travel courier june 16, 2016
DESCRIPTION
Pandas are just one of the things that Sichuan, China’s “green heart,” has going for it. Ted Davis elaborates in this week’s Travel Courier.TRANSCRIPT
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The show will go onfor Rio Olympics
Brazil’s tourist board, Embratur, is advising travel and tour operator partners that this summer’s Rio Olympic
and Paralympic Games will not be cancelled or postponed because of the Zika virus.
Embratur says Brazil is following recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which stated on May 28: “Cancelling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus.”
“Therefore,” says Embratur, “there is no reason to delay the Games!”
The tourist board observed that before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, researchers at the University of São Paulo concluded that at least three foreign tourists would contract dengue fever (transmitted by the same mos-quito that spreads the Zika virus), among the 700,000 visitors. “In the end, as expected, only three individuals were affected. In a similar study, the same researchers concluded that the possibilities of an international visitor contracting Zika at the Olympics are very remote…”
In addition, Embratur notes, the Games will take place during winter in Brazil, which is historically the time of year with the lowest incidence of mosquito-borne diseases. tc
NoteworthyCONTENTSREGULAR FEATURES
10 cover storyPandas are just one of the things that
Sichuan, China’s “green heart,” has going for
it. Ted Davis elaborates in this week’s Cover
Story.
14 eventstravel industry calendar
14 famsupcoming educational trips for the trade
DESTINATIONS & FEATURES
8 air
13 africa
15 hawaii
16 western canada
DEPARTMENTS
17 careers professional servicesbusiness opportunities
june 16, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 3
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mike dunbar
The March 22 bomb attacks on Brussels Airport, leaving 32 dead and more than 300 injured, has slowed short-term demand for air travel, but there are other issues that may have an adverse effect on airlines in the longer term according to IATA’s chief exec Tony Tyler.
The association’s traffic data for April showed that worldwide demand for seats rose only 4.6% – the slowest monthly growth rate since January last year. IATA figured that overall demand would have been around 5% if the attack had not occurred.
Europe numbers were particularly hard hit, with a rise of only 1.8% compared with the relatively robust 6% growth recorded in March.
Tyler reckoned that ‘‘the disruptive impacts of the Brussels attack will likely be short-lived.” But he added, ‘‘There are some longer-term clouds over the pace of demand growth. The stimulus from lower oil prices appears to be tapering off, and the global economic situation is subdued.”
The soon-to-retire IATA boss stated, ‘‘Demand is still grow-ing but we may be shifting down a gear.”
Meanwhile, Tyler’s state-of-the-industry report at the recent AGM in Dublin contained the following sobering assessment
of the sector’s financial position: ‘‘This year people
will make 3.8 billion jour-neys by air, and our fleets will
deliver 35% of goods traded internationally.
Aviation makes the world a
better place. In doing so, it supports 63
million jobs and underpins 3.5% of global GDP.‘‘Airlines are engines of prosperity, but they have struggled
to turn a profit and reward investors. This is beginning to change. This year we expect a collective net profit of $39.4 billion. It will be only the second year in our history – and the second year in a row – in which airlines will make an aggre-gate return in excess of the cost of capital.
‘‘After decades of capital destruction that’s a significant achievement, but it is still just the minimum performance that investors expect.
‘‘On average, airlines will make $10.42 for each passenger carried. In Dublin that’s enough to buy four double-espressos
BRUSSELS ATTACK SLOWS AIRLINE GROWTH IN EUROPE,and other IATA issues
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continued on page 6
ng to IATAs chief exec Tony Tyler.
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million jobs and underpins 3.5% of global GDP.
IATA expects effects of the Brussels attack on March 22 to be short-lived, but the airline industry still has
other issues to overcome to achieve long-term profitability.
