TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

ANAHEIM/OC WESTERN CANADA ROADSHOW

Annual sales mission attracts agents in six B.C. & Alberta cities
Hilary Genders

The annual Anaheim/OC Roadshow travelled through Western Canada March 30-April 8, visiting Vancouver, Burnaby, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, and Prince George for one wholesaler and tour operator event and five travel agent seminars. For the first time in the history of the sales mission, the delegation featured representatives from all six main Southern California Attractions -- Disneyland Resort, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld California, Legoland California Resort, San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park � plus airline partner Alaska Airlines, Southern California Gray Line and 21 Anaheim/OC hotels, and several Canadian tour operators. Read on to learn about some of the latest news from Anaheim/OC. [Full text and pictures]

AIR CANADA TO CHARGE FOR SECOND CHECKED BAG

Airline �realigns� its policy to incorporate $25 fee to Tango & Tango Plus ticketholders

Air Canada announced today it will implement changes to its checked baggage policy on flights within Canada, and between Canada and the U.S. including Hawaii, effective May 15, 2008 for travel on or after July 15, 2008. Under the new policy, customers travelling on Tango and Tango Plus tickets may check one bag at no charge and a second bag for a $25 service fee. Tango and Tango Plus customers will continue to have the choice of customizing their fare including obtaining a discount when travelling without checked luggage. [Full text and pictures]

YXX HOSTS SECOND ANNUAL NETWORKING IN THE VALLEY EVENT

Grand prize at April 30 event: 2 Abbotsford-Toronto round-trip tickets from WestJet

More than 400 Fraser Valley chamber members, civic leaders, entrepreneurs and government officials will gather at the Abbotsford International Airport on April 30 for the second annual �Networking in the Valley� event. The evening will feature more than 50 exhibitors of tourism and air travel-related services as well as keynote addresses from City of Abbotsford Mayor, George F. Ferguson, City of Surrey Mayor, Dianne Watts and WestJet officials. WestJet is sponsoring the grand prize draw of two roundtrip tickets to Toronto, their newest daily, non-stop route from Abbotsford International. [Full text and pictures]

HAWAII SUPERFERRY TO LAUNCH SECOND MAUI-OAHU VOYAGE MAY 9

Afternoon voyage to sail on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; promotional US $39/$59 fares available through June 5

Hawaii Superferry has announced it will add a second voyage four days per week between Maui and Oahu starting on Friday, May 9. The afternoon voyage will operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Reservations for afternoon voyages are now open and are eligible for the current promotional $39 one-way passenger fares and $55 one-way passenger vehicle fares that have been extended for travel through June 5. The new afternoon voyage will leave Honolulu at 3:30 p.m. arriving in Kahului at 7 p.m.. The return voyage departs Kahului at 8 p.m., arriving in Honolulu at 11 p.m. [Full text and pictures]

HORIZON TO DITCH JETS FOR ALL-TURBOPROP FLEET

Airline to use more fuel-efficient Bombardier Q400s exclusively within two years

One of Horizon's Bombardier Q400s

Seattle-based Horizon Air has announced plans to transition from a fleet of 65 aircraft and three aircraft types to a single fleet of 76-seat Bombardier Q400 prop planes. To do so, the airline will transition out of its fleet of 20 Bombardier CRJ-700 regional jets within two years. The Q400 is considered one of the most technologically advanced turboprop aircraft in the world, and burns 30 per cent less fuel and produces 30 per cent less emissions than a 70-seat jet. When the transition out of Q200s and CRJ-700s is complete, Horizon's fleet will consist of 48 Q400s or more, depending on how many of its 20 purchase options with Bombardier the airline chooses to exercise. [Full text and pictures]

PERMITS FOR AMAZON TOURISTS IN THE WORKS

Brazilian government planning bill to require visitor permits
Canadian Press

Amazon rainforest canopy

Foreigners who want to visit the Amazon region may soon need permits from Brazil's government. National Justice Secretary Romeu Tuma told The Associated Press on Friday that the government plans to send Congress a bill to require the permits within months. It is meant to prevent foreign meddling and illegal activity in the world's largest remaining tropical wilderness. The law reflects long-standing suspicions among conservative politicians and the military that foreigners working to help Indians and save the rain forest are actually spearheading an international attempt to wrest the Amazon and its riches away from Brazil.