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CROSS
BORDER SHOPPING 30 MAR
2012: Cross-border shoppers will be able to
bring back more duty-free goods under new
budget measures announced Thursday. As of
June 1, travellers coming back after 24
hours away will be able to bring in $200
worth of goods free of duty or taxes, an
increase from just $50. People gone more
than 48 hours will be allowed $800 in
duty-free goods, double the present $400
allowance. There is no longer any specified
seven-day limit on duty-free purchases. The
changes are designed to harmonize levels
with those of the US, and will streamline
the border-crossing process. |
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LONDON UNDERGROUND MAP
GETS A FACELIFT FOR THE OLYMPICS
THE London Underground has taken on a new
look with Transport for London's Olympic
Legends Map.
Instead of Piccadilly Circus, Baker Street
and Knightsbridge, the map has changed the
names of 361 stations to celebrate
Olympians.
The new map brings in famous Olympians from
a variety of sports, including 2008 men's
tennis singles gold medalist Rafael Nadal,
gymnastics great Nadia Comaneci, five-time
Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain and
1992 Dream Team players Michael Jordan and
Larry Bird.
Track stars make up a good part of the
map, running from west to east and all
around the centre of the city. Cathy
Freeman, Herb Elliott, Ron Clarke and Betty
Cuthbert are among the all-time greats
represented.
Swimmers take up most of the Central Line,
with golden girls Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould,
Leisel Jones and Stephanie Rice in the
northeast, the Aussie men alongside the
likes of Pieter van den Hoogenband and Matt
Biondi in central London, and divers Greg
Louganis and Fu Mingxia in the northwest.
Basketball and tennis players run from north
to south, with stops Magic Johnson and
Sheryl Swoopes being followed by Roger
Federer, The Woodies Mark Woodforde and Todd
Woodbridge, and The Williams sisters Serena
and Venus. Ian Thorpe is the new name for
the Oxford Circus station at the heart of
London's west end.
Piccadilly Circus is renamed Mia Hamm after
the gold-medal winning football player for
the United States.
Baker Street is renamed Daley Thompson for
the two-time decathlon gold medallist, while
Leicester Square is LeBron James and
Knightsbridge is Steve Redgrave. |
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AIRLINE
OF THE YEAR Airline of
the Year has been awarded and Air New Zealand
has won Air Transport World’s prestigious award
for the second time in three years. This is the
first time in the nearly 40-year history of the
awards that an airline has won the Airline of
the Year twice in three years. Air New Zealand
has won more ATW awards than any other airline
in the past decade. In the eyes of the judges,
Air New Zealand was the best airline in the
world in the past twelve months. The ATW judges
lauded Air New Zealand’s industry-leading
innovation and motivation of its staff, which
had resulted in exceptional performance across
the airline in market position, customer
service, fiscal management and operational
safety. They described Air New Zealand as an
industry trendsetter in a number of areas
including product innovation and social media.
Judges were also impressed with the airline’s
environmental initiatives including its
commitment to operating a very young and highly
fuel efficient fleet. Air New Zealand was also
commended for the way in which it had dealt with
several natural disasters including the
Christchurch earthquakes, and had stepped up to
assist the communities that were affected. Air
New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe,
who will travel to Singapore next month to
collect the award, said today’s announcement
came as a huge thrill. “Winning ATW Airline of
the Year in 2010 was in my view one of the
greatest accolades that had ever been bestowed
on Air New Zealand – in our industry it’s
equivalent to winning an Oscar. To pick up the
award again this year is simply outstanding.”
The awards ceremony, which will be held in
Singapore on February 13, will be attended by
hundreds of aviation leaders from around the
world. “Air New Zealand will never be afraid to
push the boundaries in striving to deliver a
fabulously memorable experience to customers at
every point in their journey, both on the ground
and in the air.”
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PRINCESS
CRUISES UNVEILS 2013 EUROPE & ALASKA CRUISE SEASONS
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Royal Princess will make its
debut in the Mediterranean in 2013
Princess Cruises has opened the books on its
2013 Europe and Alaska cruise seasons.
The new Princess Cruises season will feature the
debut of the new Royal Princess in the
Mediterranean and Grand Princess’ first-ever
Alaska season.