4 travelcourier.ca | june 16, 2016
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TORONTO DEPARTURES OTTAWA DEPARTURES EDMONTON DEPARTURES
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TRAVELSAVERS MAKES GAINS IN QUEBEC
TRAVELSAVERS reports that it has grown its Quebec base to 30 affiliates in a very short time with an additional 15% growth anticipated in the next six months. The group has extended all of its programs and services to Quebec agents in French.→ http://ca.travelsavers.com
SUNQUEST ADDS ROUTESFROM ACROSS CANADA
Sunquest has added 17 new routes from all across Canada – all priced aggressively to sell, including on all last-minute departure dates. The new routes are: Antigua from London, Quebec City, Winnipeg; Liberia, Costa Rica from Edmonton, Ottawa; Montego Bay, Jamaica from Deer Lake, Fredericton; Turks and Caicos from Calgary, Halifax, London, Moncton, Quebec City, St. John’s, Thunder Bay; Punta Cana from Fredericton, Gander; St. Lucia from St. John’s.→ www.travelbrands.com
AT PLAY WITHAIR CANADA VACATIONS
In its 2016/217 Sun Collection preview, Air Canada Vacations has announced the return of its exclusive family program – Play, which features select family-friendly resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean where kids aged 12 and under eat, play and stay for free. Families also receive an exclusive flight experience onboard Air Canada and Air Canada rouge including free seat selection, priority boarding and a $10 inflight meal voucher for every family member on the same booking.→ www.aircanadavacations.com
TRAVELBRANDS SHUFFLE AT THE TOP CONTINUES
Zeina Gedeon is preparing to exit TravelBrands after completing her man-date there. Gedeon said: “My departure comes as TravelBrands is ready to move into its next phase. My role was to actively participate in consolidating the different companies, develop the new branding and revitalize several areas of the business. Together with a stellar team, we achieved our goals.” She joined TravelBrands in 2015 and has been strategic in initiating and implementing the restructuring process for the family of brands. Frank DeMarinis, president of the company, said: “As a key player for our organization, Zeina’s relentless work and efforts this past year have been unwavering, and she has taken
TravelBrands to a new level. She has been an integral part of our organization, and we wish her much success in all her pro-jects.” As of July 1, the role of CEO for the tour operator/wholesale divisions will be handled by Frank DeMarinis.→ www.travelbrands.com
at Starbucks. Put another way, for every $100 in sales that Starbucks makes, their net profit is over $11, but airlines will make $5.60.
‘‘We don’t begrudge Starbucks their profitability, but there is clearly still upside for airlines.” tc
NEWS
continued from page 4
Croatia is famous for its sailing, but short of transporting a couple of dozen members of the trade to the Dalmation coast, Transat made do with an excursion on Toronto harbour last week to tout the introduction of 2016 seasonal service to Zagreb, which started this week (June 14) from Toronto and runs through Oct. 4. “Consumers are asking for something and we’re delivering it,” said Transat business development rep. Susan Kooiman. In addition to the flights, Transat has a full suite of Croatia product including the all-encompassing Treasures of Transat coach tour, as well as a self-drive package, cruising in the Dalmation islands, hotels, excursions, and more. Ivana Crnic, Croatia’s consul in Canada, welcomed the new service and promised that her country would not disappoint Canadian visitors. Shown here with Crnic (2nd from right) are (l-r) Transat’s Nicole Bursey, Erin Oddleifson, Kooiman, Debbie Cabana, and Caroline Gagnon.
GedeonDeMarinis
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On a Beaches® vacation, everything is included, so everyone gets to do whatever they want, as much as they want—and that gives your clients plenty of quality time to indulge in a world of quality adventures. There’s a waterpark with a spectacular surf simulator. Or they can play any way they want in some of the calmest Caribbean waters, riding the waves on a Hobie Cat® or making their own while waterskiing. They can also explore the ocean in a glass-bottom boat or dive* in and discover some of the best reefs on this side of the world. Our 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining program offers up to 21 extraordinary restaurants to choose from, satisfying even the most finicky eaters. And there are family-sized accommodations for every size family, from luxurious rooms for two to sprawling suites and villas for 12. Beaches Resorts has more quality inclusions than any other resorts in the world, because we know that the best time of all is the time families spend together.
