TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

Awards of merit 2007

HERE ARE THE FINALISTS...
Last week to determine the winners!

You have until February 24th, 2008
to submit your candidates.

TRANSAT’S EUROPEAN CARAVAN DRAWS BIG CROWD IN VANCOUVER

All the latest Europe product presented at crowded event last night
By Hilary Genders
The Tango room at the Pacific Palisades Hotel was packed last night as Vancouver-area travel agents came out in force to attend Transat Holidays’ European Caravan. Twenty-five of Transat’s key European suppliers – representing 10 countries – were on hand to fill agents in on all the latest product available through the tour operator – both in packages and as a la carte options. As emcee Scott Roberts, Transat’s director of sales, Western Canada, reminded the audience, Transat's new Europe brochure offers “pretty aggressive” Early Booking Bonuses of up to $150 per person on all European packages with flights booked by March 3, 2008 and $100 per person for bookings made between March and 31, 2008. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

AWARDS OF MERIT 2007: FINALISTS CHOSEN -- VOTE NOW FOR BIG WINNERS!

Vote now for your choice of finalists; winners to be announced February 27

The finalists have been selected, and the final stretch is on for the inaugural Awards of Merit from TRAVELHotNews Western Edition! The polls will close on Sunday, February 24. We will be announcing the winning individuals and companies in next Wednesday's edition of THNWest.com. In addition, the winners of the Western Canadian Personality of the Year and Travel Agent of the Year 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.

RIVIERA NAYARIT WOWS VANCOUVER AGENTS

Mexico’s newest destination offers something for everyone, audience learns at breakfast presentation
By Hilary Genders

Carlos Eguiarte, Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau; Daniel Gutierrez, director, Western Canada, Mexico Tourism Board

Vancouver-area travel agents, tour operator representatives and members of the travel media learned all about the latest hot spot in sunny Mexico at a breakfast presentation held at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday. Daniel Gutierrez, director, Western Canada for the Mexico Tourism Board, got the ball rolling by welcoming guests to the presentation on “one of the most exciting destinations in Mexico today.” He then introduced Carlos Eguiarte from the Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It’s great to be back in my favourite Canadian city,” Eguiarte told the appreciative crowd, before launching into his presentation. Read on for more information about this hot new destination. [Full text and pictures]

NEW GM FOR COAST EDMONTON PLAZA

Industry veteran Timothy Bertrand named general manager

Timothy Bertrand

Timothy Bertrand has been named the new general manager of the 299-room Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel. Bertrand brings three decades of hospitality experience across Canada to his new position. Prior to joining Coast Hotels & Resorts, he was resort manager of the five-star Eagle Nook Ocean Wilderness Resort & Spa in Barkley Sound, B.C. He also served as general manager of the Wigamog Inn Resort in Haliburton, Ontario an all-inclusive family resort and time-share facility. "Tim's diverse background and proven leadership skills will be a valuable addition to Coast Hotels & Resorts, which will help expand our presence in the Alberta market," said Graeme Barrit, president of Coast Hotels & Resorts. [Full text and pictures]

VAN ISLE. CRUISESHIPCENTERS PARTICIPATE IN ACV TRAINING CAMP

Weekend seminars show consultants to look at product from “different eyes”

Participants see product through "different eyes"

Air Canada Vacations, joined by several key suppliers, held its first "Consultant Training Camp" – a two-day training seminar – in Courtenay, B.C. February 16 and 17. Consultants from CruiseShipCenters offices located on Vancouver Island – Comox Valley, Mt. Doug, West Shore and Nanaimo – converged at the Crowne Isle Resort for a weekend on intensive learning. The sessions covered various land and cruise products and consultants were encouraged to look at the products from "different eyes". Seminars were conducted by Air Canada Vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines, Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts, Norwegian Cruise Line, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Outriggers Hotels, Uniworld and Sandals Resorts.

AFRICAEXPERTS’ “AMAZING AFRICA” PRESENTATIONS FEB. 26-28

Focus is on South Africa for agent breakfasts in Calgary & Victoria, plus consumer evening for clients & agents in Vancouver

AfricaExperts, the exclusive division of Goway Travel that specializes in exciting safaris and vacations in Africa, is hosting three informative presentations in Western Canada next week. South Africa is the focus of the “Amazing Africa” presentations, led by Christy Fraser, the company’s product manager. Guests will learn about the newest product available in the latest the AfricaExperts Travel Planner. Breakfast events for agents will be held in Calgary on Tuesday, February 26 at the Inn on McLeod Trail and in Victoria on Wednesday, February 27 at the Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel. On Thursday, February 28, a consumer evening will be held at the Fletcher Challenge Theatre at Simon Fraser University’s downtown Vancouver campus. Agents are welcome at this event as well, and are encouraged to invite their clients. For more information about these events, and to register, call 1-800-387-8850 and ask for South Africa Presentation or e-mail marilyn@goway.com.