TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

GOWAY GIVES BACK IN CHINA

Company commits one per cent of China sales booked by June 21 to Red Cross for earthquake relief

Goway Travel staff are giving back through the creation of the "China Earthquake Relief Fund"

Goway Travel staff of Chinese heritage have created a "China Earthquake Relief Fund" for all Goway staff to contribute financial aid toward China's Red Cross relief efforts in Sichuan province, which is reeling from the tragic effects of the May 12 earthquake that has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people. Goway has committed to donate donating one per cent of all China product sales booked with Goway from now until June 21, 2008. "We are pleased to be able to provide China's Red Cross with much needed funding for all the injured and displaced people," says Doug Vogl, product & marketing manager, Asia. "Our staff are very committed to raising as much money as possible to assist China with their recovery process. Travel professionals throughout North America can feel proud that their clients' bookings with Goway will benefit the survivors of this tragic earthquake." [Full text and pictures]

VANCOUVER PROFESSIONALS: BECOME A CERTIFIED TRAVEL MANAGER

Three spots left in CITC's "Executive Route to the CTM" retreat June 12-14

Steve Gillick CTC, President/COO of CITC; Coralie Belman, National Certification Manager & Office Manager

Time is running out for Vancouver-area travel professionals to sign up for the CITC's "Executive Route to the CTM Retreat�, which will be held June 12-14. Just three spaces remain in the program, which Coralie Belman, CITC's national certification manager, notes this is an excellent opportunity for current and future travel agency managers to hone their skills in a number of key business areas, including strategic planning, financial analysis, product /market planning, marketing, avertising planning, technology and managing employee performance. Following the three-day training, participants are required to complete a detailed strategic plan for their business model and submit it for marking within six months. The Certified Travel Manager (CTM) National designation is awarded to those who successfully complete the program. [Full text and pictures]

ALASKA AIRLINES SHAKES UP SCHEDULE

YVR-SFO non-stops to end, Seattle-Kona service to start

Alaska Airlines yesterday announced several changes to its schedule, including the discontinuation of non-stop service between Vancouver and San Francisco and the introduction of non-stop, once-a-day service between Seattle and Kona. The airline will end its daily non-stop Vancouver-San Francisco flight beginning September 7, 2008; the Seattle-Kona service is set to launch November 17. The changes "are part of a broader effort to trim capacity from underperforming markets and redeploy it in places where customer demand is high," said Andrew Harrison, managing director of planning for Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. [Full text and pictures]

SUNWING WAIVES FUEL SURCHARGES ON PACKAGE HOLIDAYS

Book by Friday, May 23 to save at least $200 per couple

Sunwing Vacations has announced it will waive the fuel surcharge on package holidays from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton � for a limited time only. Book your clients on any all-inclusive one-week holiday departing from June 27 through to October 31, 2008 to save them a minimum of $200 per couple. Bookings must be made by May 23, 2008. Sunwing�s summer sun destinations from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton there are flights to Cancun. Vancouver also has service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For more information, visit sunwing.ca.

VANCOUVER SKALLITES WELCOME NYC COUNTERPARTS

At the Vancouver Sk�l meeting held May 14th at The Mad Greek Restaurant in Richmond, Peter Lintner, President Sk�l New York (Left) and David Batey, Past President Sk�l London, Ontario (Right) exchanged club banners with Vancouver Sk�l Vancouver President Brian Veitch (Centre).

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER'S FAIRMONT SPECIAL

Book five-night RMV package, clients receive $600 Fairmont gift card

The Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations is offering a Fairmont Hotels & Resorts gift card valued at up to $600 per couple with the booking of a minimum five-night Rocky Mountaineer vacation package. The gift card may be used for any purchases billed to the guest room during a Rocky Mountaineer vacation or may be retained for use on another occasion, for use at any Fairmont Hotels & Resorts property worldwide. This offer is applicable to new bookings only and is not available in conjunction with any other promotion. Some further restrictions may apply. [Full text and pictures]

CALGARY STAMPEDE TO HONOUR QUEBEC CITY'S 400TH

"Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" celebrates sister city with miniature Quebec City festival

The Calgary Stampede will be transformed into a French Canadian festival site on July 11

An iconic Western Canadian event will sport a bit of French Canadian flair this summer as the Calgary Stampede celebrates the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. On Friday, July 11, visitors to Stampede Park will be treated to the sights, the sounds and the tastes of Calgary's sister city, Quebec City, to pay tribute to this historic anniversary. On the final Friday of this year's Stampede, the Park will be transformed into a miniature Quebec City festival, complete with Quebec d�cor at the gates, strolling French Canadian entertainment and delicious French Canadian foods at various locations. Throughout the 10 days, Quebec performers will take to the stage every night during the evening Grandstand show. [Full text and pictures]