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NEWS
AIR
WESTJET WestJet Encore has expanded its growing network with the addition of flights to Nashville from Toronto. WestJet Encore’s flights will operate five times a week between Toronto and Nashville using Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. The carrier now offers flights to more than 35 destinations in Canada and the United States. This summer, WestJet and WestJet Encore will operate more than 120 flights per day from Toronto, including new services to Los Angeles, Boston and London (Gatwick).→ www.westjet.com/nashville
RESORT EVENT A LAUGHING MATTER
Sunwing Vacations is reporting the return of Just For Laughs Resort Week to Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa. The Nov. 6-12 event allows vacationers who travel with the tour operator to “have an opportunity to be entertained by some of the world’s best comedians, as part of their all-inclusive vacation at no extra charge.” The week-long cele-bration of comedy will feature stand-up performances, family magic shows and roaming entertainers who will wander the grounds, “surprising unsuspecting guests with hilarious acts and pranks to bring guaranteed laughter.” Headliners include Debra Giovanni (Last Comic Standing) and Graham Chittenden (Just For Laughs). Also featured in the lineup are Finesse Mitchell (Saturday Night Live), Orny Adams (Teen Wolf), Godfrey (Zoolander), and Las Vegas resident magician Ben Seidman.→ www.sunwing.ca
AIR CANADA
For a third consecutive year, Air Canada Express will be offering four weekly direct flights without stopovers between Toronto Pearson and Mont-Tremblant International Airport. Service from Dec. 23 to April 3 2017 will be aboard a 74-seat Bombardier Q400. Fares, from $136 for a one-way ticket including taxes, can now be booked online.
summer routesMeanwhile, Air Canada continues to
launch service this summer between Canada’s two largest hubs and seven main US cities. The new routes include: Toronto – Washington, DC: May 2, 2016 (year-round); Toronto – Jacksonville: May 7, 2016 (year-round); Vancouver – San Jose: May 9, 2016 (year-round); Toronto – Portland: May 26, 2016 (seasonal); Toronto – Salt Lake City: May 27, 2016 (year-round); Vancouver – San Diego: June 2, 2016 (seasonal); and Vancouver – Chicago: June 4, 2016 (year-round).→ www.aircanada.com
Air Canada will launch Toronto–Mont-Tremblant service starting Dec. 23.
Norwegian Cruise Lines brought a full team to the travel trade market floor at Cruise360 in Vancouver recently. Staffing the team was (l - r) Glen Rothe, eastern field sales senior director; Alex Pinelo, VP key accounts; Ian Smyth, eastern Ontario business development manager; Ilanit Zimmermann, Miami-based BDM; Ramon Jacinto, western Canada BDM; Alexandre Bergeron, Quebec BDM; Dana Gain, national director of sales for Canada; and Clark Reber, director of ITP channels.
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ROOMS
TOURING
click herefor digital extras
WALDORF ASTORIA
ELEMENT, TORONTO
Starwood Hotels & Resorts World-wide, Inc. has reached an agreement to open a second Element Hotel in the Greater Toronto Area and renovate Four Points by Sheraton
Toronto Airport. The eight-storey Element Toronto Airport will open in summer 2018 adjacent to the sev-en-storey Four Points Toronto Air-port, which will remain open through-out the $5-million renovation. Both Element Toronto Airport and Four Points Toronto Airport will act as an anchor on the western strip of the airport. The newly constructed Element Toronto Airport will offer 144 light-filled rooms with modular furniture,
equipped kitchens, the signature Heavenly Bed and spa-inspired bath-rooms. Element offers travellers a fresh interpretation of the traditional hotel experience with natural light, modern design, healthy options and eco-minded sensibilities. Amenities will include fast and free WiFi, complimentary bikes to borrow, the healthy Rise breakfast and the Relax evening wine reception.→ www.ElementHotels.com
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement to open a property in Dubai.
Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre is expected to begin welcoming guests in the fall of 2017.
Forming part of a mixed-use residential, retail and office-space development, Waldorf Astoria Dubai International
Financial Centre will feature 247 guest rooms, as well as a range of upscale dining options, spa and wellness facilities. Significant events space will include a grand ballroom and a further four meeting rooms, designed for social occasions and corporate events.
The hotel will be located on Al Saada Street, 10 km from Dubai International Airport.→ www.waldorfastoria.com
MARIPOSA CRUISES
Mariposa Cruises is raising the bar for multicultural tourist attractions by launching GPS-triggered audio narrations in four languages on Toronto waterfront cruises. Tours will be complemented by waterfront visuals on a big-screen TV aboard its Scenic Harbour Tours of the city’s iconic waterfront. An all-new experience using humour, music and nostalgic sound effects – like the
from Toronto’s earliest aboriginal settlements 4,000 years ago to the city today. Guests can hop on the tours five times daily through the end of September.→ www.mariposacruises.com
lake lapping on the shore and adoring Toronto Blue Jay fans cheering in the Rogers Centre – Mariposa Cruises’ new GPS-triggered audio narrations will paint a picture of a modern, dis-tinctive Toronto in English, French, Spanish and Mandarin. Narra-tions on the 45-minute tours touch on topics like Toronto’s recent waterfront revitalization, rec-ommendations for fun harbourfront activities, and his-tory lessons, with details progressing
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COVER STORY | CHINA
Story and photos/TED DAVIS
JOURNEY TO THE GREEN HEART OF CHINASiCHuAN
june 16, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 11
robably the closest that most of us have ever been to Sichuan province in China is a serving of Sichuan cuisine like kung pao chicken or hot pot at a Chinese eatery. It may have been memorable, but only hints at the history and culture that lies behind this most widely served Chinese cuisine.
Sichuan, the province of origin for those spicy dishes, is located in south central China, and is one of the “green
hearts” of the country. It is a place of high mountains in the west, then rice terraces and bamboo forests so vast they are called
bamboo seas. A warm, humid climate in the east enables the lush environment, which is home to the world’s favourite endangered bear.
Giant pandas aren’t usually referred to as panda bears any-more, but they are in fact part of the “ursus” family, though much more placid than their relatives in North America.
The pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, just 10km. outside the city of Chengdu (capital of Sichuan), fit all the expected perceptions of pandas. They live within large designed enclosures that provide exercise and diversions like climbing obstacles, swings, toys and trees. The residents take full advantage of these, sometime wrestling with each other and generally providing lots of opportunity for photos. They also spend plenty of time relaxing and sleeping, plus slowly down-ing bamboo, their favourite food.
Breeding pandas is a primary mission at the centre, and while most facilities are off limits to visitors, there is one section where newborns can be observed and photographed – no flash, please! Some of the recently born infants spend time on beds near observation windows, mostly in deep sleep, before being returned to their
mothers. Record-breaking birth rates at the centre were achieved in 2015, with 21 pandas being born and 20 surviving. More are on their way in 2016 at the centre, which strives to provide the best possible environment for rearing and breeding.
The research base also cares for other rare and endangered wild ani-mals within its area (37 hectares), including lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks and over 20 other species that are fed and bred there throughout the year.
Capitalcity Chengdu has ancient roots, and led one of the Three Kingdoms that frame Chinese history in the second and third century AD. This is a much mythologized period of the country’s history, when emperors waged war on each other with massive armies, and has since been celebrated in operas, folk stories, films, TELEVISION and even video games.
Yibin City, about four hours by coach south from Chengdu, is a more convenient location from which to experience some of Sichuan’s natural attractions. Yibin is the so-called “first city of the Yangtze River” and straddles a confluence of two rivers – the Jinsha River and the Minjiang River, flowing from high mountains in the western and northern reaches of Sichan, bordering Tibet. These combine to create the broad Yangtze.
