TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

ASIA BY GOWAY'S VANCOUVER PRODUCT LAUNCH

2008-2009 Travel Planner features old favourites and plenty of new product
Hilary Genders

Tom Myring, team leader; Doug Vogl, product & marketing manager; Michael Mullin, business development manager; Thom Ryan, manager, wholesale

The Goway team reported 100 per cent attendance at last night’s Vancouver launch of the 2008-2009 ASIA by Goway Travel Planner, held at the Flamingo House Restaurant. Agents from across the Vancouver area were welcomed by Vancouver-based Michael Mullin, business development manager; Thom Ryan, wholesale manger; and Tom Myring, leader of the brand new Western Canadian travel trade sales team. Myring, who joined Goway earlier this year after several years at Jade Tours, is joined by Harry He, Annalyn Yap and Sangeeta Singh. The Vancouver group was joined by Doug Vogl, Goway’s product & marketing manager for Asia, flew in from Toronto to take agents through the extensive product found in the new travel planner. Read on for details. [Full text and pictures]

WESTJET SUPER SALE -- TODAY ONLY!

Fares slashed by more than 65%: Abbotsford-Calgary/Edmonton from $29; Vancouver-Calgary/Edmonton from $49

WestJet this morning announced it is slashing fares by more than 65 per cent -- for today only. One-way flights from Abbotsford to Calgary and Edmonton start at $29; Abbotsford-Toronto at $129. From Vancouver,one-way fares to Calgary and Edmonton start at $49. These prices are valid on bookings made today only for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays until June 24, 2008. Some restrictions apply. Get those bookings in by midnight Mountain Time tonight! For more information, visit westjet.com.

SILK’S “BEST SHOW: MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE 2008”

Eight shows attracted agents from across B.C., Alberta & Saskatchewan

The "Best Show" team at the Abbotsford show

Silk Holidays' The Best Show: Malaysia and Singapore was held in Western Canadian cities -- Victoria, Parksville, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina -- from April 8 to 17. More than 400 agents attended the shows, which featured informative presentations on the Malaysian Peninsula, Borneo and Singapore. Agents participated in a Jeopardy!-style game held at the end of each show. Winners from each city will be entered into a final draw for the grand prize trip to Malaysia and Singapore, which will be drawn on May 7 at the Singapore Airlines office in Vancouver. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

FUN SUN'S MAGNIFICENT MAY

April Promotion extended, plus Double Dollars for Cayman Island bookings until May 31

Fun Sun Vacations is extending its We’re Not Foolin’ April promotion has been extended and expanded for the month of May. For all bookings made and paid in full May 1-31, 2008, agents can earn gift cards. Agents making a booking of four nights or more anywhere in the continental U.S., Hawaii or Europe will receive a $10 Sears gift card; car bookings of five days or more in any destination will earn agents a $10 PetroCanada gift card.And Fun Sun is adding another agent special for May: Double Dollars on all Cayman Island bookings in May for travel anytime. Bookings can made online at funsunagent.com or via our call centre at 1-800-938-6786.

SASKATCHEWAN TOURISM AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE CELEBRATED

16 honoured at 19th annual awards gala in Saskatoon

Dick DeRyk, winner of the Chairman's Lifetime Achievement Award; Janet Olson, chair, Tourism Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's tourism industry honoured businesses and individuals at the 19th annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, held at the TCU Place in Saskatoon, on Monday, April 21. ”Tourism Saskatchewan is delighted to host this annual Gala,” said Dr. Lynda Haverstock, president/CEO. “The celebration honours our ambassadors - individuals and businesses that made exceptional contributions to Saskatchewan's tourism industry during the past year. Each of the nominees, finalists and recipients is to be applauded for their commitment to excellence and for their enthusiasm in sharing the wonders of our province to visitors from around the world.” [Full text and pictures]

ALASKA & HORIZON’S SUMMER PREVIEW FARE SALE

Book by May 8 for special low fares on new ‘West Most’ schedule

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have launched a summer preview fare sale featuring low fares to many of the carriers "West Most" locations from Alaska to Mexico. The one-way fares start as low as US $59. One-way sale fares start at $59 between Portland, Ore., and Sacramento, Calif.; $73 between Seattle and San Francisco; $81 between Seattle and Los Angeles; and $239 between Seattle and Anchorage, Alaska. One-way fares for Mexico travel start at $169 between Seattle and La Paz or Loreto. (All fares listed in U.S. dollars.) Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

NEW GM AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL VANCOUVER

Simon Pettigrew, former resort manager at Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, settling in to new role

Simon Pettigrew

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Simon Pettigrew as the new general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver. A native of England, Pettigrew's professional career encompasses more than 20 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where he has held management positions at some of the company's most acclaimed properties. Throughout his career, Pettigrew has overseen extensive property enhancements, most recently a 50-million-dollar project at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. During his tenure as resort manager, the resort was voted as Condé Nast Traveler's #1 hotel in USA for 2008. [Full text and pictures]