WSG Travel (Fototrips)

The kind of day it was #yyj #snow #weather

2010-11-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

Snow and lots of it. Mostly gone now but continuing cold.

The 147th Annual Highland Games underway in Victoria

2010-05-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

For more, go to http://bit.ly/dgCTpd

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

Minister Day Strengthens Transportation Ties With Japan

2010-05-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

TRANSPORT CANADA

May 21, 2010 11:03 ET
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 21, 2010) - Today the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, concluded his visit to Japan where he advanced the Canada-Japan relationship and promoted the use of Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway to the Japanese government and business community.

"Japan is an important partner for Canada and is currently the second-largest user of the Asia-Pacific Gateway. In 2009, trade imports from Japan, valued at nearly $3 billion, passed through our West Coast ports," said Minister Day. "Our government wants this relationship to continue to grow. My visit was a great opportunity to promote Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway as the most competitive route to ship Japanese goods deep into the heartland of all of North America."

During his visit, Minister Day met with Seiji Maehara, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Yukio Edano, Minister of State for Government Revitalization, and Yoshihiko Noda, Senior Vice-Minister of Finance. They discussed current investments and progress with key Asia-Pacific Gateway projects such as the recent opening of the third berth at Deltaport in Vancouver, as well as government accountability and financial management.

Minister Day also met with key stakeholders and current users of the Gateway, such as international shipping lines Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

"The recent investments our government made under Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway have paid off and helped attract more business. The feedback I received from the Japanese shippers was extremely positive. They enjoy doing business in Canada, and I assured them that we will continue to be an engaged partner as we continue to find innovative ways to make Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway even more efficient," added Minister Day.

Minister Day ended his visit by delivering a speech at a business networking luncheon where he promoted Canada's unique position to attract business with Japan, as well as underlined Canada's strong financial standing among G-7 countries.

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

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Recovery has technically begun in the US travel industry

2010-05-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

As U.S. travelers look ahead to the second half of 2010 and beyond, the general sentiment is clearly more positive than it was in 2009. Recovery has technically begun; but most travel companies still are not feeling much relief. In an upcoming Online Event and comprehensive research study and analysis, PhoCusWright, the travel industry research authority, reveals and explores the state of consumer travel in the U.S.

Cutting Losses, Rebuilding Confidence: Key U.S. Traveler Insights, a PhoCusWright Online Event on May 26, presents the top U.S. consumer traveler trends, with an emphasis on traveler behavior and the trends shaping lodging, air travel and other travel components. This unique, one-hour event draws on some of the key findings contained in PhoCusWright's Consumer Travel Report Second Edition. Among the most significant U.S. consumer traveler trends:

Travel takes a one-two punch

Not only did fewer people travel (-11%), but those who did travel spent less (-15%).

Recovery will be restrained

While fewer consumers plan to pull back on their travel in 2010, the percentage of those who plan to travel more has not increased.

Quality, not quantity

Even though travelers took fewer trips in 2009 compared to 2008, the trips they took were longer; trips of four nights or longer accounted for 59% of all trips in 2009.

Economy busts the boomers

Older consumers (45+) pulled back on travel earlier than younger travelers, and were less likely to travel in general.

Reality bites

Younger travelers (under age 35) showed larger year-over-year declines in travel spend than older travelers, and their optimism about travel intentions has sobered. However, they still had a significantly higher incidence of travel than older travelers.

Planning is more focused

The number of sites used across the destination selection, shopping and booking phases has decreased slightly from 2008.

OTAs gain on hotel sites

Online travel agencies (OTAs) gained share among hotel bookers, but not so much with air.

Upscale travelers want it all

Bigger-spend travelers are more likely to patronize upscale and luxury hotels than lower-spend travelers, but they are also almost as likely to stay in midscale hotels.

PhoCusWright's Online Event, Cutting Losses, Rebuilding Confidence: Key U.S. Traveler Insights, is presented by Carroll Rheem, director, research, and moderated by Lorraine Sileo, vice president, research. The format consists of a 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session.

PhoCusWright's Consumer Travel Report Second Edition provides an overview of the state of consumer travel in the U.S. and insights into key indicators for the upcoming year. The report explores a range of topics, including travel incidence, general travel behavior, channel usage and psychographics.

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Victoria Tourism: New blog and Twitter Feed that's all about Victoria BC

2010-05-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Another site that may be of intrest for those in the Tourism Industry or people just thinking about visiting Victoria. Established by locals from the city. Still in the building stages, but it's looking good.

You can visit Victoria Tourism at: http://www.victoriatourism.blogspot.com/

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St. Maarten, Virgin Islands

2010-05-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

The Beach - Caribbean 2010

Photo By: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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Medical Travel Tips for Seniors

2010-05-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone what they envision doing most in their retirement, and chances are travel will be at the top of their list. For those who have already retired, travelling is a luxury many no doubt look forward to.

Seniors about to take to the road, however, should consider the following tips before heading off to parts unknown.

Pack medications in carry-on

Prescription medications should be packed in your carryon whenever travelling to prevent losing vital medications should your checked bags be lost during your travels.

Consult with your physician

Create a list of past and current conditions and any medications. In the unfortunate event you lose any of your medication or fall ill during your travels, a list of all current and past conditions and medications can help the physician who will be treating you better understand you and your medical history. Inform any travelling companions about this list, and keep it on you at all
times when traveling.

Figure out drug schedule

When traveling to different time zones, it can be difficult to adhere to a medication schedule. Before leaving, work out a new schedule that takes into account the different time zones you will be visiting during your travels.

Update your vaccinations

Certain countries mandate your vaccinations are up-to-date before you can enter the country, and some require vaccinations be administered as early as six weeks before your visit. Be sure all vaccinations are updated in adherence to the guidelines of any country you will be visiting.

Remain hydrated

Planes often have dry air, which can cause dehydration and muscle aches. So be sure to drink plenty of water to guard against dehydration. - MCC

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Volcano ash again threatens air traffic

2010-05-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

PARIS/ FRANKFURT — Travellers in Europe face fresh air traffic disruptions as a volcanic ash cloud that cost airlines millions of euros last month started drifting back to the continent, according to officials.

Air traffic agency Eurocontrol said yesterday areas of higher ash concentration could move from over the Atlantic Ocean back toward the Iberian peninsula, threatening fresh airspace closures in Portugal and Spain.

Europe has been dogged for weeks by repeated shutdowns of air traffic since an erupting volcano under the Eyjafjallajökull glacier in Iceland started spewing ash in April.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled over the weekend after the shifting cloud sparked fresh fears of engine-clogging ash.
Italy and Germany reopened their airspace on Sunday, but restrictions were left in place in parts of Austria, Britain Portugal and Spain.

Spanish airports operator AENA said restrictions would reduce capacity at Madrid, Barcelona and Seville airports by 25 per cent.

At Madrid, landings would be cut to 38 from 46, AENA said in a statement, adding it was working with the Ministry of Defence to use military spaces for commercial use.

The biggest closure so far lasted for almost a week from April 15, causing about 100,000 flight cancellations, stranding millions of passengers and costing airlines more than $1.7 billion in lost revenue.

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Government of Canada Announces Support for Tourism Industry

2010-05-11T09:23:00.001-07:00

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 7, 2010) - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today reaffirmed the Government of Canada's support for the Canadian tourism industry in this time of global economic downturn by announcing which events will benefit from funding through the second and final year of the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP). MTEP is a temporary two-year stimulus measure introduced as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

"Our government is delivering on its Economic Action Plan commitment to support the tourism industry during this period of global downturn," said Minister Clement. "These investments will allow us to market Canada's key attractions and travel experiences to both domestic and international travellers. It will encourage tourism-related businesses to grow, prosper and contribute to Canada's economic recovery."

MTEP is a temporary two-year stimulus program with the goal of providing a much- needed boost to the Canadian tourism industry, which faced several challenges at the beginning of the global recession. It supports tourism events in all parts of the country. Now in its final year, MTEP will provide up to $39 million in federal investments to festivals and events to stimulate the economy and help promote Canada as a global destination of choice.

To provide additional support for Canada's tourism industry, through the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), the Government of Canada will also invest up to $8 million in marketing initiatives and programs to promote key Canadian tourism events internationally. This Economic Action Plan funding will also allow the CTC to build on its investments in priority international markets.

"In the afterglow of the most successful Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to date, the CTC is well-positioned to use this investment to generate increased tourism revenues for years to come," said Minister Clement. "The CTC's domestic and international marketing campaigns have met with great success, winning awards and recognition from prestigious industry organizations both at home and abroad. This latest investment will allow the CTC to build on these successes."

A list of events receiving funds under MTEP can be found in the attached backgrounder and on the MTEP website (www.ic.gc.ca/tourism).

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Canadians have the travel bug.

2010-05-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

- What kind of traveller are you? Take the TD First Class Visa Travel Quiz -

TORONTO, May 10 /CNW/ - Looking to get out of town? You aren't alone. The majority of Canadians (84%) are planning to travel this summer. According to the TD First Class Adventures Poll, 66% will travel within Canada followed by 33% who will travel to the United States. Ten per cent of people plan to travel to Europe and another 7% are heading to Mexico or the Caribbean.

"It's clear Canadians are avid travellers. Our research shows that over the past year, more than 70% of Canadians have travelled two or more times for pleasure," says Stacie Pearson, Associate Vice President, TD Canada Trust Credit Cards. "With all these trips, travel costs can really add up. Still, only one in five Canadians save and use travel rewards. More Canadians could be harnessing the power of travel rewards in their travel planning."

Canadian travel planning habits

Forty-six per cent of Canadians research all aspects of their trip prior to booking and 25% book their vacation at least three months in advance.

"When you take the time to plan and research your trip, don't forget to also research your credit card - it could save you a lot of money. Some cards give you the freedom to redeem points for any travel booked with any travel agency or travel provider. The TD First Class Visa Infinite Card covers all your travel costs, not just airfare and accommodations. Any travel you can charge, you can redeem with your TD travel points," says Pearson. "While a dream vacation might not be possible every year, the right credit card can allow you to stretch your travel dollars further."

Canadian travel preferences

Whether it's hiking Machu Picchu or relaxing at a luxury resort, Canadians differ radically in their travel preferences. One quarter prefer a well-organized trip such as a bus tour or cruise, 23% like active travel such as hiking or scuba diving and 24% prefer to travel with a credit card and no set plans.

"It's important to understand what you are looking for in a trip and ensure you get the most out of your vacation. I hope people take our travel quiz to find out whether they are a 'thrill seeker' or a 'culturite' - your personality and the activities you enjoy are good indicators of the type of trip that is right for you," says Pearson, a self declared Zen master traveller.

For 27% of Canadians, their dream vacation consists of a cultural experience - great cities, fine art and beautiful hotels, while for another 28% it's a luxury beach vacation with the family.

What kind of travel is right for you? Take the TD First Class Visa Travel Quiz below to determine what type of traveller you are.

1. What are you most likely to be doing on a Saturday night?
a. Rock climbing
b. Hitting up the hip new bar in town
c. Taking a long walk in a nearby park
d. Unwinding with a few magazines and a bubble bath
e. Hosting a dinner at your home featuring a five-course pairing menu

2. It's your birthday and your best friend just surprised you with a
trip to Las Vegas. You look into the following before you leave:
a. Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam
b. The hottest nightclubs, restaurants and tickets in town. Then tap
into your social network to secure access
c. A 20K trail you and your friend can hike one day
d. The hotel's spa, the pool and, of course...the shopping
e. Reservations at the newest celebrity chef five star restaurant

3. A typical weekend at home consists of the following:
a. Mountain biking on the local trails
b. Shopping at local boutiques and having coffee with friends
c. A long walk around town
d. Packing a picnic and your favourite book for a day in a nearby
park
e. Perusing local farmers markets in search of a unique ingredient

4. When packing for a vacation you:
a. Only include what can fit in your backpack
b. Bring an extra large bag - you need to save room for your
purchases
c. Start considering what you will need weeks in advance and pack
accordingly
d. Pack your most comfortable clothing, hiking boots and a hat
e. Always bring several extra outfits. You never know what you'll
need

5. Your friends/family would describe you as:
a. The fearless risk taker who is always willing to try something new
b. The person 'in the know' who is always up to date on culture
happenings and places to go
c. The outdoorsy one who enjoys being active
d. The carefree type who is always willing to go along for the ride
e. The connoisseur

6. If you had a bad day, what would cheer you up the most?
a. A high intensity spin class
b. Partaking in some retail therapy
c. A leisurely walk in the park
d. A relaxing bubble bath
e. Indulging in a glass of wine and your favourite dessert

7. You have a little bit of time to kill so you:
a. Book a skydiving lesson for the weekend
b. Go for a bike ride around your neighbourhood
c. Get lost in a good book
d. Take a nap
e. Peruse a nearby art gallery

8. How would you describe your ideal vacation?
a. I like active travel - hiking, snorkelling, scuba diving, cycling,
you name it
b. High end resorts/hotels, duty-free shopping, a spa and fine dining
- that is my kind of travel
c. I'm happiest when heading off on vacation with a credit card , a
knapsack and no set plans
d. I prefer organized trips where I do not need to make many
decisions, like bus tours, all-inclusive resort packages or
cruises
e. It's all about the food and wine - I travel where the good food is

Mostly A's - Thrill Seeker:

You are like 17% of Canadians whose dream vacation is an adventure in paradise. Some people see vacation as a time to relax and recharge the batteries - but you don't run on batteries you run on adrenaline! You pack your day-to-day life with exciting activities and see your vacation as a chance to push it to the limit in exotic locales. Whether it is zip-lining through the rainforest, heli-skiing or swimming with sharks, your travel experiences are a chance to take your thrill seeking to new heights!

Ideal travel destinations include: Peru, Belize, Rocky Mountains

Mostly B's - Culturite:

You are like 27% of Canadians whose dream vacation is a cultural experience - great food, fine art and beautiful hotels. One thing you do not need on vacation is a guidebook. In fact, when your friends need to know what is hot and happening, you usually are the guide! You know where to find the best latte, where to find the top design shops and how to get on the list at most exclusive clubs. You see your vacation as a chance to sample what other cities have to offer and discover their hidden gems.

Ideal travel destinations include: New York City, Tuscany, San Francisco

Mostly C's - Nature Lover:

Getting back to nature doesn't mean you have to rough it! Like 11% of Canadians, your dream vacation is heading on a safari with all the comforts of a five star hotel. You love exploring the great outdoors - in as many countries and on as many continents as possible. When you're travelling, you want to enjoy the landscape. Spending a night under the stars in a sleeping bag beats a hotel any day - and if it's a down sleeping bag in five star tent hotel - then that is even better!

Ideal travel destinations include: A safari in South Africa, Australian Outback, The Cabot Trail

Mostly D's - Zen Master:

You are like 28% of Canadians who dream of a luxurious beach vacation. Your motto: it's easier to go with the flow than to fight it. On vacation you take your "Zen" to a new level. Some people plan every detail of their vacation before departure - but you'd rather just let it happen. If there are activities planned you'll play along but you're just as happy to sunbathe all day. You see vacation as a time to kick back and enjoy the ride.

Ideal travel destinations include: a cruise through the South Pacific, all-inclusive beach vacations in Mexico

Mostly E's - Epicurean:

You are like 8% of Canadians whose dream vacation is a fabulous wine tour. You think you've perfected your soufflé at culinary classes and your wine pairings at sommelier school, but how do your skills stack up against the masters'? Boy, would you love to find out! Your dream vacation is all about the food and the wine. While some plan a vacation by studying guidebooks, you spend weeks salivating over restaurant ratings.

Ideal travel destinations include: Napa Valley, The Okanagan, The Greek Islands

About the TD First Class Adventures Contest

To help make people's dream trips come to life, TD First Class Visa is hosting a contest for the chance to win one of five first class trips including: Epicurean Encounters in Tuscany; an Exotic Family Excursion in Belize; an African Adventure in Capetown; a Polynesian Paradise in Bora Bora and California Connoisseurs, a trip through the Napa Valley. Each trip is worth over $40,000! To enter and learn more about the TD First Class Adventures Contest visit www.tdcanadatrust.com/firstclassadventures.

About the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card allows cardholders to do more and pay for any travel with their rewards points - whether for hotel reservations, resort vacations, car rentals, train tickets, cruises, even airport parking and taxes. Any travel you charge to your card can be paid for with your TD Points. Unlike other travel rewards plans, you don't have to plan or book months in advance to use your TD Points. Because there are no advance booking requirements or seat restrictions of any kind, you can use your points any time, even during peak periods and seat sales. With the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card you have the flexibility to book your holiday on your card through any travel agency, website or airline and then use your TD Points to cover all or part of the cost of that travel. With the TD First Class Travel Card, redeeming points is simple and easy to understand. For every $1.00 in purchases made using the card, cardholders earn three (3) TD Points and as long as you have a minimum 10,000 TD Points they can be redeemed towards any type of travel, any time to anywhere. New accounts will receive 20,000 Bonus TD Points upon approval that you can use right away.

About the TD First Class Adventures Poll

A total of 1002 online interviews with English and French speaking adult Canadians who have travelled in the past 12 months were conducted with Angus Reid Forum panelists between April 9 - 20, 2010.

About TD Bank Financial Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 18 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 6 million online customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$567 billion in assets on January 31, 2010. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.

For further information: Christine Newlands, Carolyn Abbass, cnewlands@paradigmpr.ca, cabbass@paradigmpr.ca, (416) 203-2223; Tashlin Hirani, TD Bank Financial Group, Tashlin.hirani@td.com, (416) 982-3375

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VIA introduces schedule improvements!

2010-05-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

Faster trips and more convenient departure times

MONTREAL, May 10 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada announced today that as of May 11, 2010 travel times on the Montréal - Ottawa route will improve with the introduction of new schedules.

Trip times will be shortened by as much as 15 minutes, while arrival and departure times for certain trains will be changed to better suit customer needs. For example, the first morning train (train 30) now leaves Fallowfield at 06:14 a.m., Ottawa at 6:38 a.m. and arrives in downtown Montréal at 08:30 a.m., as opposed to 08:38 a.m. in the past. Also, a conditional stop at Casselman has also been added for the Saturday morning service between Montréal and Ottawa.

"I am pleased to see that the government's strategic capital investments in rail infrastructure have directly led to VIA providing improved passenger service in terms of both quality and timing," said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Canada's Minister of State (Transport).

"Making our train operations more efficient is just one example of changes we are implementing at VIA to improve our environmental performance and provide our customers with better service," said VIA's President and Chief Executive Officer Marc Laliberté. "We hope that these enhancements will encourage more people to make a smart and green choice by leaving their cars at home in favour of the train."

With the introduction of these new schedules, when you leave the driving to VIA, a trip between Ottawa and Montréal can take less than two hours.

Saving time, money and being kinder on the environment are just some of the reasons why more and more travellers are choosing VIA Rail as their principal means of transportation for business and recreational trips. Compare the train to other means of transport and you be the judge! Visit http://www.viarail.ca/en/fares/compare-fares/compare-train-and-car to calculate just how much you or your company could save by choosing the train rather than taking the car.

To view VIA's new Montreal - Ottawa schedules, please click here

http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/media/pdfs/schedules/quebec-ontario/montreal-alexandria-ottawa-fallowfield-11may2010.pdf

For more information on VIA's train schedules and fares, customers can visit www.viarail.ca or call 1 888 VIA RAIL (842-7245), TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired).

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WestJet's up! magazine announces the most walkable cities in Canada for 2010

2010-05-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Magazine highlights the country's best places to explore by foot

CALGARY, May 10 /CNW/ - Canada's 10 best walking cities for 2010 have just been compiled by up! magazine in conjunction with an esteemed judging panel that includes city luminaries like author Chris Turner, Jane's Walk's Jane Farrow and urban guru Gil Penalosa. For a second year in a row, judges have researched and assembled the only index of its kind in Canada: the best places to walk in the nation. A complete ranking and analysis have been published in the May 2010 issue of up! magazine, WestJet Airlines' in-flight publication, complete with each city's initiatives toward making their streets a pleasure to stroll.

Canada's Most Walkable Cities are chosen based on the experience they provide for the pedestrian, ranging from climate to parkland. The index will be published again next May and annually thereafter to celebrate spring and getting outdoors, along with Canada's Jane's Walk initiatives (in honour of the late urbanist Jane Jacobs), and many pedestrian-friendly events across the country. Canada's Most Walkable Cities index recognizes, celebrates and critiques how Canadian cities facilitate the most basic travel of all: the one that starts with our own two feet. Please visit www.upmagazine.com for the full story.

The 10 most walkable cities in Canada in order are:

1. Vancouver
2. Victoria
3. Montréal
4. Toronto
5. Halifax
6. Quebec City
7. Ottawa
8. Calgary
9. St. John's
10. Winnipeg

"The world's favourite cities are places best discovered on foot," says Tom Gierasimczuk, editor of up! magazine. "By geography or government policy, these towns coddle the pedestrian, whether it's with a mild climate, car-free days or plenty of urban paths that inspire citizens to stroll in comfort and numbers. This is our second annual celebration of the best places to hoof it in the nation, and in these 10 places that get it, buck-a-litre gas prices don't matter and the urban grid becomes a playground when explored slowly with your own two feet."

up! magazine, WestJet Airlines' in-flight publication, celebrates the joy of travel and discovery, and the pursuit of value on the road. With a focus on destinations in North America and the Caribbean, up! lauds little-known travel gems and explores well-trodden routes with a fresh perspective. Our storytellers are award-winning journalists and photographers fluent in the destinations they cover, with the same wanderlust shared by our curious readers.

