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Awards of merit 2007

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MEXICO HEATS UP THE ICE AT GM PLACE

Mexican Tourism Board treats industry partners, Vancouver Canucks fans to taste of Mexico

Daniel Gutierrez, director of the Mexico Tourism Board in Vancouver, presents one lucky Canucks fan with a trip to Mexico with Air Canada Vacations

There were winners all around at Vancouver’s GM Place on December 18 as the Mexico Tourism Board, in partnership with UNIGLOBE Travel and Air Canada Vacations, presented the Vancouver Canucks hockey game. The crowd was treated not only to a convincing 5-0 victory by the home team against the visiting New Jersey Devils, but also a taste of Mexico, complete with the music of a live Mariachi Band. And one particularly lucky fan was the winner of a trip to Mexico with Air Canada Vacations. The Mexican Tourism Board in Vancouver, represented by director Daniel Gutierrez, deputy director Alejandro Grageda, administrator Norma Vasquez and Veronica Rivas, public relations account executive, also took the opportunity to thank its major industry partners with an appreciation night. [Full text and pictures]

CHINA FAM FROM SILK HOLIDAYS, AIR CANADA

11 day trip departing Vancouver March 7 for $1,099

Hangzhou's famous West Lake

Silk Holidays and Air Canada have announced a new China Agency fam from Vancouver, to be held March 7-17, 2008. The 11-day, 9-night trip will visit Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Huangzhan and Shanghai. Highlights include visits to Beijing's Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, the Terracotta Warrior and Horse Museum; a full day visit to the Great Wall and Temple of Heaven; and a cruise on Hangzhou's West Lake. The cost of the fam is $1,099 plus applicable air taxes, fuel surcharge, visa fee and gratuity. Applications must be received before January 31, 2008. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

CABIN BAGGAGE RULES RELAXED AT U.K. AIRPORTS

Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham & Edinburgh among 22 aiports to remove one-item limit from Jan. 7

Heathrow

Passengers travelling to or transiting through the United Kingdom will be allowed to take two pieces of cabin luggage through security at many British airports as of Monday, January 7 thanks to new security arrangements approved by the U.K. Department for Transport. The one-bag restriction, in place since 2006, will be lifted at 22 airports, including London Heathrow, London City, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff. Transport officials are urging travellers to check with their carrier before travelling, as each airline applies its own operational policies governing the number of items of cabin baggage permitted. [Full text and pictures]

NEW MED CRUISING EBB FROM SUNQUEST

Save $300, get a free cabin upgrade with the Summer 2008 Special

MSC Sinfonia

Sunquest today launched is offering a fantastic new Early Booking Bonus on its Mediterranean cruise product – the Summer 2008 Special. With this EBB, clients will not only save $300 per couple when they book by Jan. 21, 2008, they will also get a free cabin upgrade if they book their Med cruise departing during the month of May. Applicable to select May departures, on the MSC Sinfonia, clients booking and paying for an inside category 3 or 4 cabin will receive a free upgrade to an outside cabin (cat. 8/9). On the MSC Musica or MSC Poesia, when they book and pay for an inside category 2 or 3 cabin, they will be upgraded to a balcony (category 6/7/8). [Full text and pictures]

SILKWAY TRAVEL TO JOIN JTB GROUP

B.C. Company first non-Japanese concern of industry giant

Hiromi Shinkawa, director & GM, JTB Int'l. (Canada) Ltd.; Andy H. Shimizu, manager, corporate planning, JTB Int.'l (Canada) Ltd., Tsuneo Irita, president & CEO, JTB Americas, Ltd.; Paulus Ng, President & CEO, Silkway Travel; Kathy Ng, vice president & GM, Silkway Travel

Silkway Travel, a leader in the Vancouver-area Asia market, has become the first non-Japanese concern of the JTB Group, one of the world’s leading providers of travel services. The companies have formally agreed to a co-operative investment, “the result of a detailed and carefully considered collaboration that was nearly two years in the making,” the two companies announced in a joint press release. Established in 1979, Silkway Travel currently owns and operates seven retail branches in the Vancouver area. Formerly known as Japan Travel Bureau, JTB was established in 1912. Its major shareholders include Japan Rail, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, as well as banks, hotel associations and other travel-related enterprises. [Full text and pictures]