Cruise bookings have slowed materially over the last 10 days, and unless economic conditions change, cruise pricing will deteriorate going into 2009, according to a report by Wachovia Bank equity analysts.
Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, minister of tourism for the Bahamas, is taking a multi-layered approach to the destination’s new tourism strategy. His plans, unveiled in Nassau on Oct. 8, were outlined against a backdrop of concerns about the impact of the global financial crisis on Bahamas tourism.
Travel management firm Carlson Wagonlit Travel has purchased Viajes Lepanto, a Spanish travel agency that manages business travel and meetings. Carlson Wagonlit said it now has nearly 170 locations in Spain.
The Meridian Club, a private 800-acre island vacation retreat on Pine Cay in Turks & Caicos, is planning on opening November 1, as it has done for over 30 consecutive years. While the recent hurricanes of Hanna and Ike proved to be a challenge, damage was minimal resulting in ongoing clean-up and replaced landscaping.
Thomas Cook has withdrawn from discussions with TUI Travel and Lufthansa about a merger of its charter airline Condor with TUIfly and Germanwings.
Kuoni is further expanding its destination management division: the Kuoni Group is to acquire the business activities of Australian Tours Management Pty Ltd., which is domiciled in Melbourne. The transaction will be formally effected on 1 November 2008.