how gets travellers started with inforn

WANT TO see the world
but don’t know where to
start? Looking for ideas for
your next vacation? Then
visit the Vancouver Travel
Show, on for a weekend —
April 3 and 4 — at. the
, PNE. ,

It’s a follow-up to the first
Vancouver Travel show last Oc-
tober,. a one-day event which
drew a full house of almost 5,060.
Organizers say. spreading the event
ever two days and using the big-
ger Showmart building will give
people more room this time.

. And to avoid congestion at the
“gate, GST is included in ticket
prices. Tickets will also be on sale

at travel agents.

But why a travel show?

Well, sliding over to the PNE is
not the same as trekking in Nepal,
but a travel show can get you
started, where you can talk to
Kiwis about golfing in. New
Zealand, discuss the isles of
Greece with a Greek, get some
first-hand information on
Thailand, compare packages to
Mexico, check out cruises, and se¢
what Canada has to offer.

Vancouver Isiand will be well
represented, and visitors to the
last Vancouver Travel Show will
recall that Victoria hotels were of-
fering some very special room
rates.

From just over the border will
be representatives from Scimitar
Ridge Ranch at Anacortes, with

~ Travel agents often
get better bargains

WHERE DOES a ‘Journey start?
With an idea, perhaps something
syou read, or a conversation with
“friends. You might follow up at
“the library, and then what?

By David Wishart
Contributing Writer

You talk to a travel agent. In-
._ variably, they have been there be-
. fore, they know how to get the
information you need quickly, and
the service is free.

What many consumers don’t
realize is that travel agents often
jhave access to, special fares that
‘are not published, and may not be
offered -when consumers call
airlines or cruise companies direct-
ly.

Have you ever tried catliag
long-distance to make a hotel res-
-ervation, even via a toll-free
Number? You get put on hold.

Travel
reservations systems that can list a
selection of hotels, give room
rates (including . special offers),
-and in a few. seconds: they can
establish availability and make a
reservation. a

When it comes to cruising you
more.or less have to start with a
travel agent for the simple reason
that ‘many majer cruise lines no
longer accept bookings | from the
public. "

You might want to go to a
cruise. specialist. Just as some
agents have expertise in specific
regions or countries, other agents
concentrate on cruising.

Don’t worry about going alone.
Cruising is a very sociable way to
travel and it’s sometimes possible

to link up with a group put |

together by a travel agent.

As in any relationship, things
go better when you know each
oiher. In time, a good travel agent
will become a friend who can
recommend places. that strike the
tight note, and warn you off
others.

Glen Steeves, executive director
of the B.C.-region of ACTA (Al-
Hiance of Canadian Travel
Associations), says the bottom line
is that travel agents are’ profes-
sionals who. believe, in’ ongoing
education.

He said, “ACTA. agents strive
to keep up to date, not only with
destinations but legislation, and
this protects the client. They have
a sense of responsibility.”
~ ACTA: has a board ‘member
assigned to investigate consumer

agents have computer:

complaints directed at an AC-
TA-member agency.
There are 400 ACTA travel

agents in the Lower. Mainland.

office is in
telephone

The regional
downtown Vancouver,

688-0516,

coan
fo.
colobrate!

Bastion Inn
Inmagine ae
Champagne for two upon arrival
Complimentary in-room fruit basket
A view with a room

Complimentary hieakfast for two

ANealyouds An nisersares,
Celebrations ar smfily a.

oF f.
relaxing gel MUO heal on

— Celetnation
Fuckaye

Deluxe Queen or ‘twin Bed...... $9
Comer ROQM.......0656 cece one $109
Limited Edition Corner Room
Limited Edition Suite.

(Rates are per night)

Enjoy Nanaimo's idyllic ocedn setting
in the heart of Vancouver Island

The Coast «
Bastion Inn o

For Reservations call

(604) 753-6601

“11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo,
British Columbia, VOR 229
Direct: (G04) 753-6601
Fax: (604) 753-4155

their booth which won first prize
ata recent RV show.

Look for outfitters such as
Tilley Endurables, and Fraser
MacDonald of Gulliver’s Travel
Accessories will be back again
with his popular ‘‘packing magic”
demonstrations.

Prizes include free trips to
Australia, Europe, Mexico,
Hawaii and a bicycle tour of the
California wine country.

Admission is $6 for adults,
$4.50 for seniors, $4.50 for
children, and $15 for families
(max two adults), including GST.

Show times are Saturday, April
3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Sunday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to
4 p.m. PNE parking is easy and
inexpensive,

For more information call

736-711,

THE NEMAIAH VALLEY ... one of the. most

beautiful valleys in the Chilcotin - Home to the

Creek Guest

Enjoy a memorable holiday.
Prices start at $135 per
person (CAN) per day and
include:
® LODSING ina
traditionally built log
cabin.
GOURMET MEALS

You'l/ ond remember.

ALL FACILITIES
Ranch, lodge, game
room, lounge, Sauna,
boats, etc.

HORSES Ride around
the ranch or out on
scenic trails

WAGON RIDES |
FISHING Vedan Lake
adjoins the ranch and
has long been famous
for its fighting rainbow
trout.

a
a

a ee

(MAIM LODGE - Guest cabins same style)

CANOEING a
WINDSURFING & SAILING

HIKING & WILDLIFE OBSERVATION
SEASONAL RANCH ACTIVITIES

-{f you fly in: co-ordinates are: 51°31'N123°49'W Cail, Write or FAX

+ AS «.. located right on th h For furite : information
4300 Airstrip 4.000" elevation - excellent turf ne ai

By Car: Hwy. #20 west from Wms. Lk _ Plione (604) 984-4666
to Hanceville, then south on Nemaiah Valley Rd. FAX: (604). 984-4686 :

4462 Marlon Rd., North Vancouver, B.C. V7K 2¥2

Member Cariboc Tourist Association

Talk to experts on spring, summer and fall vacations. Find out more “about”
travelling : smaté in Canada, the U. S., the Grient, Down Under, Europe, cruises.
See the show-stopping Packing Magi al And much, more. ;

a A fortune in prizes ingluding tickets to faraway places including.
‘Austratia; Europe, Hr awaii, Mexico, ‘anda deluxe biki B trip for
two in the California wine country.” we :

Watch. this” paper fora more details on the show and entry form for grand prize!

Saturday April 3 - ‘44am - Spm
‘Sunday April 4 - diam - 4pm
_-PNE Showmart Building ©

Easy and inexpensive parking

Admission: Adults $6,
Seniors $4.50, Children $4:50;
Families (two adults max) $15 incl. GST

FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CALL 736-7711