About RedPoint Media Group

RedPoint Media Group Inc. is one of Western Canada's largest magazine publishers, producing 13 consumer and corporate titles. In addition to producing such well-known and award-winning titles as WestJet's up! magazine and Avenue magazine in both Calgary and Edmonton, RedPoint also publishes Wine Access magazine and is the official magazine publisher for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Alberta Ballet and Calgary Opera.

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Everything Panama - now on the internet.

2010-05-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

New website just launched that we find interesting and worthy of visiting. If you like Panama, or what to learn more about Panama, this web site is dedicated to, well....Everything Panama! Here's what they had to say:

"We fell in love with Panama a few years ago after extensive travels through Central America including Belize, Mexico, Curacoa, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Caracas, Netherlands and Barbados to name a few in search of a place to call home. What we found was that Panama by far exceeded our expectations. From Tax holidays to their Pensionado Program, from their well maintained roads to their restaurants, from their lack of hurricanes to their great diversity of climates and everything in between, We believe that you too will find Panama to be a great place to visit on vacation or to call home.

Our goal with this website was simple; have one location for 'everything Panama'. No need to search hundreds of websites looking for answers. We have it all here... Well almost

Help us out, if you know of a useful website that should be added to our link section, please let us know so we can add it and in turn help others.

Would you like to advertise with us?

Have an idea for our site?

Please feel free to contact us at the link below. We look forward to hearing from you."

http://www.everythingpanama.com/

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SURVEY REVEALS LOW SNOWPACK across British Columbia

2010-05-07T09:55:00.001-07:00

INFORMATION BULLETIN
2010ENV0024-000542

May 7, 2010
Ministry of Environment

VICTORIA - Environment Minister Barry Penner says below average snowpacks
across British Columbia indicate significant potential for low stream flows and water-supply shortages to develop this summer.

As a result, Penner says the B.C. government is developing a 2010 Drought
Response Plan to guide government actions for low stream flows and drought
conditions. Given the current low snowpack conditions, notice of potential
drought is included in this bulletin, although should wet weather materialize in May and June, it could reduce the risk.

Synopsis:The peak of the winter's snowpack has accumulated and the melt has begun. Snowpacks have declined in most areas during April as a result of drier than normal weather. With the exception of high-elevation areas on Vancouver Island and the South Coast, snowpacks across B.C. are all below normal. Snowpacks in the South Interior (Nicola, Okanagan, Similkameen, West Kootenay, East Kootenay, Lower Columbia) and in the Northwest Interior (Skeena, Nass) are substantially below normal.

The snowpack information indicates significant potential for low stream flows and water supply shortages to develop in these areas during the summer. Precipitation over the next month will determine the likelihood and extent of drought over the summer.

Current Snowpack:Basin snow water indices across B.C. vary from a low of 37 per cent of normal in the Similkameen to a high of 105 per cent of normal on Vancouver Island.Basin snow water indices declined across the Interior during April. Vancouver Island and the South and Central Coast experienced increases in water indices during April, as a result of being affected by frontal storm systems. In most basins, low- and mid-elevation snow is already absent or well below normal, following the unusually warm weather and melt from January to mid-March.

Overall, much of central B.C. (Fraser, Thompson, Peace) has 80-90 per cent of normal snowpack. The South Interior (Nicola, Okanagan, Kettle, Similkameen, Kootenay) has 37-76 per cent of normal snowpack. The Skeena and Nass basins are also drier than normal, at only 61 per cent, a notable decline from their 81 per cent level a month ago.

Water Supply Outlook:Conditions as of May 1 indicate a likelihood of well below normal freshet runoff during May and June, and low risk for freshet flooding in the major river basins (Fraser, Thompson, Skeena, Bulkley, Nass, Peace, Liard). Water levels on these large rivers began to rise in late April, and are expected to peak by late May or early June.

The well-below-normal snowpack conditions across much of the South Interior (Okanagan, Nicola, Kettle, Similkameen, West Kootenay, East Kootenay), along with the Skeena, Nass, and Peace River basins in the north, indicate potential for low stream flows and water-supply challenges to develop during the summer. The low snowpack and smaller-than-normal snowmelt runoff are likely to be reflected in lower-than-normal lake and reservoir levels, lower-than-normal recharge of groundwater aquifers and lower-than-normal river levels during summer.

Snow conditions at the end of the winter comprise only part of the peak flow and water supply forecast picture. Weather during May and June has a large influence. To reduce the potential for summer low-flow or drought problems, rainfall during May and June will need to be at or above normal.

Much of the South Interior (including the Nicola, Okanagan, Kettle,
Simikmaneen, East Kootenay, West Kootenay and Lower Columbia) are currently classified at Drought Level 3 (very dry conditions), where low stream flows and water supply shortages are highly probable unless significant rainfall occurs during May and June. In these areas, water conservation is urged. Water restrictions at the local level should be considered and drought management plans should be reviewed.

Much of the Central and North Interior (including the South Thompson, Cariboo, Upper Fraser, Skeena, Nass, Bulkley, and Peace) are currently classified at Drought Level 2 (dry conditions). These areas have early indications of potential low stream flow and summer water supply shortages. Voluntary water conservation is urged, as well as planning at the local level and use of tools such as drought management plans.

As part of the engagement sessions that were held in various regions of the province in preparation for a drought season, the government is hosting a drought response workshop in Cranbrook on May 13. For more information on this workshop go to: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/drought_info.

For additional information on the snowpack data, go to:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rfc/index.htm

Living Water Smart: B.C.'s Water Plan outlines the government's vision and
plan to keep B.C.'s water healthy and secure for the future. For more
information, go to: http://www.livingwatersmart.ca/

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$89 -- St. Lucia All-Inclusive Beach Resort, 65% OFF* #travel

2010-05-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

Just received this from TravelZoo....

WSG-

$89 -- St. Lucia All-Inclusive Beach Resort, 65% OFF*
St. Lucia

Top 20 deal - sells out quickly!
Travel dates: Through June

By Darlene Carenza
Travelzoo Staff

Take 65% off regular rates at one of the top-rated all-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia. Almond Smuggler’s Cove is offering rooms for $89 per person, per night. This deal is valid for travel through June, including Memorial Day weekend.

Everything is included: all meals, drinks, taxes, gratuities and even activities that cost extra at other resorts, like waterskiing, snorkeling, windsurfing and kayaking.

Located on 60 beachfront acres on a secluded bay, the resort features four restaurants, five bars, six pools and a supervised kids' club with programs for all ages from newborns to teenagers. It opened in 2007 after a $30 million property renovation.

Book by May 12: To book, call CheapCaribbean at 800-915-2322 and ask for the Travelzoo offer at Almond Smuggler's Cove.

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Parque De Las Palomas - San Juan Puerto Rico

2010-05-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

San Juan Puerto Rico

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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First increase in monthly U.S. travel and tourism-related exports since 2008

2010-05-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

Travel Daily News - May 6, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent an estimated $10.4 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of February. This is nearly $180 million more (2%) than was spent in February 2009- marking the first increase in U.S. travel and tourism-related exports in more than fifteen months.

Travel Receipts: Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $8.2 billion during February, a increase of nearly 4 percent when compared to last year. These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and other items incidental to foreign travel.

Passenger Fare Receipts: Fares received by U.S. carriers (and U.S. vessel operators) from international visitors declined by nearly 6 percent to $2.2 billion for the month, a decrease of $134 million for the month when compared to February 2009.

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Hidden hotel fees may cost you

2010-05-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

Travel Daily News - According to a new study by PhoCusWright, 43% of online travel shoppers have abandoned a booking because the final product price and/or fees were higher than they were willing to pay.

Akamai commissioned PhoCusWright to conduct a study examining key elements of the online consumer experience in travel. The complimentary whitepaper examines five aspects of online travel - satisfaction levels, speed expectations and tolerance, activities during page loading, reasons for abandonment and reactions to technical issues.

The whitepaper states the following key findings:
- Travel doesn’t disappoint: The vast majority of travelers are somewhat to very satisfied with their online travel shopping experiences;

- Three-second rule: 57% of online shoppers will wait three seconds or less before abandoning the site;

- Y wait? Generation Y and younger travelers are less patient than older travleres when it comes to page load times - 65% of 18-24 year olds expect a site to load in two seconds or less;

- Prevention is key: A third of travelers would be less likely to visit a site after experienceing problems;

- Loyalty is not forgiveness: Active loyalty program members are somewhat polarized in their tolerance levels. While they are more likely than other travelers to be unaffected by temporarty site problems, they are also more likely to have certain key negative reactions;

- Travelers tend to be multitaskers: 59% of consumers do something else when waiting for a travel website to load;

- Hidden fees may cost you: 43% of online shoppers have abandoned a booking because the final product price and/or fees were higher than they were willing to pay.

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Cheapflights UK Reveals Searches to Cuba Are on the Rise

2010-05-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

LONDON--(Marketwire - May 5, 2010) - The country announced that as of 1st May 2010, all travellers would be barred entry unless they possessed the appropriate medical insurance cover. Cheapflights UK, the UK's leading search and comparison site in travel has found that searches to Cuba have increased by 29 per cent post announcement, indicating that the country's entry ban on those without the necessary paperwork has only served to gage travel interest even further.

"Searches to Cuba have actually gone up since the announcement. Travellers remain undeterred by being banned entry if they don't possess insurance documents and in a way, this is a positive move on the country's behalf as being covered by medical insurance during your journey can save you a fortune should you need to see a doctor for any reason," says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights UK.

Those concerned about adding extra spend to the cost of a holiday need not be. Fully comprehensive travel insurance including medical (injury and illness), cancellation, and even baggage cover can start from as little as £20 or £30 for the whole year, which, in many cases, can save paying anywhere between £150 upwards for a single treatment or doctor's visit while abroad.

"For the best deals it's simply a case of shopping around as you would when searching for cheap flights. Intrepid travellers may have to dig slightly further as not all insurers will cover extreme sports like bungee jumping, but they can be found, and for the most part, an extra £30 or less for the year is a small price to pay for quite a large return," adds Hallak.

And when the destination is Cuba, evidence indicates that travellers think it's well worth throwing in a little extra. The Caribbean's largest island, serves some up some of the world's most exquisite beaches, mountain ranges, and world famous art. It's also the birthplace of salsa with music and dance representing part of the foundation of Cuban culture.

Aside from all its natural attributes, the country's turbulent political past seems to also make it more attractive to tourists with all-inclusive resorts around the area of Varadero proving immensely popular over the last few years. With flight prices starting from just £442 return, and ground costs of around just £7-10 for mid-range dining, from £15 and up for top end dining, and top end hotels starting from £70 upwards, it's easy to see why.

Cuba is also recognised around the world for its ecological footprint giving green travellers even more incentive to visit and learn about the huge strides it has taken in sustainable urban development, nature conservation, and organic agriculture to name but a few.

For further information on travel insurance, visit the Travel Insurance tips page.

For more on green travel, check out Travel(eco)nomics.

And for more destination information or to search and compare flights, visit http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flight-guide-to-Cuba/

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Butchart Gardens in full bloom. Visit this world class site in Saanich BC

2010-05-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Butchart Gardens, open year round, is back in full bloom in all its glory of color an beauty. While some people are still shoveling their walks on the prairies, experience a piece of paradise in our little corner of the world, have a tea and take a few pictures like we did. Visit them on line too: http://www.butchartgardens.com/the-gardens/our-history/our-history.html

Photos by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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WestJet launches new service between Toronto and Bermuda

2010-05-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

CALGARY, May 3 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced the launch of new seasonal non-stop service between Toronto and Bermuda. The inaugural flight to Bermuda departs Toronto's Pearson International Airport at 10:20 a.m. EDT today.

"Bermuda has a distinct and beautiful flare that makes it one of the most unique destinations in WestJet's world of popular sun spots," said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Planning. "We are sure that WestJet guests are as eager as we are to touch down in this inspiring island destination, and Bermudians wishing to visit Canada, their friends and family now have a daily flight opportunity."

WestJet will fly once daily between Toronto and Bermuda until October 30, 2010. "By flying directly from Bermuda to Toronto, we can provide guests with connections to the rest of our 31-city Canadian network with our own unique blend of low fares, high value and a world-class guest experience," said Hugh Dunleavy.

"We are very excited to welcome WestJet to Bermuda," said Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP, Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport for Bermuda. "WestJet enjoys an outstanding reputation for caring, affordable service and, in Bermuda, we recognize and appreciate those qualities. We believe that this new service will prove attractive for our visitors from Canada and provide another option for Bermudians seeking to travel abroad."

"We're very pleased to continue working with WestJet and to see it grow its already substantial network at Toronto Pearson International Airport. We appreciate the airline's ongoing commitment to providing great travel opportunities for our passengers," said Pamela Griffith-Jones, Vice-President, Chief Marketing and Commercial Development Officer for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).

The schedule details of WestJet's new service are:

Toronto - Bermuda (daily)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flight Departure Arrival
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Toronto - WS2710 10:20 a.m. 2:08 p.m.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Bermuda - WS2711 3 p.m. 4:55 p.m.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

One-way fares, available in both directions on non-stop flights only, are available from $99 plus applicable taxes and fees. Fares are available by calling WestJet's Sales Super Centre at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538), your preferred travel agent or by visiting www.westjet.com.

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Canada goes speed dating with the world

2010-05-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

International tourism marketplace generates hundreds of $millions in sales for Canada's tourism sector

WINNIPEG, May 5 /CNW/ - Five days. More than 1200 tourism professionals. Twelve minutes to pitch unique Canadian experiences. The potential for hundreds of millions of dollars for Canadian tourism business.

Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) is the country's premier international tourism marketplace lead by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), hooking up international buyers with Canadian sellers of tourism products. The sales event is a hot ticket and runs from May 8 - 12 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Buyers and sellers get together for pre-arranged 12 minute appointments. International buyers include foreign tour operators, wholesalers and packagers from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Latin America and North America, all eager to find new products, services and packages. Canadian sellers consist of a wide range of small to large companies putting their best tourism products and experiences forward to make the magic happen.

"The 2010 Winter Games re-introduced Canada to the world as a vibrant, authentic, and stunningly beautiful travel destination and there's a surging interest in exploring what we have to offer," says Michele McKenzie, CEO and President of CTC. "At RVC, tourism businesses have an opportunity to take advantage of this momentum - meet directly with global buyers and sell their travel experiences to the world. This is good tourism business for Canada."

RVC is an effective platform for positioning Canada to high-value buyers, while opening up product development and market entry opportunities for the Canadian travel industry.

For this year's hosts - Travel Manitoba and Destination Winnipeg - it means some of the world's most influential travel buyers will experience Winnipeg and Manitoba first-hand.

"The range of Manitoba tourism operators at RVC shows international markets that our province is a diverse and exciting destination," said Hubert Mesman, President and CEO of Travel Manitoba. "It's an incredibly effective way to market the city of Winnipeg. We are eager to welcome RVC delegates and we hope to win them over with our diverse, dynamic and creative spirit," added Marina James, President of Destination Winnipeg.

About RVC

This is the 34th year for RVC. The event is held annually and is staged by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada on behalf of CTC. The number of participants and the amount of business conducted has grown exponentially since the first marketplace was held. The buyer to seller ratio at RVC 2010 is at its strongest ever. A large selection of the international buyers will also be maximizing their time in Canada by participating in pre and post familiarization tours throughout Manitoba.

About the CTC

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization. Our vision is inspiring the world to explore Canada. With our partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories, we advertise and market Canada in 12 countries around the world, conduct industry research and studies, and promote product and industry development. For regular updates on CTC initiatives, subscribe to CTC News, available through RSS feeds and by e-mail.

For more details about Rendez-vous Canada and the 2010 host organizations please visit:

http://www.rendezvouscanada.travel/

http://www.corporate.canada.travel/

http://www.travelmanitoba.com/

http://www.destinationwinnipeg.ca/

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Victoria International JazzFest June 25 - July 4, 2010

2010-05-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

Once again, Victoria is playing host to one of the most dynamic events in the country. The TD Victoria International Jazzfest. For the 26th straight year, this event assembles an extensive roster of names that make up the who's who of the international jazz scene. If you are going to be in town June 25 - July 4, try and make it out to one of the many venues for a super jazz experience. Here's a brief list of this years highlites:

George Benson; John scofield Piety Steet Band; Bill Frisell Trio; Miranda Sage; Niyaz; Nikki Yanofsky

Full details on line at http://www.jazzfest.ca/ Plan ahead, order your tickets in advance before you leave home and enjoy your stay in the capital city.

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International Fleet Review - Victoria, B.C. Navy Days Centennial

2010-05-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

June 9 - 14, 2010

The Canadian Navy's Pacific Fleet will mark the Canadian Navy Centennial with an International Fleet Review. Ships from 28 navies in the Indo-Pacific Region have been invited to gather at the Royal Roads anchorage in the approaches to Esquimalt Harbour. It is expected that the ships will bring between 15-20,000 sailors to Victoria. The fleet review will be supported by activities to entertain and engage residents and visitors. There will be a fireworks display, military air show, naval parade of visiting nations, sporting activities, and sightseeing tours. Also, there will be a grand concert ("The Navy Rocks") for Canadian and visiting sailors.

The Fleet Review is a Royal Navy tradition that was originally a means of demonstrating the strength of the fleet to a potential enemy in anticipation of going to war. The first recorded fleet review was gathered by King Henry V at Southampton in 1415. The first fleet review held in Canadian waters was on the occasion of the British Columbia Centenary in July 1958. Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, aboard HMCS Crescent, reviewed 32 ships in the Royal Roads anchorage. A similar Fleet Review was held at both the west and east coasts in 1985 for the Canadian Navy's 75th Anniversary. The 1985 Pacific Fleet Review attracted 17 ships from just 3 countries and was a very successful event. The Centennial Fleet Review will be even more successful; help mark the event for our Navy, and bring navies of the Pacific to the greater Victoria area.

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MOTHER'S DAY - Let's help our local economic recovery with a Sunday Brunch

2010-05-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day has a rich history dating back hundreds of years possibly to Roman times when presents were given to mothers on a day celebrating their god, Juno. Over a century ago a movement started in the United States to make Mother's day the second Sunday of May. Today dozens of countries around the world celebrate mother's day on the second Sunday of May. In British Columbia moms are greeted with everything from breakfast in bed to surprise gifts and pledges of better behaviour.

On May 9th we collectively celebrate Mother's Day. While some tie this day to Christian rituals dating back centuries, it exists today as a way to say thank you to mother's for all that they do to make life wonderful. Together we can reinforce the special qualities of this day by doing what we can to make our mothers feel special on Mother's Day and carry that feeling forward on the other days of the year.

Just a friendly reminder to make sure your plans are in place for this Mother's Day. Sunday brunches are very popular on Mother's Day. Alternatively, you can create a fun dinner out or get away with friends to a hotel for the night. Make your plans today to avoid disappointment as your favourite place to dine may be too full if you wait until the last minute. If you are looking for ideas to make the event special, ask the restaurant manager for suggestions. Remember, if you have planned to tie in another occasion or two speak to the staff ahead of time to help make your event all the more fun.

Without question, the accommodations and restaurant sector of our economy has been very hard hit by the recent recession. So make this Mother's Day the best yet and help out your local economic recovery at same time. Make brunch, dinner or hotel reservations today.

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Cheapflights.com Proudly Presents a Top 10 List of Gay Pride Festivals

2010-05-05T09:54:00.001-07:00

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - May 5, 2010) - Gay pride festivals celebrate the history, diversity and culture of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities. The festivals are truly global in nature and take place worldwide. Cheapflights.com, the leader in finding and publishing travel deals, presents a list of the Top 10 Gay Pride Festivals around the world which feature not only the extravagant parades but also street festivals, concerts, film festivals and more.

"Although gay pride festivals take place throughout the year, many of the events are held around June to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots -- a defining event in the gay rights movement. And, in fact, President Obama has declared June to be LGBT Pride Month in the United States," says Andrea Mooney, Cheapflights site editor. "So if you're looking for an open invitation to celebrate culture and diversity, consider traveling to one of these top gay pride events around the world. Participating and supporting these events not only increases awareness of the world's ever-growing gay communities, but provides the opportunity to attend some of the world's best parties!"

