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TRANSAT’S NEW WESTERN CANADA BROCHURES

EBBs on host of new destinations, packages & programs in Europe, USA, Mexico, DR, Cuba - Plus 2008-2009 Sun Preview

Transat Holidays' new Europe 2008 brochure

As you read in TRAVELHotNews Western Edition on Wednesday, Transat launched its latest product line-up for Western Canada at a glamorous event held at Holt Renfrew in Vancouver Monday night. Guests were treated to champagne, a peek at the latest fashions from many of Europe’s top designers and gift bags containing Holt Renfrew gift cards and fragrance and beauty samples. But even more special: all the latest brochures and flyers from Transat Holidays and Nolitours – Transat’s Europe 2008 and Flexible Vacations! 2008 and Sun Preview 2008-2009 flyers from both Transat Holidays and Nolitours. Agents went home with plenty of great news to pass on to their clients, from Transat’s new service to Paris from Vancouver and Calgary and the new Flexible Vacations! Program for Southern California and Mexico to available dates for winter 2008-2009 in favourite sun destinations. Read on for all the highlights from Transat/Nolitours’ latest offerings. [Full text and pictures]

BUTCHART GARDENS LAUNCHES WEDDING PROGRAM

New annual “Wedding Season” runs January 15-March 31
Hilary Genders

It’s hard to imagine a more magical wedding location in Canada than Butchart Gardens. What bride wouldn’t want to be surrounded by beautiful flowers as she says ‘I do’ to her dashing groom amongst the stunning displays of the world-renowned Gardens? But until now, a dream wedding at the Butchart Gardens was just that: a dream. Never in the Gardens’ 104-year history have wedding vows been exchanged, or bridal photos snapped. That all changed this week, when the Gardens launched its new Wedding Season with a make-believe wedding ceremony. United in imaginary matrimony on January 29 were Oona and Cameron, two Butchart employees dressed to the nines in bridal finery, amongst the hyacinths and flowering cherry trees of the Spring Prelude indoor garden.Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

CITC HOSTS WESTERN CANADA STUDENT CONFERENCE

Tomorrow’s travel professionals receive industry insights at second annual event in Vancouver

Adrienne Coates CTC, of BCAA Travel presents the special BCAA door prize to Vivian Tsang of Sprott-Shaw College

The Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) held its second annual Western Canada Student Conference on Thursday, January 24 at the Harbour Centre Campus of Simon Fraser University. Eighty students and eight educators from Vancouver area-endorsed travel programs attended the one-day event. Keynote speaker Michelle Desreux, president of Uniglobe Travel, Western Canada, spoke on the topic of “Travel Agents-Beating the Internet for Fun & Profit”. This energetic pep talk about the incredible opportunities that exist in the travel industry was the perfect way to begin the conference. After a talk by Steve Gillick, CTM on CITC's role in the industry and the importance of “differentiating yourself from the 33,000 other travel counsellors out there”, a draw was held for prizes donated by the Jordan Tourism Board, Park N'Fly, Maritime Travel, Sunquest/Holiday House and BCAA Travel. [Full text and pictures]

TWO NEW FACES, SPECIAL AGENT FARES AT OASIS HK

Bert Parada, Sandra Cornish & Connie Check
Bert Parada, Connie Check join sales team now offering $175 Vancouver-Hong Kong fare
Oasis Hong Kong Airlines has recently added two more members to its Vancouver sales team. Joining National Sales Manager Sandra Cornish are Sales Manager Bert Parada and Sales Representative Connie Check. They are sure to be busy, as the airline is currently offering a travel agent’s special from Vancouver to Hong Kong, with one-way economy class fares for $175. The special rate is available for bookings and travel made between January 24 and March 31, 2008.

CATHAY PACIFIC ENHANCES SERVICE TO INDIA

Additional flights to Delhi, Mumbai begin February 29; new service to Chennai begins March 30

The Taj Mahal - Additional flights to Dehli makes this New 7 Wonder more accessible than ever. Photo: Sravan Nerella

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced it will significantly enhance its flight schedule to Delhi and Mumbai in February and add a new destination, Chennai, in June. From February 29, 2008 passengers will have a choice of seven flights weekly to Delhi and Mumbai. The airline will further increase its Mumbai service to 10 flights weekly and its Delhi service to 14 flights weekly on March 30, 2008. On June 1, 2008, Chennai – India’s fourth-largest metropolitan city – will be added to its network, with four flights weekly. All flights will operate via Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific’s leading international hub. The airline currently operates 17 flights weekly from Vancouver; that number will increase to 21 flights on March 30, 2008. [Full text and pictures]

TWO FAMS – EAST & WEST – FROM ANDERSON

Third annual “Ontario & Québec” April 25-29, 2008, sixth annual “Mountain Madness” May 3-7

Ottawa

Anderson Vacations is offering travel agents two Canadian FAM trips this spring: the third annual “Ontario & Québec” running April 25-29; and the sixth annual “Mountain Madness” running May 3-7. The Ontario & Québec itinerary takes in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa and Montréal; highlights include the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, a Niagara Falls day trip, the National Gallery, an Ottawa river cruise, a Montréal tram tour and Old Montréal walking tour. The Mountain Madness itinerary visits Calgary, Edmonton, Jasper, the Icefields Parkway, Banff and Lake Louise; highlights include the Calgary Tower, Calgary Stampede Park, West Edmonton Mall, Fort Edmonton Park, the Jasper Tramway, a float trip down the Athabasca River, and Ice Explorer trip on the Columbia Icefields. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

B.C. WINERY WINS SPOT IN SELECT COMPANY

Mission Hill Family Estate's Terrace Restaurant Named One of Top Five Winery Restaurants in the World

Scallop and Spring Ragout Photo: Hamid Attie/Mission Hill

Canadian travellers with a passion for fine food and wine need not travel far to enjoy some of the world’s finest pairings, says an influential travel magazine. In its February 2008 issue, Travel + Leisure magazine names B.C.’s Mission Hill Family Estate's Terrace Restaurant one of the top five winery restaurants in the world, referring to Mission Hill Family Estate as “the centerpiece of the Canadian wine tourism industry” and the Terrace as “one of the most glorious dining experiences around.” Read on for more details about Terrace Restaurant. [Full text and pictures]