Yibin is a well-known location from which to visit Sichuan’s nature, including the arresting sight of the “bamboo sea” in Shuhan Zuhai National Park. Bamboo sea is the collective name for the bamboo forests located in the national tourist areas of Jiang’an and Changing counties. The bamboo forests contribute to a humid, oxygen-rich microclimate that in combination is credited to the bamboo sea.
Bamboo landscapes are a popular setting choice for Chinese films, and the bamboo sea of Shunan Zhuhai National Park had a prominent role in a key fight scene in Ang Lee’s film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Pisheart
west, thenbamboo seaenvironmen
12 travelcourier.ca | june 16, 2016
Tours make stops at groomed visitor pathways that snake up into forest for a short walk before looping back to the parking lot. A retail village offers bites of food and bits of memorabilia.
Running through this same landscape are ribbons of limestone topography, typified by craggy platforms of rock, and giant limestone caverns. Parts of this have been set aside as a scenic area dubbed “Shihai Dongxiang,” meaning Stone Sea and Land of Caves.
Passageways there lead to towering underground caverns, which have been outfitted with lots of lighting and even have features like a half-pipe sliding tube that snakes down a descent. An hour-plus walk starts high up at an entryway in the “stone sea” and progresses downward, terminating at an underground river. A short boat ride concludes with a lunch outside the lower cave mouth. The scenic area of Shihai Dongxiang covers an area of 121 sq. km., combining the stone forest on the surface and karst caves underground.
Xingwen County, where Shihai Dongxiang is located, is an important centre of settlement for the Miao people, one of China’s indigenous minority races. There are about 100,000 of the Miao in Sichuan, and many make their home in Xingwen. The Miao are recognized for their brightly coloured ethnic costumes, music and dances, which are performed for visitors on special occasions.
With their subtropical monsoon climates, Yibin and Chengdu enjoy warm weather for much of the year, with bursts of rain common in the summer. The best months to visit are May and June, August and September.
Visits to Sichuan (Chengdu) are now a simple matter from Canada, with direct flights there available from Vancouver on Sichuan Airlines. The carrier operates two flights per week (Tuesdays and Fridays) on a year-round basis. tc
Call Toll Free or visit *Per person, twin. Taxes included. Travel 8 Oct and 5 Nov’16. Other dates available. TICO#1543989. 3284 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON.
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Airfare from Toronto to Johannesburg on South African Airways, 10 nights deluxe accommodation, private transfers and day tours, most meals.
TARANGIRE SIMBA LODGE OPENS
MOROCCO ITINERARYCRISSCROSSES THE COUNTRY
Tauck is adding a journey in Morocco to its “Exotics” itineraries, which next year will have 29 tours and cruises exploring Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Antarctica, Australia, and New Zealand. The 10-day “Magic of Morocco” (from $5,490 p.p. plus airfare) begins with an overnight stay in Rabat, where guests will visit the mausoleum of former king Mohammed V and Morocco’s royal palace. Travelling on to Fes, guests will attend a lecture highlighting daily life in Morocco from a woman’s perspective, and have their choice of three themed walking tours.
