TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

WIN A TRIP TO AUSTRALIA WITH BOOMERANG COVER CONTEST

Vote for your favourite South Pacific brochure cover for chance to win

TravelHotNews.com and Boomerang Tours have joined forces to bring you a chance to win a trip for two for Sydney, Australia. Following the success of last year's contest, Boomerang is once again asking travel agents across Canada to choose the cover for the latest edition of its South Pacific brochure. One lucky agent will be chosen at random from the voters and will receive a trip for two for Sydney, Australia -- a prize valued at $5,000 and including airfare from any Canadian city with an international airport to Los Angeles or Vancouver and Sydney with Air New Zealand; five nights' hotel accommodation in Sydney; and two excursions in Sydney with APT Australian Pacific Touring of Boomerang Tours. The trip must be completed before September 30, 2008. Read on to see the seven cover contenders, and for details. [Full text and pictures]

REUNIONS PACKAGES FROM CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESORTS

Organizer receives free room when 20 or more rooms booked at any of three lodges

Cilantro on the Lake, the restaurant at the entrance to Emerald Lake Lodge

Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts (CRMR) has developed a new program designed to help families and friends stay connected. The family-owned company's "Reunions" Program offers the organizer of a reunion a free room when 20 or more rooms per night are booked. A CRMR sales coordinator will assist with organizing private dining or meeting space for larger families and clubs, and there is a range of activities in the Rockies that groups can take part in, including hiking, canoeing, and skiing, depending on the season. CRMR boasts three boutique lodges: Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff, Deer Lodge in Lake Louise and Emerald Lake Lodge in Field, B.C. [Full text and pictures]

OASIS HONG KONG AIRLINES WINNERS

Two agents from Richmond, B.C. and Calgary win YVR-Hong Kong round-trip ticket
Two Western Canadian travel agents are the big winners in Oasis Hong Kong Airlines' prize draw. Kevin Poon from Go-Go Travel & Tours in Calagary and Linda Chen from Jacco Tours in Richmond, B.C. were selected from the entries collected at the Addison Travel Trade Shows this spring. Poon and Chen will each receive a round-trip ticket from Vancouver to Hong Kong. Congratulations to both agents!

MANITOBA HOTEL ASSOCIATION NIXES PROPOSED ROOM FEE

Five per cent room tax approved by Winnipeg City Council means MHA "squeezed out" says president
The Manitoba Hotel Association (MHA)has abandoned plans to implement a voluntary two per cent destination marketing fee in the wake of Wednesday's Winnipeg City Council vote to approve a five per cent hotel room tax that will go into effect June 1. As reported in THNWest.com, the MHA announced the fee program in February. Proceeds were to be used to help attract major events to Winnipeg. But MHA president Jim Baker says that combining the two charges would be excessive, so the association had decided to cancel its fee if Council's tax went through. Read on for details. [Full text and pictures]

LUXURY RESORT SET TO OPEN ON CANADA'S WARMEST LAKE

Reservations welcome at Walnut Beach Resort, Lake Osoyoos; 50% off regular rates for month of April

Walnut Beach Resort

Walnut Beach Resort, billed by Atlific Hotels & Resorts as "the ultimate resort destination in the Thompson Okanagan Region of British Columbia", is set to open April 1 and is ready to accept reservations. The all-suite waterfront resort, set on the shores of Lake Osoyoos, Canada's warmest lake, boasts 112 designer suites and access to world-class downhill skiing, golf, horseback riding and wineries. The resort is offering a Grand Opening Special of $99/night -- 50 per cent off regular rates -- until April 30. [Full text and pictures]

GRAY LINE OF ALASKA INTRODUCES NEW VANS

"Sprinter Vans" designed for custom tours and transfers for groups up to 12 people

Travel agents booking small groups or families with Gray Line of Alaska can now customize their clients' experience further with private tours or transfers in a Sprinter van�an oversized van seating up to a dozen. The company has added the new vehicles to its fleet, and offers the service on cruise connections, transfers or tours in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Skagway, Whittier and Seward. Local sightseeing excursions and multi-day tours can be developed specifically for groups, ensuring the most sought after routes, stops and more. �A custom tour adds value to a group�s Alaska vacation,� says Mark Mumm, the company's director of sales and marketing. �It is an exclusive private tour that clients will appreciate.� [Full text and pictures]

SPRING SKIING SPECIALS FROM CANADIAN MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE

Save 10 per cent on all spring packages through April 30
Canadian Mountain Experience is offering some a hot deal on its spring skiing packages. Book now through April 30 for 10 per cent off all packages, including the "fourth night FREE" package in Banff. For more information, call direct 403-609-3535 or e-mail trave@CanadianMountain.com and ask for the discount.

NEW INDONESIAN EXPERIENCE FROM SILK

15-day package includes Bali and a Sea Safari Cruise from $3,199

Balinese dancers

Silk Holidays has introduced a new product to its Indonesian line-up. The 15-day/12-night "Sunda Islands & Komodo Dragon" itinerary takes in Bali, Moyo, Satonda, Banta, Rinca, Komodo, Bima, East Sumbawa and Lombok. The package, prices from $3,199 per person, includes return economy class ticket from Vancouver to Denpasar via Tokyo with Japan Airlines; domestic air ticket from Surabaya to Denpasar; twin share accommodation: six nights on the cruise, plus 1 + 5 nights the Bali Grand Mirage Resort; daily breakfast & meals per itinerary; airport-hotel-aiport transfers; sightseeing tours with English speaking guide. [Full text and pictures]