TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

Awards of merit 2007

IT'S TIME TO VOTE NOW!
A total of 55 candidates

You have until February 17th, 2008
to submit your candidates.

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR AWARDS OF MERIT!

Polls close February 17; winners to be announced next week

Time is running out to make your voice heard in for the inaugural Awards of Merit from TRAVELHotNews Western Edition! The polls will close on Sunday, February 17. We will be announcing the winning individuals and companies next week in THNWest.com. In addition, the winners of the Western Canadian Personality of the Year and Travel Agent of the Year will be announced at the Addison Travel Trade Show in Toronto on February 20, 2008. They will join their counterpart winners from TRAVELHotNews.com and ExpressVoyage.ca in the nation-wide vote for Canadian Personality of the Year and Canadian Travel Agent of the Year -- voting for these titles will begin next week. So who will the Western Canadian winners be? That's up to you! Get your office together and vote for your favourite candidates now.

JADE TOURS LAUNCH �SMILES OF ASIA� IN VANCOUVER

Brand-new destinations � including Australia & New Zealand, Maldives, Sri Lanka & Latin America � plus new packages throughout Asia
Hilary Genders

Kayla Schubert, Tourism Authority of Thailand; David Pitts & Tom Myring, both from Jade Tours; Michael Scott, United Airlines; Sandra Sandra Ngoh-Fonseka, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board

Almost 50 Vancouver-area travel agents gathered at Kirin Mandarin Restaurant last night for the launch of Jade Tours� Smiles of Asia/Faces of Australia & New Zealand 2008-2009 brochure. The company, now in its 35th year of business, has introduced a host of new destinations and packages to its product inventory this year, including Australia and New Zealand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Latin America. Representatives from the tourism boards of Thailand and Malaysia, as well as from United Airlines joined Jade Tours� B.C. sales manager Tom Myring in bringing guests up to date on all the latest news. [Full text and pictures]

FUN SUN�S FIRST �FIGHT THE FEBRUARY FUNK� WINNER DRAWN

Sylvia Gutsche from Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Calgary a $1,000 winner

Congratulations go out to Sylvia Gutsche from Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Calgary. Sylvia was drawn as the first winner in Fun Sun Vacations� Fight the February Funk promotion. Sylvia won $500 cash. And because she had also signed up to receive Fun Sun Vacations� promotions electronically at funsunagent.com, Gutsche will receive an additional $500 cash, for a total prize of $1,000. There�s still plenty of chances left to win either cash or a travel prize; read on for more details about Fun Sun�s �Fight the February Funk� promotion. [Full text and pictures]

NEW ALBERTA, NWT BDM AT UNIQUE VACATIONS CANADA

Cecil �CJ� Smith joins sales team for Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts & Royal Plantation

Cecil "CJ" Smith

Gary C. Sadler, vice president, Unique Vacations, has announced the appointment of Cecil �CJ� Smith to the company�s Canadian sales team for Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Royal Plantation. Smith is the new business development manager for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, replacing Lori James, who is leaving at the end of February to pursue other career endeavours after three years at Unique Vacations. Smith has moved to Canada from his homeland of Jamaica, where he has served as the sales manager for Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa for the past two years. No stranger to Canadian agents, he also worked at Sandals Montego Bay for four years. Smith is based in Calgary and can be reached at 1-800-545-8283 ext. 390 or via e-mail at csmith@uvisandals.ca.

YVR-PHILADELPHIA DIRECT THIS SUMMER

U.S. Airways to offer seasonal non-stop service June 3-September 7

Philadelphia's Elfreth's Alley
Photo courtesy Philadelphia CVB

U.S.-bound travellers can enjoy another non-stop transcontinental travelling option this summer with the launch of US Airways� direct seasonal service between Vancouver and Philadelphia. From June 3 to September 2, US Airways will operate daily direct flights between YVR and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Flight US848 will depart Vancouver at 9:56 p.m. and arrive in Philadelphia at 6 a.m. Northbound, Flight US847 will depart Philadelphia at 5:50 p.m., arriving at YVR at 8:51 p.m. The new service will use an Airbus A319 aircraft in a 124-seat configuration. Once in Philadelphia, passengers will have access to US Airways' service to 11 Caribbean destinations and 20 spots across Europe, including London's Heathrow Airport. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING HELPS COUPLES PLAN PERFECT DR HONEYMOON

Free honeymoon upgrades at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Punta Cana

Barcelo Bavaro Palace

Sunwing Vacations is letting couples planning their honeymoon know they�ll enjoy a host of gifts and services � all free of charge � when they choose the Barcelo Bavaro Palace in the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon. The hotel offers honeymooners priority check-in and, subject to availability at check-in, an upgrade to an ocean-view room. Its �In Love� bonus also includes flowers and a bottle of sparkling wine in their room, breakfast in bed the day after arrival, a romantic dinner for two in the gourmet restaurant, and even a pair of souvenir T-shirts. And to make even the last day of their honeymoon perfect, the hotel is pleased to provide a late check-out time of 3 p.m. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]