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A
MESSAGE FROM THE
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Patrick
Tessier
Welcome to the December
edition of Traveltalk
What a year!
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This year started like any other with all the promise in the world, but it quickly turned into a farce, as calls of doom and gloom sprung up from almost every industry.
2008 will be remembered as the year petrol prices skyrocketed reaching a peak price of US$147 a barrel.
It will be remembered as a year that saw the world tumble into a recession as the global financial crisis took hold.
Industry was brought to a stand-still, with some affected more than others, as we suffered one of the greatest recessions the world has ever seen.
But it wasn’t just the financial crisis that made news this year.
Every week there was news of another Qantas aircraft enduring a mid-air crisis and there were numerous reports of stranded tourists as airports succumbed to protests and the like.
Only in recent weeks there has been a spate of tourists affected by acts of terrorism, piracy, blockades, delays, cancellations, and natural disasters.
This year has definitely been a year that many would wish to forget.
And yet despite all this, Travelfest has posted a very successful year and we are placed for an even greater 2009 – something that may seem unique for the time!
As we enter this next phase at Travelfest, we look forward to providing our customers with our excellent service that has become synonymous with Travelfest, as we take it into the 21st century.
Corporate Blue will deliver something special to our customer with a personalised service that guarantees nothing but excellence.
At the cornerstone of the Corporate Blue philosophy will be enjoying the personal touch, just as Travelfest has been committed to delivering you the best service possible, and all with an in-depth knowledge like no other.
Thank you to all our loyal customers throughout the year and we look forward to delivering our very best service for many more to come.
Merry Christmas and safe travelling in the New Year.
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Taking Travel into the
21st Century
The name Travelfest will no longer be, as we step into the 21st century with a new image – Corporate Blue.
As of January 1st 2009 Corporate Blue will take care of all your travel needs using the best resources, experienced consultants, and latest technology.
We will still be the same management and team you know and trust, as Corporate Blue will continue delivering you with the excellence in service synonymous with Travelfest, but with a point-of-difference.
Corporate Blue will provide travel and incentive management within the corporate marketplace as our business develops into the future.
Our quality travel experience that is unmatched by any other will maintain as the primary focus of Corporate Blue as we enter into this next exciting phase of our life and cement the company within the corporate travel industry.
Contact Terence on (03) 9578 6555 for more information and a copy of the Corporate Blue brochure. |
| Virgin and Qantas Cutting Flights |
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Virgin Blue is currently indicating they will cut flights by up to 10 per cent next year due to the current economic crisis.
The cuts are most likely to occur within Virgin’s domestic market; given this is the majority of their business.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said that the company will be reviewing all international and domestic routes in light of the difficult past few months.
Godfrey said, “November went a little soft, but we're not saying one month makes a year”.
“There was almost this Armageddon view of the world in November with people talking about the sky falling in, and I think a lot of people just put their hands in their pockets and just held on.
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“But we could be cutting capacity, and up to 8 or 9 per cent is what we'd be looking at doing if what we saw in November was to continue.”
This seems the likely scenario unless there is a significant turn in the market over the summer period.
Virgin’s predicament comes after Qantas announced that they will be cutting flights and grounding 10 aircraft mostly on international routes. |
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| Just Another Crazy Year at Travelfest |
Every year I seem to find myself in various different situations as I look for more exciting ways to entertain a group while on tour.
This year proved to be one crazy year to remember as I visited the continents of South America, North America, Asia, and throughout Australia.
Yet it wasn’t just the exotic and exciting areas that I visited, but rather the activities I found myself participating in, doing some things I would have never imagined possible.
Let’s see, I swam underwater with crocodiles in Darwin, went hang-gliding in Rio de Janeiro, and looped an unpowered glider.
I went bungy jumping, parachuting, on an acrobatics flight in a 1920’s Tiger Moth aircraft, and most of all, survived on an average of two hours sleep while entertaining a group during all hours of the day!
All just an average day at the office for Travelfest!
Throughout the year we have seen some of the most outgoing and fun-loving groups ever – special mention going to our Vietnam group back in August.
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With our many different groups we saw some challenges and issues arising from beyond our control, but as always, we were able to deal with these with the same calm and control as always, delivering the best trip possible.
I would like to take this time to thank the Travelfest team for their continued effort and patience in ensuring that each of our customers has a trip of a lifetime.
On behalf of the Travelfest team, we look forward to continuing to deliver you lifetime experiences next year, and one can only imagine what crazy adventures I will find myself on in 2009!
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| Relax in a Carnival |
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Flying to the States anytime soon? Why not take a Carnival Cruise!
Christmas is only two weeks away with 2009 only just around the corner, it is daunting to think that your summer holidays are about to come and go without anything planned, especially given the dilemmas our economy is facing.
However, there are still ways in which you can enjoy your holidays and make the most of your money, while still venturing overseas.
Everyone deserves a break, and for those car dealers who will be heading to NADA in January, it is the perfect time to make the most of your visit to New Orleans.
Carnival Cruises operate cruises around the Bahamas and Caribbean all year round.
They have a range of options from short stay cruises between four to five days or longer cruises lasting from seven to eight days.
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Selected cruises depart from New Orleans, with other leaving from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Long Beach and Tampa – all only short flights from New Orleans.
Prices start from only $800 per person, so be sure to contact us today to make the most of your summer holidays, with a well earned break.
Just a glimpse of some of the tours on offer by Carnival:
Western Caribbean: Miami, FL ; Cozumel, Mexico ; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands ; Ocho Rios, Jamaica ; Miami, FL
Eastern Caribbean: Miami, FL ; Fun Day At Sea ; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; St. Thomas, USVI ; St. Maarten, NA ; Fun Day At Sea ; Fun Day At Sea ; Miami, FL
Mexican Riviera: Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA ; Fun Day At Sea ; Fun Day At Sea ; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ; Mazatlan, Mexico ; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico ; Fun Day At Sea ; Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA |
Click the below links to view our latest offers: |
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