winter 2017/18 | training for the travel trade
Win
A Blueto for your oth travel spe ak s Destinati martphone cou er rtesy of on Cana da. Com Wordse plete ou arch on r
page 25
experience it
See the light
Luxury
Wise up to the ways Canada can lay on the style for top-end clients
winter wonders Get set to sell Canada's world-class resorts and seasonal activities
mega fam 2018
Follow the adventures of agents on tour in 11 provinces and territories
Plus... wtm news, aboriginal tours, toronto, ATLANTIC CANADA, yukon ...and more Cover_Oct_FINAL.indd 1
10/20/17 12:13 PM
Their Canada adventure starts here At British Airways, we go above and beyond so your customers can too. They’ll experience our award-winning service to Calgary, Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver direct from London, ready for an adventure of a lifetime. Book today via your GDS. For more information see ba.com
Untitled-3 Untitled-1 1
10/19/17 05:37 PM 20/09/2017 14:41
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
12
NEWS 04 Destination Canada Update 05 News to Use
FEATURES
10 12 22 24
10
Read and keep our dedicated section on
LUXURY CANADA. Find it in the middle of this publication
Featuring... EXPERIENCES • WINTER • ITINERARIES • HOTELS CANADIAN SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES (CSEs) • CRUISE • TRAINS
Mega Fam 'The Best Yet' Aboriginal Tourism Winter Wonders Social Media: Bloggers & more; win a travel speaker and charger
QUICK READS 08 14 15 17 18 19 21
Atlantic Canada British Columbia Yukon Québec City profile – Toronto Ontario My Canada: Travel Agent Pat Waterton 26 Alberta FRONT COVER IMAGE: BANFF NATIONAL PARK, TRAVEL ALBERTA PUBLISHED BY BMI PUBLISHING LTD, SUFFOLK HOUSE, GEORGE ST, CROYDON, SURREY, UK, CR9 1SR • T: 020 8649 7233 E: ENQUIRIES@BMIPUBLISHING.CO.UK • W: BMIPUBLISHING.CO.UK PUBLISHER: SALLY PARKER, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: DAVID CLARE, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: STEVE HARTRIDGE, CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: JULIE BAXTER AND LAURA GELDER, JOURNALIST: JESSICA POOK, CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MATT BONNER, LEAD DESIGNERS: LOUISA HORTON AND MONICA NOTARNICOLA, DESIGNERS: ROSS CLIFFORD AND ZOE TARRANT, PRODUCTION MANAGER: CLARE HUNTER, MANAGING DIRECTOR: MARTIN STEADY • WHILST EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE ACCURACY, BMI PUBLISHING CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS.
VISIT US AT NIAGARAPARKSTRAVELTRADE.COM
Contents-2.indd 3 Untitled-3 1
10/20/17 04:01 PM 13/03/2017 13:29
DC WELCOME
Mega Fam was the best
DC update NEWS FROM DESTINATION CANADA
Digital campaigns provide trade leads WE ARE buzzing here at Destination Canada HQ after one of our very best agent Mega Fams, which saw 60 Brits join 12 international groups across Canada. Between them they covered some serious miles, from British Columbia in the west to Newfoundland & Labrador in the East. After exploring one of 11 different provinces and territories, all the agents came together in Toronto to compare travel notes. Check out some of their amazing photos on social media at #canadaspecialist and read about some of their memorable experiences on pages 10/11 of this issue of Selling Canada. Team Canada will be out in force at World Travel Market. If you are coming to the show, please pop by the Canada Stand (NA200) to say hello. And don’t forget to keep your Canada knowledge up to date! A great way to start is by taking the new-look Canada Specialist programme. Becoming a CSP opens the door to our ever-popular webinars and display material for your shop window. Happy Selling and Keep Exploring!
DESTINATION CANADA and its industry partners – Nova Scotia Tourism, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, Toronto Tourism, Manitoba Tourism, Travel Alberta, Destination British Columbia and Westjet – launched a series of UK digital content campaigns in September. Designed to drive consumer bookings through partners Canadian Affair and Canadian Sky, the first raft of the digital campaigns run into early 2018 and focus on the themes of Journey, Cities, and Culinary. The themes are presented through partnerships with National Geographic, The Guardian, The Daily Mail and Great British Chefs. The campaigns focus on videorich storytelling to bring the Canada story to UK consumers in enticing formats while driving quality leads to trade partners.
Fred Sirieix (pictured), star of hit TV series First Date had his own first date with Canada this summer, discovering Toronto before heading on a road trip to Muskoka and Algonquin Park. Food Busker John Quilter tasted his way around Nova Scotia and cooked up a feast at Peggy’s Cove, whilst micro adventurer Alistair Humphries also explored Nova
eTA’s hold key to speedy entry
Adam Hanmer, Manager, Travel Trade, Destination Canada
Help desk KEY CONTACTS: Roger Harris TRADE HELPLINE: 020 7389 9984 EMAIL: destinationcanada trade@gmail.com TRAINING: canadaspecialist.co.uk keepexploring.ca
4
DC update.indd 4
TRAVEL agents need to keep in mind that all British visitors to Canada arriving by air must hold an Electronic Travel Authority (eTA). Those planning a trip to Canada should apply before booking their airline tickets. Destination Canada recommends what while an eTA usually takes a maximum of three days to secure, any applicant
with a ‘record’, such as for a drink driving offence, will have their applications subject to a different screening process which will likely lengthen the process. An eTA costs C$7 and is valid for five years. It can be secured online at Canada.ca/eTA. Note that any website charging more than C$7 is not an official government site.
Scotia for National Geographic’s roster of influencers who travelled coast to coast. “Destination Canada continues to build on our digital first strategy with our industry partners, which is paying dividends in driving leads,” said Rupert Peters, Managing Director, UK, for Destination Canada. destinationcanada.com
eTA basics • An eTA costs C$7 (£4.16). • An eTA is valid for five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. • With an eTA travellers can fly to Canada several times without reapplying as long as their eTA and passport remain valid. • The online application form requires a credit card and a valid email address. • Travellers can only apply for one person per form so a family of three people will need to complete and submit the form three times. • The Government of Canada website at Canada.ca/eTA is the only valid site to apply for an eTA.
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
10/20/17 12:18 PM
news TO USE
Canada's top stories
Iconic red chairs await tired agents
destination canadA LAUNCHES ELITE LEVEL CSP PROGRAMME Destination Canada plans to launch its new Elite Level Canada Specialist Programme (CSP) in 2018. "We want to work even closer with our top agents who are currently selling Canada," commented Adam Hanmer, Destination Canada’s Travel Trade Manager. “Our new Elite Level status will grant access to exclusive events and a oncein-a-lifetime Elite Level fam trip we are planning for 2018," he added. "We will be partnering with our top trade tour operators to identify elite agents who will be eligible for access to this special club" destinationcanada.com
BACTAs on hunt for best UK travel agency Destination Canada will be highlighting a brand-new award category for its British Annual Canada Travel Awards (BACTAs) at this year’s World Travel Market (November 6-8). One of the travel industry’s longest consecutively held annual awards, the 28th staging in 2018 will for the first time feature a ‘Best UK Travel Agency’ category. “We have been recognising our very best travel agents for the last three years but understand that many agencies work as a team and want to acknowledge this,” said Adam Hanmer, Travel Trade Manager, Destination Canada. "The criteria we will be looking for is how much
Ski-i Selling Canada Advert 3.qxp_Layout 1 12/10/2017 22:19 Page 1
business an agency has sold to Canada in 2017 and we will be working with our trade tour operators to identify the cream of the crop," he added. “Travel Agencies form such an important part of the selling model for us and we want to recognise them for their excellence in promoting Canada." Travel agencies hoping to be considered should drop by the Canada stand (NA200) at World Travel Market to discover more. The 2018 BACTAs will be held on February 27 in London. Other categories will include ‘Best Tour Operator’ and a ‘Keep Exploring Award’ for the best all-round promotion of Canada.