In Europe, Princess will be sailing its youngest
fleet ever in the region, with seven ships
plying the waters of the Mediterranean, Baltic,
and Northern Europe.
The line’s newest ship, Royal Princess, will
sail on Princess’ Grand Mediterranean route,
while passengers can take advantage of a variety
of other Europe cruise options across the fleet,
including the British Isles, Holy Land, Black
Sea and Scandinavia & Russia.
In Alaska, the seven-ship Princess fleet will
feature the recently remodeled Grand Princess
sailing on its first West Coast summer, with
cruises from San Francisco. The fleet will offer
the most balcony staterooms in Alaska, perfect
for taking in the spectacular scenery, including
Glacier Bay to which Princess will again take
more passengers than any other cruise line.
Alaska visitors can also choose from more than
20 Princess cruisetour options, all featuring
the state’s number one land attraction – Denali
National Park. |
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TSA CHANGES
SCREENING OF SENIORS
THE TSA is to modify screening
procedures for passengers 75 years and older. The new
procedures are similar to those for passengers aged 12
and under, which include not having to remove shoes and
light outerwear, permitting a second scan through
advanced imaging technologies should there be any
irregularities as well more use of explosive trace
detection. It is hoped that the new procedures will help
reduce pat downs of older travellers.
If anomalies are detected during security screening that
cannot be resolved through other procedures, passengers
may be required to remove their shoes to complete the
screening process. On March 19 TSA will begin testing
these measures at selected security lanes at the
following airports:
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD): Security
Checkpoint 3
• Denver International Airport (DEN): South
Checkpoint/USA Flag Checkpoint
• Orlando International Airport (MCO): West Checkpoint
• Portland International Airport (PDX): ABC Checkpoint
If the TSA finds the modifications successful it will
consider implementing the program at more airports in
the US.
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FIVE THINGS TO
DO ON A GIRLS’ GETAWAY IN VANCOUVER
Whether you’re planning
a bachelorette party or a
relaxing retreat with the
girls, Vancouver is the
perfect destination for a
fabulous girls’ getaway.
- What’s girls’ night
without a few cocktails?
Take it up a notch and
book a "rookie" cocktail
class at
The Diamond
in Gastown – options
include Rum & Rum
Cocktails and
Contemporary Cocktails &
Food Pairings. Under the
direction of an expert
bartender, you and your
girls will prepare six
delicious drinks and
sample tasty snacks
along the way. Classes
are available Tuesdays
and Sundays, 5:30 pm to
7:30 pm (starting at $90
per person).
- Catch a flick in
style with Movie Nights
at
SOCIETY. On
the first Wednesday of
every month, the
restaurant’s fun and
flirty upper-level
lounge transforms into a
makeshift cinema with
plush seating, a
projector screen and
surround sound. What’s
more, you can enjoy
tasty snacks and
alcoholic bevvies
throughout the show. To
reserve a spot, call
604.629.8800 (admission
is free).
- Relax and rejuvenate
with traditional Middle
Eastern spa treatments
at
Miraj Hammam Spa.
Your experience begins
with a relaxing cleanse
in the steam chamber
followed by a luxurious
Gommage (scrub with
authentic Moroccan
soap). Afterwards,
recline on velvet beds
and silk cushions in the
Sultana Lounge while
enjoying traditional tea
and sweet cakes. To view
the spa’s ladies-only
hours, click
here.
- Shop the city’s most
fashionable
neighbourhoods with
Shopabout Tours.
Led by an expert guide,
you’ll visit artisan
studios, boutiques and
designer shops while
receiving exclusive
discounts along the way.
Shop ‘til you drop on
one of four existing
tours, or create a
personalized tour that
fits the needs of your
group (starting at $40
per person).
- Start off the day
with a little namaste.
Every Thursday morning,
Lululemon’s
Robson Street location
offers complimentary
in-store yoga classes
taught in both English
and Japanese (7:30 am to
8:30 am). Complimentary
mats are also provided.
