Monday, May 14, 2012

HEADLINES
- Government announces improvements for Canada-US travellers.
- Quebec City Tourism goes mobile.
- Explore Canada's backyard with WestJet Vacations.
- WestJet enhances reward program.
- American Airlines to refresh international wide-body fleet.
- Ensemble Hosted Cruise Newsletter features Multi-generational cruising.
- Register a foursome for the 17th Annual Bytown Golf Classic.


Get Byways Travel News every week.

Join our e-mail list...

...and you'll get Byways Travel News in your inbox every Monday with the latest travel news and advisories, information about exclusive offers, great destinations and more!

Government announces improvements for Canada-US travellers.

Minister of Public Safety, Vic Toews, has announced that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would simplify the NEXUS renewal process and embark on a campaign to increase NEXUS membership.

The new rules eliminate the time-consuming interview requirement for renewing cardholders who maintain their low-risk status and who have not made changes to their personal information. The changes are the latest in a series of initiatives to be implemented as part of the joint Canada-U.S. Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness (Beyond the Border).

According to the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) these new enhancements to the NEXUS program will not only accelerate the process of crossing the Canada-US border but they will also do so while maintaining security and public safety.

Quebec City Tourism goes mobile.

A new mobile app for iPhone in French and English is now available from Quebec City Tourism (QCT). It can help travellers plan their trip to Quebec City.

Once you arrive in Quebec City, you'll be able to choose from over 100 restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, activities, and events in the plam of your hand.

Some of the app's main features include:

  • Detailed information on local attractions, accommodations, restaurants, and stores
  • A complete schedule of events
  • A description of the region, its neighbourhoods, and must-see attractions
  • A host of handy tips once visitors have arrived
  • Locations of tourist information offices and public washrooms.

You can download the app here.

Explore Canada's backyard with WestJet Vacations.

Visit Vancouver with a 3-night package from WestJet Vacations starting as little as $719 (+ $192 taxes).

Includes airfare and accomodations at the Inn at False Creek.

Offer expires MAY 21

Contact an agent to book NOW!


WestJet enhances reward program.

Westjet has announced two enhancements to its WestJet Rewards. It is offering WestJet dollar bonuses at each qualifying level and is removing the cap on the number of milestone bonuses members can earn.

The first milestone bonus at $1,500 remains the same at $35 WestJet dollars, but WestJet Rewards remembers will now receive $25 WestJet dollars at each $1,500 qualifying spend milestone thereafter.

The cap on the number of levels members can reach to earn bonus WestJet dollars has been removed. Previously if members exceeded an annual spend of $7,500 they were no longer issued milestone bonuses. Now they will continue to earn a milestone bonus of $25 WestJet dollars at each additional $1,500 qualifying spend, with no cap, along with the 2.5% back on every dollar spent.

WestJet dollars can be used like cash toward the purchase of WestJet-operated flights and WestJet Vacations packages.

Visit the WestJet Rewards website.

American Airlines to refresh international wide-body fleet.

American Airlines has taken the next step in its fleet modernisation plan by redesigning and refreshing its international wide-body aircraft.

As part of this redesign, American's entire fleet of B777-200ERs will have fully lie-flat business-class seats with aisle access for every seat, international Wi-Fi, in-seat entertainment throughout all cabins, and Main Cabin Extra seating offering more leg-room.

The B767-300ERs will have fully lie-flat business-class seats with aisle access for every seat, and Main Cabin Extra seating.

The redesign is slated to begin in early 2014. American is currently working to determine the installation timeline and will have more details on anticipated completion dates in the future.

Ensemble Hosted Cruise Newsletter highlights Multi-generational cruising.

Barrhaven Cruise Centre presents our quarterly Hosted Cruise Newsletter so you can discover the advantages, amenities and added value you'll receive when you choose one of these exceptional sailings, EXCLUSIVE to Barrhaven Cruise Centre, for your next vacation!

Browse the latest issue, featuring Multi-generational cruising, then contact an agent to book your exclusive Ensemble Hosted Cruise.

Register a fouresome for the 17th Annual Bytown Golf Classic.

It's a sure sign of Spring - registration for the Bytown Golf Classic on Wednesday, June 13!

Last year's edition of our annual tournament raised over $22,000 for our beneficiaries - Youville Centre and Education Foundation Ottawa.

This year's edition promises to be even better so get in on the fun. Register your foursome and/or become a sponsor and help us achieve our goal.

Register, sponsor and check out photos from last year here.

Bytown & Barrhaven are on Facebook!

You can now follow Bytown Travel and Barrhaven Travel on Facebook - the largest social networking site on the Internet.

Visit the page, Click the "Like" button, and you'll begin receiving news and information about leisure and business travel in your News Feed.

Follow us on Facebook - another way Bytown Travel and Barrhaven Travel put our knowledge and experience to work for you.