Travel Agent - September 3, 2007 - (Page 14)

Vital Signs News You Can Use lon was replaced with a call to Corfu. Costa Cruises (www.costa cruise.com) scrapped its Katakolon calls, settling on Mykonos for Costa Serena and Corfu for Costa Mediterranea. Carnival Cruise Lines (www.carnival.com), on the other hand, said it hadn’t “heard of any issues with these calls,” but is taking a wait-and-see approach—Carnival Freedom is set to call in Katakolon this week. Holland America Line (www.hollandamerica. com), as of last week, said that it, too, had not altered any itineraries due to the fires. Princess Cruises (www.princess.com) doesn’t call on Katakolon until September 11; the line is monitoring the situation. Greek Fires Disrupt Cruise Lines’ Olympia Calls Business As Usual So Far for Tours and Tourism Also keeping a close eye on things is Collette Vacations (www. collettevacations.com). “We are in regular contact with our tour managers and partners on the ground there should we need to change itineraries,” said John Galvin, chief financial officer for the tour operator. Collette Vacations has five departures for Greece scheduled between now and September 20. In Athens, at least one hotel said it’s business as usual, despite lingering smoke from the nearby fires. June Farrell, vice president of international public relations for Marriott (www. marriott.com), said that to the hotelier’s knowledge, no guest or employee has been injured or stranded by the fires and that its hotel there is operating normally. “It’s too early to tell if there will be some impact on business,” she said, noting that August is a typically slow time for tourism in the city. —David Eisen and Jennifer Merritt As late as last week, the fires in Greece, which sparked the weekend prior and claimed 64 lives, began to recede. Southern Greece was the worst area affected, as fires scorched the forest that surrounds ancient Olympia, but, fortunately, the 2,800year-old ruins, the site of the first Olympic Games, were spared. Cruise Itineraries Affected Katakolon, which is a gateway to Olympia, is a customary stop on many cruise lines’ Mediterranean itineraries. Regent Seven Seas’ (www.rssc.com) Navigator’s stop in Katako- A Week of Appointments in the Caribbean and Mexico It was business as usual in the Caribbean and Mexico following Hurricane Dean, as new tourism ministers assumed posts in two Caribbean destinations and a Mexican resort appointed a GM from a sister property. BVI from 1995 to 2003, and has been an elected representative of the Virgin Gorda and Anegada districts since 1971. Casa Velas’ New General Manager In Mexico news, Luis Rodríguez was named general manager of the luxury all-inclusive adults-only Casa Velas Hotel Boutique Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen is Grenada’s new minister of tour(www.hotelcasavelas.com) in Puerto Vallarta, which is undergoism, civil aviation, culture and the performing arts, while Ralph ing significant renovations. Rodríguez, who has more than 25 O’Neal took over as the first premier of the British Virgin Islands. years of experience in the hospitality industry, comes to Casa Modeste-Curwen swapped places with Senator Brenda Hood, Velas from its five-star sister hotel, Grand Velas All Suites and who will take over as minister for communication, works and Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta. transport, a role Modeste-Curwen held since 2003. As for what clientele he is hoping to attract, Luis Rodríguez Modeste-Curwen’s political career began as a senator Rodrîguez told Travel Agent, “We are an ideal getaway in November 1998 and in 1999, she was elected as for golfers and want to build this market segment.” a member of parliament. Since then, she has held sevCasa Velas is renovating all 80 suites and adding eral prominent ministerial positions. a Presidential Suite, a project that will be completed In the British Virgin Islands, O’Neal and his cabiby December. The suites will have new furniture, net were sworn in on August 20. O’Neal is the first enhanced bathrooms and locally created artwork. person to hold the title of premier under a new BritStarting in October, Casa Velas will be hosting ish Virgin Islands constitution adopted earlier this fam trips for agents. The property currently offers year; he will also serve as the minister of tourism a $150 agent rate (per person, double occupancy), and finance. He was previously chief minister of the available through December 20. —Joe Pike Grenada, BVI Get New Tourism Ministers 14 TravelAgent September 3, 2007 http://www.costacruise.com http://www.costacruise.com http://www.carnival.com http://www.hollandamerica.com http://www.hollandamerica.com http://www.princess.com http://www.collettevacations.com http://www.collettevacations.com http://www.marriott.com http://www.marriott.com http://www.rssc.com http://www.hotelcasavelas.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

Contents News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Hotel Brand Expansion Africa: Egypt’s Newest Destination Hawaii: Hawaii Update Pacific/Asia: Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square Europe: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Caribbean & Bahamas: Marriott Expands Its Caribbean Portfolio El San Juan Hotel & Casino Upgrades San Juan’s New Doubletree by Hilton Mexico: Hotels Offer Post-Hurricane Deals Ski: The Inn at Lost Creek Agent Profile Meet Mame King Advertisers’ Information Classified Marketplace Luxury Travel Expo Update People & Places Special Supplement: Las Vegas Sales Guide

Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

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