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PUBLIC HEALTH
ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (PHAC) |
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Public Health Association of Canada (PHAC)
updates website to keep you current on travel health issues -
the updates that PHAC has made to their website. For more
information of PHAC's initiatives, please visit
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php
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EXPERIENCE THE DOLCE VITA WITH UNIWORLD |
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UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises is adding Italy, the
River Po and the Venice Lagoon to its 2013 program. The
Splendors of Italy 13-day itinerary provides a seven-night river
cruise along the River Po and the Venice Lagoon, with a
two-night land stay in Florence and three nights in Rome. There
will also be an eight-day cruise option.
Guy Young, President of Uniworld, said: “We wanted to give
travellers the option to do a cruise only or a cruise and land
program offering additional time in two of world’s best known
and loved cities, Florence and Rome.” The itinerary will be
operated on the River Countess, currently located on the Rhine,
with plans for a complete remodel to reflect its new
destination. The new Splendors of Italy itinerary includes:
seven nights in a river-view stateroom, two nights in a deluxe
hotel in Florence and three nights in a deluxe hotel in Rome,
all meals on board with complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft
drinks with lunch and dinner, fully guided excursions with local
experts; and all transfers on arrival and departure days and
throughout the program.
Travellers who travel to Italy with Uniworld during its
inaugural season will be able to save C$1,000 to C$1,200 if they
pay in full at the time of booking before June 30, 2012. |
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LUFTHANSA |
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LUFTHANSA has revealed its new business-class seat, which offers
a fully flat horizontal 6.5-foot-long sleeping surface. Seats
can change with a push of a button, either operating as an
upright or reclining seat or as a flat bed. There is also
additional storage space and an enhanced entertainment system.
Customer can try out the new seats when Lufthansa takes delivery
if its new Boeing 747-800 in a few weeks. The new seating
arrangement forms a ‘V’ with two neighbouring seats angled
towards one another along a central axis. This allows travellers
to sit or lie facing the direction of travel and almost doubles
the distance between two neighbouring seats, providing more
privacy.
Lufthansa surveyed 500 frequent travellers to find out their
preferences for a business-class seat and also conducted an
eight-week trial on the Frankfurt-New York route where
passengers tested and evaluated the seats. A total of 1,349
travellers gave feedback on the prototype seats.
The company is planning to invest approximately €3billion in
product improvements for passengers. Other advantages for
business-class passengers include dedicated check-in counters;
additional free baggage allowance; fast-track security lanes;
access to Lufthansa lounges worldwide; preferential boarding and
exclusive in-flight menus. |
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AIR CANADA DREAMLINERS TO FLY FROM 7
CANADIAN CITIES |
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AIR Canada hopes to deploy its B787 Dreamliner from seven
Canadian cities, the airline’s chief commercial officer, Ben
Smith, said this past weekend. The aircraft will join the Air
Canada fleet in 2014 when the airline takes delivery of the
lighter more fuel-efficient aircraft. Cities marked for the
deployment are Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal in 2014 and then
a gradual roll-out to Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Halifax.
Air Canada customers, employees and suppliers were on hand to
take a closer look at the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which landed in
Toronto on its first trip to Canada on March 1. Air Canada has
ordered 37 Dreamliners and has options for a further 13. They
will replace the heavier less fuel-efficient B767s currently
used on many of the airline’s long-haul routes. Calin Rovinescu,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada said: “Among
the many innovations pioneered by Air Canada over our history
are developments adopted by our industry over the decades: cabin
pressurization, de-icing techniques, smoke-free flights, the
first computerized reservation system and e-services for
customers, to name just a few. Today's visit by the 787
Dreamliner marks another stage of our ongoing evolution and
industry leadership.”
Air Canada also celebrated 75 years in aviation with
announcements about the launch of the Air Canada Foundation, a
registered charity that helps bring sick children to the medical
care they need, supports organizations that reduce child poverty
and helps realize wishes of ill and disadvantaged children.
There will also be a series of Canada Post picture postage
stamps. Part of the festivities included a fashion show with a
flashback of 30 Air Canada uniforms from over the years. |
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PASSPORT CANADA ASVISORY |
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PASSPORT Canada has issued an advisory for applicants
applying for a new passport before their old passport expires.