casablancaGuests will also experience the Roman
ruins at Volubilis, and while en route to Casablanca, visit the mausoleum and palace of 17th-century sultan Moulay Ismail in the walled city of Meknes. An overnight stay in Casablanca includes visits to Rick’s Café, inspired by the classic Bogart-Bergman film set in the city. The journey concludes with a three-night stay in Marrakech, where guests visit the city’s souks and a theological college founded in the 14th century. Guests will also tour the 16th-century Saadian Tombs, visit the Gardens Majorelle (once owned by designer Yves Saint-Laurent), and travel into the desert for Berber culture.→ www.tauck.com
RIU MOROCCAN RESORT AGAIN WELCOMING GUESTS
The four-star Hotel Riu Tikida Beach, located on the beach in Agadir, Morocco, has reopened after a complete renovation. The resort remains all-inclusive and exclusively for guests 18 and over. The hotel will welcome the summer season with a fresh, more modern and elegant look. The Riu Tikida Beach, separated from a six-mile-long beach by only a promenade, has 254 newly designed rooms with bathrooms remodelled into walk-in showers. All rooms have WiFi, fire detectors and flat-screen televisions. The hotel’s entrance and reception have been completely redone, providing extra brightness to the main lobby. One new addition is the Yellow lobby bar. Both the main buffet Le Caroubier restaurant, as well as the Moroccan restaurant Le Mogador, open nightly by reservation only, have undergone a makeover. In addition, the Casablanca lounge has been decorated in typical Moroccan style. The outdoor areas, which have been completely redone, include a new second pool, a gym with new equipment and the popular Hamman, a Thalasso area that offers all guests a heated indoor pool in the winter and massage rooms where they can enjoy a range of treatments.→ www.riu.com
Simba Portfolio Lodges has opened a third lodge in its group of tourist accommodation on the northern safari circuit in Tanzania. Located just outside the newly opened Sangaiwe Gate on the west side of Tarangire National Park, Tarangire Simba Lodge joins Karatu Simba and Serengeti Simba Lodges in offering hospitality in the wilderness. Like its sister lodges, Tarangire Simba Lodge has an eco-friendly footprint with solar power and hot water throughout. Keeping with the unique style of the other two lodges, this
fully tented lodge under thatch features hand-made African hard wood furniture and full amenities. Each of the eight tents has an outdoor as well as indoor shower. The lodge property abuts the National Park and is home to a variety of wildlife including giraffe, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, antelope, elephant, ostrich, and more.→ www.facebook.com/TarangireSimbaLodge
june 16, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 13
DESTINATION | AFRICA
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{Send Submissions to [email protected]}
EVENTS
TICOAnnual General MeetingJune 21The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) will hold its annual general meeting at 1:30 p.m. on June 21 at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, Ont. On the agenda: Receiving the financial state-ments for the previous financial year, together with the Auditor’s Report; Receiving and considering the Annual Report; Appointing the auditors for the corporation and authorizing the board of directors to fix the auditor’s remuneration; Transacting such other business as may properly come before
the meeting. Only members in good standing are entitled to participate in and vote at the meeting. Members of the public are invited to attend. Members who will not be attending are invited to submit written requests for proxies. Copies of the audited financial state-ments will be available at the meeting and may be requested in writing prior to the meeting.→ www.tico.ca
AGENT WEBINARDiscover 'The Sirenis Difference'June 22Sirenis Hotels & Resorts is hosting a free travel agent webinar on June 22 at 2 p.m. EST. Sirenis boasts three all-inclusive, family-friendly properties in Punta Cana, Riviera Nayarit and the Riviera Maya. Guests of all ages, trav-elling for any occasion, can enjoy the
perfect combination of relaxa-tion and excitement. In Punta Cana, the casino and on-site waterpark, Sirenis Aquagames, makes it the perfect destination for children and adults alike. In the Riviera Maya, guests seeking a group getaway will find countless activities available. The all new Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills Resort & Spa offers luxury and tranquility to those seeking a relaxing retreat to Riviera Nayarit.
Agents who register will be entered for a chance to win a three-night all-inclusive vacation for two people to the Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills Resort and Spa.
