrete says
the new campaign is an
evolution of the previous “Mexico: the place
you thought you knew”
campaign, which similarly
TV commercials that will
air nationwide, the campaign “takes destination
advertising to another
level [and] powerfully
showcases Mexico’s wide
diversity, culture, nature,
flavours, history, innovation, and state-of-the-art
destinations,” says the
Mexico Tourism Board
(MTB), adding, “the
campaign is aspirational
and elegant, meant to
evoke memories through
visitors’ experiences.”
Eschewing
previous strategies that positioned Mexico
itself as the
central image,
this campaign
focuses on
four destinations within
the country,
with Mexico
branding taking a secondary spot.
The first
ad combines
Vallarta and
Nayarit; by
showcasing
their respective
‘The fl y and flop is dead!’
attributes they
suggest a grand destinaencouraged visitors to distion and experience for
cover the undiscovered (at
the discerning traveller.
least to them) Mexico.
The Mexico City ad feaThe new campaign
tures an exciting cosmoalso positions Mexico
politan, vibrant and
as a sophisticated, worldmodern city with a strong class destination of luxusense of history. Other
rious resorts, unparaldestinations such as
leled cuisine, and exciting
Yucatan, Los Cabos and
adventure options and
Cancun-Riviera Maya
boisterous nightlife, as
will also be featured in
well boasting its own vithe campaign.
brant culture, archeologiThe campaign also
cal history (like Chichen
importantly targets a
Itza) and culture.
more affluent traveller
“There’s still a percep– people likelier to stay
tion that Mexico is not
in higher-end accomas sophisticated, not as
modation and venture
modern; that you can
beyond the traditional
get sick, “ says Lopezhubs of the “fly and flop” Negrete, “And unfortucrowd, which one MTB
nately, it’s a perception
exec quips, “is dead.”
that is preventing us
from participating in the
bigger leagues of travel of
affluent travel.”
That’s not to say that
Mexico will forgo the
mainstream sun and sand
market – a market that’s
taken care of “wonderfully” by a slew of tour
operators in Canada – but
Lopez-Negrete says there
is clearly a “space” in the
market for a higher-end
and more adventurous
type of traveller to be
wooed in this country.
“We want to appeal to
the Canadian traveller
who goes to Africa, to
Vietnam, Costa
Rica, Egypt,
Greece... The
Mayan civilization is as exciting and intriguing as the Greek
one...” he says.
And, while he
acknowledges
that “years
of marketing Mexico
as a cheap
destination
will be hard
to overcome,”
he says Mexico
must make
this marketing leap to
the higher
end “once and for all!”
After all, he adds,
“at the end of the day,
it’s all about revenue and
increasing receipts for
the country.”
As for the trade, Mexico’s chief marketing officer Gerardo Llanes says
a new program will be
created in Canada in 2014
that will combine several
existing platforms into
one comprehensive unit
designed to offer travel
agents all the information – and rewards – they
need to sell Mexico – in
the old way, or the new.
And, if that isn’t enough,
the MTB’s office in Canada says it is only a phone
call or e-mail away.
NDC
Continued from page 3
well as the Alaska Air Carriers Association, which
has filed its concerns with the US Department of
Transportation.
Klenner conceded, “We all agree that there’s a
need for standardization, but we need standards
that work for everybody involved; above all for
consumers who are picking up the tab.”
Paul Ruden, senior VP for legal and industry
affairs of the American Society of Travel Agents
stated, “We are in favour of innovation in the
selling space provided basic principles are adhered
to, but, given the DoT filings, it should be obvious
that there are serious concerns about the NDC
out there.”
Mitchell added, “The problem is that the travel
industry is not embracing the NDC in its current
format. The concerns have stymied progress on
all fronts because a set of standards that is 100%
owned and controlled by one participant is neither
healthy nor sustainable.”
Ruden advised, “We need to come together as an
industry, with IATA and the carriers, to develop
a sensible, business-model neutral data standard
which enables airlines to effectively distribute rich
content and enhances the comparison-shopping
experience for consumers and travel buyers.”
And Mitchell said, “We are extending the olive
branch to IATA to co-operate with us in a co-operative manner to encourage technological innovation
for the industry and increased customization for
travellers. We hope they will accept our invitation
to reset the dialogue and move forward together.”
Charlie Leocha, director of the US-based
Consumer Travel Alliance, cautioned that IATA’s
NDC proposals would “upend the entire ticketing
process,” and told IATA, “We think there’s an opportunity to set technology standards that make
the experience more transparent, user-friendly,
customized and competitive; all while protecting
consumers’ privacy.”
The consumer advocate warned that privacy
concerns will only increase if IATA pushes ahead
with the current standards and that the airline
body should expect “strong pushback from consumer groups and the DoT if carriers insist on
collecting personal passenger data.”
Steve Shur, president of the Travel Technology
Association stated, “We’ve spent a year arguing
over standards that clearly are not supported
by the airlines’ vital partners or travellers themselves. We’re offering to put down our swords
and come together on a new and better approach
that includes all of the key stakeholders in the air
travel industry.”
The European Federation of Travel Agents’
Associations issued a statement supporting the
group’s initiative.
Mitchell revealed that IATA had been advised
of the multilateral offer, but had not responded to
it by the time of the briefing.
46 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • NOVEMBER 11, 2013
1111PAGE03_46.indd 46
11/7/2013 2:19:48 PM
Signature.ca
T h e D a y s Yo u R e m e m b e r
Cancun
In the Hotel Zone, you
^PSSÄUKHULUKSLZZHYYH`
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+LJ Oceanview Room
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695
[H_LZ
Toronto departures. All prices are gross per person based on double occupancy for
UPNO[Z VU HSS PUJS\ZP]L ]HJH[PVUZ \USLZZ V[OLY^PZL ZWLJPÄLK HUK ^LYL H]HPSHISL H[
time of printing. Seats at the above prices are limited and subject to change without
prior notice. Transportation taxes & related fees shown must be pre-paid. For full terms
and conditions, please refer to our current brochure. Flights are with Sunwing Airlines
or Travel Service. D/B/A Signature Vacations. 27 Fasken Drive, Toronto, ON,
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1111PAGE47.indd 47
Exclusive to Signature
+LJ Oceanview Room
$
755
[H_LZ
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LIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT
11/7/2013 12:48:12 PM
A CHANCE TO SAY “YIPPEE-KI-YAY!”
EXPLORE IT AND OTHER ADVENTURES
© 2013 Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism.
1111PAGE48.indd 48
11/7/2013 12:44:39 PM
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