TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

SUNQUEST WINS CONSUMERS' CHOICE AWARD IN WINNIPEG

First Winnipeg win added to Vancouver, Calgary repeats

Sunquest Vacations has been selected for the Consumers' Choice Award (CCA) in Winnipeg in the category of Travel Wholesaler. This is the first time that Sunquest has received the award in this market, which will be presented at the CCA Gala at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on July 24. The CCA is celebrating its 21st year in Canada, and its second year in Winnipeg. It is an important institution on the North American business scene and Sunquest is honoured to receive the recognition. Consumers select the various winners of the CCA through an independent and objective survey conducted by L�ger Marketing, one of the world's largest and most respected researched firms. [Full text and pictures]

AIR CANADA POSTS FUEL SURCHARGES ON WEBSITE

Carrier responds to "non-transparency" charges by industry observers

Air Canada has today posted the fuel surcharges it imposes on North American flights on its website. The move follows criticism levelled at the carrier earlier this week that Air Canada failed to be transparent in its pricing policies (see coverage in TRAVELHotNews.com here and here.) A link to a table of the surcharges is now on the the homepage of Air Canada's website, aircanada.com., under the heading "What's New". The fees within Canada are $20 one way for short (483 km or less) flights; $30 one way for medium (484-1,609 km); and $45 one way for flights longer than 1,609 km. The surcharge for all flights from Canada to U.S. destinations is $50 one way.

ANDERSON'S 2008 TRAVEL AGENT BOOKING COMPETITION

Sell, sell, sell Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts for chance to win

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

Anderson Vacations has launched a new travel agent booking contest. Your mission: to sell your clients on Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts' three luxury properties: Deer Lodge in Lake Louise, Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff and Emerald Lake Lodge in Field, B.C. Agents can take advantage of the selling tools offered by Anderson: the 2008 Canada FIT Independent Travel Packages and Fully Escorted Tours brochures; the company's website, canadatravelsolution.com and its call centre, 1-866-814-7378. All room nights booked at the resorts between April 1 and December 31, 2008 qualify for the contest. The top-selling agent will win a two-night stay at their choice of Canadian Rocky Mountain Resort, round-trip airfare for 2 adults and a three-day mid-size car rental. So get selling!

16 WEEKENDS OF FUN IN CENTRAL ALBERTA

"Alberta Sweet 16" campaign promotes summer events

The newly formed Central Alberta Tourism Committee has officially launched its 2008 marketing campaign, Alberta Sweet 16, which highlights sixteen weekends of events, family activities, festivals, rodeos and more in nine communities in Central Alberta: Innisfail, Lacombe Tourism, Ponoka, Red Deer County, Rocky Mountain House, Stettler, Sylvan Lake, Tourism Red Deer and Wetaskiwin. The campaign is centered around the committee's website, albertasweet16.com, which promotes local events and attractions through a user-friendly calendar. [Full text and pictures]

CATHAY PACIFIC SHOWS OFF NEW CABIN DESIGNS

Worldwide marketing campaign focuses on new in-flight experience for Canadians; consumers have chance to win using online tour

Cathay Pacific's new first-class beds

Cathay Pacific Airways has launched a global marketing campaign to tell the world about the new cabin designs launched in Canada late last year and currently available on select flights between Canada and Hong Kong. Canadian consumers can participate in an innovative web-based element of the campaign with an in-depth online virtual tour and a flight simulator experience that allows visitors a chance to compete to win simulator rides as well as flight and hotel packages. "With our new cabin designs we have something totally unique to emphasize - three classes being rolled out at the same time on a worldwide scale - so we wanted a strong, stylish campaign to reflect that," says James Ginns, GM marketing, Cathay Pacific. [Full text and pictures]

HAIDA HERITAGE CENTRE GRAND OPENING SET FOR AUGUST 23

Rich culture of Haida First Nation celebrated at new facility

The Haida Heritage Centre

Chief Councillor of the Skidegate Band, Willard Wilson, has announced the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2008. The centre opened its doors to the general public for its "soft opening preview season" on July 1, 2007; over the past several months the centre has been adding new exhibits and expanding its programming while visitors from all over the world have enjoyed a preview of this internationally significant showplace. Among the events planned for the grand opening are artist demonstrations, viewing/voyages of three newly carved Haida canoes (the first since Bill Reid carved the famous Loo Taa in the 1980s), traditional dancing and singing, and a seafood barbecue. "This wonderful centre is the culmination of 15 years of planning and development work," says Chief Wilson. "The Skidegate community as a whole has played key roles throughout the process and the centre is a reflection of our rich heritage, how we live today, and what the future holds." [Full text and pictures]

CONTIKI INTRODUCES YOUTH TRAVEL SPECIALIST PROGRAM

Online training yields YTS designation, bonus commissions and more

Contiki Holidays has launched a new Youth Travel Specialist Program designed to help travel agents sharpen their skills in selling to the youth market. The new program offers specialized training and Youth Travel Specialist (YTS) certification, plus several additional benefits, including bonus commissions, fam opportunities and marketing support. Upon successful completion of the YTS training and test, agents will receive a kit from Contiki including a YTS certificate, two $50 bonus commission certificates, a $250 co-op marketing voucher for the agency, several discounts and travel benefits and customized collateral enabling the agency to conduct targeted youth marketing initiatives. [Full text and pictures]