Applicants must submit the old passport with their new
application. A previous Canadian passport submitted with a new
application can also be accepted as proof of identity, if
certain conditions are met. Refer to
www.canada.gc.ca |
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AIR CANADA VACATIONS 2012 EUROPE |
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Air Canada Vacations’ 2012 Europe product takes
everything a step further. explained Nathalie Tanious, vice
president of international. “There’s so much that we’re doing.
Our whole concept is about diversity,” said Tanious.
The 2012 Europe Collection 115-page brochure features
newly-added hotels, a new multi-country tour, exclusive and
extended tours, city-stay and two-city stay rail packages in
Paris, London, Madrid, Barcelona and Brussels, cruises, rail,
passes, car rentals, buy-backs and open-jaw flights, however,
that’s only a jumping off point, according to Tanious and
Graham.
“This is just a sample of what we can do. (The brochure) is just
an example,” explained Graham.
“’Customize your vacation’ is pretty much the angle we are
taking for our whole product line,” added Tanious. “If someone
wants to do say - the Fashion Capitals tour - but doesn’t want
the hotels listed in the brochure and wants another selection,
then we can do that. And that’s the whole point of the program.”
The brochure highlights the diversity of Air Canada Vacations’
product, outlining what is available from car rental to train
options, excursions, hotels, apartments and multi-city stays,
said Graham.
Following the theme of taking everything a step further, Tanious
said that the 2012 Europe Collection also encourages clients to
go beyond the “traditional” vacation. “Your traditional Paris
and London are there, but there is a twist to it. You spend your
three, four or five nights in Paris but now it is time to go
beyond Paris. It’s time to visit Bordeaux, it’s time to visit
the chateaus, it’s time to visit the regions of France; and we
do the same for every single destination. And we show all that
in the brochure.”
Introduced this year is the ValuePack; pre-packaged selections
of popular day tours and convenient transfers that are designed
to help clients both save money and make the most of their time
in destination. Also available for 2012 are themed-value packs
which focus on clients’ tastes for a destination such as museums
or fashion. Sofia, Air Canada Vacations’ virtual blogger, will
be travelling to all of the tour operator’s destinations this
year and blogging about her first-hand experiences, offering an
insider’s look on Europe. Throughout the pages of the brochure,
you’ll notice she is coming to life more now than she has in the
past,” said Graham of Sofia.
“If you look at the brochure you’ll notice that the backgrounds
used to be completely illustrtated, but now it’s an actual
picture as Sofia comes more and more to life,” added Tanious.
Air Canada Vacations is offering clients the chance to bundle
and save when booking before April 15, 2012. Clients who book
two components or more by April 15 will save up to $200 per
couple. Other specials include free nights at select hotels,
escorted coach tours savings and more. Pick up your brochure at
your office.
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NEW CHECKED BAGGAGE RULES |
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Air Transat ~ New Checked Baggage Allowance Policy
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PACIFIC COASTAL AIRLINES - NEWS |
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New Spring and Summer Schedule.
This year the primary focus of our spring/summer schedule is
to make it easier for customers to take full advantage of
our network of more than sixty-five regularly scheduled
destinations. Highlights of our 2012 spring/summer schedule
are:
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Four weekday departures between
Vancouver, Port Hardy and Bella Bella and adjusted
departure times that more conveniently align with
connections to our scheduled float services in Port
Hardy, Port McNeil and Bella Bella.
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New afternoon flight added to our
Vancouver - Masset route every Thursday, Friday and
Sunday.
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Extra Saturday flight between Vancouver
and Williams Lake.
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Continued operation of our 8 pm flight
from Vancouver to Victoria, which enhances network
connectivity.
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A third flight between Vancouver and
Trail six days a week beginning April 10, coinciding
with our six-year anniversary in the "Home of Champions"
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LAFF OF THE MONTH |
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449B Fifth Street
• Courtenay
• BC
• V9N 1J7
• 250-334-0355
• 1-877-334-0355
•
Email