Destination Canada is inviting agents to visit its stand (NA200) at World Travel Market to rest awhile in two classic Canadian chairs. "Agents should visit us to take the weight off their feet for a few minutes by stretching back in one of our Red Muskoka chairs,” said Adam Hanmer, the tourism board’s Travel Trade Manager. “These chairs are found in many key Parks Canada sites across Canada and feature heavily in social media to showcase the amazing park locations and views. “For a few moments agents can imagine they have been transported to Canada itself. "We also invite agents to post their best #Explore Canada, #RedChairs pic at #WTM2017." New Canadian partners at WTM this year include Tourism Kamloops, Niagara Falls Tourism and Edmonton Tourism.
destinationcanada.com
Superb early booking offers to Banff and Lake Louise Save up to 25% at the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Book by 30 November
0131 243 8097 www.ski-i.com
News pg5.indd 5
10/20/17 03:08 PM
news TO USE
Canada's top stories
Le Boat sails to Ottawa
bright lights PEGGY'S COVE lighthouse in Nova Scotia, one of Canada's most photographed buildings, looks brighter than ever after receiving a makeover this summer. The province has more than 150 historic lighthouses, with many open to the public. novascotia.com
LE BOAT, a company which operates a self-hire boating service in eight European countries, will be bringing its canal boats to Ottawa’s Rideau Canal in spring 2018. The operator's fleet of luxury self-hire cabin cruisers, which will be imported over a five-year period starting next year with an initial 16, will be of the type found on inland waterways in the UK and countries such as France and Holland. Holidaymakers to Canada’s capital will be able to pick up a
vessel on the Rideau Canal and take a journey to explore the city and wider Ontario. Jantine Van Kregten, Director of Communications with Ottawa Tourism, says Le Boat will expand the definition of a ‘Rideau Canal experience’ “Much of the promotion and experience of the canal, whether it’s through paddling, skating, walking or biking, is contained to the downtown core. Le Boat will be an opportunity to take in the entire 202-kilometre waterway.” leboat.co.uk
BC FERRY link V2V VACATIONS is a new direct passenger service that takes passengers from Vancouver to Victoria. The high-speed catamaran operates daily and takes around three-and-ahalf hours each way. v2vvacations.com
floating ocean OCEAN House at Stads K'uns GawGa, a floating lodge on the remote west coast of Haida Gwaii in BC, is set to open in 2018. The region is known as the 'Galapagos of the North'. haidahouse.com
News pg6.indd 6
Rainbow Tours adds Canada RAINBOW TOURS, a tailormade specialist previously known for its African and Latin American holidays, is featuring Canada for the first time. Its programme concentrates on Canada's most popular wildlife experiences such as subarctic adventures to see polar bears, arctic hares and foxes in their natural habitat; encounters with elk, wolves and bears in the Canadian Rockies; and getting close to marine life such as Orca and Grey whales. Options include Spirit Bears of British Columbia, which sees clients going in search of the world’s only white-coloured back bears in the Great Bear Rainforest (from £2,959pp), and Polar Bears of Manitoba, which visits Churchill where polar bears can be observed in the wild (from £4,999pp). rainbowtours.co.uk
More gold for Rocky Mountaineer LUXURY train operator Rocky Mountaineer invited key partners to Berlin in the autumn to show off production of its new GoldLeaf dome coaches. Ten bespoke coaches are currently being manufactured, with new deliveries expected to start rolling out in 2018. The new coaches will be added to existing trains, rather
than replacing them, bringing the total number of GoldLeaf service carriages up to 26. Rocky Mountaineer's itineraries through the Canadian Rockies in 2018 include The Coastal Passage, Rainforest to Gold Rush Explorer, Journey Through the Clouds and First Passage to the West.
rockymountaineer.com
10/20/17 12:19 PM
news TO USE
Canada's top stories
A&K offers the wilderness
YUKON GOLD FOR SAGA SAGA's new Yukon and Alaska tour combines railroad journeys into the wilderness with a week’s scenic cruising. The 21-night Yukon Gold and Wild Alaska tour starts with three nights in Whitehorse, with visits to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and Yukon Transportation Museum. A scenic ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad to Skagway puts a focus on the Gold Rush era. In Dawson there’s a stop at Discovery Claim where Yukon gold was discovered in 1896. Guests get to pan for their own gold nugget. They then board MS Noordam for seven nights, cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. The cruise ends in Vancouver. Prices start from £4,999pp, for departures on May, 14, 28 and August 20 2018. saga.co.uk
Abercrombie and Kent has a 12-day Wilderness and Rockies package that puts the focus on authentic experiences enjoyed in a small group environment. The tour is part of the operator’s new collection of ‘nuanced and sophisticated itineraries’, which accommodate a maximum of 24 guests. It features a helicopter trip over the Rockies and time in Vancouver, with a visit to Granville Island, one of the city’s top destination for foodies. Other highlights are a stay at Sonora Resort (pictured), a Relais & Chateaux property close to Vancouver that is set among British Columbia's pristine environment in the Discovery Islands. Activities at Sonora
include Grizzly bear viewing and kayaking. The tour, priced from £5,995pp, also features a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer. For the adventurous, the operator also has a Nunavut itinerary which introduces guests to the Canadian Arctic. Accommodation is in rustic (yet comfortable) lodges such as Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge and Arctic Watch Lodge, set in the middle of an immense, untouched wilderness where polar bears prowl the ice packs and beluga whales patrol the ocean depths. Activities include forays on dog sleds and a meeting with the local Nunavummiut. Agents should call A&K for package prices.
Holland America has Montréal city experience Holland America is offering a free cultural 'Signature Experience' on select 2018 cruises departing from Montréal. Guests booking a suite on eligible Canada and New England cruises that leave from the Québec city receive the precruise experience (with a booking value of $699 to $999pp, double occupancy). It includes an evening event, two-night luxury hotel stay and transfers. Taste of Montréal – Old & New Signature Experience, visits Place Ville Marie, the city’s most iconic structure built atop an underground city. The tour continues with a visit to the observation deck of Au Sommet Place Ville Marie, for city views, and culminates with an exclusive evening at Pointe-àCallière, the Montréal History and Archaeology Museum, for a private after-hours visit that includes an open bar. hollandamerica.com
abercrombiekent.co.uk
A view to thrill
Niagara Helicopters Flightseeing Tours
Niagara Helicopters 905 357 5672 niagarahelicopters.com
News - pg7 FINAL.indd 7
10/20/17 12:19 PM
ATLANTIC CANADA
From sea to plate Whether lobster, oysters or fish & chips, abundant seafood is a 'must try' staple on most menus around Atlantic Canada, along with a wide range of locally produced wines and brews
N
othing quite works up an appetite like breathing in the salty sea air as you study the menu for the catch of the day. Whether it’s lobster, oysters or a classic fish & chips, follow your taste buds in Atlantic Canada. You’ll never be far from a fresh seafood spread, or the perfect complementary wine or craft beer to wash it down with. The best holiday stories are often shared over a bottle, so where better to start than Saint John, New Brunswick's Uncorked Tours? Highlighting the history of the area along the way, this tour stops at the city's historic market, a brew pub, wine bar and more. Local wines and brews are served at each stop and paired with a taste of history. Get ready for a whole lot of snacking on New Brunswick charcuterie, smoked salmon and other treats. tourismnewbrunswick.ca
DINING DELIGHTS
From Michelin-star restaurants to feasting like a Viking, Newfoundland and Labrador boasts a dining experience to suit every taste. Enjoy being wined and dined at Raymonds – voted Canada’s best restaurant – in St. John's or for a more traditional experience visit Quidi Vidi, a fishing village hidden in the corner of the city. In Ferryland, hike to the lighthouse and be rewarded with whale sightings before enjoying a meal with Lighthouse Picnics. For a completely different setting, plan a trip to
Enjoy a craft beer with friends in New Brunswick
L'Anse aux Meadows – home to the Great Viking Feast - in northern Newfoundland.
