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An artist's rendering of the new logo for Travel Leaders.
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Carlson Wagonlit Now Travel Leaders
Fri Aug 22 2008, by Dori Saltzman
New Orleans- At its conference here last week, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates announced its new brand is Travel Leaders.
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| ARC Alerts Agencies to Fraud Spike |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) broadcast an alert to all ARC-accredited agencies this morning warning of the increased spike in attempted fraudulent transactions preceding this weekend's Labor Day holiday. |
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| Orient Lines Debuts Marco Polo II Europe Cruises |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| In 2009, Orient Lines will visit a host of new ports in the Baltic, Black Sea, British Lake District, Croatia, North Cape and Northern Europe aboard its new Marco Polo II. Also new for 2009, the cruise line will enhance each itinerary with a free shore excursion in selected ports. |
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| Air Jamaica Announces Hurricane Gustav Travel Guarantee |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| Due to the possible effects of Hurricane Gustav, Air Jamaica is allowing clients holding tickets for travel to/from Jamaica issued on or before Aug. 26 and valid for travel between now and Sept. 1 to change their itinerary without penalty. |
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| Last Chance for 5th Night Free at Royal Hideaway Promo |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| Royal Hideaway Playacar, along the Riviera Maya, is offering a fifth night free promotion for travel through Oct. 15, 2008. But the booking window is almost up. Agents interested in securing a fifth night free for their clients must book by Sept. 2. |
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| RCI Unveils Oasis Sports Zone and Vitality Spa |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| Royal Caribbean International in conjunction with AAA Travel at a virtual travel show recently, unveiled two additional neighborhoods for the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas: the Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center. |
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| Carnival Holds First Travel Agent Executive Forum |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| The new Carnival Executive Forum, comprised of travel agency executives in the US and Canada, along with key Carnival Cruise Lines executives, held its first meeting this week in Ft. Lauderdale. The forum, which will meet twice a year during intensive two-day conferences with members, each serving two-year terms, is designed to provide travel agents and Carnival executives with a venue to discuss cruise industry issues, including product, sales and marketing policies, as well as distribution. |
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| GrandLuxe To Shut Operations |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| Travel Trade has learned that GrandLuxe Rail Journeys will cease all operations on Friday, Aug. 29. Calls to a GrandLuxe spokesperson were referred to the main office and Tom Rader, chairman, while calls to Jackie Johnson, CTC, assistant vice president of sales, led to a prerecorded message. |
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| ASTA to File Brief Against State of Florida |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| ASTA announced that it will file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in ABC Charters v. Bronson, a case brought against the state of Florida by 16 travel agencies specializing in travel to Cuba. ASTA stated that like the plaintiffs, it believes the new law violates multiple provisions of the Constitution, including freedom to travel, the right of the federal government to conduct foreign relations and regulate commerce free of state interference. |
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| Southwest Will Cut About 200 Flights |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| The economy and the price of fuel finally seems to be catching up with Southwest Airlines, which announced it plans to cut about 200 flights in the first quarter of 2009. The low-cost airline said that it is trying to match its schedule to customer demand to focus on higher profit routes. Accordingly, it will cut 196 flights, and add six new flights, between January and March 2009. |
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| Crystal Launches Sell Three, Sail Free Promo |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| Crystal Cruises has launched two promotions that enable agents to earn a free Crystal cruise for two on many remaining 2008 and most 2009 worldwide departures. Agents selling three staterooms on Crystal Symphony's 2008 New England/Canada cruises or three staterooms on Crystal Symphony's 2009 China/Japan and Southeast Asia cruises can earn a free cruise in a stateroom with veranda. |
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| Abercrombie & Kent Announces New 2009 Offerings |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| Abercrombie & Kent has released three 2009/10 tour brochures, each with new tour offerings and updates on revised itineraries. The 141-page Africa brochure includes four new tours, two revised itineraries and one expanded itinerary. New for 2009 are the 14-day Signature Zambia, 12-day Signature Tanzania, 12-day Wings Over Zambia and 13-day Natural Wonders of Southern Africa. Revised itineraries are the 11-day Signature Kenya and the 11-day Wings Over Kenya, while the 12-day Wings Over Botswana has been extended. |
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| CLIA TrainingFest Ends in September |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| September is the last month for agents to take advantage of Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) TrainingFest 2008, with only four courses left. The remaining TrainingFest dates and cities for September 2008 are: Seattle, Sept. 4-5; Baltimore, Sept. 11-12; Edmonton, Sept. 18-19; and Chicago, Sept. 25-26. |
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| Sabre Continues Launch of Merchandising Tools |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| Sabre has introduced another merchandising first through its Air Merchandising Suite, allowing airlines to differentiate and sell premium airline seats at the time of the original booking, in all distribution channels - online, offline, direct and travel agency. |
