Brand USA enters phase 2

Week of May 6, 2013
45
travel
Ye a r s o f
C A N A D A’ S M O S T
TRUSTED
T R AV E L T R A D E P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1 9 6 8
WTM
busts
out in
Brazil
MICHAEL BAGINSKI
While Cirque du Soleil
(reps, not performers,
as it turns out) was
name-checked liberally at the inaugural
World Travel Market
The inaugural World Travel Market Latin America was held last week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to near universal acclaim.
Latin America in
Sao Paulo, Brazil, last
week, lending a brief
Canadian air to the
proceedings, the event
was clearly all about
the emergence of South
America and, in particular, the host country.
MICHAEL BAGINSKI
For its part, Canada
Thompson, who took over the top
As Brand USA gets set to celebrate the first anniversary of its
offered a modest booth
post at Brand USA in November, says
official campaign launch at Pow Wow in Los Angeles last May,
with a dozen or so
the almost year-long awareness camSee WTM SAO PAULO page 19
the American destination marketing organization is ready to
paign, which came in two distinct segtake its next step in Canada.
ments in Canada and was rolled out
In the next month or two, Brand USA
here first, along with the UK and Japan,
expects to engage a rep
garnered a very positive
in this country to help
response and a healthy
boost business from Ameri12% to 14% bump in the
ca’s most important tournumber of people surveyed
ism market.
who said they intended to
“The next thing we’re
travel to the US.
going to figure out is how
The primary tool in
to deploy in Canada,”
the campaign was televiBrand USA president and
sion and online comCEO Chris Thompson told Thompson
mercials built around
Canadian Travel Press in an exclusive
the ubiquitous Roseanne Cash song
interview at the World Travel Market in
“Land of Dreams.”
Sao Paolo, Brazil, last week.
“We tasked her to write a travel anthem
The move is phase two of the organiza- and that’s exactly what she did,” enthuses
tion’s campaign strategy: turning “intent” Thompson.
See BRAND USA page 19
into travel.
Brand USA enters phase 2
‘Turning intent into travel,’ seeks Cdn. rep
0506PAGE01_19.indd 1
5/2/2013 2:08:14 PM
R
INTRODUCING
PREPARE WOWED
to
be
SM
Royal Caribbean International®
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forward in cruising.
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THIS P
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0506PAGE02.indd 2
5/1/2013 12:06:12 PM
BACK TO THE FUTURE
In May of 1997 – CTP, May 1, 1997, Vol. 29, No. 33 – Some may remember when the US
decided to introduce a charge for airlines over-flying that destination.
When the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced in March that foreign airlines would have to start paying a fee
for over-flying American airspace, Canadian
charter airlines warned that ultimately the
consumer would pay for the decision.
Last week, that prediction came
true. Air Transat, Canada 3000 and Royal Airlines have all received
permission from the
Canadian Transportation
Agency (CTA) to apply a
surcharge to tour operators
on flights that leave Canada
and fly over the US on their
way to another destination,
such as the Caribbean. The
surcharge applies to all affected flights from May 19
to Oct. 31.
“We recognize that this [fee]
is being charged by the FAA,” says CTA
spokesman Charles Mojsej. “Based on the
fact that it is an additional charge, we approved the surcharge.”
For Royal, the surcharge is about eight
Who
are
YOU
?
per cent over the current rates the airline
charges operators, says Mojsej.
For Canada 3000 and Air Transat, the
surcharge works out to be about five per
cent over current rates. The surcharge is
applied to tour operators, who will then
decide how the costs will be
passed on to consumers.
Canadian Holidays has
sent notice to agents that
the fee will add anywhere
from $14 to $22 to a Caribbean package. The tour
operator is already applying the surcharge to new
bookings, and the surcharge will not be commissionable to agents.
At press time, it
was not certain how
other tour operators
would deal with the surcharge.
A golf tournament in 1997 featured this winning foursome (with former Baxter Travel Media duffer Pat
Doherty in the middle). L-r: Hassan Darbaj, Bill Maguire,
Dan Langevin and John Kirk.
Remembering: 1997
● JANUARY: Canadian Airlines gets its unions on side,
implements a restructuring plan to address its financial
woes and moves quickly to woo back passengers.
It also introduces electronic ticketing on its domestic routes. Ontario’s travel industry moves closer to
self-regulation.
● FEBRUARY: Transat sells recently acquired Look Voyages
to Club Voyages. Canadian Holidays advises agents that it
will now only pay a flat 10% commission on sales of the
majority of its sell-off product.
● MARCH: The ACTA-National board officially approves a
change of name, with the association now being known
as the Association of Canadian Travel Agents. ASTA and
ACTA team up to battle card mills...
● APRIL: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
announces that it will begin charging foreign carriers to
fly over US territory – a move that could lead to higher
airfares for Canadian travellers.
Transat takes over full control of Regent Holidays, saying that Regent will continue to operate independently.
Microsoft launches Expedia in Canada.
● MAY: The Star Alliance is launched by Lufthansa, SAS,
Thai Airways International, United Airlines, and Air Canada.
● JUNE: Michael Pepper is named the new CEO for the
Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) and will become
registrar of the Ontario Travel Industry Act and the
Compensation Fund when the government passes that
responsibility to TICO at the end of June 1997.
● JULY: IATA plans to recognize airline reservations by
online service providers, and that the accreditation
requirements for those online providers will be less strict
compared to those for travel agents. Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity Cruise Lines Inc. sign a merger
deal. The US government plans to raise its international
departure levy to $15.50 (from $6) and to add an international arrival tax of $15.50...
● AUGUST: Walt Disney Attractions sets up an agentsonly web site. The China National Tourist Administration
(CNTA) announces plans to open its first permanent
Canadian office in Toronto in November.
● SEPTEMBER: The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
Corp. (or FTIMC) rebrands as FLA USA Visit Florida.
● OCTOBER: United, American, Delta, Continental, US
Airways, Northwest, KLM, Air Canada, and Canadian
reduce commissions on international and transborder
bookings to 8%; and they also cap commissions for travel
between Canada and the US.
● NOVEMBER: ACTA-National files an injunction to prevent
the introduction of commission cuts and caps on international and transborder flights by major North American
airlines. An Ontario court judge dismisses the motion.
MAY 6, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 3
0506PAGE03.indd 3
5/2/2013 2:49:37 PM
TRAVEL PRESS
Canadian
1
®
Vol. 45, No. 31, Published May 6, 2013
What do you see as the biggest challenge for Carlson
Wagonlit Travel right now?
goes crazy. We also have a lot of
government business in the US
and that’s another situation with
sequestration.
The overall economy is always
going to be the biggest driver of
IATA’s Resolution 787 is a
this industry. Any catastrophe is
hot topic for the industry,
always bad for this industry – if
care to share your thoughts
it’s an earthquake, if it’s a strike
or if it’s a global epidemic of some on it? It’s a concern. It’s also an
opportunity. One of our values is
kind – those things are always
to provide access to content and
a challenge, and I’m sure we’re
access to content can be specific
going to have more, it doesn’t
rates; it can be actually being able
just stop. But I’m confident that
we have a very good
base of managing
catastrophes and
maintaining business
continuity. But it’s
the overall economy.
Hakan Ericsson
If the economy goes
President, CWT Americas
sharply down, this
industry goes down.
We saw that in the
recession. That’s
always going to be
the biggest challenge.
to book in an efficient way hotels
Yet there’s a certain
which are not only in the GDS;
amount of optimism in the
we negotiate special CWT fares
market these days, isn’t
with airlines and hotels which we
there? Yes, we speak to clients
offer our clients, but nobody else,
and they’re quite optimistic, but
of course. So we have a content
optimistic is not like business is
providing role – negotiating and
going to grow 10%. It’s more like
getting access to content. Of
“we’re not going to go down, we’re course, it is important to have
at least going to have the same
transparent, easy access to conspend as before.” We’re quite big
tent for the industry, and we are
in the energy, marine, resources
looking at [IATA Resolution] 787;
business, and there we’re seeand we haven’t quite formed our
ing strong growth. So generally
opinion yet, but we are talking to
it’s more optimistic, but nobody
suppliers, GDS, airlines, clients
3
2
Edith Baxter, Editor-in-Chief
and we are going to have an official statement.