The following picks from Cheapflights.com's Top 10 Gay Pride Festivals around the world will be celebrated in the upcoming summer months:

San Francisco -- San Francisco's Gay Pride Festival has been known to some as a rite of passage, but to all as the largest pride celebration in the United States. Stroll along Market Street on June 26-27 to experience this year's '40 and Fabulous' theme. Search and compare cheap flights to San Francisco

Amsterdam -- On the weekend of August 5-8, Amsterdam will somehow manage to party harder than it usually does. Club circuit parties, street parties, and other rocking events all lead up to the ultimate Canal Parade, where spectators and supporters along Prinsengracht watch boats sail along with a swagger. Search and compare cheap flights to Amsterdam

New York -- A full week of activities fills the Big Apple with eclectic and fun events all throughout the city. Beginning with a rally on June 19 and ending with a parade a week later, what happens in between is truly the most exciting and real part of the celebrations, held in a world-class city that some consider to be one of the birthplaces of modern gay rights. Search and compare cheap flights to New York

London -- Celebrate Gay Pride in London during its Festival Fortnight, which takes place from June 19-July 3. Forty years after it began, the Gay Liberation Front has encouraged London to rejoice through Oxford and Regent Street, and from Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square, where speakers and performers gather. Search and compare cheap flights to London

Sao Paulo -- Officially the world's largest gay pride celebration, the Sao Paulo Pride Festival attracted 3.1 million visitors in 2009, and expects to see 4 million people attend this year's event from June 3-7. An entire month of festivities gives visibility to the LGBT community, encourages recognition of their rights as citizens and builds awareness of sexual diversity in society. Search and compare cheap flights to Sao Paulo

Toronto -- From June 25-July 4, Gay Pride Week brightens Toronto with exciting sights, sounds and supporters all ready to enjoy the festivities that surround one of Canada's largest art, film and cultural events. One of the most anticipated events is a free Cyndi Lauper concert in Queens Park on July 3. Search and compare cheap flights to Toronto

Berlin -- One of Europe's most well-known gay-friendly cities, Berlin celebrates gay pride in two distinct events. The Lesbian and Gay City Festival, which links itself to chic bars, restaurants and hotels, hosts special events throughout Pride Week, and culminates on June 19, when Christopher Street Day takes over the city and supports gay pride. Search and compare cheap flights to Berlin

The other top Gay Pride festivals to make the list include festivities in Sydney, Miami and Las Vegas -- all worth checking out for next year as these events have already been celebrated in 2010. To read Cheapflights.com's full Top 10 List of Gay Pride Festivals around the world visit http://news.cheapflights.com/2010/05/top-10-gay-pride-festivals/

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Air passengers face a summer of disruption from Icelandic volcano

2010-05-05T09:52:00.001-07:00

Times Online Travel May 5, 2010 - Airline passengers can expect disruption from the volcanic ash cloud throughout the summer, aviation regulators warned yesterday, after continued eruptions in Iceland grounded hundreds of flights once again.

The warnings came as the Civil Aviation Authority said that airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland would be closed from 7am today. Met Office forecasts also show that it is likely that the ash will continue to move south, potentially affecting airports in the North West today.

Aviation regulators have predicted that continued seismic activity and northerly winds will drive the ash over Britain periodically for months to come. Whenever the density breaches safety guidelines set last month to ease the paralysis of European airspace, airlines must suspend flights.

The Met Office has said that ash over British airspace has increased in density as emissions from the volcano Eyjafjallajökull have become stronger, meaning forecasts of “no-fly zones” have been extended farther south.

EU transport ministers agreed at an emergency meeting yesterday to speed plans to unify European airspace, which they hope will ease any future disruption. Siim Kallas, the EU Transport Commissioner, said there had been progress on the plan, which would reconfigure the airspace of all 27 member states into nine larger blocks by June 2012. However, there was little sign of agreement on a state bailout of airlines, which have lost about £1.12 billion so far as a result of the ash crisis.

The Brussels meeting, attended by Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary, was held against a backdrop of renewed disruption in Ireland and the Highlands and Islands. Flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers delayed by a six-hour closure of airports. “We could be faced with this periodically during the summer. We are probably facing a summer of uncertainty due to this ash cloud,” said Eamonn Brennan, the chief executive of the Irish Aviation Authority.

The CAA, the main aviation regulator, was confident that European guidelines agreed on April 19 should ensure that the disruption to passengers does not reach the level seen last month. “We are in a better position to cope with further disruption because we know a lot more now in terms of engine capabilities and tolerance levels,” the CAA said.

Atmospheric charts showed that vast swaths of Europe would have been closed yesterday if airlines were banned from flying in areas where there is any ash, as was the case before the volcano forced a change in aviation guidelines.

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Ferry good deals for getting to France this summer

2010-05-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

Times Online - Travel May 5, 2010 - Whether there’s an ash cloud hanging over your next holiday or not, you have to ask yourself: do you really want to hang around in an airport when you’re on holiday? Wouldn’t you rather load all you need for your trip into the boot of your car and start your holiday as soon as you leave your front door?

With cross-Channel ferry bookings rocketing after the recent volcano-induced travel mayhem, it seems the British are rediscovering the joys of a journey by sea and shunning the problems associated with parking/luggage restrictions/security/queues/delays that are almost inevitable when travelling by plane.

Our France Magazine readers have long been advocates of ferry travel, preferring to have the freedom and flexibility offered in taking your own car to France. And with so many great ferry holiday packages on offer, France is yours for the taking.

As an added incentive to travel by sea, Brittany Ferries is offering half a case of French wine with its self-drive hotel breaks taken before the end of June. The one or two-night breaks give you the chance to discover the charming port towns of Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff (see brittanyferries.com/freewine or call 0871 244 1444).

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Beauty and the Beast. A poignant photograph for the week. #oilspill

2010-05-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

#oilspill

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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Orca - Killer Whale Tours on the West Coast - Tourism Victoria, BC

2010-05-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Ventured out over the weekend to experience the thrill of capturing a pod of Orcas off the coast of Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands in the Juan De Fuca Strait. Over the years in tourism, when dropped off thousands of people for this half day excursion to experience a once in a life time opportunity. The funny thing is, I live here, and have for years and have never done this before, so I wanted to see what the thrill was and whether or not it is worth the investment. Approx $200 CDN per couple.

While there are several companies that offer this trip, they are pretty much equal in terms of what you are going to see and where you are going. We chose Orca Spirit Adventures. This three hour tour takes you through the San Juan Islands just off the south eastern tip of Vancouver Island. Of course, it depends where the recent sightings are so these tours can change daily. As it turned out, we hit the jackpot and ran into the J-Pod and thier first appearance in this area this season. What a thrill.

Dress warm, take a snack and of course your camera fully charge. Be patient, watch and don't miss anything. Take a ton of pictures and sort them out later. Don't bother looking at each shot as you will miss the next great one.

Here are just a couple I got late yesterday afternoon. The rest can be see on my website at:

http://westshoregalleries.ifp3.com/site/#/gallery/san-juan-islands-usa/orca6a/

Photo's by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

Depending on how adventurous you are, you can select a large covered boat, or an open zodiac. It comes down to wet or not wet. Your choice. The weather can change suddenly so be prepared for choppy waters as well. I thought it was worth the trip, and a great way to spend an afternoon inVictoria, Consider a tour yourself if you are visiting. Alot about 4 hours in total for transportation, tour and return trip back to your hotel..

Orca: The Killer Whale

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Edmonton Tourism - is this really the same place I came from? huh!

2010-04-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Planning our annual road trip through the Rockies this summer to visit family in Edmonton. I know, not exactly the ideal place considering all the options available in the summer a little more exitic than "Edmonton." Don't get me wrong. I love Edmonton. Through all the snow and cold, mosquitos, tornado's, dust storms and crispy brown spring images...Edmonton is still pretty cool.

Being originally from Edmonton, there isn't much I don't know about the city. That's why I find this video absolutely hilarious. I watched it, and said to myself, "gee, I would love to visit that place....oh, wait a minute, I'm from there. Ooops!" It's amazing how a well crafted video can make even the dreary of places to visit seem like the "best place on earth."

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Thai travel warning issued for Canadians

2010-04-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

By BRYN WEESE, Parliamentary Bureau

OTTAWA — The government is urging Canadians not to travel to Thailand because of political unrest there that has left protesters and civilians dead and injured.

Canadians currently in the Southeast Asian country should exercise "extreme caution," the government has warned.

The Department of Foreign Affairs upgraded an earlier travel advisory to the Kingdom of Thailand Wednesday to a full-blown travel warning saying all non-essential travel to the politically-unstable country should be avoided.

Large-scale and violent political demonstrations have plagued the capital city Bangkok for seven weeks.

The red-shirted protesters, who have been calling on the Prime Minister to resign since March 12, have been injured, beaten, and even killed during their campaign that has escalated recently. Another clash between protesters and the army left another protester dead Wednesday.

"Since March 2010, dozens of grenade attacks and other explosions have occurred, some of which have caused injuries at locations including government and military installations, protest gatherings, public banks, and key power infrastructure and fuel storage facilities," the travel warning from Foreign Affairs reads.

"The security situation is very volatile with significant potential for further civil unrest, violent clashes, and attacks.

"Canadians currently in Thailand should avoid all non-essential movement, exercise extreme caution, follow the advice of local authorities, closely monitor local media, and, if violence erupts, remain indoors."

The anti-government "red shirt" protesters, who number in the thousands and who have besieged Bangkok for several weeks, want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down and call a new election. The red shirts support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from office following protests and a military coup in 2006 and 2007. The billionaire media tycoon was accused of being corrupt, but also brought in cheap health care and debt relief for the country's poorest people.

Foreign Affairs warns the country has suffered political unrest and violent protests for many years, and warned it is "unclear" how long the current situation will last.

"In recent years there have been several waves of mass political demonstrations and anti-government movements in Thailand, which have led to significant security problems and occasional violence," the warning reads. "There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice."

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

Nevada Commission on Tourism Launches Varied Ad Campaign to Lure Summer Travelers

2010-04-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

CARSON CITY, NV--(Marketwire - April 28, 2010) - Nevada is launching a new summer ad campaign aimed largely at the massive online and television markets to entice visitors to the Silver State, Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki, Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) chair, announced today.

"Our goal is to convince spring and summer travelers that Nevada is their best bet to experience an unforgettable vacation for outstanding value," Krolicki said. "We're taking our ads to the busiest marketplaces, where potential travelers spend the most time and are more likely to be influenced."

NCOT is using a marketing strategy that proved successful in the winter ad campaign, integrating a variety of media, such as television ads in mostly West Coast markets convenient to driving, Google In-stream video, online banner ads, mobile ads for BlackBerrys and iPhones, search engine marketing and print ads in national travel magazines.

"Consumers are starting to make summer vacation plans, and Nevada's campaign, hitting online, TV and print, is designed to capture their attention wherever they go for information and direct them to discover some of the world's greatest attractions," NCOT Director Dann Lewis said.

Google's marketing research shows that people between ages 25-54 spend 15 hours a week, or 30 percent, of their media time online; 17 hours, or 34 percent, watching TV; nine hours, or 18 percent, listening to radio; and only four hours, or 8 percent, of their time reading print publications.

Nevada's summer campaign, tailored to fit evolving media exposure patterns, devoted 39 percent of its budget to online advertising, 54 percent to television, 6 percent to print and 1 percent to mobile websites geared for iPhones, BlackBerrys and similar devices.

NCOT's winter campaign increased public awareness of Nevada as a visitor destination from 32 percent in 2009 to 39 percent, a significant rise during national economic uncertainty. Nearly 40 percent of consumers in the targeted markets claimed to have seen at least one of the ads.

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Port Metro Vancouver 2010 cruise season to be eco-friendly

2010-04-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

VANCOUVER, April 21 /CNW/ - Holland America's ms Amsterdam will be the first cruise ship of the 2010 cruise season to call at Port Metro Vancouver when it arrives on April 25, and the first of 58 scheduled calls expected to connect to the Port's new shore power system. The ship will arrive in Vancouver after sailing from Petropavlovsk, Russia as part of a 114-day Grand World voyage.

"We're excited to kick off our cruise season with a shore power enabled ship, as this year will mark the first full year of operation for our two new shore power connections at Canada Place," said Port Metro Vancouver's President and CEO, Robin Silvester. "There are only three such systems in the world, which allow cruise ships to connect to the local electrical grid and shut off their diesel engines, greatly reducing their impact on the region's environment."

The system, completed in 2009, is a $9-million initiative by the Government of Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, BC Hydro and Port Metro Vancouver which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver by up to 3000 tonnes/year. It was also a key component in Port Metro Vancouver's Air Action Program, which was recognized recently with an ecoFREIGHT Sustainable Transportation Award at Globe 2010, an international conference focussed on environmental issues.

"Congratulations to Port Metro Vancouver for being first in Canada to bring cleaner, greener electric power to ships at its terminal," said Hon. Shirley Bond, British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "The Province is proud to have been a partner in this project, which will greatly improve local air quality and further our plan to eliminate one third of B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020."

Despite forecasting declines this year to just under 600,000 passengers and 179 ship calls from 898,473 passenger and 256 ship calls last year, Port Metro Vancouver remains highly optimistic about its future cruise business. The decrease in 2010 is seen as an industry reaction to Alaska's restrictive tax and regulatory environment - which has recently been largely overturned by their House of Representatives and their state Senate - coupled with last year's downturn in the global economy.

The Port and its cruise industry stakeholders are confident that the Vancouver cruise product, coupled with environmental sustainability initiatives such as shore power, and convenient access between Canada Place and Vancouver International Airport via Vancouver's new Canada Line rapid transit system, will serve to keep Vancouver an attractive and competitive destination for the cruise industry.

Disney Cruise Line has already announced that they will home port Disney Wonder in Vancouver in 2011, and industry stakeholders are delighted that the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) cruise3sixty 2010 trade show will be held in Vancouver in June, marking the first time in its history the event has been held outside of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The sold-out trade show is being hosted by Port Metro Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver, Tourism BC and the Vancouver Airport Authority. It will bring 1400 registered cruise lines and travel industry delegates to the city, helping to raise awareness of Vancouver as a cruise home port.

Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest and North America's most diversified port, trading $75 billion in goods with more than 160 trading economies annually. Each cruise ship call in Vancouver contributes approximately $2 million to the local economy.

For further information: on Port Metro Vancouver, go to www.portmetrovancouver.com or contact: Tel: (604) 665-9066, Email: Public_Affairs@portmetrovancouver.com

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Colwood Community Place doing great things on the West Shore

2010-04-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Our neighbour and proactive community members, Colwood Community Place, are busier than ever. I have received numerous press releases and updates over the months, and I figured it was time to acknowledge the great community work they are doing.

The website (http://www.colwoodcommunityplace.ca/) sums it up like this:

"...a local living network intended to help you discover ways you can go green, go local, grow local veggies and our local economy while building a thriving city."

Over coffee this morning, I was thinking about all the challenges my neighborhood is facing within various levels of government, particularily taxes, planning, waste management etc, and it wasn't until I received this mornings news letter from Colwood Community Place that I instatnly realized there is much more going on that sometimes gets overshadowed. Colwood is a fabulous community. Filled with some of the most incredible and dynamic people, local businesses and community events. This, I strongly feel, is what makes our political boudries one of a kind. I can say this because I have lived almost everywhere in the CRD, so based on that, it is very unique.

Swan - Colwood, BC

Photo by Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

Some of the events that we should be proud of include: The Island Chefs Collaborative and the Colwood Farmers Market. These are the things that make me feel at home and proud to be a neighbour. There is however, so much more to this city we call home. Locally run businesses that support local business and even travel and tourism. Yes, travel and tourism. A great example of this is the Historic Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgaard Lighthouse, Hatley Castle and the Robert Bateman Centre at Royal Roads University.

As I have written about on numerous occasions on this blog, when travelling to Victoria, tour groups need to think outside the box and realize there is more to Victoria and the CRD than the Inner Harbour and cheesy gift shops. Venture twenty minutes down the road to our little gem on the south island, Colwood. A huge tip of the hat to the Colwood Community Place for doing their due diligence in getting that message out. Colwood is a fun place. A super community to raise a family. An outdoor enthusiasts dream come true. Affordable real estate. Great food and drinks. Supportive community organizations and enterprises and the list goes on.

If it's happening in Colwood, than you should bookmark http://www.colwoodcommunityplace.ca/. Spend some time in our neighborhood, and we will show you the time spent travelling to find our little oasis was worth the drive.

West Shore Galleries is situated in Colwood, British Columbia. West Shore Galleries is also affiliated with WSG Travel Blog (Fototrips). Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography. You can find our home on the internet at http://www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com/

Vancouver Airport Authority Chair steps down after 13 years

2010-04-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Graham Clarke's time at the helm of YVR ends on an Olympic high

RICHMOND, BC, April 29 /CNW/ - After 13 years, Graham Clarke is stepping down as Chair of Vancouver Airport Authority effective June 10, 2010. Clarke, who has been a member of the Board of Directors since YVR became Canada's first community-based airport authority in 1992, will continue as a director. The Airport Authority's new Chair will be announced at its annual public meeting on May 13.

"While I've been on the Board since 1992, and Chair since 1997, my connection with YVR dates back to the 1980s," said Clarke. "At the time, the Vancouver Board of Trade, together with other community groups and individuals, set out to turn YVR into a community-based airport, with management transferring from the federal government to our local airport authority. The results have been incredible. I think that by any measure, YVR has been a success, not just for British Columbia, but also for Canada. And that success was demonstrated most recently during the 2010 Winter Games."

"Looking ahead, I believe that the Airport Authority, like all successful organizations, will always be a work in progress. For me, that constant striving to improve is at the core of our achievements. And it's one of the reasons why it has always been an honour and a pleasure for me to serve our community and province as part of the airport family."

Vancouver Airport Authority President and CEO, Larry Berg said Clarke's leadership as Chair of the Board of Directors went a long way to keeping YVR closely connected to the community.

"As someone who was actively involved in creating the YVR we know today, Graham has always worked to make sure we stay true to our vision of being both a gateway and a local airport authority. Part of that vision is a pride in our province and in working with the community to be a significant contributor to British Columbia's economy," said Berg. "Under Graham's leadership, we've made sure that YVR looks and feels like British Columbia from the moment you land and walk into our terminals."

Clarke will continue to chair Vancouver Airport Services (YVRAS), a company owned jointly by Citi Infrastructure Investors and Vancouver Airport Authority. Currently, YVRAS manages a network of 18 airports around the world.

Graham Clarke is President and owner of the Clarke Group of Companies, which does business in the transportation, hospitality, marine and tourism sectors. Clarke has served as director or chair of numerous organizations and companies, including the Vancouver Board of Trade and Tourism Vancouver.

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Cruise news

2010-04-29T11:01:00.001-07:00

Royal Caribbean: Oasis of the Seas passengers spending up a storm

Gene Sloan

JUST POSTED: NCL ships more full than ever.

There are dozens of ways to spend money on Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, and it appears that passengers aren't shying away from them.

Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein told Wall Street analysts Wednesday that on-board spending on the much-ballyhooed, five-month-old vessel is running at a blistering pace.

"It has proven to be an even stronger on-board revenue generator than we had foreseen, and we were pretty optimistic before," Goldstein said during a conference call to discuss the company's first quarter earnings.

Responding to a question about the topic from Sharon Zackfia of William Blair and Co., Goldstein told analysts the on-board spending level on the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas' is the best of the line's 21 ships.

Moreover, "it is relatively the most positive compared to the expectations that we had for the year," Goldstein added.

At 225,282 tons, Oasis is more than 40% larger than the next largest cruise ship, and it boasts an industry leading number of extra-charge restaurants, bars, stores and other outlets where passengers can spend money.

Goldstein said the line is looking at how it can translate Oasis' success in on-board spending and other areas to its older ships.

"Clearly, there (is) a lot of learning from Oasis with respect to both guest features and on-board spend potential, which we are evaluating with respect to how we might contribute those features or opportunities elsewhere in the fleet," he noted.

Sent from my iPhone

Okanagan Lake - Okanagan British Columbia

2010-04-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Brad Edwards west Shore Galleries

Each year at this time, many people start thinking about that Long Weekend get-a-way in May. The un-official start to Summer. Recent reports are suggesting that coming off tough economic times for many Canadians, a new term has come up that suggests that most will be taking advantage of "Staycations". Essentially vacationing at home, or close to home. Makes sense, and it's more affordable if you know where to go and what to do. Above is an old picture from one of our Staycation favorites, Penticton, British Columbia. As close to home as possible without venturing too far away. If sun, sand, water and camping are your thing, than the Okanagan has alot to offer.

Penticton and Area: Secrets & Surprises

Photo by: Brad Edwards west Shore Galleries

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Canada and El Salvador Successfully Conclude Air Transport Agreement.

2010-04-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 29, 2010) - Canada's Transport Minister John Baird and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, today announced that an open skies-type bilateral air transport agreement has been concluded between Canada and El Salvador. This new agreement is another accomplishment under Canada's Blue Sky international air transportation policy, and is great news for travellers and Canadian businesses.

"Since 2006, the Government of Canada has worked at an unprecedented pace to sign or improve air agreements that allow for greater benefits to Canadian consumers, businesses and our tourism sectors," said Baird. "This new agreement with El Salvador is part of our commitment to improve and expand air services between Canada and Central America."

"This agreement will encourage new trade and investment between Canada and El Salvador," said Minister Van Loan. "The air agreement with El Salvador will help Canadian businesses expand their interests beyond our borders, which in turn will create wealth and prosperity at home — another example of Canada's continued engagement with the Americas."

"Deepening Canada's engagement with the Americas is a priority for this government. This open skies agreement will play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations and will help foster greater people-to-people links between our two countries," said the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Americas).

The agreement, which will replace an agreement negotiated in 1996, provides airlines with substantial flexibility for route selection, frequency of service and price setting. Any number of airlines may sell air transportation between each other's territory and third countries, in conjunction with scheduled passenger and/or all-cargo air services between the two countries operated at any number of cities in each other's territory.

New air services are anticipated by airlines of both countries in the near future. Constitutional requirements in El Salvador permit the new agreement to come into force only after it has been ratified.

Since January 2006, the Government of Canada has negotiated open, new or expanded air service agreements with a total of 52 countries, including:

•open skies-type agreements with nine countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, South Korea and El Salvador;

•expanded agreements with nine countries: Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Jordan, Singapore, the Philippines, Morocco and Cuba;

•new "first-time" agreements with nine countries: Algeria, Kuwait, Serbia, Croatia, Panama, Turkey, South Africa, Ethiopia and Tunisia; and

•a comprehensive air transport agreement between Canada and the European Union's 27 member states. This includes Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia, with which Canada did not previously have air agreements.

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

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CanNor Joins Up With Northwest Territories Tourism

2010-04-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES--(Marketwire - April 29, 2010) - Tourism in the Northwest Territories will benefit from marketing and promotion campaigns thanks to an investment from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, made the announcement today.