newfoundlandandlabrador.com
CULINARY ADVENTURES Discover new favourites on the Nova Scotia Good Cheer Trail – Canada's first dedicated brewery, winery, and distillery tour. Your clients can sample locally-produced wine, beer and spirits from over 35 locations across the province. Foodies will love October's Devour! The Food Film Fest, the world's largest food and film festival which celebrates the very best of Nova Scotian and international food, wine and film. novascotia.com
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
LOBSTER DINNER
St. John's is alive with vibrant colours
8
From hauling the lobster trap aboard to tucking into the catch of the day, seafood really doesn't get any fresher than in Atlantic Canada!
Autumn is the season for food festivals across Prince Edward Island. The Fall Flavours Festival runs throughout September. It features signature events hosted by Food Network celebrity chefs. Also in September, The PEI International Shel�ish Festival, is a three-day �iesta highlighted by music, mussels, oysters and a �iercely competitive oyster shucking competition. tourismpei.com •
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Atlantic Canada - SPONSORED FEATURE v2.indd 8
10/20/17 12:20 PM
Untitled-3 Untitled-2 1
10/19/17 05:38 PM 11/10/2017 11:03
DESTINATION CANADA MEGA FAM
One Mega trip! Destination Canada has hailed this year’s autumn Mega Fam as one of the best ever. Arnie Wilson wishes he’d been among the 60 UK agents who, between them, travelled from coast to coast
C
anada is the second-biggest country in the world – only Russia is larger. So what happened when 60 UK agents joined 11 international groups in Canada – and between them covered 11 provinces and territories on the most mega of Mega Fams? The agents clocked up some serious kilometres, exploring different provinces and territories from British Columbia in the west to Innuvik, North West Territories in the north and to St Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador in the east. Then they all got together in Toronto for two days and nights of sightseeing and to swap Fam trip stories and travel notes. Said Adam Hanmer, Manager Travel Trade, Destination Canada: “One of the great things about this year’s Mega Fam was that we had lots of agents who sold Canada who’d never actually been before. There’s nothing like going to Canada for the first time and we
ONTARIO
“Ontario had been on my wish list for quite some time so it was great to visit it – there were so many highlights!”
enjoyed sharing that experience with those 21 agents (who were on their first visit). “There were so many highlights across the 11 trips, but a few real stand-outs were seeing the Weeknd – probably the hottest hip-hop act in the world right now! – from a corporate box in Edmonton, watching the Northern Lights three nights in a row in the Yukon, a helicopter ride over the 1000 Islands in Ontario and dog sledding in the North West Territories.” The agents came back enthused and motivated to sell Canada. Said Louella Curtis, Holidays and Cruises: “Canada was not what I expected – it exceeded my expectations in such a great way. The fam was truly amazing! My experience has given me a passion and confidence that I did not have before." Or, as Dawn Wilson of Imperial Travel puts it: "I love being able to bring brochures to life with personal experiences. This is what sets us apart from the internet!”
THE YUKON
“I was one of the ‘double lucky’ people: lucky to go on the Mega Fam and even luckier to go to the Yukon. This really was an amazing opportunity. The Yukon has always been on my bucket list and it did not disappoint. The Northern Lights were beautiful. I could stand all night just watching them.” Joan Brett, Westoe Travel
Yvonne Dann, Experience Holidays
ALBERTA
"My highlights were axe-throwing, experiencing life as a coal miner and seeing the Weeknd (hip-hop/R+B show) live in Edmonton. I also particularly liked the walking foodie tour in Calgary, which I will definitely recommend as a great way to experience the culinary delight of this wonderful city" Sarah Bell, Travel Counsellor
10
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Canada Mega Fam.indd 10
10/20/17 12:20 PM
DESTINATION CANADA MEGA FAM
SASKATCHEWAN
“Canada has consistently been one of our top-selling destinations and I believe this is because I have been able to share with clients many of my personal memories and experiences from fam trips. My ambition is to visit every province and territory one day!” Sarah Watson, Travel Impression
MANITOBA
BRITISH COLUMBIA
“Our Mega Fam trip to Canada was fabulous. Vancouver is an amazing destination – I will definitely return”
“Just an amazing Mega Fam! I haven’t stopped talking about it to anyone who will listen and now feel confident in my first-hand knowledge of so many lovely places. It was organised brilliantly and I loved every minute!” Kathryn Skeates, Holidayplease
Karen Manners, Pole Travel
NEW BRUNSWICK AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR “I now can't wait to start selling more of Newfoundland and Labrador by using my Newfound knowledge" Claire Collins Doyle Independent Travel Experts
NOVA SCOTIA
“There is nothing like experiencing a place in person to be able to sell it. Nova Scotia was on my bucket list...we have a lot of interest in Atlantic Canada from clients who are looking for something different” Sarah Stock, Travel Planners
“What a great time we had! Such a beautiful, safe destination, with friendly people and fabulous food” Alice Hook, Appleby Travel
“What an amazing trip! I fell a bit in love with both provinces and am already pushing them to my clients. Thank you Destination Canada for the opportunity and memories that will last a lifetime” Kate Self, Personal Travel Counsellor
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Canada Mega Fam.indd 11
11
10/20/17 12:21 PM
ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES
All
CHANGE Canada's First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples now offer experiential, cultural and soft adventure options. Julie Baxter shines a light on some to recommend
A
12
There are now more than 1,500 aboriginalowned tourism businesses eager to do business, and they are backed by the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada, ensuring their products are professional and market ready. Here are just a few the UK trade should be considering.
boriginal tourism in Canada is changing lives and empowering locals who increasingly are seeing see their culture, lifestyle and heritage valued and respected by visitors. It also leaves a big impression on tourists who gain fascinating insights into authentic Canada through experiential opportunities that are expanding fast.
CITY
More than 1.4 million people in Canada identify themselves as 'aboriginal' and they account for a growing proportion of the nation’s population. Some 46% of this community is under 25 – and they are brimming with ideas and are becoming ever more aware and savvy of just what international travellers expect and are looking for.
