TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

EUROPE -- THE FUN SUN WAY

Expanded Europe brochure makes its Vancouver debut

The Fun Sun team: Bruce Lidberg, Nathalie Tanious, Tracy Poole, & Dean Neville

Vancouver's cozy and quaint Adonia Tea House was packed to capacity yesterday afternoon as Fun Sun Vacations hosted a light lunch/tea to celebrate the launch of its "hot off the presses" expanded 2008 Europe brochure. Fun Sun's Western B.C. Sales Manager Tracy Poole, along with Nathalie Tanious, director of product development/marketing, Intair division; Bruce Lidberg, director of sales; and Dean Neville, director of product development, welcomed almost 20 agents to the event, which highlighted Fun Sun's new Europe product. Read on for more details. [Full text and pictures]

FLYGLOBESPAN TO DEBUT VANCOUVER-DUBLIN SERVICE

New weekly direct service Irish capital to launch June 1; one-way fares starting from $286

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, flyglobespan today announced it will launch direct service between Vancouver and Dublin this summer -- a first for travellers from Western Canada. Starting June 1, 2008, the airline will offer weekly direct service from Vancouver to the exciting and booming city of Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland and Europe's third-most visited city. The Vancouver-Dublin flights will operate once a week on Sundays. two levels of in-flight service: Premium Economy and Business Class. Premium Economy Class passengers enjoy complimentary full meal service with fine wines and advance seat selection among other items. Prices start at $286 one-way plus taxes. [Full text and pictures]

DIANE MOMBOURQUETTE APPOINTED GM OF THE BLACK ROCK RESORT IN UCLUELET, B.C.

133-suite luxury resort set to open in early summer

Diane Mombourquette

Boutique Hotels & Resorts of British Columbia has announced the appointment of Diane Mombourquette as general manager of the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, scheduled to open in Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island in early summer. Mombourquette, a chartered accountant, brings a solid background in finance to her new role. She worked with Tourism Whistler for nine years in a variety of positions, including director of business operations and, most recently, vice president of finance and operations. During her tenure at Tourism Whistler, Mombourquette honed her skills in financial management and other areas of the business, including marketing, sales, operations and business strategy. Following her departure from Tourism Whistler, Mombourquette took the position of general manager of economic viability for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, where she spent the past year working with resort partners in supporting the tourism economy. [Full text and pictures]

FLIGHT 2010 CLEARED FOR LANDING AT YVR

Vancouver International Airport named official airport for 2010 Winter Games

YVR

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has welcomed Vancouver Airport Authority as an Official Supplier of the 2010 Winter Games. This partnership marks the first time in Olympic Games history that an airport has been named an Official Supplier. As an Official Supplier, the Airport Authority has sponsorship rights in the airport category for the 2010 Winter Games and is committed to providing world-class operations and services prior to, during and after the Games. �As an Official Supplier, we will provide many athletes, officials, media and visitors with the first and last impression of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games,� said Larry Berg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Airport Authority. �Our goal is to provide a smooth, seamless and exceptional travel experience to every passenger that visits our airport for the Games or any other reason." [Full text and pictures]

CALGARY ECOTOURISM CONSULTANT HONOURED WITH "WOMAN OF VISION" AWARD

Carol Patterson of Kalahari Management recognized for inspirational "passion, personal dedication and actions"

Carol Patterson

Global Television Calgary, the Calgary Herald and the YWCA recently recognized Calgary ecotourism consultant Carol Patterson with a Woman of Vision award. The Woman of Vision series, which is produced and aired as a monthly feature by Global Television in Calgary, celebrates the acomplishements of outstanding Calgary "women who have implemented their passion and whose personal dedication and actions inspire us all". Patterson is a well-known nature and ecotourism industry consultant, speaker, and author. Her company, Kalahari Management Inc., provides assistance in assessments, strategic planning, feasibility studies and capacity building for the tourism industry. She is also a dedicated community volunteer. Read on for more about her work. [Full text and pictures]

"RE-INN-OVATIONS" UNDERWAY AT TWO SASKATCHEWAN HOJOS

New ownership means improvements at Howard Johnson Swift Current and Howard Johnson Inn Yorkton
Howard Johnson Canada has announced the renovations of the Howard Johnson Inn Swift Current and the Howard Johnson Inn Yorkton. Both properties have recently come under new ownership. Read on for details. [Full text and pictures]

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING�FOR A CARNIVAL CRUISE

Second annual �Elvis Cruise� to take place aboard �Fun Ship� Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans in August

Following the tremendous success of the inaugural �Elvis Cruise� last year, Carnival Cruise Lines and St. Louis, Mo.- based The Elvis Cruise, LLC, have announced a repeat performance this summer. The second annual �Elvis Cruise� will be a four-day voyage aboard the Carnival Fantasy in August. The only authentic, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.-licenced specialty cruise that celebrates the music and life of Elvis Presley, �The Elvis Cruise� will sail round-trip New Orleans and visit Cozumel, Mexico, departing Thursday, August 28, and returning Monday, September 1, 2008. The one-of-a-kind voyage will be hosted by Jerry Schilling, longtime friend and confidante of the late Elvis Presley, and author of the book, Me and a Guy Named Elvis. Read on for details. [Full text and pictures]