CanNor will provide Northwest Territories Tourism (NWTT) with $170,000 for marketing and promotion campaigns targeted to domestic, international and business travellers. NWTT is an industry association representing tourism operators and owners in the territory. It works in close collaboration with the Government of Northwest Territories.

"Tourism is a crucial part of the economy in the Northwest Territories. This investment will allow the Northwest Territories to broadcast themselves to new markets, which will increase awareness of existing tourism businesses and services," said Minister Strahl, who is also the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Federal Interlocutor Métis and Non-Status Indians.

"By attracting new international and business travellers to the region, this project will result in increased revenue for local businesses and residents," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health. "This investment will strengthen the economy in Canada's North."

"This contribution will allow us to be on the leading edge of tourism marketing activities which would not have been possible without CanNor's commitment to our industry and the economic opportunities it provides," said Jenni Bruce, Chair of Northwest Territories Tourism.

The investment is made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building across the North.

SINED is one of several of economic development programs within CanNor which is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada's economic development activities in the territories, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.

For copies of CanNor news releases, visit: http://www.cannor.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit and for more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit www.northernstrategy.ca/index-eng.asp.

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2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Odds

2010-04-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

We know this has nothing to do with our usual posting on this site, but because everyone around the office is in full tilt hockey mode, I thought this might be a little fun. Who knows, you may have your own hockey pool going as well.

Odds to win the 2009/2010 Stanley Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins 5/2

Chicago Blackhawks 15/4

San Jose Sharks 5/1

Detroit Red Wings 5/1

Vancouver Canucks 11/2

Boston Bruins 12/1

Montreal Canadiens 15/1

Philadelphia Flyers 16/1

Odds to win the 2009/2010 Western Conference

Chicago Blackhawks 9/4

San Jose Sharks 23/10

Detroit Red Wings 5/2

Vancouver Canucks 3/1

Odds to win the 2009/2010 Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh Penguins 4/5

Boston Bruins 4/1

Philadelphia Flyers 5/1

Montreal Canadiens 11/2

2010 Stanley Cup playoffs courtesy of Bodog, www.bodog.ca

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

Photograph - Street Graffiti Old San Juan Puerto Rico

2010-04-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

Photograph by Brad Edwards Westshore Galleries

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Toronto Pearson Airport takes off with $130 million smarter transportation solution from IBM

2010-04-28T13:29:00.000-07:00

MARKHAM, ON, April 28 /CNW/ - IBM (NYSE: IBM) has signed a $130 million Cdn, five-year agreement with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) to create a smarter transportation solution that will lead to greater efficiencies and lower fees for airlines.

IBM's smarter transportation solution for the GTAA is expected to generate double-digit savings while improving responsiveness and service levels at the airport. Air carriers and other airport tenants will receive IT services directly from IBM to support critical operations at kiosks, passenger and bag check-in counters, as well as aircraft gates.

The agreement was signed in April 2010 with the GTAA, which has responsibility for the operation and management of the Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada's busiest airport. With more than 75 years working with clients in the airline industry, IBM's transportation team has a full understanding of the challenges the airline industry faces.

The GTAA is implementing ways to reduce costs to airlines with a goal to improve passenger experiences. Day-to-day support of airport technology will be transitioned from a mix of in-house and subcontractor service providers to IBM. Airlines will see substantial savings as they are billed directly by IBM for their IT services.

"This transaction puts in place an innovative new model for delivering complex technology at Toronto Pearson," said Gary Long, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for the GTAA.

With more than 30.4 million passengers each year, Toronto Pearson is one of the world's largest airports built on a "common use equipment" model - a model by which most airport resources, such as check-in counters, boarding gates and kiosks, can be accessed and utilized by any of the airport's 60 airlines. Optimizing the use of the airport infrastructure seamlessly across each airline's individual platform allows the GTAA to operate at peak efficiency and maximize the use of limited physical assets, such as airplane gates.

"As one of the world's smartest airports, Toronto Pearson's common-use model is a great example of how intelligent solutions can be applied to transportation challenges," said Saad Toma, general manager, Global Technology Services, IBM Canada. "Moving technology support and billing to IBM allows the GTAA to focus on what they do best - running Canada's largest airport and ensuring safe travel for passengers, while maximizing savings for the airlines and the GTAA."

The Airline Consultative Committee's IT Subcommittee, with members from select airlines, the GTAA and IBM will establish a unique governance model based on the actual usage of kiosks and counters rather than on many of the traditional IT metrics, such as server and storage usage. This will allow the airlines to much more closely tie their actual costs and benefits of IT to their passenger pricing.

IBM serves major global airlines and airports with consulting services and technology to improve traveler experience, streamline operations, scheduling, maintenance, crew and equipment optimization, kiosks, as well as sense-and-respond systems for predictive applications.

For further information: Mike Boden, IBM Media Relations, (416) 478-7117, mboden@ca.ibm.com

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Canadian and U.S. Photographers Compete for 2010 Grange Prize

2010-04-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

2010 partner institution is Chicago-based Museum of Contemporary Photography

TORONTO and MONTREAL, April 28 /CNW Telbec/ - Four leading-edge photographers, two Canadian and two American, will have the opportunity to win the $50,000 Grange Prize, presented by Aeroplan and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Each year, The Grange Prize partners with one international art institution in an effort to recognize the best in Canadian and international photography - and 2010's partner is the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) at Columbia College Chicago.

A joint panel of curatorial experts will meet to review the work of photographic artists from Canada and the U.S., narrowing the shortlist to four. Both the AGO and the MoCP will mount exhibitions of the shortlisted artists' works this fall, and members of the public will vote onsite or online to determine the winner, who will be announced November 2, 2010 at a special event hosted by Aeroplan and the AGO.

Each of the four shortlisted artists will participate in a ten-day residency: the Canadian nominees will travel to the U.S., and the American artists will visit Canada. Additionally, the three artists who are not selected by the public to win the prize will receive $5,000 toward the creation of work developed during their residencies, bringing the total amount granted to photographic artists to $65,000. This makes The Grange Prize Canada's largest photography prize. It is also the only major Canadian art prize voted on by the public.

"The AGO is a strong advocate for the diverse and innovative contemporary photographers working both in Canada and internationally," says Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO's Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO. "The Grange Prize is a wonderful embodiment of that commitment, and we're thrilled to partner with Aeroplan in bringing the work of these terrific artists to a global community."

"We're proud to be working with the AGO for a third year on The Grange Prize to promote the importance of photography as an art form," says Vince Timpano, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeroplan. "We look forward to celebrating the works of the selected artists as we encourage the public to take action and vote for their favourite photographer."

The Grange Prize, now in its third year, was awarded to Mexican photographer Marco Antonio Cruz in 2009, and Winnipeg-based artist Sarah Anne Johnson in 2008, when the partner country was China. Johnson's installation House on Fire was exhibited at the AGO in Summer 2009; with the generous support of art collector Michael F. Nesbitt, the Gallery acquired the installation in its entirety in September 2009.

On May 26, Aeroplan and the AGO will announce this year's shortlist. The selection committee for the 2010 shortlist includes AGO assistant curator of photography Sophie Hackett; Toronto-based art collector and curator Dr. Kenneth Montague; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago associate curator Dominic Molon; and MoCP curator Karen Irvine.

Says Irvine, "The Museum of Contemporary Photography positions itself to be at the forefront of contemporary photography, so it's very exciting for us serve as a partnering institution for the Grange Prize. The prize creates a unique dialogue between our two countries, and highlights some of the best photographers working in both the United States and Canada."

Aeroplan and the AGO gratefully acknowledge the support of The Globe and Mail and Bravo!, official Media Partners for The Grange Prize. Contemporary programming at the AGO is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. Updates, blog postings, and more information about The Grange Prize can be found at http://www.grangeprize.com./

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St. Kitts - Caribbean

2010-04-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Brad Edwards West Shore Galleries

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

Orlando Pulls Together to Help Stranded Tourists

2010-04-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - April 28, 2010) - Despite the worst being over (at least for now), there are still thousands of European tourists stranded in various locations all over the world due to the backlog of flights that were cancelled when an Icelandic volcano erupted over a week ago. The eruption caused a massive plume of ash which covered many countries in Europe, making it unsafe for any flights either inwards, or outbound.

As far as being stranded goes, there are many worse places you could be than Orlando, Florida. With its beautiful weather, long days of sunshine, and exciting things to do, many people wouldn't complain if they were forced to extend their vacation! However, there are practicalities to consider and many people will be left out of pocket as they have to pay out for their accommodation, food and entertainment for an additional week or two that they just hadn't budgeted for.

However, it seems that everyone in the community, businesses and individuals are pulling together and pitching in to make stranded tourist's time in Orlando more fun, and most importantly, cheaper.

SeaWorld announced that they will allow stranded tourists to visit their three parks in Florida at no extra charge. Thousands of tourists have already taken up the offer, with many more likely to kill time in the SeaWorld parks. Walt Disney World is also pitching in, offering a free one-day pass to their parks for anyone who turns up with a cancelled plane ticket or expired boarding pass. Wet n Wild water parks, and Universal Studios have also announced similar deals, ensuring that any stranded guests will not have to splash out for expensive theme park tickets while they wait for their flight to be rescheduled.

Millions of tourists from the UK and other parts of Europe go on holiday to Orlando each year. With such a huge array of activities and places to visit, this holiday destination appeals to families, couples, and groups of friends. Travellers due to fly to Orlando in the near future will be comforted by the news that the theme parks and hotels are doing what they can to help stranded tourists, showing that if anything else were to happen, they would not be left to deal with it alone. This will doubt have a positive effect on tourism in the area, ensuring that millions of Orlando holidays are not cancelled in the coming months.

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

Travel agents and tour operators join calls for relief measures for the travel industry

2010-04-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

Travel Daily News - In view of the upcoming meetings of EU Tourism and Transport Ministers at EU level to discuss the impact of the airspace closure caused by the volcanic ash cloud, ECTAA and GEBTA call on the European Commission Vice-President responsible for tourism, Mr. Antonio Tajani, to support urgent relief measures for travel agents and tour operators.

Travel agents and tour operators have gone into great efforts to assist and repatriate their customers stranded abroad due to the air traffic closure over most of Europe. The cost incurred by travel agents and tour operators since 15 April is estimated to be in excess of 450 million euros. This figure excludes the cost of travel agents, which employed additional staff, opened call centres and enhanced their web operations to respond to the massive demand for information as well as booking or re-booking requests.

This estimate is very conservative, as it only provides an evaluation of costs incurred up to 26 April. It does not take into account the lost revenue from travel and package tours that have been cancelled or are being postponed due to the uncertainty in air travel.

ECTAA and GEBTA have approached the European Commission Vice-President, Mr. Antonio Tajani, to support the European tourism industry. Since February 2010 Mr. Tajani has responsibility for the tourism sector as part of his Commission portfolio of Enterprise and Industry.

The two associations are urging the Commission to include travel agents and tour operators in the economic impact assessment of the airspace closure. They are also calling on the Commission to grant travel agents and tour operators access to state aid or any other form of support for the industry that compensate damages for natural disasters or exceptional situations, if this is granted to the airline industry.

Said President of ECTAA: “Travel agents and tour operators have spent millions of euros to assist their stranded customers and repatriate them by all means of transport. The financial impact has reached an unprecedented level and plunged the sector right back into another crisis. If relief measures are not available, a number of travel agents and tour operators may face some very serious difficulties.”

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British Columbia Expands Park and Conservancies

2010-04-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA - The B.C. government introduced legislation that will establish seven new "Class A" provincial parks and one new conservancy, as well as make land additions to 12 existing provincial parks, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today.

Bill 15, the Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2010, continues this government's expansion of British Columbia's parks and protected areas system by adding 13,219 hectares.

The provisions in this bill include:

* Establishing six new "Class A" parks and making additions to two existing "Class A" parks in the Lillooet region as a result of the Lillooet Land and Resource Management Plan.

* Establishing a new "Class A" park in the Kamloops region as a result of the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan.

* Establishing a new conservancy in the Ure Creek area following an agreement with the Lil'wat First Nation.

If the legislature passes bill 15, since 2001 the B.C. government will have established 65 new parks, 144 conservancies, two ecological reserves and nine protected areas, and expanded more than 60 parks and six ecological reserves, protecting more than 1.9 million hectares of additional land.

This legislation also adds lands to improve park values in 10 "Class A"parks around the province, including:

* 7.9 hectares to Beaver Creek Park in the Kootenays as a result of a private land acquisition.

* 270 hectares to Brandywine Falls Park along the Sea to Sky Highway.

* 44.5 hectares of marine foreshore to Buccaneer Bay Park near the Sunshine Coast.

* 64.8 hectares to Eskers Park near Prince George as a result of a private land acquisition.

* 2.2 hectares to Francis Point Park on the Sunshine Coast as a result of a private land acquisition.

* 124 hectares to Gilpin Grasslands Park near Grand Forks as a result of a private land acquisition.

* 911 hectares to Mount Robson Park.

* 310 hectares to Skaha Bluffs Park near Penticton as a result of private land acquisitions.

* 5.6 hectares to Tyhee Park near Smithers as a result of a private land acquisition.

* 62.7 hectares of land as a result of a private land acquisition and18.3 hectares of foreshore to Valhalla Park in the Kootenays.

The bill also confirms the implementation of the 2004 decision for mining/tourism zones in the Lillooet plan area. Bill 15 will create a new South Chilcotin Mountains Park, a "Class A" park comprising 56,796 hectares from the area currently designated as Spruce Lake Protected Area. The remaining approximately 14,550 hectares are proposed for tourism and mining, but commercial logging will be prohibited.The plan protects 56,796 hectares of land as a new "Class A" park, while opening up new economic opportunities by creating certainty on the land base. This plan strikes a balance that will provide job opportunities for families that live and work in this region, while still protecting the natural environment.

In addition to South Chilcotin Mountains Park, five other new "Class A" parks and two park additions are being established in the Lillooet area. These five new areas and two additions total 21,801 hectares. There is also a name change for one existing "Class A" park in the Morice plan area as a result of discussions with the Wet'suwet'en First Nation. Amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act are regularly required to establish new parks and conservancies, to add land to existing parks, and to modify the boundaries of parks and conservancies.

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

Holland America suggests tax cuts could mean more cruises for Alaska

2010-04-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

The day after the capital city, Victoria British Columbia, received its first ship load of enthusiastic passengers enroute to Alaska, an interesting article surfaces regarding the one ship line providing most of the traffic. Holland America.

By George Tibbits, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE - Holland America Line is going to look far more favourably at bringing more vacationers to Alaska now that the state's passenger head tax has been reduced, the president and CEO of the company said Monday.

The Seattle-based cruise line has long since decided how many ships to devote to Alaska this year and next. But CEO Stein Kruse said pro-business actions this year by Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell and the state Legislature "will certainly be a positive influencing factor" as the company makes its deployment decisions for 2012.

"I can't say right here and today what we will do because those decisions haven't been made, but I can tell you that it's a far more positive outlook than it has been for the last couple of years," Kruse said.

He spoke in an interview with The Associated Press on the bridge of the Holland America liner MS Amsterdam, which made a half-day call in Seattle as it wraps up a world cruise. Kruse stopped by to visit with Capt. Olav van der Waard and crew members of the 1,380-passenger ship, which next week begins a series of 14-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska.

A few hours before adjourning last week, Alaska lawmakers passed a bill to lower the state head tax from $46 a passenger to $34.50. The measure was heavily pushed by Parnell and was key to a settling a federal lawsuit filed by the Alaska Cruise Association against the state.

The association has blamed state regulations and tax costs for the expected loss of three ships and about 142,000 passengers this season.

Cruises are booked far in advance, and Kruse said figures indicate the total Alaska business will be down about 16 per cent to 17 per cent this year. He said that when 2010 deployment decisions were made two years ago, the recession was less a factor than Alaska's business climate.

"Alaska went through the hoops of trying to make it complicated for businesses like ours to operate up there," he said.

Holland America will have eight ships on Alaska runs from Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, one more than in 2009, and 149 total departures from the two cities. Next year it will deploy seven ships making 125 total departures.

Seattle's cruise business is growing, with a record 223 port calls scheduled this year, five more than in 2009. Much of that stability has been at the expense of Vancouver as cruise lines seek to cut costs.

The Port of Seattle says cruise ships and passengers account for $425 million in annual business revenue for the region and nearly $19 million annually in state and local tax revenues.

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

Skyscanner reveals top 5 places for eruption observation

2010-04-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Travel Daily News - Blasting billons of tons of ash and lava 10,000ft into the atmosphere, Iceland’s unpronounceable volcano – Eyjafjallajokull – has grounded all UK flights, a first in aviation history. But once planes return to our skies, where are the best places for lava lovers to watch the spectacular site of a volcano erupting? Flight site Skyscanner brings you the top five destinations for volcano voyeurs.

Stromboli, Italy

Known as the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’ due to its spectacular night time explosions, this Aeolian Island has been attracting global lava lovers for years. Stromboli is almost unique in that it has been active since records began. The eruptions are so regular that the word Stromboli is now used to mean ‘small explosion’ and its shape means you can get remarkably close to the action –just 200m above the active crater!

Montserrat, West Indies

In 1995 the Soufriere Hills volcano erupted, burying and burning the former capital of Plymouth to such an extent that they had to relocate the government permanently. Ash continues to fall to this day making much of the area off limits, but some parts of the exclusion zone are now open for guided tours allowing visitors to see the half-buried houses. The volcano itself is best viewed from Jack Boy Hill from where you can watch its angry red glow after dark.

Kilauea, Hawaii

Kilauea on the Hawaiian island of Kauai claims the title of the world’s most active volcano – so a visit here is likely not to disappoint. You’ll need to take a boat ride to see one of its most spectacular sights – red hot lava oozing into the ocean which causes the sea to boil and vaporise into white plumes of steam.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

The Avenue of the Volcanoes in the Andes Mountains includes Cotopaxi volcano which, at almost 6000 metres, is the world’s highest active volcano. Even if Cotopaxi doesn’t blow her top during your visit, her perfectly symmetrical cone surrounded by pristine forests, lakes and wild horses should offer ample compensation.

Sierra Negra, Galapagos

One of the largest volcanoes in the Galapagos Archipelago, Sierra Negra last went off in 2005. As one of the most active volcanic areas in the world, the Galapagos Islands are considered perfect for volcano watching –so far there have been more than 50 eruptions in the last 200 years.

Note from WSG: We recently visited St. Lucia in the Caribbean, and found this live one as well, while probably not as grande as these other ones, still a must see (and smell) if your into this kind of thing. St. Lucia offers up a Drive-through Volcano. La Soufriere.

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Travelling to Cuba: Medical Insurance is a Must

2010-04-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

LÉVIS, QC, April 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Financial Security, Desjardins Group's life and health insurance company, reminds us that starting May 1, Cuban authorities will require all travellers to the country to obtain insurance policies that cover medical costs. Uninsured travelers may, however, purchase insurance locally.

The Cuba Tourist Board advises that provincial health insurance cards will be accepted as proof of medical insurance. All travellers and those accompanying them-including children-must have this card in their possession when entering Cuba.

Note that provincial health insurance plans offer only minimal coverage for medical costs for services provided abroad. These plans are not designed to cover travellers outside of their home province. It is therefore essential that all travellers carry travel insurance to avoid having to spend large amounts on accident or illness-related costs that are not refunded by their provincial health insurance plan.

All Desjardins clients carrying travel insurance that includes medical protection (for example, through a credit card, group insurance or a separate policy) are covered and are encouraged to contact the Desjardins assistance service, Sigma Assistel, in case of illness or accident while visiting Cuba.

For further information: (for journalists only): Caroline Phémius, Advisor, Media Relations, Desjardins Group, (514) 281-7000, 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7646,

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Canadian Consumer Behavior is Changing

2010-04-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

TORONTO, April 27 /CNW/ - The 2008/2009 recession fundamentally changed Canadian attitudes and spending behaviour, according to survey research jointly conducted by American Express Canada and LoyaltyOne, the company that runs the AIR MILES Rewards Program.

Survey results that American Express Canada President and CEO Denise Pickett presented to an audience of marketing professionals at the CMA Business of Ideas Forum, showed changes in how Canadians live, and particularly how they spend, potentially are as fundamental for the current generation as the changes that the Great Depression brought about in the 1930s.

The survey, conducted in February 2010, polled more than 1,000 AIR MILES Collectors. The AIR MILES Reward Program has more than 10 million active collector accounts representing two-thirds of Canadian households with a broad cross section of consumers nationwide.

Most Canadians surveyed said the recession is behind them. No less than 62% feel more positive about the economy and 58% feel more positive about their personal financial future. However, almost half (48%) still feel nervous about their personal financial situation.

For the overwhelming majority-a full three quarters of those surveyed-impulse shopping is a thing of the past and most people are now being much more cautious about their discretionary spending and deciding what to purchase.

"Canadians are now much more careful and deliberate about how they spend their money, or pay down the money they owe," Pickett said. "The recession's made people rethink what's really worth their hard-earned money."

The research found that more Canadians are bargain hunting (62%) but results suggest that price is not the primary motivating factor for consumers. Quality, value, service and trust, have all risen to the top (74%) in terms of importance and impact.

According to Pickett, Canadians now need a rational reason for buying a product or service, and they think a lot harder about where they're spending their dollars, focusing more attention on overall value. Additionally, there is a growing group of former impulse shoppers who are now holding to a pre-determined spending budget, many for the first time.

"This increased emphasis on service and quality is something marketers need to pay more attention to, particularly as Canadians are far less loyal to brands than before the recession," Pickett said.