Over half of aboriginals live in urban areas so it is easy to connect with them during a city stay. For example, Aboriginal Experiences Ottawa welcomes visitors with drumming to an vibrant dance performance followed by the chance try local cuisine and learn of historic trade routes – and all within sight of Canada’s iconic Parliament. Or suggest a trip to Winnipeg during the Manito Ahbee
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Aboriginal Feature v2.indd 12
10/20/17 03:08 PM
ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES
Learn traditional skills
Festival and your clients will mingle with dancers clad in native regalia, try tradtional braiding and foods and see a wealth of indigenous arts and crafts. Encourage them to step inside a traditional tipi by flagging up the Indian Village at Calgary's annual Stampede. Aboriginals from all over Canada attend for dance performances and ceremonies full of colour, and to display their intricately made outfits and artefacts. Each tipi has a unique design and stunning decorative beadwork. And remember too that Canada's aboriginals also run sophisticated hotels and resorts such as Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, Calgary, where time at the 40 gaming tables is combined with 'smudging' ceremonies and cultural touches to add to the experience.
CLOSE-UP CULTURE
Few experiences are as evocative and educational as time spent hearing aboriginals tell their own stories. Tourism Wendake in Québec opens the way to such moments within an aboriginal longhouse in a Huron village where tales are told around an open fire alongside beds of animal skin and fur. And in Nova Scotia, Destination Membertou effortlessly impresses with a tour guide in full Mi’kmaw regalia who leads visitors through his indigenous history, recorded at Membertou Heritage Park (Cape Breton Island) and telling of Canada's lands long before Europeans arrived. For hands-on experiences suggest the Metepenagiag Redbank Lodge in New Brunswick where visitors learn to find and feast on aboriginal fusion cuisine; or Yukon Shakat Tun Adventures where they'll be beading, trapping, drum making, gathering foods and camp cooking. For more contemporary insights, Micmac Productions on Prince Edward Island is a ceramic studio where indigenous craftspeople hand-make pots to traditional designs.
WATER WAYS The waterways of Canada have been integral to aboriginal culture and on the Great Spirit Circle Trail, Ontario, visitors can paddle a time-honoured canoe route while listening to indigenous stories and learning about bush medicine and crafts. The water has long been a go-to food source too and perhaps your client is up for the exhilaration of landing a 'monster pike' in the traditional fishing grounds of Great Slave Lake with Enodah Wilderness Travel, Yellowknife; or learning skills past down the generations as they forage in the woods and fish for salmon with Abadak Wilderness Adventures. Traditional foods and stories combine when dawn breaks over Christmas Bay in the Yukon and Shankar Tun Adventures cajoles guests out of their log cabins to immerse body, mind and spirit in the culture of the UNESCOranked Kluane National Park and Reserve.
Join in a traditional Native ceremony
GOING WILD
Aboriginals also have a deep and clear understanding of an area’s natural assets and visitors see well beyond the view when they join interpretive guides in some of Canada's wilder natural landscapes. Locals will hike out with them from Spirit Bear Lodge in Klemtu, British Columbia, or ride with them along historic trails on the edge of Jasper National Park. With Arctic Bay Adventures they can discover the nomadic ways of the Inuit at a fly-in hamlet close to orca waters and polar bear habitats in Nunavut. With Tundra North Tours they can discover the special bond locals have with their dogs and the region's reindeer as they follow reindeer routes in the Northwest Territories. Chances are they will see the Northern Lights and stay in an igloo too. At Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, Alberta, and Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatchewan, re-enactments and stories bring the lifestyles of Plains people to life. •
DISCOVER NEW ABORIGINAL VISITOR ACTIVITIES AND TRADE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH ABORIGINAL TOURISM PRODUCTS IN CANADA AT: aboriginalcanada.ca
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Aboriginal Feature v2.indd 13
13
10/20/17 03:08 PM
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Winter wonderland There’s more to British Columbia than great skiing. Discover winter attractions guaranteed to give visitors a thrill away from the slopes
F
or alternative winter activities this season, head to Grouse Mountain to discover breathtaking views of Vancouver, the Gulf Islands and British Columbia's snowy peaks.
Ecotours ‘Call of the Wild’ tour. Learn about wildlife behavior, habitat and the animals amazing adaptability to the harsh Canadian winters. Finish the day by listening to the howl of the wolves as the aurora borealis dance overhead. ecotours-bc.com
Journey up the mountainside on The Skyride, where thrill-seekers can soar high above the valley floor at speeds reaching 80km on Vancouver’s dualcircuit zip-lines. Also try out winter's fastestgrowing sport, snowshoeing, at Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park. grousemountain.com
STORM WATCHING
Head out to the forests of the Cariboo Mountains on
For more information B:196 mm on B.C. visit: hellobc.co.uk •
CALL OF THE WILD
Every November to February storm watching returns to Tofino. Stand where the beach meets the forest and watch the giant surf, in what seems like slow motion. It can also be enjoyed inside, warmly wrapped in fireside blankets and eating Tofinocrafted comfort food. tourismtofino.com T:190 mm
S:190 mm
Discover a world of comfort.
For more information and to book, visit aircanada.com or ask your travel agent.
Untitled-2 1
19/10/2017 11:41
British Columbia - SPONSORED FEATURE.indd 14 Photographers name: None Usage info: None
Studio #:
1163526
FILE: AC17-INT4-03_POS_UK_Selling_Canada
copy.indd
10/20/17 12:22 PM
PP: Susan Goodfellow
Created: 10-18-2017 3:27 PM
COLOURS:
B:139 mm
Have your clients enjoy the benefits of our Premium Economy Class, offered daily on select flights from London Heathrow to Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.
T:133 mm
S:133 mm
Designed for an elevated travelling experience, our Premium Economy Class offers superior comfort and personalized treatment for your clients. Inside their own exclusive cabin, they can stretch out and relax in larger seats, which feature more recline and extra legroom.
WINTER 2017/18 | YOUR GUIDE TO PREMIUM PRODUCT
experiences AUTHENTIC
WITH STYLE
EXPERIENCES • ACTIVITIES • ITINERARIES • HOTELS & RESORTS • WATER • RAIL COVER_LUXURY_v3.indd 1
10/20/17 12:22 PM
2 • introduction
Contents
4 6 7 8 10
Experiences with syle: Selling luxury Six of the best: Epic activities
Discerning itineraries: Trips with bragging rights
luxury Think Canada, think
Comfort stops: Lodges & upscale hotels
The authentic touch: Pick of the bunch: Canadian Signature Experiences
11
Water ways: Cruises, lakes, rivers and coastlines
12
On track to luxury: First-class rail adventures
Selling Canada Winter 2017/18
Intro_Contents_v2.indd 2
10/20/17 03:46 PM
introduction • 3
T
he word 'luxury' conjures up different things for different people. For some it’s a five-star hotel with high-thread-count bed linen, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a Spa, a Relais & Chateau restaurant and a personal butler or concierge service. Yet for others it’s a private transfer and top-class amenities set in a unique lodge with limited guests and exclusive access to the country's wildlife. Whether your clients want to live it up slope-side on a luxury ski package, returning each evening to that pool, spa and private chefs; view bears in the wild with just a handful of other guests; cruise the Arctic or the Pacific coastlines in a small ship or let a luxury train take the strain as they marvel at the majestic peaks and rivers of the Rockies, Canada
offers your clients a wealth of luxury options that come in many different guises. Planning a luxury holiday is something of a luxury for travel agents too. Use your clients' holiday spend wisely and not only will the commission benefits be healthy but your suitably wowed client will soon be back for more. Tour operators are skilled in tailor-making personalised packages to best suit each individual’s needs and ideas of luxury, so approach them for quotes with confidence and prepare to sell Canada in all its top-end style. They can also help you keep the holiday schedule filled with free time, because for many in today’s hectic world, time to feel unhurried is the biggest luxury of all. This Luxury Canada section is packed with topof-the-range products, experiences and packages that show you just how upmarket a Canadian trip can be. So get inspired to sell Canada with style! •
Selling Canada Winter 2017/18
Intro_Contents_v2.indd 3
10/20/17 03:46 PM
4 • SELLING LUXURY
style EXPERIENCES WITH
Discerning travellers have high expectations. They know what they like and expect spot-on service standards, great food and drink, unique experiences and that certain ‘wow’ factor. Canada can deliver on all counts, says Ju.lie Baxter
T
ravellers in search of a little luxury have money to spend and they want to use it on quality accommodation and activities that connect smoothly together. They want authentic experiences that re�lect the places they are visiting and are eager for expert agent advice on how to tap into the best local experiences once they are on the ground in Canada. Canada can deliver on all fronts. Its unique mix of sophisticated cosmopolitan cities and rugged, wild or remote landscapes is something of a luxury in itself. Where else in the world can your clients dine in a Relais & Chateaux restaurant with a city skyline view for lunch and watch bears pulling fish from the river in the afternoon? Or wrap up in furs
for an exhilarating sleigh ride through snow-covered forests in the morning and sip speciality wines in an historic cellar in the afternoon?
