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LAS VEGAS, July 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The inaugural Chairman's Circle Honors took place June 10, 2013 at The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas to celebrate a selection of international companies for their prominence and contributions to the U.S. travel industry. Held during IPW 2013, this elite awards event honored 92 representatives from 46 of the world's highest volume tour operators and buyers of the U.S. travel product.

WestJet Vacations representatives were presented with a custom-designed crystal award and a beautiful hand-cast bronze medallion as a "thank you" for their continuing excellence in promoting travel to the United States.

"WestJet Vacations are delighted to receive our designation as one of America's top international travel buyers," said Tim Croyle, Vice-President and General Manager, WestJet Vacations. "We are committed to providing our guests with several vacation package options in 22 destinations across the U.S.  Even more important is helping our guests find the right destination for an exceptional experience, whether it be a family vacation or a gathering of friends.  Our U.S. partners continue to make our job much easier by providing a consistently enjoyable experience to all of our guests travelling south of the border."

"The Chairman's Circle Honors provides a special opportunity to recognize the international companies that are leading the way in driving visitation to the U.S.," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel. "These high-performing buyers exemplify the power of travel. IPW, the event during where so much of that business is conducted, is the perfect occasion to honor and thank them."

"We are thrilled to collectively pay tribute to America's top international travel buyers," said Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA. "These organizations provide critical support for the U.S. travel and tourism industry. As the national marketing entity, Brand USA invites the world to discover America, and we deeply appreciate how the buyers help transform that vision into reality."

A full list of honorees follows:

Air Canada Vacations, Alpitour, America As You Like it, America United, Aviatur SA, Best Day Travel, Bon Voyage Travel and Tours, British Airways Holidays, CANUSA Touristik, Compagnies des Etats-Unis, Creative Holidays, CVC Brasil Operadora E Agencia de Viagens S/A, Dertour, Despegar.com, Explorer Fernreisen GmbH, FTI Touristik, GTA UK, H.I.S. International Tours, Hana Tour Service, Inc., House of Travel, Ltd., Infinity Holidays, Jan Doets America Tours, Jetset Voyages, J-Pac Travel, JTB International, Kintetsu International Express, Inc., Knecht Reisen AG, Kuoni Travel, Meier's Weltreisen, MMT Gapnet Tours, Nascimento Turismo, North America Travel Service, Shanghai Ctrip International Travel Services Co., Ltd., Swanson's Travel AB, TAM Viagens, Thomas Cook AG, Thomas Cook North America , Thomas Cook Tours, Tour America, Trailfinders, Ltd., Trend Operadora, TUI Deutschland GmbH , TUI Specialist, Virgin Holidays, Voyageurs du Monde, and WestJet Vacations, Inc.

About the U.S. Travel Association

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry that generates $2.0 trillion in economic output and supports 14.6 million jobs. U.S. Travel's mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit www.ustravel.org.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to more than 85 destinations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Powered by an award-winning culture of care, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Recognized nationally as a top employer, WestJet now has more than 9,500 WestJetters across Canada. Operating a fleet of more than 100 Boeing Next-Generation 737 and Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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Image with caption: "Yehudi Altman, Director, Product, WestJet Vacations and Tim Croyle, Vice-President and General Manager, WestJet Vacations accepting Chairman's Circle honour. (CNW Group/WestJet)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130704_C5432_PHOTO_EN_28768.jpg

SOURCE: WestJet