4
ebaxter@baxter.net
Robert Mowat, Executive Editor
bobmowat@baxter.net
Michael Baginski, Managing Editor
baginski@baxter.net
What’s your biggest concern with IATA’s proposal?
Mike Dunbar, Assistant Editor
mdunbar@total.net
Greg Coates, Assistant Editor
I can only say that we’re
concerned about the transparency
aspect – that’s a big concern. GDS
systems are an efficient way of
booking. There are official rates
in the GDS. You can compare.
You can know what you pay in
relation to something else. You
negotiate the fare and
know that you get a
discount compared
to the official rates.
If that transparency
disappears, that’s a
concern. So I think
787 is more about
the distribution of
a rate system rather
than about electronic
communication.
5
gcoates@baxter.net
Ian Stalker, Senior Writer
istalker@baxter.net
Ted Davis, Western Editor
teddavis@baxter.net
Heifetz, Crozier, Law
Legal Affairs
info@hclaw.com
Unterberg, Labelle & Associates
Legal Affairs
Western Canada Editorial Office
Unit 903, 207 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7
Tel: (604) 685-2588 Fax: (604) 734-9743
teddavis@baxter.net
Quebec Editorial Office
149 Creswell Dr., Beaconsfield,Que. H9W 1E5
Tel/Fax: (514) 695-8126
Johnny Koo, Art Director
johnkoo@baxter.net
Wayne Labourn, Production Manager
wlabourn@baxter.net
Sharron Taylor, Adv. Material Coordinator
staylor@baxter.net
Dee Ristic, Circulation
Subscription Inquiries: dristic@baxter.net
Publication Office
310 Dupont St., Toronto, Ont., M5R 1V9
Tel: (416) 968-7252 Fax: (416) 968-2377
www.travelpress.com www.travelpress.travel
ctp@baxter.net (Editorial)sales@baxter.net (Advertising)
Michael Baginski, Publisher
baginski@baxter.net
Earl Lince,
Director of International Marketing
Canadian Account Executive – Travel Weekly UK
elince@baxter.net
Rodney Tugwell, Sales Manager
rtugwell@baxter.net
Mitchell McClung,
Account Executive
mmcclung@baxter.net
Everyone is talking about
mobile, how do you see it?
Jacqulyn Bester,
Classifieds
jbester@baxter.net
It’s going to be big. It’s not
that big yet, but I read somewhere
that smartphones and tablets are
outselling PCs by a big, big margin.
People are getting used to mobile
for everything. Right now for us,
WorldMate and CWT to Go is our
way of addressing this [trend]. We’re
very confident that we’re doing the
right thing. It’s going to be one of
the best mobile strategies in the
world. It’s going to be a very integrated part in everyone’s travel.
Advertising Offices
Western Canada Terry Ohman
Tel: (604) 657-2100 ohman@baxter.net
Alberta Greg Ohman
Tel: (403) 804-3497 greg.ohman@baxter.net
Southern Florida Dino Torres
Tel: (305) 775-8734 Fax: (305) 477-6607
t_dino@bellsouth.net
Northern Florida Gillian Harper
Tel: (954) 933-2786
gillian@isistravelmarketing.com
Hawaii Laurie Doerschlen, Media Links
Tel: 808-737-4621 Fax: 808-737-2695
MdLinks@aol.com
Spain Luis Andrade
Luis Andrade Publicidad Internacional
Tel: 34-91-4416266 Fax: 34-91-4416549
landrade@luisandrade.com
Brazil Claudio Dasilva
Tel: 1-954-647-6464
claudio@braziltm.com
United Kingdom Maureen Wingham, MW Media
Tel: +44(0)1449-771200
maureen.wingham@mwmedia.uk.com
Mexico Paloma Martinez, Towmar Inc.
Tel: 52 55 2122-3900 Fax: 52 55 5395-4985
pmartinez@towmar.net
How do you feel about the CITC being integrated into ACTA?
“To be honest, I’m not a
member of either, but I
see it as a positive step
as they both represent
us agents.”
Shawna Stanhope,
Stanhope Travel
Services,
Upper Tantallon, NS
“[I think] they should
remain separate.
They’re two completely
different identities.”
“I’m not a member of
either and I don’t care.
It doesn’t affect me.”
“I think that that’s fine.
I have no issue with it.
I do appreciate them
always sticking up for
us as agents.”
Central & South America Lillian Martinez
Travel Representations & Marketing
Tel: 305-476-1130
twtrm@earthlink.net
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W.H. Baxter
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We acknowledge the financial support of the Government
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Hazel Affonso,
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Maritime Travel,
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4 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • MAY 6, 2013
CTP masthead master.indd 1
0506PAGE04.indd 4
3/11/2013 2:28:33 PM
5/2/2013 2:10:17 PM
Demand and
deliver: Industry
must serve
connected
consumers
With over 25 years of experience in retail
management and marketing, Susan Bowman
was appointed vice-president, marketing and
industry relations for TDC in April 2011, and is
responsible for overseeing the marketing strategy
and implementation plans for the Transat retail
business – which includes Marlin Travel, Club
Voyages, Voyage en Liberte, TravelPlus and its
affiliate network of agencies.
Before joining TDC, she was senior director for
the travel reward program with Loyalty One. Prior to this, she was senior vice-president at Thomas
Cook Canada Inc., where she led the marketing
strategy, advertising, communications, magazines and brochures on behalf of the company’s 14
brands. Previously with the Thomas Cook Retail
business, Bowman was senior vice-president of
business and industry affairs.
She has also held senior positions with other
major retailers. From 1993 to 1997, she was chief
operating officer for the INTRA Travel Corporation, a franchise business which resulted in a
company turnaround from a negative operating
position. Prior to this, she was a director in charge
of the American Express Establishment Services
national account business with over half the companies charge volume under her control. She was
also a founding member of the development team
for the Membership Rewards loyalty programs.
Bowman has taught at Centennial College, in
addition to being a graduate. And this week, she
lends her voice to CTP’s 45th anniversary Voices
of Travel feature.
H
as the customer changed?
It seems that in the blink of an
eye, we claimed the beaches in
the Caribbean as our own. Canadians went from driving holidays, residing
with their relatives, to enjoying a winter vacation designed to obtain a well, deserved break
from the freezing temperatures. The winter
Susan Bowman
f Tr a v e l
o
s
e
Vo i c
“tan line” became the latest fashion. The sevenday holiday to the sun became accessible for
millions of Canadians thanks to the charter
operators who made it simple and affordable
for the average person and that trend continues today. But if you think the Caribbean sun
seeker hasn’t changed over time, think again.
In 1981, American Airlines pioneered a
novel concept, a “frequent-flyer program”
offering customers the opportunity to earn
“free” flights as a reward for their patronage. Today, the biggest IATA travel agency in
Canada, issuing more “free” flights than any
other agency, is owned by a loyalty company
(and it’s not an airline). Consumers, hungry
for increasing value in their travel spend are
saving their miles and points in abundance to
obtain their dream vacations for “free.” Belong
to one loyalty program? The average Canadian
belongs to nine or more!
And the southern resorts invented a new
catch phrase – the all-inclusive holiday. Club
Med provided customers plastic beads, ordained as your “drink” currency, and there
was plenty of free food. There was a camplike feel to drinking, dining and putting your
hands up with your fellow guests. Seawind
Beach resort and Grand Bahama were quick
to follow opting for a unique “Go Bananas”
plastic currency. And yes, for those who know
me well, I had a “Go Bananas” Chevy Impala,
much to the chagrin of my parents. It wasn’t
too long, however, before the Caribbean Beach
resorts soon did away with all that inventive
jewellery exchange and now a hotel bracelet
suffices to say “you belong.”
