TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

OASIS HONG KONG SHUTS DOWN

Low-cost airline applies for liquidation as “tens of thousands” of passengers scramble to make new arrangements

Oasis Hong Kong passengers in Vancouver, Hong Kong and London are looking for alternative travel arrangements this morning after the bargain carrier announced it has ceased operations is now under the control of liquidators. Stephen Miller, the airline’s chief executive, told a press conference in Hong Kong this morning that the airline’s liquidator, accounting firm KPMG, will search for new investors for the low-cost airline, which had been operating daily flights to Vancouver and London since its launch in October 2006. The airline had offered one-way flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong for just $279 in economy class. Read on for more details, including contact numbers for stranded clients. [Full text and pictures]

ATS TOURS/ISLANDS IN THE SUN VISIT VANCOUVER

First-ever Vancouver seminar for California-based companies

Janie Hall, director of sales; Carolyn Pope, business development manager

California-based operator ATS Tours and its sister company Islands in the Sun Travel brought their Agents Seminar to Vancouver-area agents last week. The evening was something of an historic occasion: the dinner seminar, held downtown at the Metropolitan Hotel, was the first held by the two long-standing companies in Vancouver. “We do have a lot of Canadians booking with us,” Janie Hall, director of sales, told THNWest.com. “But this is the first time we’ve done a seminar in Vancouver.” Hall said that a noticeable rise in traffic to the two companies' websites from Western Canada led to the visit. Hall and colleague Caroyln Pope, business development manager for the companies, gave agents a quick yet informative overview of the wide range of product available to their clients. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

BOOMERANG CONTEST IS OVER!

Winner of trip for 2 to Australia to be announced soon

Sydney Opera House

The votes are in for the the THNWest.com and Boomerang cover contest, which closed last week. THNWest readers were invited to choose one of seven images for the cover of Boomerang’s new South Pacific brochure. A name will be picked at random from all the travel agents that have voted for the most popular cover. The winner will earn a trip for two for Sydney, Australia, a prize valued at $5,000. We're going to keep you guessing just a little bit longer -- the winner will be announced soon!

ALASKA AIRLINES ANNOUNCES MAUI SERVICE

Year-round daily flights between Seattle & Kahului begin July 17

A spectacular beach on Maui

Alaska Airlines today announced new service between the year-round daily flights between Seattle and Kahului on the island of Maui. The new service will begin on July 17; bookings begin tomorrow, April 10. The airline is offering introductory one-way fares of US $249. Customers must purchase their tickets by April 24, 2008, and travel by December 17, 2008. Flights from Seattle will depart daily at 8:20 a.m. Pacific time and arrive at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii time. Return flights will depart at 1:05 p.m. Hawaii time and arrive at 9:45 p.m. Pacific time. [Full text and pictures]

INSIDE WASHINGTON, D.C. WITH MONOGRAMS

4-day "Smithsonian Journeys" package available
Monograms has teamed up with Smithsonian Journeys, the Smithsonian Institution’s educational travel program and a long-time leader in educational travel, to offer this enhanced Washington DC vacation. Guided sightseeing includes the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums, with visits to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate and Alexandria. Also enjoy admission to a film of your choice at a Smithsonian IMAX Theater and admission to the International Spy Museum. Land-only prices start at $749 (air-inclusive pricing available).

NEW VANCOUVER-COMOX SERVICE FROM WEST COAST AIR

Eight flights weekly between Downtown Vancouver and booming Comox

West Coast Air has launched a new daily service between downtown Vancouver and Comox. Six flights are scheduled daily, Monday to Friday, with two flights on Saturdays and Sundays. The 45 minute flight operates between Vancouver's downtown float plane terminal and Comox Bay Resort and Marina. Fares are $149 each way. “The Comox Valley is a thriving business community with real diversity of industries and significant development opportunities. It's an area we've had our eye on for some time,” said Rick Baxter, president and CEO, West Coast Air. “More and more business people are travelling between the Lower Mainland and the Comox Valley and there's a clear demand for fast and efficient travel between the two communities.” For more information, visit WestCoastAir.com. [Full text and pictures]

"TREASURES OF CHINA" SPECIAL FROM SILK

One departure only for pre-Olympics itinerary

The Forbidden City, Beijing

Silk Holidays is offering a special, guaranteed departure to China on May 23, 2008, a last-minute special before the Beijing Olympics. The 11-day “Treasures of China” itinerary visits Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Priced from $1,799 per person (twin share) plus tax, the package includes economy class air ticket from Vancouver to Beijing with Air China (a direct flight using the airline’s new aircraft), domestic air tickets, four- and five-star accommodation, transfers, sightseeing tours, daily breakfast and 14 meals. For more information, call Silk at 1-888-800-SILK (7455).