{February 23, 2010} VICTORIA BC – Consumer Protection BC is very pleased to announce the launch of www.travelrightsbc.ca, our new travel industry portal. This new portal, which co-exists with our larger Consumer Protection BC website, provides timely and relevant information for both travel consumers and licensed travel agents in BC.

This first of several new industry specific portals will help travel consumers understand their rights and obligations when dealing with licensed travel agents in BC, read travel news, submit claims online to the BC Travel Assurance Fund and get accurate information to make more informed decisions as a travel consumer.

Licensed travel agents and wholesalers will also benefit from direct access to industry news, licensing information and forms, travel related law, online payments, and compliance tools such as violation reporting. One of the highlights is the ability for travel licensees to renew their licence online and edit their basic account information.  All this delivered through a customized and secure space for all our licensed travel agencies.

An RSS feed for travel news is also available for those who wish to receive travel news from Consumer Protection BC as soon as it is posted. Consumers are encouraged to look for our new icon on BC travel agency websites (see below for image) which identifies the company as being licensed with Consumer Protection BC.  Booking travel with a licensed travel agent or wholesaler provides the added protection of BC’s Travel Assurance Fund and the display of the icon promotes their commitment to consumer protection.

Visit www.travelrightsbc.ca today and bookmark the page for future reference.

Travel licensees are advised to contact our licensing department toll free at 1-888-777-4393 if they have any questions about their login information.

Consumers can call our Inquiry Centre toll free at 1-888-564-9963 with questions and can find licensed BC travel agencies on our travel agent search page.

{February 3, 2010}  VICTORIA, BC - Consumer Protection BC is advising consumers that NewWest Special Projects LP, of Alberta, has announced the cancellation of its charter of the Norwegian Star. The cancellation includes the pre cruise, scheduled for 6-10 February from LA to Vancouver, the post cruise, scheduled for 2-6 March from Vancouver to LA and Vancouver stay for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

{February 3, 2010} VICTORIA BC - Consumer Protection BC is advising licensed travel agents and wholesalers that NewWest Special Projects LP of Alberta has announced the cancellation of its charter of the Norwegian Star due to slow sales and high expenses. The cancellation includes the pre cruise, scheduled for 6-10 February from LA to Vancouver, the post cruise, scheduled for 2-6 March from Vancouver to LA and Vancouver stay for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

{November 27, 2009} VICTORIA, BC - All licensed BC travel agents and travel wholesalers are advised that the second phase of changes, announced by the Government in December 2008, to the Travel Industry Regulation under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act become effective December 1, 2009.