Today’s all-inclusive resorts have had to up
the ante to compete with each other and to
meet customer expectations. Customers regularly ask if there is a butler service, a concierge,
a spa. They want to know, how many and what
type of à la carte dining options are included?
And what kinds of wine exactly will they
receive for “free?” I recently dined at an “allinclusive” resort where a sommelier, bus boy,
waiter and maitre’d served us a selection of
wines and a four-course amazing meal. It was
a very different experience than the Seawind
Beach Resort buffet from 30 years ago.
We live in a world connected. In days gone
by, the holiday first and foremost was to “get
away from it all.” This has been replaced with
the most asked question of the day. “Is there
free Internet?” We are blogging, Facebooking and Twittering right from poolside. And
if you’re really lucky (or depending on your
perspective, not lucky) you can wave at your
friends through the resort video cams.
Can Canadians still afford the annual beach
holiday? The Conference Board of Canada
offers this perspective. It’s more affordable to
travel to the Caribbean today than in the past.
In the year 2000, Canadians spent on average $928 net per person as compared to 2010,
when that figure was just $885 or 4.6% less
than in 2000. If you factor inflation, the $928
spend in 2000 is actually $1,133 in 2010, a difference of 22%!
Many consumers are demanding more
from their holidays. The leading trends, social
responsibility, meeting the locals, spa travel,
soft and hard adventure, destination weddings, educational travel, personally designed
and escorted holidays. The consumer of today
is educated, interested and wants bragging
rights. We did, we saw, we experienced are the
leading mantras. No longer are the winter tan
lines enough!
So has the consumer changed? Yes, and
the good news is the travel industry has
changed too.
MAY 6, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 5
0506PAGE05.indd 5
5/2/2013 2:09:33 PM
June 18
CZ boosts flights
from Vancouver, but
Dreamliner on hold
TED DAVIS
Gifts of a paddle, head band and ceremonial feathers
welcomed Malaysian pilot James Tan to Vancouver, where
he met members of the press and aboriginal greeters.
Pilot pursues
global record
TED DAVIS
He’s just a kid really, but
James Anthony Tan of
Malaysia has already flown
half way around the world
– in a single engine Cessna.
He is attempting to set a
new record for a singleengine flight around the
globe, and is waving the
Malaysia flag all the way.
En route, the 21-yearold stopped in Vancouver
to catch his breath for a
few nights, take on fuel
and meet members of the
media at a press conference organized by Tourism Malaysia. His trip
from southeast Asia has
already been filled with
adventure, as the route has
taken him out over the Sea
of Okhotsk on his way to
Kamchatka, Russia, and
then across the Bering Sea
to Anchorage.
With extra fuel bladders
stuffed into aircraft, Tan’s
flight is reminiscent of heroic bygone record attempts
by prop-driven aircraft.
His Cessna 210 Silver Eagle
has even been dubbed the
“Spirit of Malaysia,” echoing Charles Lindbergh’s
Spirit of St. Louis.
By press time, Tan’s
should have finished the
North America sector of
his circumnavigation, and
be on his way through
Europe. His goal is to
complete the global flight
within 50 days, covering
21,900 nautical miles.
By the time he returns
to his starting point on
Langkawi Island in Malaysia, Tan will have made
30 scheduled stops in 20
countries. If successful, his
flight will earn a record for
shortest time around the
world for a youth piloting a
single engine prop aircraft.
China Southern Airlines will soon go
ahead with an increase of flight frequencies on its Vancouver-Guangzhou (YVRCAN) route.
Plans by China Southern to change
aircraft types on its route to Vancouver from Guangzhou were put on hold,
while the recent mechanical issues involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were
being resolved.
This increase in frequencies – from five
times per week to daily services – is set
to start on June 18 this year. The service
upgrade is supported by the excellent
loads and yield on the CAN-YVR route,
says Kitty Cheng, the general manager in
Canada for China Southern. A B777-200
operates on the route.
“The loads and revenues have exceeded
our expectations and are on the rise,” said
Cheng. “The support received is one of
the reasons for our decision to increase
frequency as soon as we can.”
Another factor is the recent signing
of a code-share agreement with WestJet
Airlines. That is set to take effect this
month (May).
Loads are so strong on the CAN-YVR
route that the eventual assignment of
an Airbus A380 to YVR is not out of
the question.
“It is possible that the A380 would be
assigned to fly CAN-YVR,” said Paul
Chu, marketing and business development manager for CZ in Vancouver.
However, no decision will be made
until a review of the performance of the
daily service, and of the B787 situation,
he said.
China Southern is still the only airline,
and the first in China, that owns and operate the A380, said Chu. It is on a daily
non-stop service between Guangzhou
and Los Angeles, and so far that is the
only international route being served.
There will be five A380s in service with
CZ by year-end, and it is expected another
international destination will be assigned
to be serviced by the A380 by then.
CZ is the largest airlines in China in
terms of fleet size and passengers carried. Domestic route coverage is also
the highest in China, although China
Eastern is not far behind, and so is Air
China. All three majors are very close to
each other in terms of domestic destinations count.
Kitty Cheng, general manager in Canada, China Southern Airlines and Paul Chu, marketing
and business development manager for CZ.
6 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • MAY 6, 2013
0506PAGE06.indd 6
5/2/2013 3:56:13 PM
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5/1/2013 12:06:43 PM
Booming Cancun is one of the destinations AMResorts has built a presence in.
Steady as she goes with AMResorts
IAN STALKER
AMResorts is predicting steady growth, with
a company that now has 32 resorts under
the Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets,
Dreams, Now, and Sunscape names preparing
to add more under its upcoming Breathless
brand, a move that’s expected to help see the
number of resorts under the AMResorts banner reach 52 in the next five years.
Alex Zozaya, CEO of AMResorts-affiliated
Apple Leisure Group, said during Mexico’s
annual tourism show of Tianguis that last year
saw AMResorts make its debut in CuraÇao
and on Cozumel, where it now has a choice
of properties, thanks to a partnership with
tennis sensation Rafael Nadal. AMResorts has
assumed sales, marketing and management
of Nadal’s two Cozumel resorts, which have
been rebranded as Secrets Aura Cozumel and
Sunscape Sabor Cozumel.
Zozaya told his March Puebla audience that
the Secrets Aura Cozumel is a “very family
oriented” retreat.
In all, AMResorts opened five resorts in
2012, including Secrets The Vine in Cancun,
which Zozaya labelled a “flagship” property,
with the wine-themed resort having what
Zozaya said is “one of the most important
wine cellars” in all Mexico. The 500-suite
resort hosts regular wine tastings and has
around 3,000 different labels of wine.
In all, AMResorts now has 11,980 rooms in
Mexico, Jamaica, CuraÇao and the Dominican
Republic.
Upcoming hotels include a Punta Cana,
Dominican Republic, property – Now Onyx
Punta Cana – that will open in November, followed by a Los Cabos resort – Secrets Puerto
Los Cabos – slated to begin welcoming guests
in December.
AMResorts will also open a Costa Rica resort
– Dreams Las Mareas – near Costa Rica’s border with Nicaragua in 2014, with guests riding
through a nature reserve to reach that resort.
Another upcoming development will see
AMResorts new Breathless Resorts & Spas
brand – described as a “seductive spin on
adults-only Secrets Resorts & Spas” – open its
first two properties in 2015.
In other news, Zozaya said during his
Tianguis presentation that AMResorts is
offering free WiFi and international calls at
select resorts, and the resort company is now
affiliated with conservation group Rainforest
Alliance, a development Zozaya said would
make AMResorts more attractive to greenoriented vacationers.
