Air Canada seeks to re-engage agents
Air Canada is paying 4% commission to Canadian agents who sell Tango fares on flights operated within Canada by Air Canada, Jazz and its commercial partners. The offer applies to bookings at the airline's agency portal, www.aircanada.com/agents. The carrier also rolled out a bonus miles promotion for frequent flyers who are enrolled in the plan at the portal by their agent. Ben Smith, Air Canada's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said the moves are "consistent with the direction of the new Air Canada team to re-engage our travel trade partners."
Jamaica port delay alters Oasis slate
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, which debuts in December, added Costa Maya, Mexico, to its planned western Caribbean itinerary in place of Falmouth, Jamaica, because the Falmouth port, under construction, won't be ready in time for the 5,400-passenger ship's first scheduled visit next May. The Oasis is now slated to make its first call in Falmouth on a cruise that departs Dec. 11, 2010. The port is being purpose-built for the Oasis-class series as a joint venture between Jamaica and Royal Caribbean.
Minority owners open D.C. Marriott
Citing recent initiatives to attract minority investors for its hotels, Marriott International is celebrating the opening of the minority-owned Courtyard by Marriott Washington, D.C./U.S. Capitol, said to be the city's first hotel with Hispanic ownership. The 218-room hotel, owned by African-American and Hispanic business leaders, is part of an emerging complex north of Union Station.
Two Virgin cousins cut interline deal
Virgin America and Virgin Blue's international airline, V Australia, signed an agreement permitting agents to issue interline e-tickets through the major GDSs and enabling the transfer of passengers and baggage between the two carriers for U.S.-Australia service, effective June 8. The carriers use adjacent gates in Terminal 3 at Los Angeles Airport. The deal marks Virgin America's first interline pact.
Park Service offers free weekends
The National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at all 147 sites that have entrance fees on three "fee-free weekends" this summer -- June 20 and 21, July 18 and 19 and Aug. 15 and 16 -- to help put affordable vacations within reach during the recession. Some concessionaires are also offering related discounts and promotions. Details are online at www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.
$99 intro fares on new JetBlue routes
JetBlue rolled out $99 one-way introductory fares for new routes from New York to Kingston, Jamaica (starting Oct. 30); Barbados (Oct. 1) and St. Lucia (Oct. 26), for travel through Nov. 14, subject to foreign government approvals.
Wyndham rebrands Hawthorn Suites
Wyndham is adding its name to its extended-stay brand, Hawthorn Suites. The chain, now Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, also gets a revised red and orange logo that incorporates design elements of the Wyndham logo. Wyndham added its name to its Wingate brand in 2007.
Friends & Colleagues
Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Maria Miller has joined the company as senior vice president of marketing. Miller brings more than 25 years of experience to NCL. She most recently served as chief marketing officer with the Dallas-based Dave & Buster's restaurant chain. Her travel industry experience includes a stint as senior vice president of marketing with Avis and several executive-level positions with American Express. • • • Stephen K. Miller returned to Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as senior vice president of development. He earlier had held a senior development post with the former Wyndham International. Most recently Miller was managing director and Chicago head of DTZ Hospitality Group, a London-based real estate and banking firm. • • • John Brehm has joined Travel Leaders Corporate in the new role of vice president of sales and business development. Brehm is a 12-year veteran of American Express Global Corporate Services, most recently serving as a regional vice president of global sales. • • • The Dorchester Collection has hired Edward A. Mady to be general manager of the New York Palace. Mady comes from Ritz-Carlton, where he had been vice president and area general manager responsible for their properties in Phoenix and San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, Calif., since January 2002. • • • Collette Vacations' Melissa Famiglietti-Snape, vice president of product, has been named to the company's executive committee, a leadership team consisting of high-level managers. She will remain in her current role, which she has held since 2005.