ASTA study examines trends in travel agency business

Whereas some travel agencies were able to weather the past year unscathed, the majority of agencies showed large drops in revenue and transactions, according to a recently released ASTA Travel Agency Business Trends survey. The survey also shows ...

WestJet off to Bermuda

WestJet will begin seasonal non-stop service from Toronto to Bermuda, beginning in May. Bermuda is part of WestJet’s expanded summer 2010 schedule. Further information on the schedule, including new destinations, increased frequencies and the sale ...

Transat offers free nights in Portugal

With the purchase of two Air Transat seats to Portugal, agents’ clients can now receive one or two free nights in select hotels in Lisbon, Porto or Faro. The two free night offer is valid for departures through Dec.13, while the one free night deal ...

Austrian Airlines’ Smart Car ‘Airplanes’ land in Toronto

Austrian Airlines is bringing the “Gift of Travel” to Toronto this holiday season as the company debuts its Smart Car “Airplanes” -- adorned with a festive bow -- in Canada. Part of a campaign to create awareness about the “smartest ride to Europe, ...

HAL adds new agent sales tools

To help agents boost sales, Holland America Line (HAL) has enhanced its personalized direct mail and e-mail sales tools available at Travel Agent Headquarters via http://www.hollandamerica.com . Now, ...

Transat Holidays, Nolitours launch agent loyalty program

Transat Holidays and Nolitours have launched a new loyalty program, Bonbon, for Canadian travel agents. With Bonbon, the two tour operators offer cash rewards for packages, coach tours, cruises, flights, car rentals or à la carte accommodation sold ...

Israel tourism hits all-time high

Tourism to Israel hit an all-time high of 333,000 travellers in October, a 9% increase from the same period last year, which was the previous record-high for travel to Israel. Israel also saw a 20% increase in cruise travel with 23,500 tourists ...

Silversea’s 2011 world cruise available for booking

All Silversea Cruises 2011 voyages are now open for sale, with complete day-by-day itineraries available at http://www.silversea.com . In the next few weeks, reservations will also open for the expedition ...

Etihad continues to invest

Etihad Airways has unveiled plans for a US$750 million investment in its workforce, fleet, inflight service and planning and resourcing systems. The carrier, which recently celebrated its sixth anniversary, said the investments would address key ...

Vancouver wine festival tips off April 19

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will mark its 32nd year with a celebration of the wines of Argentina and New Zealand and a global focus on rosé wine. The festival, which runs from April 19-25, 2010, will bring a record 197 ...