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| Virgin America and HBO Partner on JFK-Las Vegas Route |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| Virgin America has announced a new partnership with HBO to launch the airline's new non-stop New York-Las Vegas flights, as well as Season 5 of Entourage, in high style with "Entourage Class" service on the new route. |
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| Singapore Airlines Vacations Releases New Brochure |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| Singapore Airlines Vacations, a new tour company created through a partnership between Pleasant Holidays and Singapore Airlines, has released its 2009/2010 vacation brochure of premier tours to Asia and Europe. |
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| ARC Alerts Agencies to Fraud Spike |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) broadcast an alert to all ARC-accredited agencies this morning warning of the increased spike in attempted fraudulent transactions preceding this weekend's Labor Day holiday. |
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| Air Jamaica Announces Hurricane Gustav Travel Guarantee |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| Due to the possible effects of Hurricane Gustav, Air Jamaica is allowing clients holding tickets for travel to/from Jamaica issued on or before Aug. 26 and valid for travel between now and Sept. 1 to change their itinerary without penalty. |
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| Southwest Will Cut About 200 Flights |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| The economy and the price of fuel finally seems to be catching up with Southwest Airlines, which announced it plans to cut about 200 flights in the first quarter of 2009. The low-cost airline said that it is trying to match its schedule to customer demand to focus on higher profit routes. Accordingly, it will cut 196 flights, and add six new flights, between January and March 2009. |
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| Sabre Continues Launch of Merchandising Tools |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| Sabre has introduced another merchandising first through its Air Merchandising Suite, allowing airlines to differentiate and sell premium airline seats at the time of the original booking, in all distribution channels - online, offline, direct and travel agency. |
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| Virgin America and HBO Partner on JFK-Las Vegas Route |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| Virgin America has announced a new partnership with HBO to launch the airline's new non-stop New York-Las Vegas flights, as well as Season 5 of Entourage, in high style with "Entourage Class" service on the new route. |
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| Singapore Airlines Vacations Releases New Brochure |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| Singapore Airlines Vacations, a new tour company created through a partnership between Pleasant Holidays and Singapore Airlines, has released its 2009/2010 vacation brochure of premier tours to Asia and Europe. |
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| Jet Airways Reschedules San Francisco/Shanghai Flights |
| Mon Aug 25 2008 |
| Jet Airways has announced it is rescheduling flights from San Francisco to Shanghai and India this fall. Effective Sept. 3, the airline will operate five flights per week from San Francisco International Airport, on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. |
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| A Booking Costs HOW Much? |
| Fri Aug 22 2008 |
| I was in the grocery store the other day to pick up a gallon of milk. Now, you need to understand that my wife, and partner in our travel agency, Sherrie doesn't let me loose in the supermarket that often by myself because I tend to bring home a lot of stuff we don't really need. So it had been awhile. But when in the name of Alan Greenspan did milk go up to nearly $5 a gallon? It turns out there are a lot of grocery items that are a lot more expensive now. |
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| Fare Buzz Launches Agent Rewards Program |
| Mon Aug 18 2008 |
| The consolidator Fare Buzz launched Buzz Rewards, an appreciation program in which travel agents accrue points for every air and hotel booking made with Fare Buzz. |
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| Orient Lines Debuts Marco Polo II Europe Cruises |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| In 2009, Orient Lines will visit a host of new ports in the Baltic, Black Sea, British Lake District, Croatia, North Cape and Northern Europe aboard its new Marco Polo II. Also new for 2009, the cruise line will enhance each itinerary with a free shore excursion in selected ports. |
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| RCI Unveils Oasis Sports Zone and Vitality Spa |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| Royal Caribbean International in conjunction with AAA Travel at a virtual travel show recently, unveiled two additional neighborhoods for the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas: the Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center. |
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| Carnival Holds First Travel Agent Executive Forum |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| The new Carnival Executive Forum, comprised of travel agency executives in the US and Canada, along with key Carnival Cruise Lines executives, held its first meeting this week in Ft. Lauderdale. The forum, which will meet twice a year during intensive two-day conferences with members, each serving two-year terms, is designed to provide travel agents and Carnival executives with a venue to discuss cruise industry issues, including product, sales and marketing policies, as well as distribution. |
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| Crystal Launches Sell Three, Sail Free Promo |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| Crystal Cruises has launched two promotions that enable agents to earn a free Crystal cruise for two on many remaining 2008 and most 2009 worldwide departures. Agents selling three staterooms on Crystal Symphony's 2008 New England/Canada cruises or three staterooms on Crystal Symphony's 2009 China/Japan and Southeast Asia cruises can earn a free cruise in a stateroom with veranda. |
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| Princess Rewards Loyal Passengers With Additional Benefits |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| The Princess Cruises loyalty program, Princess Captain's Circle, is adding new benefits for its Platinum and Elite members. New benefits for frequent cruisers include: Wireless Internet Access - Members can now choose to use their free Internet package minutes on their personal laptops in wireless hot spots or in the Internet Cafes. |