SET THE SCENE
Start by ticking all the right boxes in terms of the backdrop. Is your client craving the dramatic scenery of the iconic Rockies or impressive Niagara Falls or are they seeking the wilderness terrains of the Arctic north and the chance to spot the Northern Lights? Do they want the evocative romance of windswept lighthouses and maritime history laid out across Atlantic Canada? Or is their personal definition of luxury better found in the wild and empty frontiers or aboriginal lands that are ripe for exploration? So wise up to what they want from Canada and tailor your itinerary suggestion to suit – whether that is the open prairies and remote island retreats or city chic and downtown designer shopping.
PLAN THE EXPERIENCES
Once you have a feel for their expectations, rev up
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Luxury Experiences_v5.indd 4
10/20/17 12:23 PM
SELLING LUXURY • 5
their enthusiasm with experiences that will put them at the heart of their chosen landscape, combined with some local colour and contrasts to keep the surprises coming. Focus on combining ‘wow factor' experiences like wildlife watching, flight-seeing and heli-tours and get them exploring, be it glaciers and ice-canyons or fjords and riverbanks. Add in snow mobiling or a dogsleigh ride, horseback insights into Western culture or intimate indigenous interactions for that adventure/ style combination. In short, make their holiday budget work to create memories to cherish.
CREATURE COMFORTS
Luxury travellers are game for an adventure and eager to experience something different, so find them opportunities to interact with locals and enjoy the luxuries that the well-to-do of Canada value too. Think micro-breweries and wine-tastings, artisan bakeries and top downtown delis; think lunch with a view and dinner with a back story.
COMBINE WILD ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES WITH CREATURE COMFORTS THAT WILL CREATE MEMORIES YOUR CLIENTS CAN CHERISH
LUXURY SELLING TIPS
Call a specialist operator – They are masters at tailor-made Canadian luxury
Focus on service – Canadians are superfriendly and service levels are exceptional
Help them get under the skin of the destination and match quirky and characterful experiences with accommodation to match their comfort zone, restaurants with top-class cuisine, designer shops or artisan craftsmen, and opportunities for downtime in a Spa. Locate them somewhere super convenient or far, far from the madding crowd and, where appropriate, give them a professional personal guide to help them take in the very best of Canada.
RIGHT FROM THE START
Luxury can begin on the flight out. Consider a premium cabin seat on the all-new 787 Dreamliners now operated by British Airways and Air Canada, which claim to be a 'game-changer' on the route. The airlines' Business cabins are winning plaudits for their space, comfort and 'light', with passengers enjoying delicately crafted menus and sommelierselected Canadian wines that introduce them to authentic local flavours right from the start. Once there, helicopters can buzz them into remote hideaways; luxurious trains will take them across vast areas and stylish cruises will get them to glistening lakes and rivers, secluded harbours or right among the icebergs. •
Use brand power – Look out for luxury brands like Fairmont and Ritz Carlton
Get on track – Rocky Mountaineer and Via Rail both have top-end cabin options
Add authentic style – Check out quirky lodges designed with oodles of character
Wild wows – Wildlife viewing in one-off locations pack a huge 'wow factor' punch
Over deliver – Canada exceeds most expectations, particularly its culinary scene
Easy access: Canada is close. Clients can be whale watching in seven or eight hours
Fly high: Competition between carriers ensures good deals in premium cabins
Iconic power: Big draws include the Rockies, Niagara Falls and Aurora Borealis
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Luxury Experiences_v5.indd 5
10/20/17 12:23 PM
6 • experience it...
action epic
Canada offers top-class luxury experiences year round. Mix and match these and add something special to a tour and Canada will delight the most discerning of upscale clients HELI-SKIING
FLOAT PLANE FLIGHT
Heli-skiing trips drop powder hounds hungry for unique wintersports experiences into some of the most remote mountain areas of British Columbia and Alberta. Specialist guides show them epic and exhilarating slopes forn a day to remember. wiegele.com; bellacoolaheliskiing.com
POLAR BEAR SAFARIS Churchill Wild brings travellers face-to-face with bears and beluga whales on tours that combine wildlife with world-class cuisine and fly-in eco-lodges. Running July-November, the wildly exclusive locations guarantee bear encounters. churchillwild.com
STORM WATCHING Few things feel as luxurious as a cosy hotel in a storm. Relais & Chateaux makes an asset of the spectacular weather at Wickannininsh Inn (November to February) with packages that include oil skin hats and stormthemed story books. There's a pampering Spa and top-class restaurant too. wickinn.com
Float plane trips combine fabulous views with the amazing experience of bouncing over the waves during a take-off and landing on water. Among the most scenically stunning are those out of Vancouver. harbourair.com
Right royal choices Follow in the footsteps of the Royals - and one or two other celebs too - with a stay at Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Recently emerged from a five-year multi-million dollar refurb with new signature rooms, spa and pool, this was Prince Harry's choice when he visited Canada with girlfriend Meghan Markles for the Invictus Games. fairmont.com
GLAMPING
Combine comfy camping with lush landscapes. Ridgeback Lodge in New Brunswick has log cabins and glamping dream domes set amidst the natural beauty of the Kingston Peninsula while WildExodus has a glamping retreat in the northern Ontario wilderness. ridgebacklodge.com; borealforest.travel •
Selling Canada Winter 2017/18
ITINERARIES • 7
match MIX AND
Discerning travellers expect unbeatable service standards, great food and drink and unique experiences with brag�ing rights. Here Julie Baxter picks some itineraries which do just that says CRUISE AND RAIL DUET Pile up the iconic attractions by combining a cruise with rail. Your clients can check out the Western culture of Calgary, Alberta, before soaking up the scenery of the mountains aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops, then connecting to and relaxing in Vancouver before boarding a cruise for wildlife, glaciers and more. Canadian Affair does it in 16 nights, from £2,789pp.
