TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

WESTJET HEADING TO THE BIG APPLE

Calgary-Newark service to launch June 2; introductory fare $199 one-way

New York City's famed Times Square photo: Telefrancais

WestJet today announced the introduction of new seasonal non-stop service from Calgary to New York City via Newark International Airport. Daily flights begin June 2, 2008. The new service will begin two weeks before Air Canada launches its first Calgary-Newark flights. As reported in THNWest.com last week, Air Canada will debut its non-stop service on June 16. �New York City is a global icon and is an exciting addition to WestJet's growing network,� said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, guest experience and marketing. �There is great demand for Western Canadians travelling to New York City this summer and WestJet is pleased to offer guests a high-value, low-fare option." [Full text and pictures]

AWARDS OF MERIT: WINNERS OF CANADA-WIDE VOTE ANNOUNCED

Canadian Travel Agent of the Year is Lisa Geddes; Claudine McCann wins Canadian Personality of the Year 2007

Congratulations to the winners of the Canada-wide 2007 Awards of Merit. Your choice for Canadian Travel Agent of the Year is Lisa Geddes from Travel Professionals International in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, while Claudine McCann, director of operations for Sears Travel in Montreal, is the winner of Canadian Personality of the Year 2007. The voting was open to travel industry members who are registered members at THNWest.com, TRAVELHotNews.com, or ExpressVoyage.ca. We at THNWest.com would like to thank to everyone who participated in the first-ever Canada-wide Merit Awards, and to congratulate all the winners. Trophies will be sent out shortly.

TPI WELCOMES MANAGER OF OPERATIONS

Industry veteran Amy Losics joins Winnipeg head office

Amy Losics, manager of operations, TPI

Travel Professionals International (TPI) has announced the appointment of Amy Losics to the company�s newly created position of manager of operations at its Winnipeg head office, where she will oversee the distribution and quality control departments. In this capacity, she will review and implement efficiency structures as required in order to best serve TPI Associates. Losics brings 19 years of travel industry experience to TPI. She spent 14 years at CAA Manitoba � four serving leisure clients and groups, and 10 managing branch operations with more than 30 team members per branch. Prior to that, she served leisure and corporate clients at Uniglobe for five years. [Full text and pictures]

TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND�S NEW MINI-SITE

Site-within-site incorporates tourism products & services within �Amazing Thailand 2008� campaign

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently launched a new mini-site that gives travellers worldwide access to a huge variety of Thai hotel, resort and travel options. The new site, amazingthailand. tourismthailand.org, presents all the tourism products and services � more than 2,000, including hotels, tours, attractions, restaurants and a travel agent directory � of Thailand that are part of the e-marketing campaign for �Amazing Thailand 2008�. It also provides more than 300 exclusive travel deals for inbound travellers, as well as offering Web 2.0 capabilities with user ratings and reviews of hotels and tours. [Full text and pictures]

SILK'S ONE FARE TO EUROPE & BEIJING PROMOTION

Clients can choose from seven European cities, plus Beijing stopover, from $1,500
Silk Holidays is giving travellers the opportunity to sample several different cultures in one trip with its current "One Fare to Europe and Beijing" promotion. For one price of $1,500 NET, plus taxes and fuel surcharge, clients can fly Air China round-trip from Vancouver to Europe, and also enjoy a stopover in Beijing. Travellers can choose from Paris, London, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Stockholm or Moscow. Valid for departures between April 1, 2008 and May 4, 2008. Maximum stay: six months. Add-ons from other cities are available. Call 604-879-8000 / 1-888-800-SILK (7455) of visit silkholidays.com for more information about this promotion.

GLP WORLDWIDE EXPEDITION/HURTIGRUTEN AGENT SEMINAR

"Catch the new wave of cruising" at Vancouver breakfast seminar April 2
GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel & Tours and Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyage) will host a breakfast seminar for travel agents in Vancouver on Wednesday, April 2. The seminar, which will focus on Norway, the Artctic and Antarctica, is designed to provide agents with the tools to effectively sell Hurtigruten�s diverse cruise itineraries and be rewarded with great commissions. at Moxies's Classic Grill at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver. Following the breakfast and main presentation an optional group workshop will be conducted for those agents interested in putting together cruise groups. For more information about the seminar, call 1-866-383-1110 ext. 238.

WEBSITE LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE RURAL TOURISM IN B.C.

Tourism Research Innovation Project inviting new subscribers

The Tourism Research Innovation Project (TRIP), a multi-partner initiative in with a focus on enhancing tourism development in B.C.�s rural areas through innovative activities to share knowledge and resources among community leaders, operators, governments and academic institutions, has announced the launch of a new website at trip-project.ca. The site contains a number of resources such as snapshots of innovators in the industry, case studies, how-to manuals, presentations and a question and answer section. The initiative is welcoming new subscribers, who will receive monthly updates including news and announcements. Industry members are also invited to share upcoming activities or to ask questions through the website as well. [Full text and pictures]