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| Cruise West Announces 2009 PENTAX Photographers' Cruises |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| Cruise West has announced eight designated PENTAX Photographers' Cruises for the 2009 season designed to help photography buffs capture the natural beauty of their Cruise West voyages. The specialty sailings are in partnership with PENTAX Imaging Company, a digital photography company, and will feature field events and onboard workshops, all co-hosted by professional PENTAX photographer Kerrick James. |
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| Oceania Introduces 2009-10 Winter Collection |
| Mon Aug 25 2008 |
| Oceania Cruises announced its 2009-2010 Winter Collection of sailings to Asia, Australia, South America, the Caribbean and Mexico with longer itineraries, including two 40-day voyages, a new 10-day Mexican Riviera/Copper Canyon cruise and more than 40 in-port overnights. |
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| Tauck Unveils 2009 Ocean Cruise Collection |
| Mon Aug 25 2008 |
| Tauck World Discovery has announced its 2009 collection of unique escorted "Tauck at Sea" cruise itineraries in the Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Sea, Baltic, South Pacific, Alaska and Latin America. The company will offer a total of 17 ocean cruises aboard a fleet of 14 vessels, ranging from the 60-passenger Le Ponant sailing yacht to expedition and mid-size ships, to luxury liners. |
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| CLIA Opens Registration for Cruise Night |
| Fri Aug 22 2008 |
| Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced that registration is open for the fourth annual World's Largest Cruise Night (WLCN), Thursday, Oct. 16. |
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| Carnival May Roll Out Three Dining Options |
| Fri Aug 22 2008 |
| Carnival Cruise Lines probably will introduce three dining options on its ships: traditional seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and a third open seating, Carnival president and CEO Gerry Cahill told travel agents on the America's Vacation Center Travel Executive Forum today. |
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| Second Guest Travels Free on A&K's Clipper Odyssey |
| Thu Aug 21 2008 |
| Reserve one of two select MV Clipper Odyssey voyages with Abercrombie & Kent for a client and that client may bring a friend or family member along as a guest. If your client is traveling solo, the single supplement is waived instead. |
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| Carnival Triumph to Home Port In New Orleans |
| Tue Aug 19 2008 |
| Carnival Cruise Lines announce today that it will increase capacity by 34% when the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph replaces the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans in November 2009. Carnival said it is the only line with a year-round cruise program from the Big Easy. |
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| Carnival Fantasy to Home Port in Mobile |
| Mon Aug 18 2008 |
| Carnival Cruise Lines will increase capacity at its Mobile, AL homeport by 42% when the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy replaces the 1,452-passenger Holiday on year-round four- and five-day cruises beginning in November 2009. |
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| OMB Returns Proposed Cabotage Rule for Rewrite |
| Mon Aug 18 2008 |
| The US Customs and Border Protection has failed to justify the proposed cabotage law targeting foreign cruise ships visiting Hawaii, the Office of Management and Budget has ruled. |
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| Last Chance for 5th Night Free at Royal Hideaway Promo |
| Thu Aug 28 2008 |
| Royal Hideaway Playacar, along the Riviera Maya, is offering a fifth night free promotion for travel through Oct. 15, 2008. But the booking window is almost up. Agents interested in securing a fifth night free for their clients must book by Sept. 2. |
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| GrandLuxe To Shut Operations |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| Travel Trade has learned that GrandLuxe Rail Journeys will cease all operations on Friday, Aug. 29. Calls to a GrandLuxe spokesperson were referred to the main office and Tom Rader, chairman, while calls to Jackie Johnson, CTC, assistant vice president of sales, led to a prerecorded message. |
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| ASTA to File Brief Against State of Florida |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| ASTA announced that it will file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in ABC Charters v. Bronson, a case brought against the state of Florida by 16 travel agencies specializing in travel to Cuba. ASTA stated that like the plaintiffs, it believes the new law violates multiple provisions of the Constitution, including freedom to travel, the right of the federal government to conduct foreign relations and regulate commerce free of state interference. |
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| CLIA TrainingFest Ends in September |
| Wed Aug 27 2008 |
| September is the last month for agents to take advantage of Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) TrainingFest 2008, with only four courses left. The remaining TrainingFest dates and cities for September 2008 are: Seattle, Sept. 4-5; Baltimore, Sept. 11-12; Edmonton, Sept. 18-19; and Chicago, Sept. 25-26. |
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| Orlando Offers Vacation Planning Tool to Travel Agents |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Orlando CVB) has released its 2009 Official Tour & Travel Reference Manual. The manual, now in its 23rd year, serves as a quick desk reference for travel agents by providing up-to-date information on Orlando's accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shopping, cultural and special events, leisure activities and ground transportation. |
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| United Vacations Intros New FuelSafe Program |
| Tue Aug 26 2008 |
| In response to the fluctuating price of fuel, particularly as it relates to airfares, and in order to help vacationers avoid being faced with a sudden increase in their vacation costs -- even after pre-paying for their packages -- United Vacations has launched a new program to lock in fuel prices. |
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| Vcom Offers Money Back Guarantee on Training |
| Mon Aug 25 2008 |
| Vacation.com is introducing The Travel Agent Training program, available via www.agentnet.com/aac with a money back guarantee.The program is designed for all retailers ranging from beginners to professionals, providing in-depth coverage of essential sales, marketing and communication skills. |
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