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THE
COLLECTION
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8 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • MAY 6, 2013
0506PAGE08.indd 8
5/2/2013 4:44:54 PM
R I V I E R A M AYA › I @ M @ < I 8 E 8P8 I @ K › G L E K8 : 8 E 8 › D F E K < > F 9 8P › J 8 CM8 ; F I ; < 9 8 ? à 8 9 i X q ` c
Entering the world of all-inclusive Palladium Hotels & Resorts
is like walking into an exotic paradise. The sheer beauty and
grandeur of our carefully created, natural tropical gardens and
ample spaces, extensive soft sandy beaches, exquisite first class
culinary delights, refreshing pools and exciting entertainment
offer the ideal escape for a perfect vacation. Our dedicated
team will do just about anything to go that extra mile for magical
and unforgettable moments.
www.palladiumresorts.com
0506PAGE09.indd 9
Call Center: 800961 7661
callcenter.america@palladiumhotelgroup.com
5/1/2013 12:07:16 PM
Tax tips for travel types (2014)
Residents of BC’s Sunshine
Coast rely on ferries to
get them from Point A to
Point B. Departures are
not nearly as frequent as
the subways enjoyed by
city-dwellers, so getting to
the dock on time is critical. Pessimists who miss
the intended departure
say that they were five
minutes late for the ferry.
Optimists in the same
position say that they are
three hours and 55 minutes early for the ferry.
This column is not late
for the April 30, 2013
Income Tax filing deadline, but is instead more
than 11 months early for
the 2014 deadline.
It is targeted at the
many people in the travel
industry who work from
a home office (or works
from a “home office”) and
those who make use of the
services of such individuals. It is the task of Canada
Revenue Agency (CRA)
to differentiate between
the true home office, and
the more fanciful “home
office” that exists only in
the person’s imagination,
but not in law. CRA tries
to ferret out expenses that
are improperly deducted
for a “home office” that
exists in name only.
Employees
CRA Form 7777 lists
the types of home-based
expenses that an employee
might deduct, each in
certain circumstances and
subject to specified restrictions. The list includes
accounting/legal expenses,
travelling expenses (other
than auto) if not reimbursed for them, parking,
office supplies, and so
forth.
Perhaps the most tempting to claim relates to the
cost of maintaining the
home office. A deduction
for it is available only if
the employee meets one of
these two conditions:
a) The workspace is
where she mainly (more
than 50% of the time) does
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her work.
b) She uses the workspace only to earn employment income on a regular
and continuous basis
for meeting clients or
customers.
Due to (a), a spot at
which one works on evenings and
weekends,
separate
from the
“real” office,
will not usually qualify.
Due to (b),
travel professionals who
meet clients at the customers’ place of business,
or home, will not likely
qualify.
Those who do qualify
can deduct the part of the
costs (such as the cost of
electricity, heating and
maintenance) relating to
the workspace. However,
mortgage interest, property taxes, home insurance, and capital cost
allowance are not deductible. (There is an exception
®
for commissioned salespeople who are employed,
in regard to home insurance and property taxes.)
In order to deduct a
home-based expense as
being work-related, an
employee must complete
and have signed a CRA
TraveLaw
Doug Crozier, Tim Law
Form T2200. It must be
signed by the employer,
confirming that the
employee is required, as
part of her job description,
to work from home.
The form need not
be filed with one’s Tax
Return. It is thus tempting to forego the requirement of an employer’s
signature and gamble
that the form will not be
requested on an audit. This
is risky business, and not
recommended.
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The stamp of authenticity.
Independent
contractors
Self-employed independent contractors can
access more legitimate
deductions than can
employees who work from
home. As a result, they
have more paperwork to
keep an eye
on, and more
receipts to
keep track
of. There is
a need to be
able to prove
the expenses
that are being claimed for
the separate business-only
line, a portion of home
insurance and property
taxes, and so forth.
A self-employed person
can also claim a portion of the interest paid
on the mortgage, but not
the capital component of
the monthly payments.
There is a downside that
comes with this, though.
Typically, we Canadians
avoid paying Capital Gains
tax when we sell our principal residence. However,
to the extent that a deduction has been claimed
during one’s ownership of
the home that houses the
home office, Capital Gains
tax may apply to that
portion of the home that
is used for this (expensedeductible) office.
The key document to
follow here is CRA’s Form
T2125.
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10 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • MAY 6, 2013
0506PAGE10.indd 10
5/2/2013 4:47:40 PM
It’s not just
the weather...
Cancun, Mexico, is one of this year’s Emerging Summer Travel Hot Spots, according to Cheapfl ights.ca.
Some under-the-radar
summer hot spots
While spring has sprung, many are already
planning ahead for travel this summer, and
so, staff at Cheapflights.ca, which bills itself
as “the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals,” have taken a peek at the
site’s data for destinations with the biggest
percentage spikes in searches by Canadians
looking for a June getaway compared to this
time last year.
The list of Emerging Summer Travel Hot
Spots, offers a heads-up on some up-and-coming summer getaways. They may not be the
most popular, yet, but they are gaining traction, so this summer may just be the right time
for clients to check them out, while still getting
a great deal and beating the crowds.
Below are the top three emerging destinations, all of which have seen over 100% spike
in interest this year on Cheapflights.ca.
• San Jose, Costa Rico (travel searches up
137% over 2012) – This capital city is an
increasingly thriving destination in its own
right with a fun and funky nightlife, a number of compelling museums and a popular
food scene.
However, its top draw may still be its role
as the main hub for reaching the beaches and
rain forests that beckon adventure seekers
and eco-travellers. Costa Rica is investing
in its tourism industry, ensuring lodging is
in place to meet growing demands. While
2013 is shaping up to be a banner year for
attracting tourists, so far the travel experience remains relaxed and uncommercial.
Summer travel is off-peak so it’s a good time
to bargain shop. Expect some rain, but still
pack sunscreen.
• Cancun (travel searches up 129% over
2012) – Historically a major spring break
hot spot, Cancun suffered a slight setback
in popularity recently thanks to reports of
violence (and before that swine flu) in parts
of Mexico. However, the Yucatan resort town
has been a relative safe haven for tourists and
has pressed on with a steady stream of deals
and marketing activity that have brought
a big bounce in spring visitors and, now, a
boost in interest for summer travellers.
While it is hot, humid and inside the hurricane belt, Cancun boasts beaches and bars
that are irresistible for many. So are the golf
courses, world-class diving and off-season
prices on flights and luxury hotels.
• Lisbon, Portugal (travel searches up 100%
over 2012) – Portugal versus Spain? It’s a
common online question for travellers seeking a summer getaway to Europe. While
both destinations have their champions, the
pro-Portugal crowd is quick to point out that
Lisbon is an historic beachfront city with a
mix of neighbourhoods and scenes, an active
nightlife and great year-round weather.
All in all, it’s a lot like Barcelona, but with a
smaller price tag and a more laid-back style.
Canadians seem to be catching wind of this
summer seaside alternative, where they can
experience the European vibe, an active festival season and steamy days (and nights) without breaking the bank, Cheapflights.ca says.
(www.cheapflights.ca/travel/
top-5-emerging-summer-travel-hot-spots)
MAY 6, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 11
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ADVERTISEMENT
SUMMER IS THE PERFECT
TIME TO DO AC!
f you are looking for something fun to do this summer, why not DO AC? Come
visit us in Atlantic City where you can loosen your tie, let down your hair, put on
your walking shoes or flip flops and get ready for a fun-filled stay.
I
Whether in town to try your luck at the many casino table games or slot
machines, hit the pavement in search of great outlet shopping deals, take in a
show, dine at one of our many gourmet restaurants, take a stroll on the worldfamous Boardwalk, or just relax on the beach under the glowing sun and cool off in
the waters of the Atlantic ocean and sip your favourite cocktails at our beach bars,
Atlantic City has everything to make your stay unforgettable.
How will you DO AC this summer? The options are plentiful, adventures to have are
endless and new attractions are being unveiled all of the time.
DO Margaritaville – A tropical escape will debut at Resorts this summer when the
Margaritaville complex opens its doors. The new addition features a Margaritaville
restaurant, LandShark Bar & Grille, Margaritaville-themed casino, Five O’Clock
Somewhere bar, retail store and coffee shop, inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of
Jimmy Buffett.
