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up! MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 2010 VALUE AWARDS

CALGARY, June 30 /CNW/ - The people have voted and the results are in.

The winners of the third annual up! magazine Value Awards were announced today, with 17 of North America's best travel values - from attractions to restaurants to spas and festivals - revealed in the July issue of WestJet's inflight magazine.

The up! magazine value award winners are chosen by thousands of WestJet guests who turn to the magazine for vital destination information about the places, businesses and events that deliver great value for the money and provide a high-quality and unique travel experience that over delivers when compared to other similarly priced offerings. The value award winners are announced and profiled every year in up! magazine's July issue. What makes a value award winner? Simply put, the benefits and rewards of the travel experience offered are greater than the cost.

"The Value Awards program taps our enlightened readers for their secret and not-so-secret spots that offer great value," said up! editor Tom Gierasimczuk. "That may be a $5 breakfast, but it's also a high-end boutique hotel that earns its premium price with amenities and great service."

up! magazine's mission is to profile travel experiences that are worth the price of admission and a traveller's time. "We thought, wouldn't it be ideal to gather information on preferred spots - those places we can't wait to let our friends know about when we return - and compile them in a guide that can be shared by travellers in their favourite WestJet destination?" added Gierasimczuk.

Richard Bartrem, WestJet's Vice-President of Communications and Community Relations, said that WestJet guests really stepped up. "We would like to thank our guests for taking the time to submit their favourite hidden gems - the places that demonstrate a commitment to value. WestJet strives to provide value through a world-class guest experience every day, and we are pleased to share up! magazine's helpful information about great experiences at our destinations with our guests."

Voting for the 2011 up! magazine Value Awards is now open. Share your experiences with hotels, restaurants, bars, resorts, golf courses and more with your fellow WestJet guests and win big. Visit valueawards.ca and vote!

About up! magazine

up! magazine celebrates the joy of travel and discovery and the pursuit of value on the road. With a focus on destinations in North America and the Caribbean, up! lauds little-known travel gems and explores well-trodden routes with a fresh perspective. Our storytellers are award-winning journalists and photographers fluent in the destinations they cover, with the same wanderlust shared by our curious readers.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 68-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 89 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 46 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

    
              Please see the list of value award winners below.
    

up! magazine 2010 value award winners

    
    CANADA
    ------

    Top Voted Attraction        West Edmonton Mall          Edmonton, AB

    Top Voted Event             Folklorama                  Winnipeg, MB

    Top Voted Restaurant        Atlas Café                  Courtenay, BC

    Top Voted Outdoor
     Attraction                 Grouse Mountain             Vancouver, BC

    Top Voted Hotel             Rocking R Guest Ranch       Strathmore, AB

    Top Voted Spa               Kingfisher Oceanside        Courtenay, BC
                                 Resort & Spa


    USA
    ---

    Top Voted Attraction        Walt Disney World Resort    Lake Buena Vista,
                                                             FL

    Top Voted Restaurant        Mama's Fish House           Paia, Hawaii
                                 Restaurant

    Top Voted Hotel             Bellagio                    Las Vegas, Nevada

    Top Voted Nightlife         Las Vegas Strip             Las Vegas, Nevada


    MEXICO
    ------

    Top Voted Attraction        Chichen Itza                Cancun, Mexico

    Top Voted Restaurant        Café Roma                   Puerto Vallarta,
                                                             Mexico

    Top Voted Hotel             Gran Bahia Principe Tulum   Cancun, Mexico

    Top Voted Spa               Grand Palladium Riviera     Solidaridad,
                                 Resort & Spa                Mexico


    CARRIBEAN
    ---------

    Top Voted Attraction        Atlantis Paradise Island    Nassau, Bahamas

    Top Voted Restaurant        The Poop Deck Yacht Haven   Nassau, Bahamas

    Top Voted Hotel             Gran Bahia Principe         Punta Cana, DR
    

For further information: For interview requests or a copy of up! magazine, contact: Aleisha Vermeulen, Director of Marketing & Communications, RedPoint Media Group Inc., P: 403 232 7720, E: [email protected]