LoyaltyOne President Bryan Pearson concurred. "The key to capturing consumers' loyalty in the post-recession era is to focus on The Three R's: rewards, recognition and most important, relevance. Savvy Canadian businesses are recognizing that in the new economy, the way to create customer engagement and relevance is to connect with consumers in ways that show them you understand who they are and what they care about. This survey demonstrates that marketers need to recognize that consumers are less impulsive and more careful about how they are spending," he said.

According to Pickett, American Express continues to invest in improving its servicing capabilities, including moving deeper into everyday spending categories like groceries and gas as a way to both respond to consumer needs and to shift more spending on its cards to non-impulse categories.

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ArounderTouch: A First-Class Ticket to Your Flights of Fancy

2010-04-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

LUGANO, Switzerland, April 27 /CNW/ - Imagine the luxury of worldwide travel being virtually real for everyone. It's true at http://Arounder.com, an online travel magazine, offering lifestyle, cultural, historic and economic information on cities and destinations spanning our universe.

Providing "world-class" content and the "best of" quality, http://www.arounder.com went mobile by launching ArounderTouch - a free iPhone app - in Italy on December 3, 2009. Now the current 200,000+ users welcome the world as ArounderTouch 1.1 becomes available globally.

Arounder's main attractions are 360-degree, fullscreen panoramas of 3,500+ locations - including new destinations of:

Rio de Janeiro, New York, London, Sydney, Moscow, Rapanui, Tahiti, Krakow, Montreal, Hawaii, and Mars.

And since these were created by guest photographers intimately familiar with their locations, Arounder showcases the best in VR panoramic art:

AYRTON, Will Pearson, Sam Rohn, Oleg Gaponyuk, Aaron Spence, Andrey Ilyin, Gregory Panayotou, Szymon Madey, Dean Karamehmedovic, Jean Pierre Lavoie and Hans Nyberg.

Multimedia Press Release: http://www.aroundertouch.com/press-release/pr-aroundertouch-1-1-english.html

Website: http://www.aroundertouch.com Download: http://itunes.com/apps/aroundertouch/

With "on-the-go" access, the combination of photographic artistry and digital technology heightens the sense

of "being there"...anywhere. Also the updated version ArounderTouch 1.1 features:

WSG (Fototrips) Posting news of interest from around the world relating to travel and photography.

PREMIER'S STATEMENT ON EARTH DAY

2010-04-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA - Premier Gordon Campbell made the following statement on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

"Earth Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness for our environment. There is no denying that the world has changed. Climate change is real and we must all do our part to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the impact our actions have on the world.

"In British Columbia we are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful, pristine land on the planet. The province's natural beauty is diverse and unparalleled. We are blessed with a land that deserves preservation and we have a responsibility to protect it.

"The B.C. Government is working to lead by example both domestically and internationally. This year B.C. will become North America's first jurisdiction to have a 100 per cent carbon-neutral public sector. Today, more than 13.5 million hectares of British Columbia are protected, more than any other province in Canada. This is an area equal to the size of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI combined. We generate 90 per cent of our electricity from no- carbon or low-carbon sources. But we still must conserve energy and spread the message of the importance of reducing consumption.

"Each one of us can make a difference with our actions. Whether it is ensuring we recycle or conserving energy, every little bit helps. By working together, we can leave a better planet for our children and grandchildren."

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EARTH DAY WALK IN ITS 29TH YEAR

2010-04-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

This is the 29th year of celebrating our Grassroot community with a Concert and an Environmental Fair on the closest Saturday to Earth Day. This year the organizers on the Earth Walk Committee are very excited to be using the new facilities that the City has provided in Centennial Square. The improvements dubbed the “amphitheater” are on the west side of the square and look more like a loading dock for the McPherson Theater than a stage for community events. Still it will be interesting to see how the event transpires.

The Earth Walk will be parading up instead of down Government Street for the second year in a row, when asked why the major change in direction for the Walk? Steve Filipovic a member of the volunteer committee said, “Over the years it has become harder and harder for the grassroot organization to collect donations on the lawns of the Legislature because of a tightening or the rules that govern that property. So since the Earth Walk is all about boosting community support and financial contributions for groups challenging the many issues our society is facing we felt Centennial Square would be a better place for the concert.”

Colleen Eccleston, a lecturer in Fine Arts at the University of Victoria will be the emcee, and she would like to invite everyone in Victoria to this fun family event. Samba du Soleil and Masala, two fantastic drumming groups, will unite to lead the Walk from the Legislature at 12:30. From there the colourfully dressed participants will parade up Government Street, making their way with the aid of the Victoria Police clear to Centennial Square. At the Square Victoria favourite Oliver Swain, his big base and his very talented friends are set up on stage. Vicky Husband will share some information about our Crown lands and Ross Crockford, one of the organizers of the most successful petitions in Victoria will be there to engage the citizens of Victoria in some contemplations about democracy. Then the Ecclestons will bring us home. There will be dancing, laughter and of course information tables from the numerous groups that are involved in thinking globally and acting locally.

Join our Facebook Group ‘EARTH WALK’ and RSVP to our event!

For more information about Earth Day visit www.earthwalkvictoria.ca and visit out our partner in hosting this annual event www.VIDEA.ca a great example of the type of organization we are supporting by holding this annual event.

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Transport Canada eases carry-on luggage restriction

2010-04-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

OTTAWA — Canadians travelling by plane to the United States can once again get on board with a piece of luggage in each hand, Transport Canada announced yesterday.

Transport Minister John Baird said that restrictions on carry-on items, put in place in December after the failed terrorist attack by the so-called Underwear Bomber, have been eased but he stressed that both U.S. and Canadian governments have made security a top priority.

“The government of Canada is unwavering in our commitment to implement the most effective measures possible for a safe and secure aviation system, while upholding a level of comfort and convenience for air travellers,” Baird said.

The change to the baggage rule to allow two carry-on items on U.S.bound flights was to go into effect today.

After Umar Abdulmutallab failed to detonate his bomb on a Northwest Airlines plane Christmas Day, security for all travel into the United States was drastically tightened. Even though Abdulmutallab had got on a plane in Amsterdam, bound for Detroit, all travellers boarding U.S.bound flights in Canada were immediately subjected to more searches.

Travellers were also told on Dec. 27 that only one carry-on item could be taken on U.S. flights. The next day, all carry-on items were banned.

On top of all that, travellers were told to stay in their seats during the last hour of any U.S.-bound flight.

Those restrictions were eventually loosened even as government agencies on both sides of the border looked at ways they could improve security while, at the same time, minimize disruptions to passengers.

The biggest change since then on the Canadian side are full-body scanners at major airports and a new tax on air travel the federal government says it needs to help pay for $1.5 billion worth of beefed-up security enhancements.

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US pilots can take antidepressants on job

2010-04-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

The government is lifting a 70-year-old ban on letting pilots fly while on antidepressants, citing improvements in the drugs and an unforeseen side effect of the restriction: Depressed pilots kept flying but just kept their conditions secret.

"Our concern is that they haven't necessarily been candid," Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt told reporters in a conference call.

According to Associated Press, the change in policy, which includes a degree of amnesty for pilots who lied about their diagnosis and treatment on medical certification forms, is aimed in part at clueing the government in on how many pilots suffer from a disease whose symptoms can include thoughts of suicide, FAA officials said.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 9.5 percent of people 18 and older suffer from a mood disorder. A 2009 study by Columbia University showed that as many as 10 percent of Americans were taking antidepressants. FAA officials assume the percentage is about the same among pilots.

But the agency has no hard numbers because the ban gave pilots a disincentive to report depression or treatment for it. Under the ban, airline and other pilots who suspected they were depressed but wanted or financially needed to fly generally faced a choice: seek no medication for treatment, because doing so would disqualify them, or self-medicate and lie about it on a required medical certification form — a federal crime. Neither, Babbitt said, is acceptable.

"We need to change the culture and remove the stigma associated with depression," Babbitt said. "Pilots should be able to get the medical treatment they need so they can safely perform their duties."

Under the new policy, pilots who take one of four antidepressants — Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa or Lexapro — or their generic equivalents will be allowed to fly if they have been successfully treated by those medications for a year without side effects that could pose a safety hazard in the cockpit. The antidepressants are classified as SSRIs, which help regulate mood.

The ban had endured because earlier generations of antidepressants caused concerns about side effects, such as drowsiness and seizures, Babbitt said. But a panel of medical experts for the FAA found during two years of research that newer versions don't cause side effects in everyone. When they do occur, they tend to subside in time.

In addition, the FAA will grant a sort of amnesty for pilots who have kept their treatment a secret. The agency will not take civil enforcement action against pilots who, within six months, disclose their diagnoses of depression and treatment.

Technically, the new policy would not protect pilots who lied about the issue from criminal prosecution, a spokesman for the agency said. But the inspector general of the Department of Transportation has said that prosecution would only be sought in extraordinary cases, such as when other criminal conduct was involved, according to Les Dorr, spokesman for the FAA.

Several labor unions representing aircraft owners, pilots and crews had urged the government to lift the ban, and the Air Travelers Association does not object, according to its president, David Stempler. The Army, the Civil Aviation Authority of Australia and Transport Canada already allow some pilots to fly who are using antidepressant medications.

But others say that lying on a federal form for any reason should disqualify would-be pilots.

"The FAA, by essentially granting amnesty to thousands of pilots who suffer from mental illnesses, and lied about those illnesses, is rewarding dishonesty and in so doing making our skies less safe," said Joseph Gutheinz Jr. a former commercial pilot and government investigator who teaches about aviation security and safety issues at the University of Phoenix.

A team of psychiatrists and aviation medical examiners will help the agency monitor pilots under the new policy, modeled on a program established 40 years ago to assess and treat pilots suffering from alcohol and drug abuse issues, the FAA said.

-Travel Daily News.com April 6, 2010

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"Bring Your Boots" to Alberta

2010-04-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - April 6, 2010) -

Travel Alberta has launched a new marketing campaign aimed at long-haul travellers in key North American markets, inviting them to bring their boots and experience everything Alberta has to offer. "Bring Your Boots" taps directly into what travellers love most about a vacation in Alberta - the chance to get out and do different things.

"Bring Your Boots" is not just a reminder; it's a heartfelt and compelling invitation for travellers to share in the countless travel experiences Alberta has to offer around our province," said Travel Alberta Vice-President, Marketing Jon Mamela. "Consumers in our key markets are being courted by countless destinations around the world. We feel strongly that Travel Alberta's new campaign will stand out amongst the crowd".

In addition to colourful print advertisements running in major U.S. and Canadian newspapers, interactive banner ads and a 60 second video will appear on high-traffic news, social media, and travel Websites, with the invitation for consumers to visit Alberta and bring their boots. Eye-catching images of extended boot-clad legs against a backdrop of iconic Alberta scenery and attractions will give the ads a quirky and playful feel.

The campaign was created by Calgary-based Karo Group.

Research of potential travelers fitting the Canadian Tourism Commission's award winning consumer segmentation indicated that travellers from New York, LA and Toronto look to Alberta to provide an authentic outdoor adventure within breathtaking natural beauty. The campaign will drive travellers to TravelAlberta.com, where they will be served a full range of opportunities to experience what Alberta has to offer.

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'BC EXPERIENCE' IN SAN FRANCISCO TO PROMOTE TOURISM

2010-04-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA - One of the most popular activities during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is heading to San Francisco as part of an exciting tourism marketing campaign, announced Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

From April 8 to 18, a 183-metre (600-foot) zipline will be set-up in Embarcadero Square in San Francisco as part of the BC Experience showcase. The showcase will feature the Whistler-based Ziptrek Ecotours zipline, free public dance performances by the Le-La-La Dancers - a world-renowned Aboriginal dance group - an interactive video display featuring videos and beautiful images of B.C., a 3-D art installation and an updated version of the "You Gotta Be Here" advertising campaign in subway stations throughout the
city.

"We've just finished hosting the largest and most successful celebrations in the world and the zipline in Robson Square was obviously one of the most popular public activities during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Krueger. "We want to bring that excitement to San Francisco, a city that is one of our key markets for attracting new travellers, to show people the diverse range of travel experiences they can find in B.C. and invite them to visit."

The Canadian Tourism Commission is also hosting their annual US Media Marketplace in San Francisco April 12-14, at which over 150 US-based travel writers and editors will meet with Canadian tourism representatives. To help launch the BC Experience, two gold-medal winning Olympians, Canadian ski cross racer Ashleigh McIvor and US speed skater Shani Davis, will be among the first to try the zipline and participate in a public autograph signing.

As a result of the Olympic marketing campaign, the number of Americans in the target demographic considering a leisure trip to B.C. has nearly doubled. This increase represents nearly nine million more potential U.S. visitors. Approximately 14 per cent of US visitors to B.C. come from California.

The BC Experience is part of a post-Olympic North American consumer marketing campaign that will use online advertising, social media and search marketing to reach potential visitors. The campaign will reach out to consumers who have already expressed interest in travel to B.C., and present customized offers
based on their interests.

The campaign will focus on a range of experiences, including golf, food and wine, and outdoor adventure to create a greater depth of interest in experiencing B.C.'s tourism products.

For more information on B.C. tourism opportunities, please visit http://www.hellobc.com/.

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Radisson passes Hilton as Europe's largest upscale hotel brand

2010-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts and Radisson Edwardian Hotels collectively offer 170 hotels and 38,079 rooms; followed by Hilton with 146 hotels and 37,806 rooms; and Marriott with 86 hotels and 20,806 rooms.

"We are proud to finally have reached this leading position, a result of our strategic and ambitious business development, our creative marketing campaigns and our innovative service concepts at our hotels," commented Olivier Jacquin, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sales & Distribution at Rezidor, which manages Radisson Blu in Europe.

Full-service brand Radisson Blu (formerly Radisson SAS) has design heritage that dates back to Arne Jacobsen's historic Royal Copenhagen, the world's first designer hotel celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Recent Radisson Blu collaborations with the likes of Matteo Thun, Adam D. Tihany and Francois Champsaur have resulted in standout design hotels in Zurich, Frankfurt and Paris.

Radisson Blu brand standards feature the "Yes I Can!" service concept, including Nespresso machines in business class rooms, 3-hour express laundry, Grab & Run breakfast, and complimentary high-speed internet access in all guestrooms.

While city-center business hotels remain a major component of the portfolio, Radisson Blu has also diversified considerably in recent years. New openings include spa resorts in Dubrovnik, Croatia and Cesme, Turkey; boutique hotels in Paris and Madrid; and "new breed" airport hotels featuring designer interiors and chic wine towers in Zurich and Stansted international airports.

Upcoming signature openings in 2010 will include the first Radisson Blu in Milan and the Radisson Royal Hotel Moscow, a historic renovation located in one of the city's original "Seven Sisters" skyscrapers and featuring a destination spa, culinary cruises along the Moskva River, and over 1,200 works of original Soviet-era art.

- Travel Daily News

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??? Expedia.ca

2010-04-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

*By the way – when you visit us at expedia.ca, you'll see that Virtual Vacations aren't real (and neither is Craig Ruse). Hey – it's April Fool's Day – remember?

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Expedia.ca reveals exciting new innovation that will change the way you experience travel

2010-04-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Imagine climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef or being one with nature on the Galapagos Islands without ever leaving your home. It may sound virtually impossible, but it's now virtually a reality, thanks to an exciting new innovation from Expedia.ca™. Today, Expedia.ca announces the launch of Virtual Vacations, a revolutionary innovation that will change the way Canadians experience travel forever*.

"With Expedia.ca's Virtual Vacations, the trip is virtual but the memories are real -- now for the first time in travel history, you'll be able to try before you buy," said Craig Ruse, newly appointed Vice President, Expedia.ca Virtual Vacations. "Canadians now have the opportunity to test drive their vacations before they book, at a fraction of the cost. It's not every day you can climb Mount Kilimanjaro and still be home in time for dinner."

Expedia's Virtual Vacations operates using a Vacation Buddy system. Once a destination is chosen by a user, they can pick an Expedia® Vacation Buddy who is waiting at the chosen destination equipped with a state-of-the-art HD 2080p wide-angle, light weight panoramic video helmet. Using Expedia's patented new virtual reality head wear, which will be sent to users after they sign up, virtual travellers can see and communicate with their Travel Buddy in real-time and tell them where they want to go.

"With Expedia's Virtual Vacations, the world is virtually at your doorstep. You can climb mountains, explore caves, talk with local residents and take pictures for your own personal photo album, all from the comfort of your own home," said Ruse. "And if you like their virtual vacation destination, you are just a few clicks away from booking a flight and accommodations."

With three easy steps, you'll be transformed from your living room to your dream vacation:

1.Pick a destination

2.Enable the Expedia.ca Vacation Buddy System

3.Tell your Vacation Buddy where you want to go!

Let's get Virtual

Expedia.ca is offering a limited time special introductory offer to some of the world's hottest destinations including:

•Mount Kilimanjaro

•Galapagos Islands

•Alaska

•Great Barrier Reef

•Yucatan Peninsula

Details on how to make your dream vacation a virtual reality are just a click away. Visit www.Expedia.ca for more information*.

Expedia Canada Corp., a subsidiary of Expedia, Inc., operates Canada's most visited full-service online travel service, Expedia.ca. Expedia.ca customers are supported by customer support agents available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a toll-free number and email response. For more information, visit www.Expedia.ca

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Skyscanner.com today launches cheap flights into space

2010-04-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND--(Marketwire - April 1, 2010) - While excitement is building about the increasingly imminent prospect of space tourism following Virgin Galactic's successful test flights in March, the prohibitive $200,000 price tag makes this a final frontier too far for many would be astronauts, so today Skyscanner announces the launch of cheap flights to space.

"Virgin Galactic is doing a brilliant job of creating excitement and raising awareness that space tourism is a real possibility, but this is not a one-rocket space race by any means and space travel doesn't have to cost the Earth," said Skyscanner co-founder Barry Smith. "The 'no frills' model has transformed air travel over the last decade, so it's no surprise a low-cost contender has emerged to make this market more accessible to all."

Low cost space travel venture Copenhagen Suborbitals – based in Denmark – is taking a no-frills approach in order to bring the cost of space travel back down to Earth. Prices per trip have not been finalized but are anticipated to substantially undercut the Virgin Galactic fare and half price discounts may be offered for one way tickets. There will be no in-flight service – partly because the spacecraft can actually only accommodate one person – no baggage allowance and no seating – passengers will have to stand throughout the duration of the space flight, although 'buttock and armpit support' will be available.

"We'd like to call this company the Ryanair of space travel but we can't – you don't have to pay extra for check-in baggage. In fact you can't take any baggage at all," said Barry Smith.

He concludes: "It's one small click for the user, but one giant leap for us as a company, opening up opportunities for our business to boldly go into some exciting new market niches. It's even possible we may see some interest from forlorn former Concorde passengers who miss the view on flights from New York to London. Although the flights are currently starting from a barge in the Baltic Sea, and I'm not actually sure where they're landing, so that may not be ideal for them."

Copenhagen Suborbitals is planning a test flight in June of this year, powering a spacecraft into a suborbital trajectory. Budding astronauts can follow progress as the company launches a series of rockets to validate and test performance before launching humans into space.

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Top 10 Snorkeling and Diving Beach Destinations around the world.

2010-04-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - April 1, 2010) - Colorful coral reefs, long-forgotten shipwrecks, exotic sea creatures, mysterious caves -- all these undersea treasures offer divers and snorkelers an adventure beyond comparison. So on your next beach holiday, skip the lounge chair in favor of the underwater environment and observe some of the world's most beautiful marine life.

At Cheapflights.com, we've pulled together a list of our favorite beach destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling. See a sampling here and view the complete list in our blog. Continue reading below for our travel tips on planning a smooth trip and making the most of your time underwater.

•Belize: While some refer to it as the Great Barrier Reef's kid sister, there's no joking around when you dive into the Belize Barrier Reef. This coral masterpiece runs the length of the coastline and is considered the diving "holy grail" of the area. Search and compare cheap flights to Belize.

•Bonaire: Bonaire's surrounding waters are designated as an official marine park, and diving here offers a chance to explore a seemingly untouched and unspoiled environment. The South Caribbean water is exceptionally clear, making underwater photography a must. Search and compare cheap flights to Bonaire.

•Cayman Islands: Exploring the Grand Cayman's seven miles of reefs and wreck dives offers travelers a world of sponges, corals, algae and tunicates in an unimaginable variation of color to discover. Search and compare cheap flights to Cayman Islands.

•Cozumel, Mexico: The sea off Cozumel, Mexican Caribbean's largest island located just 12 miles from the Yucatan Peninsula, is home to many eels, nurse sharks, barracudas, crabs, lobsters, and sting rays. Save the Corona for dry land however! Search and compare cheap flights to Cozumel.

•Fiji: The soft coral capital of the world, Fiji has plenty of luxury resorts and eco-hideaways that pair stunning beaches with exotic underwater environments. Its ever-changing current allows the corals to bloom into color. Search and compare cheap flights to Fiji.

The next five destinations to make the list include the Galapagos Islands; the Great Barrier Reef; Hawaii; Rocktail Bay, South Africa and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. To read more on these diving and snorkeling hot spots visit our blog at http://news.cheapflights.com/2010/03/top-10-snorkeling-and-diving-beach-destinations/

To make sure you have a great underwater getaway, follow these quick hints:

•Pack a small medical kit. Decongestants and ear drops, sunscreen and sea-sickness pills are all good to have on hand.