DO Steel Pier – After a $23-million renovation in 2012, Atlantic City’s Steel Pier
will feature 25 kiddie and extreme rides and eight rides that are new this season,
including the world’s tallest swing ride and the tallest observation wheel in New
Jersey. A new stadium for live stage acts, the Steel Pier Pub and oceanview bar, a
video arcade and the only helicopter tour on the New Jersey shore, all add to this
iconic amusement pier that extends 1,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean.
DO Revel – Revel Entertainment’s brand
new resort headlines an impressive array of
entertainment venues available to visitors.
Located on the Boardwalk at Connecticut
Avenue, Revel spans 6.3 million square feet
and stands 47 stories high above the bustling
Boardwalk. Revel offers an impressive
130,000-square-foot gaming floor with more
than 100 gaming tables, 160,000 square feet
of indoor and 90,000 square feet of outdoor
flexible meeting/event space, dynamic
entertainment venues including a one-of-akind Burlesque nightclub, and elegant, unique
and classic dining options featuring awardwinning chefs from across the country.
Revel Beach and HQ Nightclub are also set
to debut this summer!
0506PAGE12.indd 12
DO Shopping – If you are in the mood for
some of the best shopping around, then you have
come to the right place. Atlantic City features
hundreds of shops on the Boardwalk, inside the 12
casino hotels and throughout the downtown. Make
sure you bring your comfortable walking shoes, or
better yet, buy them here with tax-free shopping on
clothing and shoes.
Tanger Outlets The Walk recently-completed a
$15-million, third phase of expansion that has added
more than 45,000 square feet of outlet shopping.
New retail establishments include Columbia
Sportswear, Zumiez, Puma Outlet, Coach Men’s,
Chico’s, Hanes Brands, and more.
DO Gardner’s Basin – The Atlantic City Aquarium
features sharks, rays and many other forms of sea life
that are literally just a touch of your hand away. Stroll
through the quaint bay-side Crafter’s Village to get a
taste of local crafts and stop in for breakfast al fresco
at local favourite Gilchrist’s. Back Bay Ale House
serves up your favourite ales and famous “Mason
Basins,” all while enjoying the sea breeze and ebb and
flow of the local fishing industry.
DO Cruising – For a fun-filled adventure, Atlantic
City Cruises offers daily cruises along the oceanfront
skyline of Atlantic City, or you can set sail on the calm
back bay waters. For a unique opportunity to get upclose-and-personal with locals, take one of the daily
dolphin watching Adventure cruises for a thrilling view
of beautiful Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins. If you need
to relax, try the Happy Hour Cruise, where you can sit
back and enjoy the bay breeze, or be the life of the
party, while sipping on your favourite cocktails and
frozen drinks and cruisn’ the back waters.
Whatever your trip itinerary for the best summer
vacation, Atlantic City has everything you need for the
perfect trip!
For more information, please visit www.doatlanticcity.
com.
5/1/2013 12:07:44 PM
0506PAGE13.indd 13
5/1/2013 12:08:10 PM
ADVERTISEMENT
THE “SOMETHING-FOR-EVERYONE” ISLANDS
Does your idea of the perfect sunshine getaway entail shopping or sunbathing?
Is nightlife or nature your thing?
History or haute cuisine?
Sizzle or solitude?
The United States purchased a Caribbean archipelago from Denmark in 1917 and
promptly named it the United States Virgin Islands. Methinks they should have
named it the “Something-For-Everyone” Islands, because these islands will delight
no matter what activities you’ve punched into your IPhone.
Want the perfect beach? Magens Bay
on St. Thomas is rated one of the
world’s best, with icing sugar sand and a
gorgeous view to boot. St. John boasts
beaches with unparalled snorkelling,
while St. Croix offers you a sunspot that
you might share with none but your
significant other.
Want that perfect gift? Charlotte Amalie can brag of historical alleys
and cobblestone byways where you can choose from fine jewellry
to perfume to designer clothing.
History buffs love these islands: explore the ruins of a sugar
plantation, an erstwhile pirate lair, two 17th-century forts. Or
combine your passions: stroll historic byways and pick up that
special something at the same time.
There are nightclubs and theme parks, wild deer and donkeys,
sailboats and jet skis.
Hike through a national park, climb a mountain, explore a pristine
reef, go for a sail in perfect sapphire waters.
Something for everyone in the USVI.
SOMETHING BLUE.
SOMETHING VERY, VERY BLUE.
Invite your clients to get married in a wondrous paradise of storybook
romantic settings. Here, they can exchange vows hillside near a sugar
cane windmill. Beside a centuries-old fort. In a historic church, cathedral, or
synagogue. Even standing in our crystal-clear waters. The choice is theirs.
After all, it’s their special day. And it deserves the most special booking.
You, unscripted.
Find their something blue at visitUSVI.com.
/visitusvi
/usvitourism
©2013 U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
0506PAGE14.indd 14
5/2/2013 2:19:23 PM
ADVERTISEMENT
CROATIA – LAND OF DIVERSITY
ocated in central and southeast Europe, Croatia is best known for its
intricately indented coastline which has 1244 islands, islets, cliffs and reefs.
Getting to Croatia is simple, whether you travel by air, train, ship or car. All
major carriers connect with Croatia Airlines through European gateways,
while the Croatian ferry system connects the Adriatic islands to the
mainland, as well as to Italy.
L
Nature and Adventure programs are bountiful as Croatia ranks as one of the
ecologically best preserved parts of Europe. Eight national parks, including stunning
Plitvice Lakes and seven parks of nature, stand to attest to sustainability efforts,
while international recognition was given for some of the cleanest waters in Europe.
A major beach destination, Croatia offers secluded, hidden beaches, as well as
family beaches with gentle coves that are made from pebbles or gentle rocks.
Gastronomy and Wine are as diverse as country’s regions. The continental cuisine
is under central and western European gastronomy influence with, similarities
to Viennese and Hungarian cuisine, while the coastal cuisine is predominantly
Mediterranean with main components in olive oil and fresh seafood. Wine
aficionados will feel at home, with many options in both red and white wines offered
by high-quality producing boutique wineries all around Croatia.
Culture and Traditions are evident with every step
you take in Croatia; from exceptionally well-preserved
Roman architecture and seven UNESCO Heritage
Sites, to modern art exhibits and numerous museums
and galleries. Summer festivals that run from June
through September are especially popular for their
diverse theatre and music performances.
Hotels and Hospitality run from luxury to camps.
With over a century, tradition in the Croatian tourist
product is well developed. Increasingly, guests
discover vacation homes and guests houses as
alternative to hotel accommodations.
Information for travel agents on Croatia and selling
Croatia is available through the Croatian National
Tourist Office New York. Visit our web pages at
www.croatia.hr and contact us at cntony@earthlink.net
Croatia
1244 islands
Simply
Si
l ttoo much
h ffor a single
i l magazine
i page
Just enough for a perfect holiday
The Mediterranean as it once was
0506PAGE15.indd 15
5/2/2013 10:12:08 AM
ADVERTISEMENT
THE MAGIC OF RIVIERA MAYA
D iscover the natural wonders that Riviera Maya is offering to its visitors. Come and live
unique adventures and experiences, surrounded by the lush jungle, the powdery sand and the
most spectacular sceneries and views.
One of the magic places you have to discover is a Cenote.
Cenotes are natural freshwater pools serving as a gateway to the longest underwater
river system in the world. The Mayan people considered the cenotes to be sacred, believing
them to be portals to the underworld and a way to communicate with the gods. The cenotes
were also a fresh water resource for the Mayans.
Geographically, the Yucatan peninsula is a large, cavernous limestone shelf with an
elevation that is only 50 meters above sea level. This lack of elevation and topography makes
it impossible for water currents to form. Subsequently, there is an almost complete lack of
exposed, surface rivers on the Yucatan Peninsula. Instead, rainwater penetrates the porous
limestone and forms the underground river system.
Over time, those filtrations erode and weaken the rock eventually collapsing the roof of
the underground river, and exposing it on the surface level. Hundreds of years ago, the ancient
Maya named these exposed sink holes “cenotes.”