TOWN AND COUNTRY
Combine cosmopolitan Toronto and must-see Niagara with Ontario's stunning rural interior. The lakes of Muskoka, the magnificence of Killarney Provincial Park and the First Nation culture of Manitoulin Island await. Audley Travel has 14-days self-drive from £2215pp. audleytravel.com
canadianaffair.com
FRENCH CONNECTIONS In Québec pair vibrant Montréal with a rural route following the Saint Lawrence River to charming old Québec City. Beyond is picturesque Charlevoix, whalewatching, townships and wineries. Western & Oriental has 10 days from £1,785pp. westernoriental.com
CITY & SONORA PERFECT PARTNERS
Combine three nights at the five-star Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver with two nights at the five-star Sonora Resort. Guests can link their accommodation in style by taking a helicopter or floatplane transfer from Vancouver. Gourmet meals, outdoor heated pools, hot tubs, steam rooms and a movie theatre can be combined with access to the well-stocked rainbow fly-fishing pond, with all equipment provided. The wellness centre has three mineral pools. Priced from £3,269pp with Gold Medal in May or June 2018.
BOOK LUXURY TRAVELLERS KEEN TO SEE THE NIAGARA FALLS INTO NEARBY NIAGARA ON THE LAKE. HERE UNIQUE PROPERTIES BRIM WITH CHARACTER, CLASS AND CHARM
ARCTIC ADVENTURES
Small group adventures to the Arctic are full of kudos. Combine Yellowknife with Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge for dog sledding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. From £9,995pp for 12 nights with A&K. abercrombiekent.co.uk
goldmedal.co.uk
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Luxury Itineraries_v2.indd 7
10/20/17 12:24 PM
8 • HOTELS
stops COMFORT
Service standards in top-end Canadian hotels and lodges are simply world class. Book them with confidence for a warm welcome and stays full of authentic local touches
Seaside splendour...
F
or more than a century, the properties that comprise the Fairmont Hotels portfolio have been at the heart of Canada’s tourism development, first springing up as grand railway hotels (Canadian Pacific) built for the earliest of Grand Tour tourists, with iconic style in dramatic locations.
Algonquin Resort St. Andrews is a lovingly-restored seaside hotel in New Brunswick that seamlessly blends old and new styles
ALL ABOUT THE STORY UK
Where they led, others followed, with the likes of Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La, Four Seasons, Intercontinental and Marriott now all represented and each with their own distinct luxury offerings. Beyond these, boutique inns and quirky independent properties with stand-out locations or designer good looks can be added to the mix; and as the well-heeled become more intrepid, luxury lodges in the remotest of breathtaking settings are stealing the show Splendid too. Here are just some to get isolation... you started. Architecturally unique Fogo Island Inn grabs the attention with floor-toceiling windows onto the world’s wildest ocean views in N&L
ST. ANDREWS
BRANDED LUXURY
LIVE IT... They've seen it on the TV now let them experience it. The BBC filmed part of Secrets of the Living Planet around Great Bear Lodge in British Columbia, famed for its bears, otters and other wildlife
FOGO ISLAND
The Fairmont name remains synonymous with luxury, with the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise renowned as Canada's ‘castles in the Rockies', and others like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in old Québec and Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa established as historic landmarks. These properties have interesting tales to tell, with heritage and celebrity guest lists now combined with dedicated Gold Floors offering exclusive facilities, staff and lounges, and a private check-in, honour bar and complimentary cocktails among the extras. Ritz Carlton offers 'urban sanctuaries' in Toronto and Montréal, with signature dining, exclusive Spa treatments and top-end restaurants; while ShangriLa properties in Toronto and Vancouver include specialty suites and deluxe rooms with floor-toceiling windows and oversized beds. Personalised privileges are offered through its Horizon Club. Club InterContinental offers ‘ambassadors’ providing concierge services, culinary experiences and personalised attention to detail in Montréal and Toronto; and Four Seasons in Toronto, Vancouver and Whistler feature spas and ‘signature sleep’ experiences as well as the option of Four Seasons' private jet itineraries.
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Hotels-v2.indd 8
10/20/17 03:09 PM
HOTELS • 9
LODGES
PAIR IT... ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA
PERSONAL STYLE
Beyond the global brands, independent properties with style of their own include the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver, which combines the grandeur of its 1920s heritage with contemporary design. The Broadview Hotel in Toronto is an historic 125-year-old heritage building restored into a 58-room boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace. The Sydney Inn in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, has been crafted from a former 1857 Notre Dame Convent, with many original details blended with the most modern of facilities. For foodies, manor house properties like the Rossmount Inn in New Brunswick combine featherbed comforts and a top gourmet experience. . Hotel Arts in Calgary has a quirky style and features many unique art works.
Guests at the boutique Podollan Inn, Grande Prairie, Alberta, combine great wines and artisan food tastings with views of the sockeye salmon migration run (between September and October) on the Adams River. There's winery tours, tasting local cheeses and artisan meats and a three-course dinner at Table 24 with a wine pairing.
Check out the likes of Magni7icent, a collaboration of seven luxury wilderness lodges which work together to promote unique accommodation and experiences for the discerning. The properties include Nimmo Bay and Siwash Lake Wilderness Resorts, Churchill Wild's eco lodge, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and Pacific Yellowfin cruises (a floating lodge). Their focus is on luxury in amazing locations that give access to never-to-forget experiences like black and polar bear watching and heli-skiing and river fishing. At wildlife-rich Haida Gwaii Lodge in 'Canada’s Galapagos’, an archipelago off British Columbia, visitors can share the Haida culture, history and traditions; while in the Yukon the newly re-opened Southern Lakes Resort features cosy log cabins in a spectacular location on Tagish Lake. For Arctic adventure inside the Arctic Circle, Arctic Watch Lodge offers safaris to the north pole and unrivalled access to beluga whales and polar bears.
SIWASH LAKE WILDERNESS RESORT
NEW TO THE MIX
Boutique style... Experience the spirit of the HuronWendake people at boutique-style Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, Québec. hotelpremieresnations.ca HURON WENDAKE STYLE
The new Vancouver entertainment area, Parq, includes an Autograph Collection boutique-style property called the Douglas. With design-style inspired by the local area it offers 188 rooms full of character and designer touches. The Bisha Hotel in Toronto is a highly anticipated luxury boutique hotel which will offer 96 rooms complete with 10 luxury suites and one two-storey Exclusive Suite. Located in Toronto’s entertainment district, it will have a rooftop restaurant with patio and pool, and sweeping views of Lake Ontario, the CN Tower and city skyline. The new Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Calgary is located in the city’s trendy new East Village, from where guests can take the RiverWalk pathway to discover St. Patrick’s Island Park. Guest rooms are contemporary in style with floorto-ceiling windows offering fantastic views over the Rocky Mountains. •
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Hotels-v2.indd 9
10/20/17 03:09 PM
10 • CANADIAN SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
touch AN AUTHENTIC
RENAUD PHILIPPE
For the best of quality times in Canada check out the Canadian Signature Experiences (CSE), which offer authentic, cra�ted and unique experiences that represent the diversity of the country
CHILL OUT IN STYLE
Enjoy a cocktail at minus five degrees at the Hôtel de Glace, just outside Québec City. Beautiful ice-carved rooms with vaulted ceilings, fireplaces and fur throws make this a quirky must-visit each winter. hoteldeglace-canada.com
A WHALE OF A TIME
SOAK UP SOME OF THE NATURAL HOT STUFF
Natural spring-fed hot spring pools in the Canadian Rockies offer an awesome dip with a view. In Banff visitors can soothe their ski-or hiking-tired muscles while looking out over snow-capped mountains, an experience magnified when the snowflakes start to fall. hotsprings.ca
Did you know?
