Dan Brennan

With the Canadian dollar hovering at 75 cents US, Canadians are heading back to their favourite hotspots in Florida and the Caribbean for some Christmas cheer, according to industry insiders.

Direct-sell vacation package travel agency Go Travel Direct is sending 800 Ottawa passengers south for the holiday season, said Go Travel marketing director Dan Brennan.

The strength of the Canadian dollar has rates for vacation packages down 16 per cent from last year, Brennan said.

"For the consumer, they are in a better position than ever before. The value for their money is incredible. Some packages are up to $250 less, flying out of Ottawa, than last year."

Chartering Zoom Airline's new Boeing 767, Go Travel Direct has been able to increase its passenger capacity this year from 180 to 268 passengers, which will mean increased sales for the three-year-old company.

Competing for a piece of Ottawans' sun destination travel dollar is Jetsgo. The low-fare airline is flying to Orlando, Fort Myers and St. Petersburg in Florida for the first time this year.

Jetsgo president Michel Leblanc said the airline has been flying out of Ottawa since March and demand for Florida is up. "We see a huge demand for Florida."

Florida's resurgence in popularity is being stimulated by the strong Canadian economy, lessening security worries, the solid Canadian dollar and a more reasonable cost to stay in the United States, Leblanc said.

"I think this winter is the first winter back, or close to, the winter of 2000-2001. (Florida) was the most affected market after Sept. 11 and it's bouncing back to normal levels," said Leblanc.

Competition is fierce among the charters and major airlines for sun travellers, Leblanc said, adding the customer is the one who benefits because prices have remained low.

"Air fares are about the same level this year (as last year.) They were low last year because we were trying to stimulate a poor market."

There is still some availability for Christmas, Leblanc said, but Ottawans looking to head south will need to book quickly. People looking to go to Florida in the winter should know that, by mid-February, flights would be at their highest capacity so the better dates will be sold out, he added.

Go Travel Direct flies to Santa Lucia and Veradero in Cuba; La Romana and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic; Cancun and the Mayan Riviera in Mexico; and Orlando and the Gulf Coast in Florida directly from Ottawa.

Mexico is the most popular destination, especially the Mayan Riviera, according to Brennan, with Puerto Plata and Cuba right behind.

Brennan said the Christmas season is almost full but there is some availability. A strong campaign launched in early November helped the company fill seats, he said.

"There's a lot of capacity in this market but being a direct seller we offer a lot of benefits," said Brennan. Those benefits include having staff meet guests at each hotel and make sure customers are enjoying their vacation from the time they start their trip until they arrive back in Ottawa.

Go Travel Direct expects to send a total of 40,000 residents from Ottawa and Halifax to sunny destinations this season, compared to 28,000 passengers booked in 2003.