The Riviera Maya boasts countless cenotes, many of which are open to the public
and are popular locations for cave diving and snorkelling. Some of the region’s most popular
cenotes include: Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos and Chac-Mool.
Another magic place that you should not miss is the Sian Ka’an, Biosphere Reserve.
Sian Ka’an, meaning “where the sky is born” or “gift from heaven” in Mayan, is unique
because of its diverse cultural and biological preservation. The area has been declared a
UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and is home to more than 500 species of birds, as well
as Muyil archeological site. Funded as a non-profit Maya co-op program, Community Tours
Sian Ka’an offers visitors a myriad of experiences such as kayaking and visiting a local Maya
community to learn how to make chewing gum.
Location: 103 miles south of Cancun International Airport.
Once you are in our paradise, you definitely have to stop in Tulum, a place of mystical energy.
One of Riviera Maya’s most popular Mayan archeological sites, Tulum is the only known
Mayan city situated on a cliff overlooking the sea. Separate from the ancient Mayan city is the
modern-day town of Tulum, which has become famous as an eco-chic destination with beach
boutique hotels, great local dining and unique shopping.
Location: 72 miles south of the Cancun airport and 37 miles south of Playa del Carmen.
2013 Events
Riviera Maya is not only well-known for its natural beauty and the magnificent Mayan culture.
Throughout the year, we are hosting several international events to provide our visitors with
unforgettable experiences.
3rd TRIATLON SPRINT HACIENDA TRES RIOS (May 26):
Held annually at eco resort, Hacienda Tres Rios.
Autumn
MAYAN X-Tri (Sept. 1): Considered one of the toughest off-road
triathlons in Mexico.
INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL MARKET (Sept. 1 to
Oct. 3) ILTM Americas is the new annual business event serving
the luxury travel sector of the Americas. ILTM Americas will bring
together the world’s most-sought after collection of international
luxury experiences for the most discerning luxury travel buyers of
North, South and Central America. ILTM Americas 2013 will take
place at The Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya.
FESTIVAL DE LA TORTUGA MARINA (October): A festival that
celebrates the hatch of endangered sea turtles as they make their
way to the ocean.
FESTIVAL DE VIDA Y MUERTE (Oct. 30 – Nov. 2): “Dia de los
Muertos” celebration through Mexican traditions.
OHL CLASSIC AT MAYAKOBA (Nov. 11-17): Mexico’s Only
PGA TOUR Event.
TRIATLON XEL-HA (Nov. 17): A triathlon held at the world’s
largest natural aquarium, Xel-Ha.
TASTE OF PLAYA (Nov. 24): Taste of Playa celebrates the
extraordinary talents of local chefs and restaurateurs, held at Playa
del Carmen.
RIVIERA MAYA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Nov. 28-30): One of the best
Jazz Festivals in the world, and the only one with free entrance.
Winter
WINTERBEACH (December): An annual event that brings
together music, fashion and entertainment, held at Mamitas Beach
Club.
EXPO TEQUILA PLAYA DEL CARMEN (May 2-4): The tenth annual Expo Tequila
features a bartender’s competition, conferences, lectures and tequila tastings with tequila
experts.
BPM FESTIVAL (Jananuary 2014): An annual world-class electronic
music festival held in Playa Del Carmen.
SACRED MAYAN JOURNEY (May 23-25): Held annually in May, the Sacred Mayan
Journey is a re-enactment of the ancient Mayan journey to honour the Goddess Ixchel.
Now you are ready to book your next vacations to the Magic
Paradise Riviera Maya.
WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU! www.rivieramaya.com
January 2, 2012
0506PAGE16.indd 16
5/2/2013 10:12:34 AM
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5/2/2013 4:44:01 PM
Sushi Chef Wilson welcomes guests
to the popular Soy sushi bar, one of
15 restaurants available at Sandals
Grande Riviera.
For agents with “lounge chair
lizard” clients, relaxing fi re pits
could be the order of the day for
chilling out at night.
Who should land at Sandals Grande?
Renovated resort ideal for
wide range of guests
GREG COATES
Having recently returned from Sandals
Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort in
Ocho Rios, Jamaica, we’ve come up with a list
of at least five types of clients that agents can
safely send to this beautiful resort.
The largest of all Sandals resorts, Sandals
Grand Riviera sits on 40 hectares of lush
hillside gardens overlooking the Caribbean
Sea. Featuring 529 villas, luxury rooms and
suites, the resort is nearing the completion of a
US$60-million refurbishment program.
The property is actually like two resorts in
one – there is the Riviera Seaside & Beach
Club, which overlooks the beach and offers
a vibrant, energized environment; and there
is the Riviera Villas & Great House offering
mountain views. Both have their own restaurants, pools and other amenities, but guests are
free to roam back and forth. Regular shuttle
transportation is available between the two.
Now, which clients might you steer in this
direction:
• Hopeless romantics: With 26 room categories, including honeymoon and new (14) onebedroom Romeo & Juliet-butler suites with
private pool, couples are sure to discover the
romance, while staying at the Grande Riviera.
Guests can even enjoy a romantic evening
with a private candlelight dinner under the
stars (at various locations around the resort),
or surprise that special one with candles, rose
petals and a scented bath.
Of course, weddings and vow renewal
ceremonies are a Sandals specialty (see www.
Sandals.com/weddingmoons for more), and
the Grande Riviera boasts a dedicated wed-
ding staff of 30. The resort can host (and has)
up to 10 weddings in a single day. They’re
never at the same time or location and GM
Brian Roper notes the property is so large
they do not disturb other guests.
• Those that like to be pampered: When it
comes to pampering, Sandals has it covered
with its highly touted butler service. Sandals
Grande Riviera recently expanded this
perk with the introduction of its “All-Butler
Riviera Villas.”
Tucked into the rolling hillside of the St.
Ann Mountains, the Riviera Villas have
always been a preferred romantic escape for
couples desiring a more serene and private
setting, complete with their own private or
semi-private villa pools. These suites are
serviced by Sandals’ butlers specially trained
by the London-based Guild of Professional
English Butlers. Prior to arrival, couples can
select their personal preferences so their
butlers are prepared to cater to their every
wish, from unpacking and packing a guest’s
luggage to stocking a guest’s refrigerator with
their favourite beer or wine, or preparing a
romantic, private picnic on the beach. Guests
are even provided with a personal cell phone
to reach their butler.
The Caribbean-inspired Red Lane Spa
(there are two on site) is available for those
looking to spoil themselves even more. From
massages to facials to manicures and pedicures, there are an endless variety of services
to choose from.
• Sports/fitness fanatics: For golfers, this is the
place as Sandals’ “Luxury Included” experience even includes complimentary green fees
(and transfers) at the nearby championship
Sandals Golf & Country Club (guests pay
only for caddies and golf carts).
There is a state-of-the-art fitness centre at
the resort, as well as tennis, the Caribbean’s
largest rock-climbing wall and, of course,
water sports. Included are kayaks, windsurfing, Hobie cats, snorkelling, paddleboards,
Aquatrykes, and Scuba diving.
Available land sports include volleyball and
basketball.
• Lounge chair lizards: The exclusive Ochi Beach
Club is the perfect place to lay back and relax
– perhaps in a butler-serviced poolside cabana,
while sipping on an ice-cold piña colada.
Guests can even dine by the water with their
feet in the sand. The Club offers a beach vibe
by day and a relaxed atmosphere by night.
After sunset, the rhythmic sounds of
Jamaican reggae music can be enjoyed, while
lounging by one of the resort’s fire pits and
taking in the view of the Caribbean. The
Grande Riviera’s Sundowner Lounge is especially comfortable and features live entertainment at night.
• Gastronomic connoisseurs: With 15 restaurants to choose from (as well as room service
for butler-serviced suites), guests on a twoweek vacation never have to eat dinner at
the same place twice (although chances are
they will want to). From Italian to Asian to
Mediterranean, the options are plentiful.
