TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

AWARDS OF MERIT: SEND IN YOUR CHOICES!

Nomination deadline extended to February 3
After hearing from several travel professionals who missed the Sunday nomination deadline for the Awards of Merit 2007, we've decided to extend the deadline. After all, TRAVELHotNews Western Edition is still new, and we're getting more and more new readers each week. But don't delay! You have until February 3 to tell us who you think deserves special recognition for their contribution to the travel industry in Western Canada. Click here to learn more about the Awards of Merit 2007. To submit your nominations, click here.

ADDISONTIME IN VICTORIA

First Addison Show of 2008 a big success; Langley, Vancouver shows today, tomorrow
By Hilary Genders

It's always busy at the Addison Show

Victoria welcomed the first Addison Travel Trade Show of 2008 with fabulous weather yesterday. Held at the Victoria Conference Centre, the show featured new, classic black and white d�cor. This year�s show included some new exhibitors from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, and overall, five of the seven continents were represented. �We had a good mix of exhibitors, and the Fairmont Empress did us proud with the food, which was excellent,� says Rex Armstead, president of ACT Communications, which puts on the Addison shows. �We were also very pleased with the attendance � more than 170 enthusiastic agents showed up. All in all, it was a great start to the 2008 show season.� [Full text and pictures]

B.C. FIRST IN CANADA TO TEST HIGH -TECH DRIVERS LICENCES

Pilot project launched for possible alternative to passports at U.S. land & sea crossings
Canadian Press

People in B.C. may soon be able to get a high-tech driver's licence that could be used as an alternative to a passport to cross into the U.S. by land and sea. The licences are part of a project involving the province, the state of Washington and the federal government, and were unveiled in Vancouver by Premier Gordon Campbell and federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. The new cards will look much like current licences but will be embedded with a coded computer chip that can be scanned at land and sea border crossings. [Full text and pictures]

Awards of merit 2007

Who will be the personality of the year 2007?
You have until February 3rd, 2008
to submit your candidates.

SAVE BIG ON ACTA ID AT ADDISON SHOWS

Attend your local Addison Travel Trade Show to save 50%

Visit the Addison Shows and save 50 per cent off your ACTA ID card. Show the industry your credentials and enjoy savings with car rental companies, cruise lines, airlines, attractions and more. The offer is available only at the Addison Shows. Click here for more information about the shows. To learn more about the benefits of the ACTA ID card, visit acta.travel.

SENIORS SPECIAL FROM SANDMAN

55Plus members earn a chance to win a cruise holiday for two now through Apr. 30

The Sandman hotel group is offering seniors even more reason to stay at one of its 35 locations throughout Canada this spring. From now through April 30, 2008, all existing 55Plus members � and new members who stay within 30 days of enrolling in the program � will earn a chance to win a holiday cruise for two. With 55Plus membership, seniors 55 years and over enjoy year-round preferred rates at all Sandman locations. The program also provides several additional benefits, including upgrade to the best available room, late check-out privileges, complimentary in-room high-speed Internet access, every 13th night on the house, 20 per cent off Park �n Fly and preferred rates at National Car Rental. [Full text and pictures]