TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER SPECIAL FOR B.C. RESIDENTS

Travel round-trip for cost of one-way fare in 2008

Whistler Mountaineer

The Whistler Mountaineer is making holiday shopping a little easier for B.C. residents this season. From now until December 28, 2007, British Columbians can purchase tickets for a 2008 round-trip journey between Vancouver and Whistler aboard the award-winning train for the price of a one-way ticket. For just $110, clients can give loved ones the Coast Classic experience, which includes a return trip aboard the Whistler Mountaineer, access to the Heritage Observation Car, breakfast or light meal served at passenger’s seat and rail station transfers in Vancouver and Whistler. Tickets for children ages 2-11 are $60. [Full text and pictures]

FUN SUN WINNER IN ALBERTA

Fun Sun's Ronalee Homulos; winner Vivi Kristensen
Marlin Travel’s Vivi Kristensen wins Fun Sun’s Northwest Airlines Booking Contest
Congratulations to Vivi Kristensen from Marlin Travel in Leduc, Alberta. Vivi was the winner of the Fun Sun Vacations' Northwest Airlines Booking Contest where she won two Northwest Airlines passes, plus $1,000 spending money (that should come in handy for Christmas). Vivi won simply by booking her client's Northwest Airlines tickets through Fun Sun Vacations. Pictured with Vivi is Ronalee Homulos, business development Manager for Fun Sun Vacations.

VACATION.COM DELIVERS THE “UTMOST” IN TRAINING

Edmonton, Vancouver owners & managers receive special seminar at Fall Regionals

Sue Urie, business development manager, Western Canada, Vacation.com

The Vacation.com Fall Regionals took place last month across Canada, including training sessions in Edmonton on October 24 and Vancouver on October 25. Each Fall Regional featured three hours of classroom sessions, which covered the 2008 Vacation Vignettes, SIREV search and booking engine and Amadeus Cruise. The highlight of the training was a special seminar for owners and managers created by Sue Urie, business development manager for Western Canada. “Enitled UTMOST – Using The Vacation.com Membership to Boost Sales and Profits – Urie’s seminar covered focusing on preferred suppliers, utilizing Engagement and eEngagement programs to drive more business, promoting exclusive products such as Vacation.com’s Vacation Vignettes, taking advantage of the training programs, and the importance of advertising and promotion. [Full text and pictures]

NEW APPOINTMENT FOR BOUTIQUE HOTELS & RESORTS OF B.C.

Christine McLeod named director of culture and people development

Christine McLeod, director of culture & people development

Boutique Hotels & Resorts of British Columbia has announced the appointment of Christine McLeod as director of culture and people development. McLeod will be in charge of developing and implementing an overall strategic human resources strategy. A veteran of the travel and tourism industry, McLeod comes to Boutique Hotels from Intrawest Corporation, where she served as director of people development for the resort operation's 175-store retail division. During her 11-year tenure, McLeod's innovative and results-oriented programs garnered numerous awards, including three National Retail Council Awards and the US National Ski Resorts Association's Customer Service Award for service training program design, implementation and results. [Full text and pictures]

B.C. TOURISM PIONEER REMEMBERED

Life of Gordon Bell celebrated at Three Valley Gap

Gordon Bell

Gordon Bell, founder of Three Valley Lake Chateau and Heritage Ghost Town, just west of Revelstoke, B.C., and a pioneer of British Columbia’s tourism industry, passed away suddenly last week at the age of 74. Bell played a key role in the development of B.C.'s tourism industry. He was one of the original members on the Provincial Tourism Advisory Council – a pre-cursor to Tourism BC – and a founder of the province’s first Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), which was formed in 1975. Bell’s four children, who have been by their father’s side and helped run the business since they were children, along with their mother Ethel, will continue to run the business. A public memorial was held on November 23 at the Walter Moberly Theatre at Three Valley Gap. [Full text and pictures]

OASIS HK HEATS UP THE NEW YEAR WITH SAVINGS

Book now for $229/$729 one-way fares January 6-March 12, 2008

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines announced today that it is heating up 2008 with a cool winter sale. For a limited time only, passengers can travel for $229 one-way in economyOasis and $729 one-way for businessOasis. “Whether you are making business travel plans or looking for the ultimate Chinese New Year experience, Oasis is the perfect choice for accessible business or leisure travel,” says David Solloway, general manager for North America. Tickets must be purchased between November 28 and December 15, 2007 for travel between January 6 and March 12, 2008. [Full text and pictures]