•Pack smart to stay within the weight limits. And think ahead about what to check and what to carry-on. Obviously, check your dive knife but also your wetsuit, booties, fins, snorkel and buoyancy compensator. Your scuba dive computer can go into your carry-on luggage, packed in a box that will prevent accidental activation. You should also bring your mask, log book and certification cards in your hand luggage.

•Make sure your travel insurance will cover you. There are a couple of things to think about here. There's your scuba gear -- how much will you be covered for if it's lost or stolen? Are you covered adequately if you need medical attention?

•When you're finished diving, build in a day to relax. It's dangerous to fly immediately after scuba diving. You'll need 12 to 24 hours to avoid decompression illness.

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ICBC's top five smart driving tips for Easter long weekend

2010-03-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

VANCOUVER, March 31 /CNW/ - As the first long weekend of the year approaches, ICBC is encouraging all drivers to plan ahead and drive safely this Easter.

Over the past five years (2005-2009), there have been an average of 2,100 crashes, 630 injuries and four fatalities throughout B.C. over the four-day Easter long weekend.

"Our roads will be extra busy with many drivers setting off on their first road trip of the year," said Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC's director of Road Safety. "It's important for drivers to do their part to keep our roads safe by being extra cautious and making smart driving decisions. At this time of the year, we can often still see challenging weather conditions across many parts of the province."

Here are ICBC's top five smart driving tips for this Easter long weekend:

No. 1 - Be realistic: Plan ahead and be realistic about travel times. Allow extra time for possible delays that may occur due to increased traffic volume over the long weekend. Check www.drivebc.ca for road
and weather conditions before setting out.

No. 2 - Your vehicle: Long road trips can be tiring for drivers and passengers but also on your vehicle, so make sure it's up to the drive. Remember to check your engine oil, washer fluid, lights and inspect your vehicle tires, including the spare, to make sure they are in good condition and properly inflated. For more tips on preparing your vehicle, go to www.drivesmartsavegreen.com.

No. 3 - Be safe: At this time of year in B.C., weather conditions can change quickly, especially when travelling over long distances. Even in spring, drivers may encounter winter-like conditions in some parts
of the province. In other parts of the province, warmer weather will encourage more motorcyclists and bicyclists to hit the road. Drivers should slow down, use extra caution and keep a look out for other
roads users.

No. 4 - Drive smart: Whether travelling a long distance or a short trip, always maintain a safe travelling distance between vehicles. Allow at least two seconds of following distance in good weather and road conditions, and at least three seconds on high-speed roads or if you're behind a motorcycle since it has a much shorter stopping distance.

No. 5 - Model it: Set an example for your children and other drivers by making smart driving decisions on the road. Start by always wearing your seatbelt and make sure that everyone else in the vehicle does too.

For more smart driving tips, please visit www.icbc.com/drivesmart.

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More oversight of big airlines promised

2010-03-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

OTTAWA — Top officials at Transport Canada vowed yesterday to step up oversight at major airlines after admitting government inspectors did fewer spot safety checks in the last few years.

“We haven’t done as much surveillance activities as we wanted to do, but that will change in the next three years,” Marc Grégoire, assistant deputy minister of safety and security, told MPs at the launch of parliamentary hearings into aviation safety in Canada.

Grégoire and deputy minister Yaprak Baltacioglu kicked off the hearings by acknowledging problems with the way the government has been implementing its new oversight regime, called safety management systems. But they both defended the approach, already fully phased in at such large carriers as Air Canada and WestJet.

Transport Canada has delayed implementation at small carriers for at least a year after being inundated with concerns from inspectors about problems during the initial phase-in at these smaller operations.

The system puts more onus on carriers by requiring them to develop and oversee an in-house system of safety checks tailored to their operations.

Transport Canada inspectors still ensure all safety regulations are followed, but the emphasis is placed on reviewing a company’s safety management system to determine whether the internal plan to reduce aviation hazards and risks is effective.

This regulatory system is a shift away from traditional oversight where government inspectors had a much more hands-on role in auditing the safety operations.

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Cheapflights UK Outs Top Gay-Friendly Destinations

2010-03-31T09:27:00.000-07:00

LONDON--(Marketwire - March 31, 2010) - Since the Netherlands legalised civil partnership in 2001, cities and countries around the world have followed suit, helped by endorsements from same sex celeb couples. Cheapflights UK marks the occasion by unveiling the top five gay friendly destinations.

"We celebrate multiculturalism in all of its forms whether the word 'culture' relates to sexual preference or otherwise, we have just the destination to fit any personal taste," says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights UK.

Not surprisingly, our top five is dominated by US destinations. Perhaps because it's home to Hollywood's jet set, many of whom have helped set the scene for celebrating the gay scene.

Top 5 Gay-friendly Destinations

Los Angeles

Whether you're gay or straight, life in LA is a celebration of diversity, freedom of expression, and glitzy adventure all year round. Santa Monica Boulevard offers an eclectic bar and club scene while Sunset serves up live music, and Beverly Hills hosts cosier surroundings in the form of cafes and yet more bars.

Head over and scope out the stars, lights and glamorous sights from just £349 return.

San Francisco

San Fran is practically waving the flag for diversity, welcoming it with open arms rather than limiting to certain districts as many other destinations do. Bars, clubs, restaurants and even businesses are dotted throughout the entire city hosting any and every age, race, socio-economic status, and interest. The mix makes for a vibrant, open, and freeing experience.

And for those heading there to have a gander at The City by the Bay as a wedding venue, it might be of interest to note that Rosie O'Donnell and girlfriend Kelli Carpenter tied the knot here in 2004 followed by a thank you to the entire city for its supportive stance toward same sex couples partnership.

To leave your heart in San Francisco, compare flights from £349 return.

New Orleans

Natural disasters may have had it pegged as 'The City that Care Forgot,' but its night scene tells a different tale. Hot and happening is a more appropriate label here with most bars open 24 hours a day, a 'to go' policy on alcohol, and a broad range of vibrant venues from which to choose.

Neighbourhoods like the French Quarter are among the most highly recommended. Not only is it often frequented by celebrities, its venue offerings are in such close proximity that hopping from one to the next is both easy and convenient.

To get started on your own 24 hour party, compare flights from £302 return.

Amsterdam

The anniversary for the legalisation of same sex marriage can't possibly be marked without recognising the location that made it all possible, the Netherlands. On 1st April 2001, Esther Lammers and Wendy Kanters were the first same sex couple to walk down the aisle and tie the knot under the new law. While neither is a celebrity in the traditional sense, public attention of their ceremony was certainly worthy of celeb status.

Grab your own 15 minutes of fame in Amsterdam or simply take advantage of its liberal approach to life and let your hair down with flights from just £62 return.

Provincetown (Massachusetts)

Summertime here makes this place a haven for diversity. Nestled on Cape Cod, this is the gay extension to what serves as the summer escape for many a US jet setter, including the presidential kind. Provincetown offers up bars, clubs, sun and sea among an accepting, welcoming community. Its sublime setting makes for a more relaxed experience than the traditional same sex destination scene.

To set sail into serenity, compare flights to Boston from just £289 return and take the 'fast ferry' to Provincetown.

Of course the news isn't always good when it comes to diversity. Believe it or not, there are still several places in this modern world where being gay is actually illegal and can result in abuse and even arrest in some cases. So as well as telling travellers where they should go, we also highlight where they shouldn't with the following Top 5:

1.Jamaica

2.Fiji

3.Poland

4.Nicaragua

5.Mauritius

To compare destinations, travel advice, and flight deals, visit Cheapflights UK.

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Palm Coast Travel Offers Holland America Sale at SmartCruiser.com

2010-03-31T09:18:00.000-07:00

BOCA RATON, FL--(Marketwire - March 31, 2010) - Palm Coast Travel, the parent of SmartCruiser.com, is offering up to $150 onboard credit on selected sailings in conjunction with Holland America's 3-day cruise sale that ends April 2, 2010. "With cruise prices from $449 and a generous onboard credit of up to $150 you can't beat these five star cruise deals from Holland America Line," said Lee Smolinski, CEO of SmartCruiser.com.

Take advantage of this incredible Holland America cruise sale by booking your cruise today online www.smartcruiser.com. The five-star ships of Holland America include the Amsterdam, Maasdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Prisendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam, Westerdam, Zaandam and Zuiderdam.

Some of the cruise deals on these ships include:

Alaska Cruises from $449 with up to $150 Onboard Credit

Australia/New Zealand/Hawaii/South Pacific Cruises from $1299 with up to $150 Onboard Credit

Bermuda & Caribbean Cruises from $499 with up to $150 Onboard Credit

Canada & New England Cruises from $799 with up to $150 Onboard Credit

Europe & Transatlantic Cruises from $849 with up to $150 Onboard Credit

Full details of this offer, including the terms & conditions, can be found at SmartCruiser.com or by calling toll-free (800) 444-1560. Government taxes and fees are additional. A booking fee of $29.99 per stateroom is additional. Holland America Line Ships Registry: The Netherlands.

About Palm Coast Travel

Palm Coast Travel is based in Boca Raton, Florida and has been in business since 1987. Through its website SmartCruiser.com (www.smartcruiser.com), Palm Coast Travel booked over 50,000 cruisers in 2009 and is one of America's largest cruise sellers. Palm Coast Travel is a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has their highest A+ rating.

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Commission updates the list of airlines banned from the European airspace

2010-03-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

The European Commission has adopted the thirteenth update of the Community’s list of airlines banned in the European Union to include all air carriers of two additional countries: Sudan and the Philippines, on the basis of safety assessments by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). With this update, restrictions placed on Air Koryo from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and TAAG from Angola are partially lifted under certain conditions, while the operations of Iran Air will be restricted.

Today, the Community’s list has three carriers whose operations are fully banned in the European Union – Ariana Afghan Airlines from Afghanistan, Siem reap Airways International from Cambodia and Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda.

All carriers from 17 countries – 278 companies in total – are banned: Angola, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, (with the exception of three carriers which operate under restrictions and conditions), Indonesia, Kazakhstan (with the exception of one carrier which operates under restrictions and conditions), the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Philippines, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia. 10 air carriers are allowed to operate under restrictions and conditions - Air Koryo from the Democratic People Republic of Korea, TAAG Angola Airlines, Air Astana from Kazakhstan, Iran Air from Iran Gabon Airlines, Afrijet and SN2AG from Gabon, Air Bangladesh, Air Service Comores and Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines from Ukraine.

- Travel Daily News (March 31, 2010)

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Skyservice charter airline suspends flights

2010-03-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

CBC - The Skyservice charter airline cancelled several of its scheduled flights out of Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.

A Boeing 757 jetliner for Skyservice Airlines lands in Calgary last year. The Skyservice chartered airline has cancelled almost all of its scheduled flights out of Toronto's Pearson International Airport. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)

A local Toronto television news channel says the privately owned company may have gone out of business.

Flights from Toronto to the vacation destinations of Montego Bay, Cozumel, Puerto Plata and Cancun have been cancelled, according to the Greater Toronto Airport Authority's traveller information website. As of mid-morning, flights to Nassau, Punta Cana, and Liberia, Costa Rica, were still showing up as being "on time" departures.

The CBC and other media outlets have been unable to reach a Skyservice representative for comment and a spokeswoman for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority has referred all questions to the company.

Messages have been left for the CEO of Skyservice.

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B.C. ELIMINATES PST (just released 2:57 PM PST)

2010-03-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA - The introduction of the Consumption Tax Rebate and Transition Act proposes to eliminate the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and the Hotel Room Tax, streamlining the regulatory burden on business and supporting the transition to the HST, announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen today. "Our current provincial sales tax is a substantial and complex statute that costs B.C. businesses millions of dollars a year in administration and compliance," said Hansen. "By reforming our tax system and introducing the HST, businesses will be more competitive and our province will see an increase in investment, productivity and economic growth."

Fulfilling the Province's commitment under the Comprehensive Integrated Tax Coordination Agreement with the federal government to wind down PST by July 1, 2010, the new Consumption Tax Rebate and Transition Act eliminates the seven-per cent PST and introduces HST-related measures designed to mitigate the impacts of the HST on British Columbians.

Mitigation measures include:

* A B.C. HST credit to help low- and modest-income families.

* A point-of-sale rebate for the seven-per cent provincial portion of the HST on motor fuels, books, children's-sized clothing and footwear, children's car seats and booster seats, children's diapers and feminine
hygiene products.

* A provincially administered rebate and credit for the provincial portion of HST payable on energy purchased for residential use.Consistent with the tax treatment of the private sale of vehicles, boats and aircraft in other HST provinces, the act includes the continuance of the tax, but at a rate of 12 per cent. The act also includes amendments to repeal the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund Levy on residential and commercial energy, the $5 battery levy, the passenger vehicle rental tax, the surtax on motor vehicles and multijurisdictional vehicle tax.

The act also eliminates the provincial portion of the hotel room tax, but continues the two per cent additional hotel room tax levied on behalf of local governments, regional districts and destination marketing organizations to raise revenue for local tourism marketing.

To illustrate the importance of the high and growing cost of health care for British Columbians, the act includes a requirement to annually table a health-care funding plan and report to show health-care expenditures and revenues from the HST, tobacco taxes, Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums, federal health-care transfers and lottery revenues from the Health Special Account.

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Victoria, British Columbia Food and Beverage. Where to go and where to avoid

2010-03-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted a "where to go when in Victoria", so with the Easter Long weekend rapidly approaching, I thought it's time to get back at it. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, the cruise ships are going to be rolling once again on the west coast enroute to Alaska, and they have 230+ scheduled stops right here in the capital city.

Occasionally I write about where to go and enjoy food and beverage while visiting the city because I find tour groups mis-lead you. If you are a new to my blog, you should know that I spent many years in tourism transportation on the West Coast. There aren't too many places that I don't know about or haven't been. If you are planning on visiting our fine city, or have a customer who's booked on a cruise ship this may be an interesting post for them.

It's true, that when I travel, I enjoy going to where the locals hang out. I like to experiment with my food and beverage as I think this plays such a major part in the enjoyment of travel. So, having said that, be cautious of where your tour guide is sending you. They may suggest places to go because they:

a) Don't know any better
b) Get a kick back from the proprietor
c) Is they only place they know because someone told them ten years ago it was good.

This is true. I travel a fair amount, particularily on cruise lines, and this is what I am finding. So I self direct my dining excursions by asking, research and recommendations. Victoria is a lovely city steeped in tradition. (mostly British) but hey, we'll take it. It is said that there are more pubs per capita in this region than anywhere else in the country. Not bad considering the population is only 400,000. You can find almost everything and anything within the confines of our very small, quaint inner harbour district. The best part, is most of the downtown area is within walking distance and transportation is optional on the most part. Depending on your physical ability and how adventurous you may be.

When you get to Victoria, I hear the same thing. Tour Directors sending people to the same damn places like they are the only ones in the city. Not only does this sometimes send people away with a mis-represented impression of our city, but maybe feeling a little deflated on expectations. So print this post out before you travel and have it in your pocket for your arrival. Where to go, and where not to go in Victoria. A friendly, albeit short, guide from someone who LIVES here and knows better.

The Top 10 places where not to go for food and beverages:

1. The Old Spaghetti Factory. Affordable? Yes! But only tourists eat there and the food is crap.

2. James Bay Inn. Ughh! A few locals, dark and right out of the 70's. A typical beer parlor with the red terry cloth tables. Not my speed.

3. Bent Mast (James Bay) If you stumble across the sign, turn and run the other direction. The worst service I have ever experienced. Not cheap from my recollection either.

4. Cactus Club (Douglas Street) Very young and hip. Food is okay. Service, well, we're not sure. It depends on what day of the week it is. Patio very noisy as it's right at the intersection of Douglas and Fort.

5. Earles on Government. Same as above, just not quite as noisy. Located at the same location as the old Elephant and Castle. Service staff are VERY young and not that attentive.

6. The Shark Club. Sports bar on the north end of Douglas at Hillside. Put bunny ears on the service staff and you'ld swear you were hanging out at Hugh Hefners mansion. Food is average and the service is hit and miss. For me, more misses than hits of late. I guess I'm just too old for that place, I'm not sure. Can be very loud too. If you don't care about anything and just want to watch a game, than this might be the place for you. But unlikely.

7. Blue Crab (James Bay). Used to be my favorite place for seafood, great view of the harbour but something happened. Still trying to figure it out. For the price, I'd go somewhere else. See fine dining selections below.

8. Darcy's Pub (Wharf Street) Not much nice to say about this place, so I won't say anything at all. It's a meat market at the best of times. Period.

9. Milestones (Wharf Street) Great view of the harbour. The service staff are hit and miss here too like most places in town. The food is average. Medium Priced. Not my pick, nor would I recommend it. It's always busy, because of it's location and built in traffic not for what's on the menu. Trust me.

10. Nautical Nellies (Wharf Street) Like Milestones above, by shear virtue of its location and built in traffic, it is always busy. Situated right across from the harbour.

The Top 10 places to go for food and beverages: (not in any particular order)

1. Swiftsure. Okay, it's a pub with pub fare. Food decent and the service is average but great patio on the harbor. Alot of tourists, but you will also find alot of the locals there too. Resonably priced.

2. The Bengal Lounge (Empress Hotel). Expensive but worth it. What can we say? It's the Empress and they excel in customer service.

3. Barts (Executive Inn) Small, in the basement but in the middle of the action downtown. Lots of locals. very few people from out of town even know it's there. Resonably priced. Service is always good. The place for a good beer and a burger.

4. Noodle Box (Douglas Street) The only fast food joint on my list. My favorite by far. It is also licensed. can be loud, takes a while to get your food but it's fun and the food consistantly good.

5. Bard and Banker (Government Street). Reletively new. Housed in old heritage building. Great beer, service is slightly above average. Can be pricey. But fun for the adults. A real taste of Britain and Ireland.

6. Canoe Club (Further down Government Street) Hey, my kind of place, they brew their own beer. Right on the water, fabulous patio. Can be pricey but worth it. Service is hit and miss but everything else makes up for it.

7. Swans (not far from Canoe Club) Gold medal winners for their beer. Situated in a very quaint botique hotel. Great live jazz and blues music at night. Try the IPA, the best.

8. Christies carriage House (Fort Street). Not walking distance. Take a cab to my old neighborhood. Personally, one of the best neighborhood pubs in the city. Reasonably priced, service is consistantly good and the beer selection is massive.

9. Cafe Brio. (Fort Street) Fine dining. Incredible food and service and a fabulous wine selection.

10. Il Terazzo. Italian dining adjacent to Market Square. My favorite for fine dining in town. I have been going here for years and have yet to be dissapointed. Call for reservations or you won't get in. It's that good.

NOTE: I have to add #11 to this catagory because I was really hard on anything that operates on Wharf Street. Be careful, anything down that strip is way over priced with average to below average service. With the exception of Sauce. Located on Wharf by the Blue Bridge. Great patio, fun atmosphere, reasonably priced and the service has been exceptionally good for the many times I have been there. Bording on fine dining but not quite. They make a mean martini!

There you go. There is more, but I had to narrow it down to my least favorites and favorites. If there is something else you would like to know about, let me know and I will give you the straight goods on it. There are some fabulous places to go in Victoria, I hope this helps in making your experience a nice one in which you may want to write home about.

Note: I am not affiliated with any restaurant or hospitality organization and these are my own views

Next time around we'll talk about tipping. This is big topic of late on the blogs and travel magazines, so I will give you my perspective on that later.

Happy touring.

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Happy Easter - Free Download from Westshore Galleries.ifp3.com

2010-03-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Spring Blossoms for Easter

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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Harbour Air to purchase competitor

2010-03-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Times Colonist-Harbour Air Seaplanes is set to gobble up one of its main competitors.

The company confirmed yesterday it is in final negotiations to acquire West Coast Air and expects to close the deal April 30.

Randy Wright, Harbour Air senior vice-president in charge of sales and marketing, said West Coast Air will continue to operate under its own brand and that terminals in Victoria and Vancouver harbours would remain for now.

No financial terms were revealed by either company.

They both operate scheduled service between downtown Victoria and Vancouver as well as charters, tours and freight to the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and communities on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

Harbour Air is owned by Greg McDougall of Vancouver, who is majority shareholder, and restaurateur Brent Davies, a minority partner. West Coast Air — formerly known as Baxter Air — is operated by the Baxter family, which has run scheduled and chartered service on the West Coast for 35 years.

West Coast Air has six 18-passenger Twin Otter aircraft and nine Beaver planes, each holding six passengers. All are amphibious craft.

Harbour Air, which calls itself the largest seaplane company in the world, has 34 aircraft, mostly singleengine Beavers, and also operates a helicopter service to the Fraser Valley.

Wright said the recession, poor tourism numbers and cutbacks on government travel played a role in bringing the two airlines together.

“The economy being down, they were seeing reduced passenger loads,” Wright said. “In this business there are plenty of synergies, so there it made a lot of sense to get together and do things like accounting, marketing. … It’s a high-cost business with fuel, wages and maintenance costing a lot of money, and I think both sides see a lot of savings.”

Rick Baxter, president and CEO of West Coast Air and the airline’s secondgeneration owner, wasn’t immediately available for comment. The company also operates out of Nanaimo, Comox and Sechelt, adding the last after buying Pacific Wings two years ago.

Wright said West Coast Air “lost some market share during the downturn” and Harbour Air was “holding our own.”

He said government travel — with business clients the lion’s share of passengers in the offseason — is down 15 to 20 per cent this year after the provincial government cut back on travel budgets. The tourism season has also been declining the past several years, although Wright believes the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will play a role in increasing passenger loads slightly this summer, and more in 2011.

