TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

WESTERN CANADA’S PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2007: MIKE HAGAN

Signature Vacations’ B.C./Yukon BDM wins inaugural Merit Award
Hilary Genders

Working hard in the Signature Vacations Burnaby office
Recently, THNWest.com awarded the winners of the Merit Awards 2007. Mike Hagan, business development manager B.C./Yukon for Signature Vacations, was voted Western Canada’s “Personality of the Year” by THNWest subscribers. THNWest sat down with Hagan at Signature’s Burnaby, B.C. office to chat about his eventful career, as well as a bit about life outside the office. "I just want to say thank you to ACT Communications & Logimonde for putting this on, and to everyone for voting for me."Read on for the full interview.

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BOOMERANG COVER CONTEST: LAST CHANCE TO VOTE

Polls close Sunday; vote now for your chance to win a trip for two to Sydney, Australia

Sydney Opera House

Time is ticking! There are just two days left to get your entry into the Boomerang Cover Contest, brought to you by THNWest.com and Boomerang Tours. The contest is simple: just choose your favourite of seven potential covers for Boomerang's latest South Pacific brochure for a chance to win a trip for two to Sydney, Australia -- a prize valued at $5,000. One lucky agent will have their name picked at random from all the entries. Read on for more details, and get your entry in today! [Full text and pictures]

WESTJET RENEWS AIR MILES PARTNERSHIP

Own frequent-flier plan still on the drawing table

WestJet Airlines has renewed its partnership with the Air Miles rewards program, but the company still plans to create its own frequent flier plan, the Calgary Sun reported yesterday. There had in recent months been speculation the two companies would not renew their agreement. In February, WestJet chief executive Sean Durfy told the Globe and Mail the airline was considering changes to its agreement with Bank of Montreal’s Mosaik MasterCard, whose cardholders receive Air Miles. “That is something we have said…will change as we move forward, but what we've announced today is the component with Air Miles," WestJet vice-president Richard Bartrem told Reuters Wednesday. [Full text and pictures]

ASIA NOW SHOW COMING TO EDMONTON

Discover the excitement of six popular destination, earn chance to win ticket to an Asia Now country

Edmonton-area agents are invited to the Asia Now show Thursday, April 24. The tourism boards of six exciting destinations – China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand – are hosting the event. Representatives from the destinations, as well as several preferred airline and tour operator suppliers, will be on hand to bring you up to date on all the latest news and products. Attendees can test their product knowledge by participating in the 2008 Asia Now Challenge for a chance to win a ticket on Cathay Pacific to any one of the Asia Now countries. [Full text and pictures]

NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES FOR FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER

Fairmont veteran Veronica Verpoorte named to top job

Victoria Verpoorte,

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has announced the appointment of Victoria Verpoorte to the position of director of sales & marketing, effective today. Verpoorte began her hospitality career with The Delta Lodge at Kananaskis in 1990 where she held a variety of operational positions, including sales manager. She joined The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in 1997, where she became an integral part of the sales team. She was promoted to the position of director, global sales for The Fairmont Washington, D.C. in 1999. She returned to The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in February 2007 in her most recent position as director, group sales. Verpoorte’s appointment follows that of Heike Tiemann as senior sales manager for the resort on March 10, 2008.

“MEET ECUADOR” SEMINAR COMING TO VANCOUVER

Quito Visitors Bureau invites agents for working session May 5

Bartolome Island, Galapagos

Ecuador is coming to meet you, Vancouver.Travel agents are invited to attend a half-day working session hosted by the Quito Visitors Bureau at Grouse Mountain Resort on Monday, May 5. Agents will have the opportunity to learn about all areas of Ecuador, and to meet with a group of Ecuador suppliers and North American tour operators. For more information, visit the TRAVELHotNews.com calendar of events here.