There are over 200 designated CSEs identified as uniquely authentic Canadian experiences
Pacific Yellowfin offers luxury bespoke wildlife journeys into Canada's Pacific Northwest on an historic luxury yacht-cum-floating lodge which takes passengers to see the whales of British Columbia.
WINTER WOW BY HELICOPTER
A helicopter from Toronto whisks passengers into the wild for a day with huskies, who learn to work with the dogs, explore rugged trails and glimpse wildlife before a campfire-cooked lunch. winterdance.com
pacificyellowfin.com
ALL ABOARD FOR FINE FOOD FEASTING
Catch your own meaty lobster lunch off the coast of Prince Edward Island, a dream destination for seafood lovers. Top Notch Lobster Tours share all the tricks of the fisherman's trade and then drop anchor for a fresh crustacean feast. markscharters.com
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
CSEs_v3.indd 10
10/20/17 12:25 PM
IT NOW• 11 SELL ITSELL NOW
water LIFE ON THE
Lakes, rivers and dramatic rug�ed coastlines make Canada an obvious destination for those who like to get out on the water – and doing so in style ensures some memorable experiences, says Julie Baxter SILVERSEA
Silversea’s small luxury ships are designed to be a private sanctuary at sea, with itineraries which take in small, secluded harbours and the most remote regions. Onboard style is geared towards lavish amenities and top-end dining for luxury lovers. Itineraries include expeditions in the Canadian Arctic, off Newfoundland and from Canada to the U.S. silversea.com
SEABOURN
Seabourn offers luxury cruising along the broad St. Lawrence River and Saguenay Fjord. Focused on the ‘elegant, yet casual, sumptuous, yet understated’, its intimate ships visit the Breton-style village of Gaspé and allow time to see the UNESCO-ranked Dufferin Terrace and Château Frontenac. seabourn.com
ONE OCEAN EXPEDITIONS
One Ocean Expeditions positions itself as the world's best polar marine cruise experience and seeks out marine wildlife and stunning landscapes in the company of expert guides. It has cruises to the Arctic and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and sailings which call in at Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. oneoceanexpeditions.com
BLUEWATER ADVENTURES
Pioneers in ecotourism, Bluewater Adventures has 70 expedition yachts cruising British Columbia and southeast Alaska to discover ancient First Nations villages, primeval forests, and coastal wildlife. They offer first class eco-tourism experiences in unique and remote destinations. bluewateradventures.ca
MAPLE LEAF ADVENTURES
The Maple Leaf schooner is a boutique expedition ship which can host eight guests. A classic, 92-foot sailing ship, it is comfortable yet rugged and able to get to the wildest locations. The crew includes a naturalist, expedition guides, mariners and a personal chef. Destinations include Haida Gwaii, known as the Canadian Galapagos; Great Bear Rainforest and the Broughton Archipelago, home to orca whales.
mapleleafadventures.com
OCEAN QUEST
If your client’s idea of luxury is an up-close encounter with whales and icebergs, Ocean Quest offers Zodiac excursions along the rugged coast of Newfoundland. Whales are the highlight during July but taking a drink with ice from an iceberg or kayaking the sea caves of Bell Island are just as awe-inspiring. oceanquestadventures.com •
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Luxury cruise_v2.indd 11
10/20/17 12:26 PM
12 • TRAINS
on track COMFORTS
Canada is vast and covers a lot of diverse landscapes. For those looking to get a sense of its sheer scale and unrivalled beauty, sug�est a classic train trip
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
VIA RAIL
A rail journey puts Canada's size in perspective and brings its pioneer stories and national character vividly to life. A constantly changing landscape rolls by as passengers sit back in comfort, worrying only if their camera is charged and what they will choose from the menu at dinner.
with new culinary walking tours in Vancouver and Calgary and six-course, wine-paired menus on offer. The 10-day GoldLeaf deal starts at £3,796pp. rockymountaineer.com
VIA RAIL
Via Rail’s Canadian – which journeys from Toronto to Vancouver, stopping in Winnipeg and Edmonton – has The Rocky Mountaineer is iconic added luxury options and topand offers four luxury routes class dining in recent years. Its which combine days on the Rail adventures Prestige Sleeper Cabins train in GoldLeaf carriages Great Rail Journeys offers a Canada’s Wildlife and include double beds rather with overnights at luxury Wilderness tour which includes time on the Skeena than bunks, and an allhotels and excursions like train to Prince Rupert; on The Canadian to Jasper, and inclusive bar service, prestige heli-tours, glacier walks or following the Jasper-Prince Rupert wilderness train concierge and premium whale-watching opportunities. route. Stops include Maligne Lake and Canyon, Vancouver and viewing black bears in carriages have been added. VIA The only all-daylight journey Tofino. Priced from £3,895pp Rail also operates a Prairies and through the Rockies, all-dome greatrail.com Northern Manitoba route, a Ontario carriages ensure views from every and Québec link and the Ocean for angle, and the gourmet dining highlights Montréal to Halifax. local ingredients such as Chilliwack corn, To celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, VIA Rail Pacific salmon and prime Alberta beef. has partnered with Fairmont to launch rail and stay A custom-designed bi-level carriage offers packages including The Great Canadian Railway panoramic views on a second level, thanks to a Adventure, a 20-day coast to coast tour from glass-top dome roof. There is an outdoor viewing Vancouver to Québec combining top-end iconic area with an open-air vestibule. New for 2018 is the hotels and price $C11,988. viarail.ca • First Passage to the West Culinary Exploration tour
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
7 Luxury trains_v2.indd 12
10/20/17 12:26 PM
YUKON
Yukon's top five Occupying Canada’s northwest corner, the Yukon is pure North American wilderness, with 5,000-metre peaks, forested valleys and untamed wildlife waiting to be explored!
1.ADVENTURE Take advantage of the outdoor adventure activities in Yukon. From hiking to river tours, flightseeing, dog sledding, canoeing, mountain biking, fishing...the list goes on and on. Yukoners take adventure seriously, with outdoor activities on offer all year round.
White Pass and Yukon route, board a turn-of-the last century paddlewheel or stroll the streets of historic Dawson City or Carcross.
4.CULTURE
Visitors can experience first-hand the many yearround festivals, events and tours celebrating the first people of Yukon and their strong link to the land and wildlife.
5.THE AURORA
A National Geographic reader survey listed watching the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) as the most natural, spiritual attraction to experience in North America. While as common as a sunset for northerners, a spectacular display can pierce city lights and make for an unforgettable memory.
2.ENVIRONMENT
3.HISTORY
PARKS CANADA F.MUELLER
The Klondike Gold Rush defined Canada in the later 1800s. Today visitors can experience a hike on the Chilkoot Trail, ride the rails of the historic
All smiles at Ivvavik National Park
INTO THE WILD A whopping 80% of the Yukon is pure wilderness, home to more than 160,000 caribou, 70,000 moose, 22,000 mountain sheep, 7,000 grizzly bears, 220 species of birds and only 36,000 humans!
GETTING AROUND IS EASY
Driving is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the Yukon. With plenty of clean and comfortable campgrounds in spectacular wilderness areas, renting an RV or motorhome is a great way for visitors to experience the beauty of this land, without foregoing the comforts of home – perfect for clients who want to take the road less travelled. trade.travelyukon.com •
DRIVE TIME Choose from seven iconic drives, including the famed Alaska Highway and the Dempster to witness beautiful scenery, friendly communities and a new experience around every corner.