Lovers of sushi will want to try Soy, while
those with a flare for Japanese will want to go to
Kimonos (Japanese Teppanyaki). Guests looking for authentic Jamaican cuisine can go to the
Manor House (indoor or outdoor dining available) or The Mariner Seaside Bar & Grill (beach
grill). For Italian, try Sabrina’s Marketplace or
Valentino’s. For another outdoor experience,
Kelly’s Dockside is recommended.
On a more casual side, there’s Dino’s Pizzeria,
Bella Napoli Pizzeria and the Beach Bistro.
18 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • MAY 6, 2013
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WTM Sao Paulo
Continued from page 1
exhibitors, which was
significantly smaller than
its presence at the annual
World Travel Market in
London in November; but
if Canadians are slow to
come to the Latin American market, the neighbouring US was out in
full force, led by Florida,
New York, California, and
Brand USA. Exhibitors on
the floor deemed the show
a “huge success.”
In total, 1,200 exhibitors
(about 20% more than
anticipated) hailing largely
from the Americas, Caribbean and Europe, but also
from far-flung Africa and
Asia, vied for the attention of 7,000 visitors with
Andrew Fowles, CEO of
Reed Exhibitions, the fair
organizer, stating, “ World
Travel Market Latin America has the potential to be
the most important show
in the region in the next
few years.”
And such was the success of the inaugural
event that Reed has already announced that the
show will be held on the
same dates, April 23-25,
in 2014 at the same Transamerica Expo Centre
venue in Sao Paulo.
No wonder: Latin
America is a rising star in
the tourism sector and,
along with China, the
trade’s Holy Grail. Indeed,
tourism arrivals in Latin
American countries have
grown by nearly 50%,
from 54 million in 2003
to the 80 million forecast
for this year. And “it is
expected that the volume
of international arrivals
in the countries on the
continent will further
expand the pace of growth
it has been recording over
the last decade,” noted
a statement from World
Travel Market.
“For the first time, we
decided to come to the
continent because of
numbers like this and
because of the leading role
that Brazil will have in the
sector over the next few
years,” added Fowles.
And even though
more than nine million
Brazilians travelled internationally – a record – in
2012, Brazilian tourism
minister Gastão Vieira
observed, “Our numbers
are still small if we take
into consideration all the
Brazilian potential.”
But Brazil is in the
spotlight for more than
just its vast outbound
potential. The nation will
garner unprecedented attention over the next few
years with the world’s two
largest sporting events
headed there: the World
Cup of soccer in 2014 and
the Summer Olympic
Games to take place in Rio
de Janeiro in 2016. Brazilian tourism officials have
already started to tap into
the exposure the events
The world turned out in all its glory at WTM Latin America.
Canada was represented in a modest way (see booth, above) in Sao Paulo.
are generating, including
making a plea for the easing of tourism restrictions.
With the eyes of the
world on Brazil during the
WTM, Brazil’s association
of tour operators, Braztoa,
took the opportunity to
decry visa requirements
for many visitors to the
country, including Canadians. “There’s no reason
to maintain this bureaucracy for tourism between
nations that have good
diplomatic relationships,”
argued Braztoa president
Marco Ferraz.
Brand USA
Continued from page 1
Now with awareness of the “welcoming” USA established (albeit still set
to roll out in eight more global destinations this year), Thompson
says Brand USA is transitioning from a branding
organization into a “fully
functioning co-op destination organization.”
Thompson and other
Brand USA execs admit
that the trade has had its
frustrations in figuring
out just how to partner in
such co-op ventures – something that should change
with the organization’s new mandate
and, in Canada, an established incountry presence.
Thompson, who took over Brand
USA after a successful stint as the head
of Visit Florida, attributes such early
Such restrictions are
also a barrier to multidestination packages in
South America, which
ultimately hurts tourism in the entire region,
noted World Tourism
Organization director
Márcio Favilla,
stage frustrations as growth pains
and the sheer enormity of the task
taken on by the organization after
years of government neglect of tourism
in the US.
But after a call to arms by President
Obama, who publicly
recognized the importance
of tourism to America’s
economy, and highlighted
by the formation of Brand
USA, Thompson says,
“There’s been no administration like [the Obama government] that’s embraced
travel like this one.”
And with a goal of reaching 100 million visitors by
2021, all national government
departments are behind tourism (where
possible), says Thompson, and now recognize and respect the vital role it plays in
the economic success of the US.
“Now everyone’s engaged,” he says.
“It’s in the DNA.”
MAY 6, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 19
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“We send people, but they walk in and the decisions
have been made and the performance is dead on arrival.
To make technical decisions, you need more than just
airline distribution heads.”
— Jeremy Werthheimer, Google VP during an ASTA-Business
Travel Coalition webinar on IATA’s controversial proposed new
NDC business model, which it is believed is bad for travel agents
Please send your answer to:
“Where in the World?” at ctp@baxter.net
Many a famous royal (including recently) has been married under this famous dome and the mega
structure is both a city landmark and source of national fortitude and pride. This great, well, the word
“building,” doesn’t really do it justice, was built by one of the world’s legendary architects in the
land of his birth, often in secretive ways that, to history’s eternal gratitude, satisfied his own desires
over those of meddling politicians. And such was the scope and duration of the project that many new
architectural and construction techniques were literally devised on the fly. Where in the world is it?
Gear To Go
A guide to some of the amazing devices that make
travel a little bit easier, or more fun
GolfSense
GolfSense is billed as the world’s first motion engine
system to analyze and record golf swing data to any
iOS or Android device, with a glove-based precision
motion sensor easily attaching to the Velcro strap of
any glove.
GolfSense wirelessly transmits swing data via
Bluetooth to any mobile device (iPhone, iPod, iPad
and Android) and powerful software captures realtime in-depth 3-D motion analysis of acceleration,
velocity, tempo and position.
GolfSense application records data
and provides tips
and recommendation to improve each
swing. The data is
seamlessly stored in
the GolfSense Cloud
with the ability to
sync with additional
mobile devices.
It’s available at
Apple, Best Buy, and
GolfSmith.com, and
the price is $129.99.
More information
can be found at www.GolfSense.me.
Q: With space tourism at hand,
would you go to the stars?
A: Not in a million light years. I
prefer my feet to remain firmly
on my own planet... unless it
involved Air Miles – then I’d
consider it.
•
Q: Is there a fictional planet
you’d like to visit (i.e. Avatar’s
Pandora; Star Trek’s pleasure
planet Risa; future earth, a la
Planet of the Apes...?)
A: Planet Hollywood. Full
of fiction.
•
Q: Do you believe in aliens?
A: You’ve seen Lady Gaga, right?
•
Q: Who is your favourite
fictional alien (Mork, E.T.,
Spock, Kang/Kodos...)?
A: The Great Gazoo from the
Flintstones. “Hello DumbDumbs!”
... Although
he’s technically a
Martian.
Is there a
difference?
•
Q: Scariest.
Alien. Ever?
A: Jocelyn
Wildenstein, that
craaazzzy
Cat Lady.
Although it
really has
more to do
Cindy Howes
with my
The Travel
aversion
Corp.
to cats.
•
Q: Star Wars or Dancing with
the Stars?
A: I actually haven’t seen either.
I’m pretty sure I just heard half
of North America roll their eyes.
•
Q: In the words of Ralph
Kramden, one person other
than Alice you’d banish “to the
moon!”
A: Just one, huh? It’s a toss
up between that guy who rides
his bicycle on the sidewalk and
that guy who shouts into his
phone on the bus.
•
Q: Where in Earth’s history/
future would you have
alien time traveller Dr. Who
take you?
A: San Francisco’s HaightAshbury in the ‘60s. I’d be a rock
legend groupie for sure!
•
Q: Rocket Man, Moondance,
2001: A Space Odyssey... name
a favourite celestial tune.
A: There are many, but I do love
Cat Steven’s “Moonshadow.” It’s
about being present and joyful –
finding hope in any situation.
