By
QMI Agency
American Airlines says it may use replacement workers if flight attendants walk off the job later this year. The airline and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants are set to begin five days of talks at the end of this month. The union has raised the possibility of a walkout if it doesn't reach a contract agreement. --- Jamaica saw a 3.6% increase in tourists in 2009 over 2008, and officials say the sunny destination is off to a promising start in 2010. Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch said early numbers show there was an increase of 8.4% in January over 2008, which puts it on track to being the most successful January ever. Lynch said Jamaica will be taking more steps to improve tourism, such as capitalizing on the development of the new cruise ship pier in Falmouth. --- While 2010 will be the year to get back on track, Avery Shenfeld, chief economist for CIBC World Markets, told a recent conference of the Hotel Association of Canada in Toronto that the industry will have to work hard to keep things going strong. Shenfeld said that things are looking better right now because government stimulus money is still at work in the economy. However, he cautioned that toward the end of the year that stimulus money will disappear and the private sector will have to take over and that could slow things in the final quarter of 2010 and early 2011. Peter Yesawich, CEO of YPartnership, told the conference that there are three forces that are reshaping tourism – technology, lifestyles and demography. He said personalization will be the key to success in such market conditions. --- There's a new website that says it will make blogging during your next vacation easier and quicker. With the online travel blogs created by Yukiba.com people will be able to find and share travel information more quickly which will lead to an easier search process and a more positive blogging experience. The website lets people blog, keep track of trips on a virtual map, and share photos and videos. The blog will also create a travel profile, and will link to Twitter and Facebook. --- While all eyes will be on the Winter Olympics this month, the Canadian Tourism Commission is also hoping to grab some attention to show off a new tourism strategy to make sure people come back. "Over three billion people worldwide are going to be watching these Games and our job is to offer tourism appeal and the 'wow' factor," says Michele McKenzie, CTC's president and CEO. "We're ready to turn the heads of the international media with the resources they need to show a different kind of Canada to the world." While people from CTC will be helping people find their way around Vancouver during the Games, McKenzie said after the Olympics, "we'll just be hitting our stride with fresh campaigns around the world to convert all this interest into trips to Canada." --- The Year of the Tiger begins Feb. 14 and City-Discover.com has announced it's top Asian destinations for the celebrations. In China, the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is celebrated as a three week-long public holiday. For activities to try during this holiday, City Discovery recommends the Essential Beijing Tour, Best of Shanghai Day Tour, Hangzhou, Heaven on Earth Day Tour, Hong Kong Island Tour, and Cultural Heritage Tour of Hong Kong. In Taiwan, the temples welcome large numbers of people, who come with elevated incense sticks to pray for good luck. City Discovery also recommends the Taroko Gorge Day Tour. In Vietnam, City Discovery suggests activities such as Ho Chi Minh City – Half Day City Tour, Mekong Waterways – Private Tour and Bonsai Dinner Cruise on Saigon River. In Malaysia, the biggest New Year celebrations happen in Penang, where visitors can expect fireworks displays, cultural performances and traditional lion and dragon dances. This story was posted on Tue, February 9, 2010 More HeadlinesJasper recognized as heaven for stargazersChina's biz jet-setters: no longer flying under the radar Flower show brings blooms and business to Philadelphia French artist Watteau features in rival London shows Tokyo Narita starts some outbound flights post-quake |
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