To register, visit:→ http://bit.ly/1rbYiwH
More events at clearingcalendar.ca
{Send Submissions to [email protected]}
FAMS
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PERUAug. 16-27, Sept. 7-18Tucan Travel is hosting two fams to Peru, Aug. 16-27 and Sept. 7-18. The 12-day tour starts in Lima where participants first fly to the Amazon for a few days. It’s then off to Cuzco to see the Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu by train. The last stop is Puno and its nearby Lake Titicaca, then back to Lima for one last night. Included are all accommodations (nine hotel nights, two eco-lodge nights), all transport including three internal flights, a tour leader throughout plus local guides, most breakfasts and all meals in the Amazon and on the day trip to Lake
Titicaca. International flights, optional activities and other meals are not included. The cost is $925 (land only), and agents selling five clients on a Tucan tour will receive a full refund. There is no single supplement. Contact:→ [email protected]
RUSSIASept. 1-8CG Journeys has a Sept. 1-8 fam to Moscow and St. Peterburg. Participants will stay at the Four Seasons Moscow and Lion Palace in St. Petersburg. The tour includes transportation, tours, museum and attractions entry, and an English-speaking guide. Also included is business-class travel on a high-speed train between Moscow and St. Petersburg, and a visa support letter and assistance with the Russian visa application process. The land-only p.p. rate is US$999, single
occupancy. Companions are not allowed. Flight options are available, as are pre- and post-tours. For further details, email Julia at:→ [email protected]
CHINA & YANGTZESept. 3, Oct. 29Chinapac has a 14-day China & Yangtze fam that will visit Beijing, Yichang, Chongqing, Xian, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Air-and-land rates are from $2,789 for a travel agent and from $2,889 for an agent’s companion. Departures are on Sept. 3 and Oct. 29. Highlights include the Badaling Great Wall, the Yangtze River on Century Sky, Grand Canal in Suzhou, West Lake in Hangzhou, the Terra Cotta Warriors, Peking duck dinner, dim sum, Tang Dynasty show and “cuddly pandas!”→ www.chinapac.com
14 travelcourier.ca | june 16, 2016
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PCC president and CEO Alfred Grace (l) and King Tupou VI (r) arrive to the Tonga Village ceremony on a canoe procession.
ROYAL FAMILY HONOURSNEW TONGA VILLAGE
Following a 16-month restoration, the new Tonga Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu opened June 11 in a ceremony steeped in culture and celebration, highlighted by the pres-ence of the Royal Family of Tonga. King Tupou VI, joined by his wife, Queen Nanasipauu, made a special trip to participate in the blessing ceremony, as a tribute to the people of Tonga and the spirit of the Tongan culture being perpetuated at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was the first appearance at the
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Polynesian Cultural Center by the Royal Family of Tonga since 1993 and the first for King Tupou VI since assum-ing the throne. Known as the “Friendly Islands,” Tonga is the last remaining monarchy in Polynesia ruled by a king.
new town hallOriginally built in 1963
when the Polynesian Cultural Center opened, the Tonga Village was completely restored over the past 16 months. All of the struc-tures have been built using traditional Tongan materials and lashes. Highlights include a new, large town hall for cultural presentations, restored family house and queen’s summer house, new kitchen and underground oven to display Tongan cooking methods, supported by a garden growing taro, papaya, tapioca, pineapple, sweet potato and banana, new women’s workshop for weaving and cultural activities, restored drum presentation, stage for cultural performances, and renovated central lawn area.→ www.polynesia.com
june 16, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 15
DESTINATION | HAWAII
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JASPER NATIONAL PARK MAKES MARK AT KLM
Passengers boarding the Edmonton-bound KLM aircraft in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will now be reminded that they are heading toward one of Canada’s signature attractions. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines recently added a Boeing 777-300 to its fleet that has mark-ings displaying the name of Jasper National Park name on the fusel-age. This is the third KLM aircraft displaying a Canadian reference, with Vancouver featured on one and Calgary on another. KLM recently celebrated its first anniversary of service to Edmonton, after launching in May 2015.→ www.klm.com/canada
AB
DAYS INN OPENS IN CANMORE
A new Days Inn franchise has opened in Canmore. The conversion property features 60 guest rooms, each with flat-screen TV, free WiFi, mini-fridge and microwave. Pet-friendly rooms are available upon request. Additional amenities include an on-site restau-rant, fitness centre, business centre, and meeting and conference space.→ www.daysinn.ca
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BC
