GREAT Olympic contest...More Deals of the Day Now Featured Every Weekday

Just got this a few minutes ago and it's definitely worth a peek, folks:

 

With the 2010 Winter Games just 91 days away, Tourism Vancouver wants to offer visitors and locals the chance to win one of three great Olympic prizes.

 

Gold

Nothing but the best, this all-inclusive 2010 Olympic Winter Games package Gold Prize from Tourism Vancouver will ensure you get to experience all the glory. Your prize includes return airfare for two to Vancouver from any major North American airport, 3 nights at a four-star downtown Vancouver hotel including breakfast, and tickets to a Vancouver Victory Ceremony, the Men’s Qualifying and Final Alpine Skiing event, the Men’s Bronze Medal Ice Hockey Event, and the Closing Ceremony. Retail value: $10,059 CAD ($9,425 USD).

 

Silver

Are you ready for the action? Get into the Olympic spirit with this CoSport hospitality and ticket package that’s guaranteed to be the talk of the town – the Men’s Hockey Preliminary match, featuring rivals Canada vs. the United States. Multiple-entry hospitality passes and two tickets to the game will make for a day to remember. Retail value: $4,029 CAD ($3,775 USD).

 

Bronze

Win the Wii version of Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games video game AND the console to play it on. With 27 events and 20 of your favourite Mario Brothers characters, it is time to let the games begin!. Retail value: $300 CAD ($281 USD).

 

See full details here: http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/olympicsweepstakes. 

NOW...MORE DEALS OF THE DAY

As you hopefully have noticed in the past, I've been offering a daily deal of the day. But the Toronto Star is now in partnership with a great website - www.travelalerts.ca - so I'll now be featuring more deals every day, not just one.

I've got three today; New York, Acapulco and a general advisory on the WestJet half-off sale, which expires IN JUST A COUPLE DAYS.

Weekend round-trip flights to New York City from $195 ($295 with taxes included) from Toronto

http://www.travelalerts.ca/ccount12/click.php?id=1584

 

and a Christmas vacation package in Acapulco (includes air + hotel) from $475 ($747 with taxes included)

http://www.travelalerts.ca/ccount12/click.php?id=1583

 

and until midnight (ET) November 16, all WJ flights are 50% off:
http://www.travelalerts.ca/ccount12/click.php?id=1585

So check them out. And look for more in future blogs.

USA SLOW TO REBOUND

American tourism types are happy that the US was ranked number one in the latest Country Brand Index rating, released by FutureBrand, in conjunction with Weber Shandwick's Global Travel & Lifestyle Practice. The index revealed that the United States is the world's top country brand for the first time in the fifth annual CBI, rising from the third spot in 2008.

"Perceptions of the United States are on the rise - a tribute to President Obama and the people of this great country," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "But if interest in the United States is growing, then policymakers should ask themselves why it is not resulting in greater overseas travel to our country. According to the Department of Commerce, August was the 10th straight month in which international travel spending in the United States declined. And 2009 will be the eighth straight year in which overseas arrivals fell short of pre-9/11 visitors to our country.

"According to the Country Brand Index report, the United States ranks #1 in brand image but remains in the bottom half of countries for 'ease of travel' to and within the country. It's past time for our country to make welcoming visitors a priority. These visitors are key to our diplomacy and economy. It's time for a fair and effective visa system that limits wait times and arbitrary refusals. It's time for an entry process that is the envy of the world in its use of technology and efficient screening. And it's time to welcome people to our shores by passing the Travel Promotion Act and promoting America as a premier travel destination."

 

Comments

[Hhonor]

One more contest you can enter is at http://www.hiltonhhonors.com/officialguest you get a special “Go For The Gold” rate. If you book your room at any hotel in the Hilton family you will be entered for the chance to be the “Official Guest of Team USA” which includes a trip to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver! I’m working with Hilton to spread the word about this special deal which only lasts until December 31st 2009.