TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

ADDISON SHOWS KICK OFF WITH A BANG IN B.C.

Excellent agent turnout, eclectic mix of exhibitors the recipe for success in Victoria, Langley and Vancouver
By Hilary Genders

The sun was shining outside, and travel agents were smiling inside at the Addison Vancouver show, held yesterday at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. Agents – 568 strong – came from as far away as Kelowna, Abbotsford and south of the border came to see nearly 90 exhibitors. “There was a constant buzz in the room,” said Brad Liski, vice president of ACT Communications, which puts on the popular Addison shows. “It was a real success.” The Vancouver show marked the end of the first series in Addison’s 2008 spring season. Victoria got the ball rolling on Tuesday. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

JADE TOURS BROCHURE LAUNCHES

Shows to be held throughout B.C. & Alberta in February; chance to win a ticket to Asia

Jade Tours is celebrating its 35th anniversary of promoting Asia to Canadians. The company, along with United Airlines and several national tourist boards, is inviting agents for an overview of its new 2008 Smiles of Asia and Faces of Australia and New Zealand brochures, which boast several new and exciting destinations and itineraries. Shows will be held next month in Victoria, Langley, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary and Edmonton. Everyone attending the shows will be entered into a draw for a ticket to Asia on United Airlines. Read on for details. [Full text and pictures]

VANCOUVER TO HOST SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE

Leaders in sustainable tourism to attend Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conference Oct. 27-29, 2008

Ecotourism and sustainable tourism will take centre stage in Vancouver this fall, as the city will welcome the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC 2008) October 27-29, 2008, the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) recently announced. The conference, to be hosted by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts and the Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia, is designed to offer travel and tourism professionals, business leaders and community members the opportunity to learn all about the latest trends in ecotourism and sustainable tourism practices. [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.

SILK HOLIDAYS’ “RECORD-BREAKING” BALI SPECIAL

17 days/14 nights at Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Spa from $1,599

Bali Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Spa

Silk Holidays is offering a 17-day Bali package that includes return economy air ticket from Vancouver to Bali with Japan Airlines, 14 nights' twin share accommodation at the 4.5-star Bali Grand Mirage Resort in a superior garden view room, daily breakfast buffet, return transfers, five sightseeing tours, an invitation to the Mirage Management Cocktail Party, a 30-minute gazebo beach massage; free upgrade to a newly renovated deluxe ocean view room, 25 per cent off all spa packages, welcome drink/fruit/cold towel and hotel souvenir for $1,599. The package is available for travel through May 31, 2008. [Full text and pictures]

CATHAY PACIFIC RAISES $1.3 MILLION FOR UNICEF

$1.3 million collected from passengers’ change through “Change for Good” program

Cathay Pacific staff on a recent UNICEF field trip in Cambodia.

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that more than $1.3 million was collected through the airline’s “Change for Good” in-flight fundraising program in the 2006/2007 program period. A majority of the money collected through Change for Good goes to UNICEF to help in its projects to improve the lives of underprivileged children around the world. Cathay Pacific pioneered Change for Good with UNICEF in 1991 and over the past 17 years the airline has raised more than $10 million through the program, in which spare change in foreign currencies is collected from passengers. [Full text and pictures]