20 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • MAY 6, 2013
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The following people
identified the April 15
“Where in the World”
as Istanbul, Turkey:
Timothy Edgecombe,
Rosewood Hotel Georgia; Tanveer Qureshi,
Marlin Travel; Marilyn
Lentz, Bytown Travel;
Andrei Gere, TravelOnly; Louise Wilson,
Destinations To Go;
Rosanna Leeman,
Frederick Travel; Roger
Boyadjian, Sevan Travel; Katherine Hirtzel,
Carlson Wagonlit; Kim
Frampton-Leblanc,
Club Voyages Westmount; Katherine Samsonkina, Goway Travel;
Carolyn Bell, Goway
Travel; Randy Raphael,
Vision 2000 Travel
Group; Karen Davidge,
Senior Tours Canada;
Fred Ihnatiuk, YYZ
Travel Group; Yolanda
Tomasic, Cruisenet
Tours & Travel; Felicia
Kaleli, SellOffVacations.
com; Tatiana Sadovenko, Uniglobe Voyages
Lexus; Charlotte Gousseau, Uniktour; Susan
Hopkins, Advantage InTravel; Gayle Thomas,
Kentours; Gina Robertson, SkyLink; Wendy
Chaput, Flight Centre;
Randy Hughes, Travel
Only; Dave Wright,
Sunwing Vacations; Salma Yusufali, Century
Travel Services; Randy
Andersson, Uniglobe
Enterprise Travel; Barb
Hricina, Carlson Wagonlit; Kathryn Akazawa, MDA; Azmina
Pirani, Bestway Tours &
Safaris; Fran Reinfjell,
The Holiday Network; Virginia Viragh,
Uniglobe Donaldson
Travel; Harold Bricks,
Expedia CruiseShipCenters; Donna Dougherty, Marlin Travel.
The following people
identified the April 18
“Where in the World”
as Glasgow, Scotland:
Louise DeArmond,
Square 1 Travel &
Cruise; Jackey Lashmar, Alberta Motor
Association.
MAY 6, 2013 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • 21
0506PAGE21.indd 21
5/2/2013 2:12:07 PM
APPOINTMENTS
WestJet
WestJet has announced
the appointment of Brigid
Pelino to the position of
executive vice-president,
People and Culture, effective mid-August. Pelino
joins WestJet after 13
years with Tim Hortons
where she was executive
vice-president, Human
Resources. Prior to that,
she held increasingly
senior human resource
roles in Canadian Tire
Corporation, Honeywell
Aerospace based in Los
Angeles and General
Electric.
Hazelton Hotel
Toronto’s Hazelton Hotel
has a new general manager, Nancy Munzar
Kelly. Munzar Kelly is
responsible for the daily
operations, setting strategic goals and the management of the employee
team. Munzar Kelly
holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Economics from
Maureen Barnes-Smith (back row, fourth from the left), director of sales and marketing, Unique Vacations Canada, and her sales team took time out from their regional
sales meetings in Jamaica to do some volunteer painting at Parry Town Primary School, one of the Sandals Foundation’s
adopted schools in the region. Pictured with Barnes-Smith (back row, l-r) are Winston Chang, Teresa Villanueva, Robert
Smith, Grant Lawlor, Michelle Lanoue, Guy Archambault, Grace Larmond, Justin Anderson and Meredith Hand. Sandra
Brousseau and Joanne Fillion are seated in the front row with some students.
Helping out in Jamaica:
Western University and
the General Manager’s
Program Certificate
(GMP) from Cornell
University’s Hotel School.
Prior to this appointment,
Munzar Kelly held the
role of Chief Operating
Officer at Liverton Hotels
International Inc., the
managers of Metropolitan
Hotels located in Toronto
and Vancouver. She has
also worked for global
organizations including Four Seasons Hotels
& Resorts, CP Hotels &
Resorts, as well as other
luxury independent
properties.
tourism board. Siren will
focus on highlighting the
region’s natural beauty,
golf and active pursuits,
culinary traditions and
cultural heritage.
Siren Communications
GOOD DEEDS
Toronto-based Siren
Communications will
handle North American
public relations for
Destination Cape Breton,
Cape Breton Island’s
Canlink Travel Representatives has added
another luxury property to its portfolio with
the addition of the boutique property, La Casa Que Canta in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The intimate resort consists of 25 romantic and private suites each with a view of Zihuatanejo
Bay and 11 featuring their own private pool. The resort was built with tropical woods
and decorated with handpicked Mexican handicrafts to give guests a sense of traditional
Mexico. The property also boasts a full service spa and gym and provides arrangements
for weddings and honeymoons. Also located at the property are two luxurious four-suite
villas. (info@canlinktravel.com)
CANLINK ADDS TO PORTFOLIO:
Anderson Vacations
Anderson Vacations has
announced that Believe
in Gold has become the
company’s official charitable foundation. Believe
in Gold is a local Calgary
foundation focused on
building awareness for
childhood cancer and raising funds to help support
the families affected and
the research required. The
groundwork for the foundation was started in 2010
by teenager Jacey Uphill,
while she was fighting her
own battle with cancer.
She found relief and hope
of the hardship she was
experiencing by getting
involved in her community raising awareness
about childhood cancer
and the affects that it has
on the patients’ families.
Uphill’s goal was to battle
cancer by sharing hope,
belief, perseverance and a
positive attitude. After her
passing in 2012, her vision
is now being carried out
by family and friends.
Anderson has launched
a campaign where donations to the charity are
made in one of three ways.
A contribution of $2 from
every new custom holiday
booking for any destination across Canada and
the South Pacific will
be donated to Believe in
Gold. Next, on Anderson’s
Coach Tour programs
every customer who makes
a booking will get a brief
overview of the charity and
be encouraged to donate to
Anderson’s official partner
at the time of booking.
Finally, on all of Anderson’s
coach tours this year, there
will be a “Twoonies for
Believe in Gold” basket at
the front of the coach, and
Anderson will be collecting
spare change from passengers. This change will then
be matched by Anderson at
the end of the touring season and donated to Believe
in Gold.
22 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • MAY 6, 2013
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5/2/2013 4:46:26 PM
Signature.ca
T h e D a y s Yo u R e m e m b e r
, stunning
s
n
o
o
g
la
g
n
ins, enchanti ican Republic has it all!
ta
n
u
o
m
t
n
a
in
Discover verd rystal clear seas – Dom
c
beaches and
Discover verdant mountains, enchanting lagoons, stunning beaches and
crystal clear seas of the Dominican Republic with Signature Vacations.
This island nation is home to an abundance of national parks, reserves,
and marine sanctuaries, and is simply a natural paradise.
We offer an extensive collection of Dominican Republic all inclusive
resorts, family-friendly hotels, couples resorts and luxury resorts to suit
your needs. To make the most of your vacation, we also offer an array
of fun tours and excursions to help you discover all the wonders of this
fascinating island. With so much to experience in this island paradise, it’s
no surprise the Dominican Republic is one of the most popular vacation
destinations.
Signature Vacations can help your DR vacation dreams come true with
an excellent collection of DR vacation packages to suit all your vacation
needs.
0506PAGE22-24.indd 23
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Puerto Plata, DR
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Hotel Room
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$
495
$390 taxes
Punta Cana, DR
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Cana Resort++++Plus
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$
545
+ 390 taxes
La Romana, DR (Via Punta Cana)
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$
645
+ $390 taxes
Toronto departures. All prices are per person based on double occupancy for 7 nights on all inclusive vacations (unless
otherwise specified) and were available at time of printing. Seats at the above prices are limited and capacity controlled.
Applicable local taxes payable in destination upon return are extra. Transportation taxes & related fees shown must be
pre-paid. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our current brochure. All flights are with Sunwing Airlines or Travel
Services. Sunwing Vacations Inc. D/B/A as Signature Vacations, 27 Fasken Drive, Toronto, ON. Ont (Tico) #
2476582 | 05062013
5/2/2013 4:46:30 PM
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0506PAGE22-24.indd 24
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