TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

SAY HELLO TO ST. VINCENT TOURISM

THN.com interviews Shelley John from the St. Vincent and Grenadines tourism board

Shelley John, St. Vincent and Grenadines Tourism
Charmaine Pang
Shelley John is the newest (and only) tourism representative for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Toronto, having joined the organization this April. This role is her first time working with the government of St. Vincent; previously she was employed in the private sector. She may be a familiar face to many, as she has been in Canada “for the past six years. I accompanied my husband who was Consul-General here. That’s how I came and stayed and got this job.” TRAVELHotNews.com asked John what the tourism board’s plans are for the rest of the year. She said the country has not been as well-known or popular because they don’t yet have an international airport. Soon, this will change. The islands have just broken ground for a new international airport, scheduled for completion in 2011. “We’re hoping that will boost tourism a lot. Because it’s not an international gateway, there’s been that hindrance. It’s not that we’re looking for mass tourism; it’s not that kind of country.” Keep reading for more details. [Full text and pictures]

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC’S NEW MINISTER

Francisco Javier Garcia Fernández sworn in as brand new minister of tourism

The swearing-in of the new Minister of Tourism

The new Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic, Francisco Javier García Fernández, stated yesterday that he would continue his alignment with the policies of growth and consolidation for the tourism sector that have been implemented by the country’s president, Leonel Fernández. He outlined his appreciation and admiration for the departing Minister of Tourism, Mr. Félix Jiménez, for the strong development obtained during his leadership within the Ministry of Tourism. "We propose to maintain the same level of investment in the Tourism sector, with a continued focus on increasing the number of foreign arrivals to the Dominican Republic,” said Mr. García Fernández. [Full text and pictures]

ORLANDO RELEASES TRADE GUIDE

2009 Official Tour & Travel Reference Manual is now available

The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) has just released its 2009 Official Tour & Travel Reference Manual. The manual, in its 23rd year, serves as a quick desk reference for tour operators, group tour leaders, receptive tour operators and travel agents worldwide by providing up-to-date information on Orlando's accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shopping, cultural and special interest events, leisure activities, and air and ground transportation. The 208-page manual also contains details on Orlando CVB services available to travel professionals, including providing collateral, the Official Visitor Center, special programs, promotional materials and maps. Keep reading for more details and how to order. [Full text and pictures]

KOREA VISITS SOAR

More Canadians visit Korea in July 2008; increase of 11 per cent over last year

In official tourism statistics released today for Korea, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has announced that for July 2008 the destination of Korea has surpassed expectations with outbound travel from Canada posting an increase of 11.3 per cent over July 2007. An increase of 11.3 per cent for the month of July translates into 10,430 on the month or 60,239 visitors from Canada between January to July 2008, for a cumulative growth of 8.1 per cent year over year. This autumn, KTO is seeing the individual and group market rebound as strong demand for Asia returns to the market from Canada. The destination of Korea will continue to focus, with partner operators, on the post-Olympic outbound travel from Canada to Korea and Asia. Due to the Beijing Olympics, Korea has also seen a significant growth in athletic teams staying in Korea pre-Olympics throughout the spring and July to August of 2008. [Full text and pictures]

CANADIAN INBOUND TOURISM RISES

Canadians travel more in first quarter; overseas visitors to Canada increase
Canadian Press

Powered by a strong dollar, Canadians travelled outside the country more in the first quarter. Travel from overseas countries to Canada also increased, but travel from the United States declined. Canadian residents took about 4.5 million overnight trips to the United States, up 21.5 per cent over the same period last year. The average value of the Canadian dollar during the first quarter was US 99.6 cents, up 16.7 per cent from the same period in 2007, when the dollar was valued at US 85.4 cents. Canadian spending in the United States rose 23.3 per cent to about $3.8 billion. Canadian residents made nearly 2.8 million overnight trips to overseas countries during the first three months of 2008, up 12 per cent from the same quarter last year. The three most-visited countries by Canadians outside of the United States were Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. [Full text and pictures]

VISIT JAPAN, FLIGHT CENTRE JOIN HANDS

Flight Centre, Japan National Tourist Organization to launch marketing campaign, specials in September

Mount Fuji

From September, Flight Centre will launch a marketing campaign to promote travel to Japan, in a joint initiative with the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) under the Visit Japan Campaign. The Visit Japan Campaign will feature heavily in Flight Centre’s newspaper advertising from September, as well as in-store with special monthly promotions. Keep reading to learn about some of the special packages planned. [Full text and pictures]

AC, WJ EYE WI-FI IN THE SKY

Air Canada, WestJet looking at Internet in the sky for its passengers
Canadian Press

Internet in the sky is starting to be a click away and airlines Air Canada and Calgary-based WestJet Airlines Ltd. are considering the service for their passengers. User-pay Internet is now being offered on American Airlines by U.S.-based Aircell, which offers broadband service from a network of cell towers based on the ground to aircraft. American Airlines is offering what it's calling the first in-flight broadband service to the U.S. market and it's expected to lead the way. ``Obviously, I think this is one of those things that travellers are going to expect and airlines will feel the need to provide,'' Aircell's Fran Phillips said Tuesday. Aircell would like to offer its Gogo Internet service to Air Canada and Westjet, said Phillips, senior vice-president of airline solutions. [Full text and pictures]