DOWNHILL SLED RIDE AT REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN
Downhill mountain thrills have been given a new twist by the Pipe Mountain Coaster at Revelstoke Mountain Resort in BC. Adrenaline seekers are in for kicks as the single-track coaster can reach speeds of up to 42 km/hr over a distance of 1.4 km from Revelation Lodge down to the Revelstoke Village Plaza. During the ride, the coaster sleds descend 279 metres in terms of vertical drop. Those looking for a more scenic, leisurely ride can reduce their speed as they cross over bare ski runs and descend through forests. → www.revelstokemountainresort.com
PRESERVED WOOLLY MAMMOTH AT ROYAL BC MUSEUM
A 40,000-year-old baby woolly mam-moth, the best-preserved specimen in existence, has taken centre stage at the new “Mammoths: Giants of the Ice Age” exhibition at the Royal BC Museum. Lyuba (Lee-OO-bah) is the world’s most complete mammoth. It was discovered in the frozen soil of
the Arctic in 2007 by a Siberian reindeer herder. This will be the first opportunity to the see the baby mammoth in Canada, on loan from the Shemanovskiy Yamal-Nenets District Museum and Exhibition Complex in Siberia, Russia.→ www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Winston Chang, the BC and Yukon business development manager for Sandals Resorts, hosted a display location at the recent Cruise360 Convention trade show in Vancouver. Joining him was Tia Broomes, the cruise BDM for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (c), and Joy-Anne Crichlow, Canada BDM for Barbados.
US
EL TOVAR TO CLOSE FOREXTENSIVE UPGRADES
The iconic El Tovar hotel at Grand Canyon National Park will close Jan. 1, 2017 for major upgrades, including improvements to the building infrastructure plus public areas and guest rooms. The hotel will
reopen April 14, 2017. One of the original great hotels of the national park system, El Tovar opened in 1905 and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. The project will occur during winter in order to minimize the impact on guests. → www.grandcanyonlodges.com
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AVALON WATERWAYS
Stéphanie Bishop of the Globus family of brands is advising agents that the tour company has a significant series
of cruises offered with deep discounts for agents on 2016 Avalon Waterways’ European river cruises.
Numerous sailings on seven itineraries departing between July 1 and Dec. 10 are available with 70% off the land/cruise price on itineraries as varied as Magnifi-cent Europe; the Romantic Rhine; and Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches. Also offered at 60% off are numerous
departures on 10 itineraries including The Blue Danube Discovery; Canals, Vineyards & Paris; and Burgundy & Provence itineraries. The discounts are on a space-available basis and apply to agents plus one travelling companion. To request space, agents must com-plete a Travel Agent Discount Appli-cation form available at:→ www.agentlingo.ca
AIR CANADA VACATIONS
In celebration of the Sun Collection preview, ACV is offering agents a chance to earn 4x ACV&ME points on vacation packages and groups booked
to Aruba; Anguilla; Bahamas; Barbados; Costa Rica; Cuba; Curaçao; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Jamaica; Mexico; Saint Lucia; St. Kitts; St. Martin and Turks & Caicos. Booking 50 passengers can accumulate enough points to be
redeemed for $600 in ACV travel credits or a $500 VISA Cash Card. This offer is valid until July 15 for departures between Nov. 1 and Oct. 31, 2017.→ www.aircanadavacations.com
june 16, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 17
INCENTIVES
CAREERS | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
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CAREERS | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
To advertise: [email protected]
We are looking for Travel Counsellors inall locations across Canada!
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• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
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If you are interested in applying for this position please send your cover letter and resume quoting the position applied for in the subject line to
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CAREERS | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
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Canada Sales ManagerSeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment (SEA) is a leading theme park and entertainment company that blends imagination with nature and enables our guests to explore, inspire, and act. The corporate office is located in Orlando,
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This position will be located in Canada and be part of the company’s Global Sales team which supports sales initiatives for all park locations and the sales of
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SeaWorldjobs.com, search requisition 3735 for Corporate Sales Manager, Canada.
Applications for the position will be accepted through June 17, 2016SEA offers a competitive salary, bonus and vacation benefit.
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