TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

WELCOME TO TRAVELHOTNEWS WEST

This is the first issue of TRAVELHotNews.com's Western Edition, the only online magazine devoted to travel professionals in Canada's four western provinces. I'm excited to work with the team at ACT Communications and Logimonde and to take on the challenge of bringing you all the latest news, events and other goings-on in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba each Wednesday and Friday. To subscribe to TRAVELHotNews West, click here. This is your magazine, and it should reflect your needs. So let me know what you want to see here; pick up the phone and call me here in Vancouver at 604-699-9990 ext. 304 or get typing and send me an e-mail at newsroom@thnwest.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Hilary Genders
Assistant Editor, TRAVELHotNews West

COREY MARSHALL TO SERVE ON NTA BOARD

Calgary-based head of Anderson Vacations to be a “voice for Canada”

Corey Marshall, president and CEO, Anderson Vacations

Corey Marshall, president and CEO of Calgary-based Anderson Vacations, will serve as a tour operator director on the 2008 National Tour Association Board of Directors (NTA). The National Tour Association is the industry’s premier packaged travel association, and has a global membership of more than 3,000 members and 600 tour operator companies – group, independent, inbound and outbound -- from around the globe. “Serving on the NTA board gives me the opportunity to give back to an industry that has provided so much for my business and career over the past 14 years,” said Marshall. [Full text and pictures]

SIGNATURE COSTA RICA FAM

British Columbia, Alberta agents experience and luxury in tropical paradise

Fam participants on the steps of the Occidental Grand Papagayo

The western Canadian Business Development Staff at Signature Vacations recently escorted a group of agents from British Columbia and Alberta to Costa Rica, to give them first-hand experience with the many accommodations and adventures on offer to clients. The trip included site inspections of the various properties offered by Signature Vacations. [Full text and pictures]

ABBOTSFORD INT'L TURNS 65 TODAY

Secret WWII air base has transformed into key regional transportation hub

Photo courtesy Michael DeMazes collection, Howie Carson photo.

Today marks a milestone in British Columbia’s aviation history and the history of Abbotsford International Airport (YXX). Sixty-five years ago, on November 21, 1942, a twin engine Cessna Crane, one of hundreds of aircraft on the west coast that were part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, landed on a newly laid and yet unfinished runway at a secret location within the British Columbia mainland – Abbotsford. “It is important to remember our history and where Abbotsford International began,” says Dave Kandal, chair of the Abbotsford Airport Authority. “That first landing was the start of something big for our community. From training future fighter pilots to servicing the travel of more than half a million passengers a year our little airstrip has grown up to become a regional player in the provincial transportation network.” [Full text and pictures]

OASIS HK CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS

Flights increase to seven days/week starting Dec. 12; fares from $230

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is giving travellers an early Christmas present this year, allowing more people than ever before get away to Hong Kong from Vancouver at special low prices. Clients heading can celebrate substantial savings by booking their flights on the award-winning low-cost carrier by November 25. Under the new sale, a one-way economy ticket between Vancouver and Hong Kong is $230 per person when two or more people travel together; a business class ticket is $729 per person. Applicable taxes and fees are not included. These special low fares are available for bookings made by November 25, 2007 for travel between November 22 and December 31, 2007. The airline, which was recently named “New Airline of the Year” at the Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation Awards earlier this month, will also add extra flights for the holiday season, increasing service to seven days a week between December 12, 2007 and January 13, 2008. For more information, visit oasishongkong.com.