He said Harbour Air had a “nice recovery” when the sun was shining over the last half of the Games last month as international tourists took side trips to Victoria and other locations. “Our phones blew off the wall,” said Wright, who is also chairman of Tourism Victoria, the region’s destination marketing organization.

“There’s no question the Olympics will be good for us, just not right away,” said Wright.

West Coast Air operates six terminals — two on the Lower Mainland, one at Coal Harbour near Canada Place and the other on the Fraser River at Sea Air on Inglis Drive; as well as terminals in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Nanaimo, Comox and Sechelt.

Harbour Air operates full-service terminals in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond and Langley. The airline also flies out of Maple Bay near Duncan, and Ganges and Bedwell harbours.

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American Airlines Introduces PayPal Payment Option for AA.com Customers in Canada

2010-03-30T09:15:00.001-07:00

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 29 /CNW/ -- American Airlines announced today it is now providing customers in Canada the option to use PayPal when booking tickets on the airline's Web site, AA.com. American, which began accepting PayPal for AA.com bookings in the United States in 2008, is the first and only airline in the United States to accept PayPal as a form of payment internationally.

PayPal enables customers to pay for transactions using a credit card, bank account or PayPal account balance. A major benefit of PayPal acceptance for Canadian residents is that it enables them to pay using a wider choice of payment options than is currently possible through AA.com. Since Canadians use PayPal to make an online purchase every 1.2 seconds, the move is expected to be widely welcomed by American's Canadian customers.

When purchasing travel at AA.com, customers simply select the PayPal option. They will be directed to PayPal's secure Web site to log into their account and confirm the transaction, or to enroll for free if they don't already have a PayPal account. Customers will then be returned to AA.com to complete their purchase.

"We are pleased to be able to offer our customers in Canada even more choices when purchasing travel on AA.com," said Derek DeCross, American's Managing Director - Interactive Marketing. "PayPal offers the convenience and flexibility that we know our customers value."

For further information about using PayPal to purchase flights online with American, visit www.aa.com/paypal. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance.

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Federal Court to hear Air Canada request for access to Toronto City Centre Airport

2010-03-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

MONTREAL, March 29 /CNW Telbec/ - The Federal Court today issued an order allowing Air Canada to challenge, by an application for judicial review, the Toronto Port Authority's announced decision to engage in a process that would unfairly discriminate against airlines wishing to serve the Toronto City Centre Airport and to seek an order requiring the TPA to properly allocate available slots at the airport.

The hearing of the airline's application has been scheduled for July 6 to 8, 2010 before the Federal Court. This will be the first time since Porter commenced operations that the substance of the matter of competitive access to the airport will be heard by a court.

Air Canada is asking the Court to direct the TPA, a public authority, to allocate all existing and additional take-off and landing slots at the airport, a public facility, in a manner consistent with its legal obligations. The Court order is being sought in response to an improper process through which the TPA has awarded and intends to award slots.

Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Air Canada remarked, "The TPA, a public authority, has provided a private business interest with virtually exclusive rights to use a public facility, conferring on Porter Airlines an anti-competitive advantage. As a result of the TPA's non-transparent arrangement with Porter for all the available slots at the airport, Porter has enjoyed an unfair monopoly on the Island business corridor. This puts Air Canada and other airlines at an enormous disadvantage in attracting passengers flying to or from downtown Toronto. It is not the role of the TPA to suppress competition - its duty is to run a public facility for the benefit of the traveling public, with fair access for interested carriers."

Air Canada has filed a request to resume service to the Island Airport initially with 15 round trips a day to both Ottawa and Montreal and seven a day to Newark, N.J.

Mr. Smith continued, "The TPA is now purporting to invoke an IATA slot allocation process without following the IATA rules. The TPA's announced intention would result in severely limited access to the Island Airport for any carrier other than Porter, thereby suppressing competition from this airport.

"Air Canada's issue is with the TPA, not Porter. We can well understand why an entrepreneurial enterprise would accept the benefit of a non-transparent and unprecedented arrangement with a public authority which provides it with a monopoly advantage. It is unknown what other arrangements, financial or otherwise, exist between the TPA, a public authority and Porter, a private commercial enterprise, to the detriment of consumers and airline competition. But the TPA, as the operator of a public facility, has the obligation to provide proper access to all airlines, which in turn will provide choice and convenience to the traveling public. Air Canada's customers want access to this airport and we're determined to be able to serve them," concluded Mr. Smith.

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Innovative "Baggage Fee Included" Promotion

2010-03-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

HOLLYWOOD, FL--(Marketwire - March 29, 2010) - Though checked-baggage fees may be soaring, Breezes Resorts guests can have an overweight or second bag and check it in too -- without breaking the bank. The innovators of the Super-Inclusive concept just elevated their encompassing offerings with the announcement of the "Baggage Fee Included" promotion. With every seven-night minimum stay May 1 through October 31, travelers can trade-in their checked-baggage fee receipt for up to $100 spa credit per room. Available at eight Breezes Resorts, all inclusive vacation rates start at $120 per person, per night, based on double-occupancy.

Upon arrival at the all inclusive hotels, the burden of the airline surcharge to take an overweight or second bag is converted into bliss. The spa credit ensures a rejuvenating vacation where each Blue Mahoe Spa at Breezes Resorts, as well as the Miraflores Spa (only available at Breezes Panama), uses an exotic combination of island ingredients to relax and pamper.

Breezes Resorts' all-star lineup in Jamaica includes the all-suite Breezes Grand Negril, named one of Travel + Leisure's "Top 25 Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas" in 2008 and Breezes Trelawny, a family favorite resort for all ages. Adventure buffs enjoy the thrill of Breezes Runaway Bay's plentiful land and water activities, while neighboring Breezes Rio Bueno boasts quaint Jamaican village-style architecture, festive street parties and a nine-hole executive golf course.

The "Baggage Fee Included" promotion is also available at Breezes Resorts beyond Jamaica. Discover Central America's southernmost country with accommodations at the brand new Breezes Panama. Breezes Curaçao beckons world-class divers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Breezes Bahamas' beachfront accommodations are a perennial close-to-home favorite on legendary Cable Beach in Nassau, while those seeking an extra exotic escapade in the southern hemisphere enjoy Breezes Costa Do Sauípe in Bahia.

The "Baggage Fee Included" offer is valid for travel to any Breezes Resort May 1 through October 31, 2010. At hotel check-in, guests must show their original checked-baggage fee receipt from the day of arrival to receive up to $50 per person spa credit to be used during their stay.

To learn more about Breezes Resorts or to book your next vacation to a Breezes all inclusive resort, visit http://www.breezes.com, call 1-877-BREEZES (273-3937), or contact a local travel agent.

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Europe’s 10 least travelled capitals

2010-03-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

The spread of British bars and chip shops has led to the Britification of Spain’s coastal towns and has eroded the sense of being somewhere new and exotic. Recent reports suggest that Spain has lost appeal because it is no longer considered foreign enough, so flight site Skyscanner has revealed Europe’s ten least travelled capitals by British tourists, for those wishing to experience genuine foreign culture.

At number one, the least likely place to run into fellow Brits was Chisinau in Moldova. Squished between Romania and Ukraine and built on the river Bic, this is one of Europe’s most obscure and cheapest capitals.

Minsk in Belarus came in second and is renowned for friendly locals, clean streets and leafy parks. Luxembourg, capital of the tiny landlocked country of the same name came in third, whilst it was Macedonia’s capital Skopje that took fourth place.

Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina was in fifth place. Other cities of the former Yugoslavia also ranked highly in their secret status including Montenegro’s Podgorica (6th), Croatia’s Zagreb (8th) and Serbia’s Belgrade (9th).

Barry Smith, Skyscanner Co-Founder and Business Development Director commented: “Spain has been deemed too British for British people, so why not visit somewhere a little off the beaten path? Although some enjoy the familiarity of fish and chips and Carling lager on tap, many want to feel like they have left the UK behind when they go on holiday. Skyscanner’s list of Europe’s 10 most secret cities are still undiscovered enough to be new and exciting, and you’re unlikely to bump into many Brits there.”

1. Chisinau (Moldova)

2. Minsk (Belarus)

3. Luxembourg (Luxembourg)

4. Skopje (Macedonia)

5. Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

6. Podgorica (Montenegro)

7. Kiev (Ukraine)

8. Zagreb (Croatia)

9. Belgrade (Serbia)

10. Tallinn (Estonia)

-Travel Daily News Tatiana Rokou

Ranking is based on least searched for destinations on Skyscanner by UK users over last 90 days.

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Greater Victoria Medals for Cost of Doing Business

2010-03-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

March 30, 2010 – Victoria, BC – Victoria was on the podium in terms of offering a competitive business environment according to KPMG’s 2010 Competitive Alternatives report. In all of the Pacific Northwest Victoria was third only to Prince George and Vancouver, losing second place by only 0.8 of a point.

“Third party research like the KPMG report, which investors use to inform their business location decisions, is verifying precisely what we have been telling the world,” says Sasha Angus, Economic Development Officer. “Greater Victoria is a natural place to do business. We can hold our own in competitiveness against any other significant jurisdiction in the province and Pacific Northwest market place.”

The study compares business competitiveness for more than 100 cities in ten countries. The study measures the combined impact of 27 significant cost components that are most likely to vary by location, such as labour, facilities, land, construction, transportation, utilities, and income taxes.

The baseline number used for comparison is that of the US average with other countries and cities measured with costs either above or below that baseline. Victoria’s competitive scale came in at 95.7 while Vancouver was 94.9. Victoria beat other locations like Seattle, Spokane, Portland and San Francisco.

Angus notes, “The Greater Victoria Development Agency was pleased to be a sponsor of the study and provided general information on the major industry sectors in the region”. The number crunching in the study was done independently through KPMG.

The Greater Victoria Development Agency is an industry led organization representing the major industries and academic stakeholders of the region. The GVDA seeks to ensure that Greater Victoria remains a vibrant place to live, work and invest. An important mandate of the Greater Victoria Development Agency is to further strengthen economic conditions throughout our region by encouraging new investment and business from across North America and the world.

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Easter Long weekend Road Trips - Drive Carefully.

2010-03-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

BURNABY, BC, March 29 /CNW/ - As we head into the first long weekend of 2010, BCAA and the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation are calling on drivers to protect themselves, their families and other road users by making road safety an even greater priority. According to the 2007 B.C. Collision Statistics (the latest year available) the Easter holiday period accounted for 269 traffic injuries and fatalities, the second deadliest holiday period behind the Canada Day long weekend, which recorded 276 injuries and fatalities.

BCAA and the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation say there are specifically four areas where drivers can have the most influence on safety, especially during this busy holiday weekend:

1. Keep your hands on the wheel and mind on the road. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the many forms of distracted driving are collectively responsible for as many as eight out of every ten crashes. Distraction can stem from anywhere in or outside the vehicle - anything that reduces the driver's awareness, decision-making, and/or performance on the road.

2. Stay alert and take regular breaks. Motorists in a hurry to get to their destination often push on and drive through dinner and much-needed rest stops. Eyes closing or losing focus, continuous yawning and drifting between lanes are all danger signs of drowsy driving. Stay alert by getting enough sleep before a trip and take a break every two hours or every 160 km.

3. If you're going to drink, don't drive. According to B.C. Traffic Collision Statistics, the greatest number of impaired driving collisions occur over long weekends. Festivals and vacation activities are often combined with a drink or two. But good times don't give anyone a license to drink and drive.

4. Buckle-up. Ensure you and your passengers fasten their seat belts and use age-appropriate restraints. By law, children up to 40 lb (18 kg) must be in a child seat, and children aged four-to-eight or weighing less than 80 lb (36 kg) must be in a booster seat.

For more traffic safety tips, check out the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation's website at www.tsfbcaa.com.

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Picasa Web Albums Down?

2010-03-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

Not sure what the issue is, but Picasa, the Google component that stores photo's for this blog doesn't seem to be working thus no pics, header, etc. Anyone know anything more?

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Parks Canada Information Bulletin: Changes Made to West Coast Trail Reservation System

2010-03-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

UCLUELET, BC, March 29, 2010 – A new online reservation system for Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s iconic West Coast Trail is making it easier for the public to plan their backcountry adventure on the trail. Beginning Thursday April 1st at 9 am, interested hikers can reserve a spot on the trail either by using the existing phone reservation system or the new online option, which offers service 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

The move comes in response to feedback through Parks Canada-led surveys and focus groups where hikers expressed an interest in being able to book and review available trail dates online.

A quota and reservation system was implemented as a safety measure ensuring the sensitive coastal rainforest is not stressed by excessive use. During the trail’s peak season, from June 15th to Sept 15th, Parks Canada allows up to 60 overnight hikers to start the trail each day. From May 1st to June 14th and from September 16th to September 30th, the trail is open but the reservation system does not operate because numbers of hikers do not reach trail capacity. During those times, hikers can arrive at either trailhead and register.

The West Coast Trail is a challenging 75 kilometre backpacking route along sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, caves, sea arches, sea stacks and beaches that characterize the coastline of south-western Vancouver Island. Once a First Nations route for travel and trade, then later a lifesaving trail for shipwrecked sailors, it is now a popular destination for outdoor adventure.

Today, approximately 5,500 people hike the West Coast Trail every year and it is a significant contributor to the local economies of Port Renfrew, Bamfield, Sooke and Port Alberni.

The online booking system is available by following links at parkscanada.gc.ca/pacificrim. Reservations can also be placed through the phone reservation system which operates between 9am to 5pm PST from Monday through Saturday at 1-800-435-5622. Those making a reservation should be prepared to give preferred start dates, the number of people within a hiking group, and the preferred trailhead.

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Cruise Ship season is approaching

2010-03-28T09:55:00.001-07:00

The 1,440-passenger Zaandam will arrive in Victoria on April 26 to begin the 2010 cruise ship schedule. A total of 23 ships from 10 cruise lines will stop at Ogden Point during the season, which runs until Oct. 3. A record 228 ship visits are scheduled.

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Photo of the Day: March 25, 2010

2010-03-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Fishing: The Pelican Brief

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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Holland America Line Offers Holiday Escapes With 22 Warm Water Cruises

2010-03-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

SEATTLE, March 25 /CNW/ -- Whether you're seeking an entirely new holiday experience or simply escaping the frantic pace of the season, Holland America Line offers 22 holiday cruises in 2010 for warm weather celebrations.

"Holiday cruises are a very special experience," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our crew takes special pride in delivering all the seasonal favorites for guests to enjoy without the traditional rush. Holiday meals, decorations and family time can be savored while sailing through warm, picturesque waters."

Sail the Caribbean on 7 to 14-day Cruises

Departing between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31 aboard seven ships -- ms Westerdam, ms Maasdam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Prinsendam and ms Noordam -- options abound for Caribbean cruises with 13 holiday sailings from Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa over one or both holidays. Itineraries include exploring the southern Caribbean via a seven-day cruise with stops in such exotic ports as Aruba, Curacao and Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's private Bahamian island. Or try seven days exploring the rich waters of the eastern Caribbean and legendary ports of call such as Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Finally, holiday cruisers can settle into several western Caribbean options with stops that may include Belize, Montego Bay, Georgetown, Costa Maya and Key West.

The more adventurous travelers can opt for a 10- or 14-day cruise throughout the Caribbean and usher in the New Year in St. Thomas or St. George's while sampling the ports of Barbados and Grand Turk.

Most itineraries feature a visit to Half Moon Cay, the line's award-winning exclusive private island experience with white sand beaches, aqua waters and shore activities from horseback riding to a stingray adventure. Per person fares begin as low as $999, double occupancy. Taxes are additional.

Sunny Mexican Riviera & Panama Canal for a Festive Occasion

Departing from Fort Lauderdale, San Diego or Los Angeles in mid to late December, Holland America Line offers five cruises that visit the warm water ports of the Mexican Riviera -- Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas and Puerto Quetzal -- as well as the Central America coastline and Panama Canal. Per person fares begin at $1,099.

The Sunfarer Caribbean Holiday cruise is a 10-day trip departing roundtrip Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 23 aboard ms Zuiderdam and sailing through the southern Caribbean with Christmas Eve at Half Moon Cay, a partial transit of the Panama Canal to Gatun Lake and New Year's Eve at sea before returning on Jan. 2, 2011.

Two additional cruises visit the Panama Canal beginning with the 14-day Panama Canal which departs Los Angeles on Dec. 22 aboard ms Amsterdam in time for Christmas Day at sea and stops in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica before traversing the Canal en route to Ft. Lauderdale. Or guests can opt for the 14-day Panama Canal Holiday Cruise aboard ms Statendam departing San Diego on Christmas Eve. Stops in Mexico include Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Chiapas before crossing the Canal to Fort Lauderdale.

Christmas and New Year's holidays along the Mexican Riviera can be particularly memorable with an eight-day cruise from San Diego aboard ms Oosterdam on Dec. 18 or a seven-day sailing on Dec. 26 that visit Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Or guests can opt for a 12-day cruise departing Dec. 22 aboard ms Rotterdam that features Christmas Eve in Cabo San Lucas, Christmas Day at sea and New Year's Eve in Mazatlan.

Longer Voyages Sail the Pacific

The warm waters of the far Pacific offer memorable holiday adventures as well. A 14-day Circle Hawaii sailing aboard ms Zaandam departs San Diego Dec. 19 with Christmas Eve in Hilo, Christmas Day in Honolulu and New Year's Day in Ensenada, Mexico. Departing Dec. 17, the 16-day Australia-New Zealand Holiday Cruise aboard ms Volendam explores the southern coast of Australia from Sydney before an extensive tour of exotic New Zealand ports like Milford Sound and Auckland and celebrating Christmas Eve in Wellington.

White Christmas in the Antarctic

Guests who want their holidays adorned with snow and ice will see a white Christmas aboard the adventurous 17-day South America and Antarctica Explorer journey. Departing Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile, Dec. 20, ms Veendam steers south amid the glaciers to spend Christmas Eve cruising Darwin Channel and the Chilean Fjords, Christmas Day sailing Amalia Glacier Canal and New Year's Eve in the Antarctic Sound. Per person fares on longer voyages range from $1,999 to $2,699 per person for starting fares.

Host of Special Activities for All Guests

Holland America Line's on-board festivities for the entire family include holiday decorations, sumptuous traditional meals, special movie showings, a visit for the kids from Santa -- sometimes arriving by parasail -- activities and crafts for the Club HAL kids program, strolling carolers, tree lighting ceremony, eggnog in the Atrium, Christmas brunch, Santa's milk and cookie late-night snack and a holiday show by the crew on Christmas Eve. For sailings over Hanukkah, ships display a ceremonial Menorah.

New Year's Eve cruisers will enjoy the New Year's Eve Gala and the broadcast of select college bowl games on board ships. Each holiday voyage features clergy to conduct Catholic, Protestant and Jewish services (for cruises over Hanukkah).

Another special feature for the holidays are culinary classes highlighting such traditional seasonal treats as latkes with rosemary and brown butter sauce; Alsatian potato and bacon tarts; sausage cakes with red wine prunes; and other tasty holiday fare.

For more information, contact a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.

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West Jet back to LaGuardia?

2010-03-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

TORONTO — WestJet Airlines Ltd. may soon return to LaGuardia Airport as an unexpected offshoot of a planned landing-spot swap between Delta Air Lines and US Airways.

The two U.S. carriers have been trying to gain regulatory approval to trade landing slots at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Washington’s Reagan International. The number of flights in and out of either airport is currently capped, and such a trade is seen as a way to increase service to either.

But the U.S. Department of Transportation said the carriers would have to give up some of their slots to other airlines before a trade could be made.

Earlier this week, Delta said it had reached a revised agreement with US Airways that would allow for four other carriers, including WestJet, to gain access to the coveted U.S. airport.

For WestJet, the deal, if approved, would mark a return to an airport with which it has a troubled past. The Calgary-carrier tried to break into the New York market with flights from Toronto in 2005, but cancelled its service shortly thereafter, in part because it failed to secure slots during peak hours.

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New images posted: San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-03-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Brad Edwards http://www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com/

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ASTA offers tips for using a travel agent

2010-03-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

With money increasingly tight these days, it’s imperative that when looking to take a much-needed vacation, consumers avail themselves of the services of a professional travel agent who is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents.

“Being a travel agent is more than just selling travel. It takes training, attention to detail and expertise to keep clients happy and coming back,” ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo said. “Travel agents are there for their clients before, during and after the trip and when the unexpected happens. We provide value, expertise, convenience and personal service to our customers and understand that travel planning isn’t just about places, it’s about people.

“There is no doubt that today’s travelers have more options than ever before, from destinations, packages and pricing to booking methods and itineraries. But the most important decision a traveler can make is selecting the right travel agent, such as a professional travel agent who is a member of ASTA,” added Russo.

Here are just a few reasons to use a professional travel agent:

•Customer advocacy: If you have a problem with a particular part of your travel experience, the agent is there to act on your behalf to see that restitution is made. ASTA, for example, is the only travel industry association aggressively fighting to improve the travel experience, and air transportation in particular, for all consumers, not just those with access to the Internet.

•Expert guidance: Travel agents, unlike instructions on a Web page, are experts in understanding and deciphering the myriad travel information and codes out there. It's what they've been trained to do and they do it every day.

•Personalized service: Instead of an impersonal voice thousands of miles away, travel agents are your neighbors. They know what you want and what you value in your travel experience.

•Professional advice: Travel agents are there to make sure you get where you want to go, when you want to go and for the lowest price.

•Time: Instead of checking a long list of travel Web pages, which only provide rates and fares for the companies that have contracted with them, why not go straight to the source? A travel agent has all the information at their fingertips, saving you a few hours in front of a computer screen.

