TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

Orlando targets Mom

Multi-million ad campaign largest its history

Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) have unveiled plans to launch a two-year, US$68 million advertising campaign highlighting Orlando�s family vacation experiences over competing options. Launching in first quarter 2007, the unprecedented Orlando destination advertising campaign appeals to moms who are looking for ways to use vacation time to reconnect family members and bring them closer together. With the slogan, �Built for families. Made for memories.�, the campaign represents a 240% increase in advertising spending over 2005-2006 levels. It also represents the first time Orlando has advertised on national network TV and with both African-American and Hispanic media outlets. [Full text]

Two Florida deals from Sunwing

Buy one-get one free air. Kids pay $9 on package holidays
Florida has never been more affordable, thanks to two tempting new promotions from Sunwing. Travellers buying a round-trip air seat from Toronto to Orlando, St. Petersburg, or Fort Lauderdale on Sunwing Airlines will receive one round-trip air seat free. The offer is valid for all new bookings made between December 19 and 31, for departures between December 21, 2006 and January 31, 2007. There must be at least two adults travelling together and taxes will be payable on the free airseat. For families heading to Florida with kids with kids, Sunwing offers a $9 (plus taxes) rate for kids when they travel with two adults on a Sunwing Florida holiday package departing between December 21 and January 31. [Full text]

WestJet Signs Support Agreement with Navitaire

Extends agreement until 2008

Sean Durfy

WestJet has announced that it has extended its agreement with Navitaire for its OpenSkies reservation system through to December 31, 2008. "This agreement with Navitaire will provide us with an upgraded and supported product in OpenSkies," said Sean Durfy, WestJet's President. "Further, it will provide WestJet with the functionality required to deliver our growth strategy and business plans for 2007."The aiRES reservation system, owned by IBS and marketed by Travelport, will not be released in spring 2007 as was indicated earlier this year. [Full text]

Costa Cruises makes Dubai a homeport for Costa Classica

More ships to follow

Costa Classica

Costa Cruises became the first international cruise company to homeport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when the Costa Classica sailed from the port on December 23. The 53,000-ton Costa Classica will sail from Dubai every Saturday on cruises marketed to Europeans and North Americans. The line expects to carry about 44,000 passengers each season. The seven-day itineraries from Dubai include two nights in Dubai and one-day stopovers in Muscat, Oman; Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, UAE; and Bahrain. [Full text]

Lonely Planet launches booking website

Invitation only service features reviewed only properties

Lonely Planet is launching an independently author-reviewed and recommended online accommodation booking service, Lonely Planet Haystack, at http://haystack.lonelyplanet.com. Haystack is a unique �invitation only� booking service featuring only properties that have been visited, reviewed and recommended by Lonely Planet authors. Offering a wide range of accommodation options for different budgets, more than half the properties offered on the service were not previously bookable online through any other service.Every property listed is recommended as a great place to stay and all property reviews are 100% independent and written by experienced travel writers. [Full text]

OCEAN & CRUISE NEWS NAMES CARNIVAL A �BEST CRUISE VALUE�

13th consecutive year for cruise line

For the 13th year in a row, Carnival Cruise Lines has been named a �best cruise value� by Ocean & Cruise News, the monthly publication of the World Cruise & Ocean Liner Society. Ocean & Cruise News, comprised of highly experienced cruise enthusiasts, awarded Carnival top honors in the High Superior Four-Plus Star Category and gave it the �Best Short Cruise Value� in the publication�s annual �Best Value Awards� recognizing cruise lines that provide the highest quality at the best price. In overall value rankings, Carnival placed second behind sister company Holland America Line. [Full text]