TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

VANCOUVER AGENTS SHOW THEIR VEGAS

Canadian sales mission brings a taste of Vegas to Vancouver
Hilary Genders

Members of the LVCVA-hosted sales mission

The first-ever Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) sales mission to Canada arrived in Vancouver last night, as the LVCVA and several of its key hotelier and supplier partners, along with local tour operators and airlines put on a show for travel professionals at the Four Seasons Hotel. Vancouver was the third and final stop on the cross-Canada tour, after visits to Toronto and Montreal earlier in the week. �We�ve saved the best for last,� Ericka Aviles, sales executive international sales, LVCVA told the audience. [Full text and pictures]

CHINAPAC FAM RETURNS

12-day "Ancient & Modern China" tour held March 25-April 5
Submitted by Rhonda Grabinsky

legend...

On March 25, 21 travel associates from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchwan, Ontario and Quebec departed on a 12-Day Tour of Ancient and Modern China, from Shanghai to Suzhou, Hangzhou to Xian and Beijing. The tour focused on the rich history and scenery of both Northern and Southern China.Along the way, the group also enjoyed a variety of delicious local Chinese Cuisine including a sumptuous Dumpling Dinner and Peking Duck, and amazing cultural performances including the Tang Dynasty and Acrobatic Shows. Read on for more details about the trip. [Full text and pictures]

CALGARY-BOUND WESTJET FLIGHT MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING

Safe landing following engine trouble on flight from Hamilton
Canadian Press

Suspected engine trouble has forced a WestJet flight to make an emergency landing in Winnipeg. WestJet flight 551 from Hamilton was headed to Calgary before making the emergency stop at Winnipeg's Richardson International Airport this morning. Airport spokeswoman Christine Alongi says the pilot declared an emergency because of problems with one of the two engines in the Boeing 737. Alongi says the aircraft landed without incident. Emergency crews were on hand at the airport, just in case. The plane was taken into the WestJet hangar for inspection and Alongi says its passengers are being accommodated on other flights.

TRANSAT'S NEW PROMOTION: TRAVEL SCRABBLE

Book 15 seats to the U.K. for a $350 travel voucher
Transat Holidays today introduced a new travel agent promotion, Travel Scrabble. Book 15 seats to the U.K. to spell Transat Holidays or Vacances Transat and receive a $350 Travel Voucher. This promotion is valid for departures from Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, as well as Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Fredericton and Ottawa, to Birmingham, Exeter, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast. Promotion is valid for bookings April 15-June 22, 2008 for departures May 1-October 31, 2008. Read on for full details. [Full text and pictures]

HAINAN AIRLINES MAKES NORTH AMERICAN APPOINTMENTS

Joel Chusid, Frank Fang to open Seattle office in preparation for carrier's inagural North American service this June

Hainan Airlines has announced the appointment of Joel Chusid as its North American general manager and the promotion of Xinyu (Frank) Fang to assume the position of branch manager of the Seattle office. Chusid and Fang are responsible for establishing the airline�s presence in Seattle, launching the new non-stop service between Seattle and Beijing and introducing the Hainan Airlines brand to North American travellers. The carrier will launch its service to North America with new nonstop flights from Seattle to Beijing beginning on June 9, 2008. The service will be the first non-stop service between Seattle and mainland China. [Full text and pictures]

NEW WILDLIFE PACKAGES FROM NORTHERN ROCKIES LODGE

Upscale, all-inclusive journeys in the "Serengeti of the North"

Lakeshore cabins at Northern Rockies Lodge

Northern Rockies Lodge has launched a new series of commissionable, all-inclusive outdoor adventure and wildlife viewing vacations in the remote Muskwa-Kechika � the �Serengeti of the North�. The packages, offerered from late May to early October, access remote mountain wilderness by floatplane, boat or on foot. Some itineraries include a visit to Nahanni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for Virginia Falls. Among the species that can be viewed in their natural habitats are black bear, moose, caribou, Stone�s sheep, mountain goats, elk, beavers, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, ptarmigan, golden eagles, and loons, among others. Read on for more information. [Full text and pictures]