•Unbiased information: Agents work for their clients, not for a travel supplier. It makes sense that a happy customer will be a repeat customer.

Every travel agency is different and accordingly, some are better suited to a given consumer than others. Here are some tips provided by ASTA on choosing a travel agent who is right for you:

- Go with the Pros: Look for the ASTA label. Through its continuing education and training programs, ASTA prepares its members to operate high-caliber, competitive businesses.

- Ask Around: Tap friends, neighbors and relatives who use an agent they trust. You may want to visit or call several agencies to find the one that best suits your needs. Consider everything from the appearance of the office to the agent's willingness to listen and answer questions. The best agents want to establish a long-term relationship with a client, not just make one sale.

- Ask about Fees: Good agents will notify their clients of any additional fees, including service fees, up front. Doing otherwise is pointless, as the fee will appear as a separate charge on the client's credit card bill.

- Check Credentials: Many agents have been trained in business management, travel and tourism or geography. Others have supplemented their agency experience with extensive education and training courses. Some travel agents are Certified Travel Counselors (CTC) through the Travel Institute or Master Cruise Counselors (MCC) through the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

- Find out an Agency's Track Record: Visit ASTA.org to see whether a member agency has had a complaint against it in the prior six months. Check with the local Better Business Bureau, while keeping in mind they will only have records of agencies that have had reports filed against them.

-Travel Daily News

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Tips for renting a vacation house

2010-03-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Trust but verify: Vacation rental market booming

Here are a few tips from the Better Business Bureau, travel experts and seasoned renters to make sure you don't get burned when you rent a home for your vacation.

-Get a written agreement spelling out terms and conditions. Never wire money or write a personal cheque. Plastic is the way to go because your credit card company may offer some protection. If you can show that promised goods and services were not provided, you may be able to get a refund.

-Don't trust an owner who will only communicate via email, and don't hesitate to pick up the phone to ask the owner/property manager detailed questions or even request more photos than those displayed in the online ad.

-Find out how you'll get back your security deposit, if there is one, and what it covers.

-Ask friends for recommendations. If you decide on a house or condo belonging to a stranger, ask for references from others who have stayed there.

-If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In most cases, you get what you pay for.

-Plug the property owner and address into a web browser and see what comes up. You may discover complaints from previous renters. Make sure you're dealing with the real property owner. Scammers can steal information to create phoney listings.

-Seasoned renters suggest negotiating with owners/managers on price if vacancy rates in the area are high. You can also inquire about perks to sweeten the deal, like free tickets or discounts to local activities.

-Be skeptical of glowing online reviews, especially if the reviewers are anonymous.

-Ask the owner/property manager to define nebulous terms like "oceanfront property" and "five-minute walk to the beach." Make sure you're clear on such things as how far the house is from the centre of town.

-If the owner doesn't live in the area, find out if there's a local caretaker who can deal with problems like blown fuses or an overflowing toilet. Find out whom to contact in case of an emergency.

-If you have physical limitations, ask about handicap accommodations including elevator service. Everyone, with or without disabilities, is likely to want to know about noise levels, air conditioning and heating, and mattresses.

-If your group plans big communal meals, make sure there are enough pots, pans, utensils and table service. Inquire about essentials like coffee makers, cutting boards and good knives.

-Ask what the cleaning fees will be, and try to determine whether any fees have gone unmentioned. Pauline Frommer of Pauline Frommer travel guides notes that in some European countries you may have to pay extra for electricity or other utilities. Ask about phone service, Internet and Wi-Fi.

-If possible, visit the property before renting it.

-If a property doesn't live up to its billing, document problems with pictures or videos. Complain immediately to the owner or property manager. Keep receipts. Compile a meticulous record of all transactions and what went wrong. If you believe you've been a victim of fraud, you may be able to seek recourse in court. Check your state's consumer protection laws to see what you may be entitled to and whether there are deadlines for filing.

By Ann Levin, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Photo of the day: The Other Side of Paradise: Caribbean

2010-03-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

St. Lucia, Virgin Islands

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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Canadians may get e-passports by 2011

2010-03-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

OTTAWA — As early as next year, Canadians who apply for passports will receive documents with chips that contain their digital images and personal information such as name, gender, and date and place of birth.

Passport Canada says the new electronic passports, known as e-passports, will increase security, provide greater protection against tampering and reduce the risk of fraud.

But they’ve also raised concerns about privacy, identity theft, misidentification and the growth of government surveillance of citizens.

“I am not reassured that the passport office has adequately addressed the many concerns,” said Andrew Clement, a professor in the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto.

Full assurance, he said, “would require a thorough, expert and independent assessment with public reporting of all but the necessarily confidential aspects. As far as I know, nothing close to this has been done.”

The plan to introduce e-passports in 2011 — valid for 10 years instead of the current five — was announced in the 2008 budget, and re-announced in this month’s throne speech this month.

While 70 per cent of Canadians have passports, 82 per cent are unaware that the introduction of the electronic documents is imminent, according to findings of a survey conducted for Passport Canada.

That could soon start to change. Within the next couple of weeks, Passport Canada will begin a major online consultation with Canadians about its service, spokesman Jean-Sebastien Roy said yesterday.

After the results have been analyzed, the agency will consult Canadians again — this time focusing on the introduction of the new e-passport. Only then will its cost and date of implementation be determined, said Roy.

It’s even conceivable its introduction could be delayed until 2012, Roy said. “Everything depends on the consultations.”

Still, Passport Canada is keen to proceed. More than 60 countries already have e-passports — including every member of the G7 except Canada. The International Civil Aviation Organization recommended the adoption of e-passports in 2005.

“The transition to the e-passport will have a certain cost,” Roy acknowledged. “But the cost of falling behind other countries is much greater.”

Under a pilot project that started in January 2009, Passport Canada has already issued 25,000 diplomatic and special e-passports. “So far, no difficulties have been reported,” Roy said.

To address concerns raised by Canada’s privacy commissioner, Passport Canada backed away last year from the idea of including fingerprints and iris scans in the e-passport.

But “we continue to be very interested in this issue,” said Anne-Marie Hayden, spokeswoman for the privacy commissioner.

The commissioner’s office expects to receive an updated report on the national rollout of the e-passport in the next few weeks, she said.

“We plan to look at that report carefully to determine whether . . . we have any outstanding concerns or questions from a privacy perspective.”

As it stands, the only biometric element on the “proximity contactless chip” embedded in the passport’s back cover will be the holder’s photo.

That will let border authorities use facial recognition technology to compare the photo on the chip to watchlists of known terrorists and criminals.

Passport Canada touts this as a security enhancement. But facial recognition technology isn’t accurate enough to be used for “one-to-many” matching, Clement said.

“There will be higher numbers of wrongful matches, which could be inconveniencing — or worse — for the people involved,” he said, adding: “The passport office should provide some real evidence that it would work.”

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Foto Trips image of the day: Working the Plantation

2010-03-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

Working the Plantation

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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Caribbean Resort Celebrates 20th Anniversary

2010-03-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

Windjammer Landing Features Special Family and Couple's Promotions

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, March 22 /CNW/ -- Award winning, Green Globe certified Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, St. Lucia, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with exciting Caribbean vacation savings this summer for both families and couples. The luxury St. Lucia resort features the "20th Anniversary Celebration Rate," where guests pay only $20 for any night of a minimum four-night stay that falls over the 20th of each month from May to August 2010.

Plus Summer Savings rates, offering up to 50 percent savings at St. Lucia's famed Windjammer Landing, are combinable with the 20th Anniversary offer on new bookings. Double occupancy nightly starting rates are priced as follows: Anthurium Lily Junior Suite - $149 per night, One-bedroom Hibiscus Suite (sleeps four) with private Jacuzzi - $275, One-bedroom Villa with private plunge pool - $275, Two bedroom villa (sleeps four) with private plunge pool - $520. Two children 12 and under stay free in their parents' room.

When guests mention at booking they want to celebrate Windjammer Landing's 20th Anniversary, they will receive the following 20th Gifts during their Caribbean vacation at the luxury St. Lucia resort, which caters to families and couples alike:

-- 20 percent discount on luxurious spa treatments;

-- 20th Birthday and 20th Anniversary candlelit dinner celebration complimentary;

-- 20 hours of complimentary babysitting/nanny services;

-- 20 percent savings on a romantic sunset cruise;

-- 20 percent savings on food and beverage all-inclusive packages;

-- Sun Dollar Savings (resort credit) range from $50 to $200 per night per stay.

Sun Dollars (resort) credit are combinable with Windjammer Landing's 20th option so guests can enjoy room upgrades, fine wine, spa treatments, island excursions like zip line trips and horseback riding, food and beverage purchases and more!

The 20th Anniversary offer on St. Lucia is available for bookings made by contacting the resort directly at (877) 522-0722 and requesting the 20th promotion.

"We are delighted to extend our special 20th Anniversary promotional savings and complimentary amenities to couples and families on vacation this summer. We are proud of our milestone and look forward to welcoming new and returning guests during this exciting year at Windjammer Landing," stated Anthony Bowen, managing director, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort.

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort features stunning and spacious accommodations, gourmet dining and dramatic sunset location. Patterned after a picturesque Mediterranean hillside village, the resort is set on a crescent-shaped, white-sand beach with stunningly-designed and appointed suites and villas spread among 60 exotic and flowering acres on the verdant Caribbean island of St. Lucia. The resort is conveniently located near an 18-hole championship golf at the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club. Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is the perfect retreat for couples, families and anyone seeking top-level service and amenities. For reservations, contact (877) 522-0722 or visit www.windjammer-landing.com.

For further information: Sharon Pomerantz, pomerantz PR, +1-203-256-0460, pomerantzgroup@aol.com, www.pomerantzpr.com Web Site: http://www.windjammer-landing.com/

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Spring Break Travel Poll: Consumers Plan Budget-Friendly Trips

2010-03-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - March 22, 2010) - Nearly two-thirds of local residents have planned at least one spring break overnight trip during March or April this year, but more than one-third of those travelers say they will spend less on spring break vacations than they did prior to the economic downturn, according to a new poll conducted by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

"The most popular dates for spring break travel have traditionally fallen during the week before and the week after Easter, which this year includes the period between this upcoming weekend and April 11," said Filomena Andre, the Auto Club's vice president for travel products and services. "But as school holidays and work schedules have changed, AAA travel agents find themselves booking spring break trips throughout the months of March and April."

A spring break trip was defined in the Auto Club poll as an overnight trip 50 miles or more away from home anytime during March or April.

According to the Auto Club poll, 46 percent of Southern California spring break travelers plan to spend $1,000 or more on their getaways, and 52 percent will make their getaway within the state, while 23 percent plan to go to a gambling destination such as Las Vegas or another casino resort area. Fifty-nine percent of travelers plan to drive to their spring break getaways, while 31 percent plan to fly.

Among the 24 percent of those polled who said they will definitely not take a spring break vacation, more than two-thirds cited the economic downturn as playing a role in their decision not to travel.

The first-ever Auto Club spring break survey also revealed that travelers are aggressively seeking out ways to save money on travel and spring break activities such as visiting amusement parks and attractions, going to the movies, or taking in a live performance.

The top money-saving tactic for travel and spring break activities among those polled was using specials and discount programs such as AAA. Fifty-six percent said they are saving money on spring break activities with discounts, and 35 percent said they are using discount programs like AAA to get cheaper hotel rates. Auto Club members get discounts on admission to several attractions throughout California such as Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, LEGOLAND California and the San Diego Zoo.

Another one-third of travelers said they are saving money on their trips by reducing their shopping/souvenir budgets, and 32 percent said they are traveling by car instead of flying to save money.

"Spring travel bookings have improved this year compared to last spring, but travelers are much more focused on getting the best value for their money," Andre said. "There are a few last-minute travel deals left for spring, but the availability of last-minute travel is shrinking and generally speaking, travelers who plan ahead are the ones who can get the better deals."

More than half of those polled (56 percent) said they plan to spend the same or more on travel in the next 12 months as they have in the previous year.

Top activities for those who are taking a spring break vacation, according to the poll, are:

•Sightseeing (51 percent)

•Visiting family (36 percent)

•Visiting an attraction (32 percent)

•Visiting friends (26 percent)

•Shopping (24 percent)

•Hobby such as golf or skiing (19 percent)

•Spa/relaxation (18 percent)

•Maintaining a family tradition of traveling during the spring season (12 percent)

The spring break poll was conducted online by the Auto Club's Marketing Research Department from Feb. 22 to March 1 of this year, and 659 Auto Club members responded to the survey. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percent.

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Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler is under the new ownership

2010-03-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

March 22, 2010 - Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler is under the new ownership of Tumuluri Asset Management Inc. with partners Ram Tumuluri, Jamal Hotel Holdings Ltd. and the Varshney family. Nita Lake Lodge is now managed by T & V Hospitality Inc.

Managing Director, Ram Tumuluri, will head the take-over team and lead the day-to-day operations for the hotel. Tumuluri’s extensive background in luxury hotel management includes a post-graduate degree in Business Management from Birmingham University in the UK, and a Culinary Arts degree from Osmania University in India. After holding various senior positions with Marriott International Hotels, Tumuluri brought his management skills to The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino. Tumuluri is the owner of Cable Cove Inn and Spa in Tofino and Ayurcare International in India, Canada and South Africa.

The Jamal family is the owner of Jamal Hotel Holdings Ltd. with four hotels across B.C., and the owners of Retirement Concepts, the largest private operator of seniors’ homes in British Columbia. The Varshney family owns Varshney Capital Corp, a venture capital company based in Vancouver that invests in a variety of sectors such as real estate, mining and technology. Bringing a collective breadth and depth of knowledge and experience, the new ownership’s vision for Nita Lake Lodge includes an aggressive revitalization plan that will begin immediately.

“Nita Lake Lodge is a spectacular property perfectly positioned to be one of Canada’s leading boutique hotels,” says Ram Tumuluri, Managing Director for the Nita Lake Lodge. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to elevate this hotel to the luxury standard it was designed to offer.”

Uniquely situated on the shores of Whistler’s Nita Lake, the 77-suite lodge features spacious deluxe studios, one and two bedroom suites that reflect a discerning lifestyle. Located a one and a half-hour drive from Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway, Whistler, home of the 2010 Olympic Games, is located at the base of two world-class mountains. A resort for all seasons, Whistler offers a wide variety of activities for all ages and interests from hiking, biking and fishing, championship golf, white water rafting and swimming.

-Tatiana Rokou Travel Daily News

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Carnival Cruise Lines Selects Rolls-Royce Propulsion for Carnival Glory

2010-03-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines has selected the Rolls-Royce propulsion system Promas Lite, combining propeller and rudder, for their cruise vessel Carnival Glory. Preliminary analysis of speed/power trials measurements indicates an increased propulsive efficiency improvement by 11-13 %.

The selection of the Promas Lite system came as a result of close cooperation between Carnival Cruise Lines and Rolls-Royce Marine Services and after extensive laboratory testing at Rolls-Royce Hydrodynamic Research Centre in Sweden. This resulted in an optimized Promas Lite design tailor made to fit the actual operational profile of the Carnival Glory.

A new twin 5.8 meter Promas Lite propulsion system has been installed during the ships regular dry docking at Grand Bahama Shipyard in February 2010. The new propeller – rudder system replaces the old five bladed mono-block propellers with modern four bladed Rolls-Royce propellers with bolted blades, hub caps and rudder bulbs, optimized to suit the actual operational profile that utilizes lower speeds than the vessel was built for. The new propeller design is optimized for maximum fuel efficiency and emission reduction.

Extensive full-scale testing on Carnival Glory as well as Carnival Freedom has been performed before and after installation of the new Promas Lite propeller system. The preliminary analysis of speed/power trials measurements indicates an increased propulsive efficiency improvement by 11-13 %. The measured improvement is regarded as a success since the fuel consumption and emission is reduced accordingly.

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BC PARKS RESERVATIONS BEGIN APRIL 1 WITH NEW FEE SCHEDULE

2010-03-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA - With B.C. preparing for the upcoming summer season, the Ministry of Environment is taking steps to continue providing quality camping experiences. Starting April 1, campers will be able to reserve specific sites for the first time due to a new reservation system.

Environment Minister Barry Penner also said as a result of increasing operating costs for BC Parks, combined with reduced tax revenues to government, user fees for camping will increase between $1 and $6 for basic camping sites. The new fee structure will allow BC Parks to maintain high-quality service and is the first increase in two years.

BC Parks offers pricing that is generally lower than most private-sector camping opportunities around the province and is competitive with public sector campgrounds in other jurisdictions.

Fee changes:

* Camping fees for basic and moderate sites will increase by either $1 or $2 per night. (Basic sites will increase from $15 to $16 per night, and moderate sites will increase from $19 to $21 per night.)

* Camping fees in some developed campgrounds will increase by an additional $2 per night (from $26 to $28) and some by an additional $4 per night (from $26 to $30) for highest-demand sites with the highest levels of service.

* Premium backcountry fees for adults will increase by $5 per night (from $5 to $10) at Garibaldi, Cathedral, Berg Lake (Mt Robson), Wells Grey, Juan de Fuca, Strathcona, Cape Scott, Mt Assiniboine, Kokanee Glacier and Bugaboo. (Youth ages 13-18 yrs old will remain at $5 per night). Backcountry fees in 33 parks, including E.C. Manning, Wells Gray and Tweedsmuir, will remain at $5 per night.

* Mooring buoy fees will increase by $2 per night (from $10 to $12).

* Sani-station fees will increase by $3 per use (from $2 to $5 per discharge).

Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $70 million in capital improvements for BC Parks, including upgrades to drinking water systems, washrooms and picnic areas. The B.C. government has also established 58 new parks, 143 conservancies, two ecological reserves and nine protected areas, and expanded approximately 60 parks and six ecological reserves, protecting more than 1.9 million hectares of additional land since 2001.

Today, a total of 14.26 per cent (more than 13.5 million hectares) of British Columbia is protected - more than any other province in Canada. For additional information on the recreational fees for individual
parks, go to: www.bcparks.ca.

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Fototrips Image of the Day: #followfriday It's Friday...A Martini on us!!

2010-03-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Brad Edwards www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

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Luxury tourism sector looking to recover

2010-03-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

High-end resort operators coming off a dismal 2009 season

Operators of many of B.C.’s high-end resorts are casting a wary eye on news reports in the U.S. suggesting luxury hotels will see business rebound this year.

It was a dismal 2009 in B.C., with one of the province’s first high-end resorts, the Aerie, shuttered and revenues at many others dropping 10 per cent or more. As this year’s tourist season looms, local highend operators are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Craig Murray, owner of Nimmo Bay Helicopter Fishing and Wilderness Adventures, noted in his usual straight-to-the-point manner:

“2009 was the pits. But 2010 seems to be a little bit of a rebound, though there’s probably a later booking season. Then again, nobody in the world has any crystal balls for what will happen.”

Murray says he can only be hopeful, after a 2009 when they did enough business “to still have black ink on the bottom line,” that 2010 brings more people looking for adventure in the aftermath of the recession.

Victoria - (Times Colonist) Charles McDiarmid, managing director of the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, said 2009 was their worst year ever “by a significant amount” and is reluctant to expect much better this summer.

“I’m not optimistic that it will just bounce back and everything will be wonderful,” he said. “We planned for a small increase over 2009, but [projections show] the business we have on the books for this summer is about the same [as 2009] which is not great.

“We are hopeful there will be more last-minute demand,” he said, adding there is also hope the afterglow of the Olympics could have an effect.

“We’re hoping the Olympic halo we were counting on comes through as soon as this summer, that Europeans and Americans that saw those wonderful pictures will come back to B.C., and if they come to Vancouver that could float all of the boats.”

Hospitality industry consultant Frank Bourree of Chemistry Consulting is more pessimistic about feeling an immediate Olympic impact, but says he believes the high-end market could feel a rebound.

“At the high end, many of the long-haul tourists feel they have a God-given right to travel and nothing will stop them,” he said referring to the recession and the high Canadian dollar. “Middle-income people may be feeling stressed, but rich people don’t care.”

That is why Bourree does not advocate dropping rates to draw in tourists at that market — a practice that ran rampant in the U.S. last year, according to Bloomberg News.

“A lot of operators cut off their nose to spite their face last year,” he said, noting the Fairmont Empress discounted rooms last year, which led to the rest of the city following suit. “I think they realize now it was a mistake.”

Murray, whose Nimmo Bay adventure packages start at $7,250 for a threeday program, refused to buy in to discounts.

“I don’t play that game. It’s not a good place to go especially when you are offering a good service,” he said. McDiarmid, whose Wickaninnish Inn high-season rates start at $500 a night, agrees and says it can lead to lower revenue and less cash to invest in upgrades, maintenance and service — which means the deterioration of standards.

“We made a decision early on that we weren’t going to compromise quality or service and we weren’t going to compromise rate, we weren’t going to do whatever it would take to bring people in,” he said. “You can do it shortterm, but all of a sudden you get less revenue and I frankly don’t believe you make it up with more volume. Plus the market you attract is temporary, when rates go back they are going somewhere else.”

It’s unlikely anyone will be going to the Aerie Resort this year.

The 19-year-old resort closed its doors in November, citing three years of difficulty. According to owner Maria Schuster, she is still working with different investors but no deal to sell the property has been finalized.

“I can’t see that the Aerie will be open this year,” she said.

The resort is now under the care of court-appointed receiver Glover-Drennan.

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Dominica Virgin Islands: Photo of the Day from West Shore Galleries

2010-03-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

New photo's just added to http://www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com/ reflecting our recent visit to Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean Virgin Islands.

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