PETERMATHER
In a land the size of California with a small-town population of 36,000 people, visitors have room to be themselves. Pristine waters and clean air will rejuvenate the soul, while the chance to spot local wildlife including bears, moose and elk in their natural habitat will restore a connection to nature.
LARGER THAN LIFE
Northern Lights on the Dempster Highway
MARTIN HAEUSSERMANN
W
ith national and territorial parks in abundance, including the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kluane National Park, and four Canadian Heritage Rivers there's little reason why visitors shouldn't experience some of the most remote and unforgettable areas of the Yukon.
Spotting grizzlies in Yukon
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Yukon_sponsered feature v3.indd 15
15
10/20/17 12:28 PM
DISCOVER FOUR SEASONS OF UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES Winter, spring, summer and fall, Montréal is bursting with energy and creativity. Come discover Montrealers’ trademark hospitality and contagious joie de vivre in a city where a vivacious urban vibe meets distinctive Old World charm.
WINTER LIGHTS, SEASONAL DELIGHTS When the temperature drops, Montrealers don’t hide inside! Enjoy a warm welcome at unforgettable events like the festival Montréal en Lumière, the new show Aura at the Notre-Dame Basilica, Cité Mémoire in Old Montreal, or Living Connections – the illumination of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge ...
Illumination for the Jacques-Cartier Bridge © Jean-François Savaria
SPRING FLING Montréal always welcomes another spring blooming with delights. Enjoy a night of wonders on a romantic cruise on the St. Lawrence river; stroll or bike the city streets on a guided tour or that will lead you to spectacular sights, fun activities, as well as unique cultural and gastronomical discoveries.
Vista Architecture Bike Tour © Montréal On Wheels
ENDLESS SUMMER FUN The city overflows with excitement once the mercury rises, stirring up a non-stop rollercoaster of live music, comedy, art, cultural activities and fabulous food. Dance in a sea of festivalgoers, marvel at acrobatic circus performers, sample gourmet food truck fare or kick back on a sunny patio with a drink.
Street Food and Friends at First Fridays © Andrew Miller
A SEASON TO FALL FOR Autumn is the perfectly balanced sequel to summer’s energetic vibe, punctuating round-the-clock entertainment with low-key moments comptemplating the gorgeous fall colours. Every night brings a new cultural happening to the city. Enjoy the bounty of the city’s farmers’ markets before an unforgettable dinner in a world-renowned restaurant.
Mont-Royal Park © Simon Lanciault
© Jean-François Lemire, shootstudio.ca
In any season, for any reason: Montréal has it all! Book today at leisure@mtl.org Untitled-3 1
Untitled-3 1
MTL.ORG
04/10/2017 08:09
10/19/17 05:40 PM
quÉbec
Winter warmers
Cross-country skiing Dog sledding is a traditional but still-popular way of getting around
Winter festivals
Some of Québec’s crosscountry ski areas are located in the Laurentides, north of Montréal. Fortunate to have over 450 km of trails within the province's national parks alone, there’s no shortage of traversable terrain
'Tis the season for festivities and there’s always plenty going on in Québec. Warm up for great music, hearty seasonal treats and the biggest winter carnival in the world!
W
ith an annual average snowfall of over 400 centimetres, winter in Québec is certainly a wonderland. With the snow and ice guaranteed, the province puts on some of Canada's best winter events – from dog sledding to ice sculpting to dancing under the snowflakes.
Winter Carnival The biggest winter carnival in the world has taken place since 1955 in Québec City, with the festivities lasting from late January to mid-February. The range of winter activities include ice canoe racing, snow sculpture contests and night parades alongside visits to an ice palace. Such a wide variety of activities adds up to a joyous winter occasion for residents and visitors alike. carnaval.qc.ca
Montréal en Lumière
This event pairs the finest Montréal chefs with top-rated culinary masters from five continents, along with a range of performing arts. The programme showcases a range of performances from circus acts to dance and music. The festival's
gastronomy and wine programme has established itself as a must for foodies. Some 500 renowned chefs, wine producers and speakers have provided components such as the festival’s Finest Tables, famed for their harmony of food and wine. montréalenlumiere.com
Igloofest
Each winter, Igloofest brings together thousands of electronic music fans who dance and party to the accompaniment of falling snowflakes. Held in Montréal’s Old Port, Jacques-Cartier Quay, Igloofest attracts the best local and international DJs, With its icy décor and amazing architectural projections, this event really is a one of a kind. igloofest.ca/en
Dog sledding
Québec is the perfect place to try this unique activity, and with no scarcity of wide-open spaces, the dogs really are in their domain! Outings range from a few hours to several days with an opportunity to spend the night in a tepee or rustic cottage. You can even learn how to drive the sled yourself. québecoriginal.com/en-gb •
Snowshoeing Adopted by 21st century adventure lovers, snowshoeing originates from aboriginal Canadians. With trails overlooking Saint-Lawrence River to treks through pristine forests, snowshoeing is an active way to experience Québec's snowy landscape
day trips not to miss: Located 30 minutes or so from Québec City, Parc National Jacques-Cartier's variety of beginner snowshoe trails can be enjoyed by the entire family, making it a magnet for snow lovers quebecoriginal.com
Selling Canada Winter 2017/18
Quebec - SPONSORED FEATURE.indd 17
17
10/20/17 12:28 PM
CITY PROFILE
Toronto A genuine rival to New York or Boston for the most well-rounded of long-haul weekend city breaks, Canada's largest city is also a popular starting point for exploring the many attractions of Ontario at large, says Stuart Forster
T
oronto made headlines in September when it hosted the 2017 Invictus Games, an international adaptive multi-sport event created by Prince Harry in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and associated veterans compete across a range of sports. Harry and Meghan Markle were among the onlookers at the games, held in the largest city in Canada and the fourth-most populous in North America. A vibrant city break destination, Toronto is also a popular starting point for exploring the Ontario beyond, including the Niagara Falls, which are just a 90-minute drive away. Visitors can immerse themselves in a raft of sporting events, shopping, cultural and other sightseeing activities. The top place — in every sense — for an BALLPARK FIGURES overview of Toronto is from the city’s bestA more grounded way to get the blood known landmark, the 1,750ft-tall CN Tower. pumping is by attending a professional The tallest free-standing structure in the sporting event. Toronto’s Rogers Centre is the western hemisphere, glass-sided lifts rise to home to Canada’s only Major League Baseball an observation deck with floor-to-ceiling team, the Toronto Blue Jays. Tours show how windows 1,136ft over the city. the domed stadium’s roof retracts. The An even higher lookout platform, the stadium is also a major concert venue. SkyPod, 1,465ft up, provides views over Lake Fans of NBA basketball can attend a Toronto Ontario and, on clear days, into the USA. If the Raptors game. The team share the Air Canada view isn’t enthralling enough, thrill-seekers Centre with the Maple Leafs, of the don jump suits and safety harnesses NHL, North America’s top and participate in the EdgeWalk ice-hockey league. on the roof of the main pod. Watching them is an Book it! immersive Canadian TRAVELBAG – 0203 139 7074 experience! The five-day Essential Toronto and Niagara Falls tour runs throughout the year, costing from £566pp. It includes flights to Toronto, three days in the city, coach transfer to Niagara Falls and a VIP ride on a Hornblower Niagara Cruise ship or, in winter, access to a viewing platform. travelbag.co.uk
Royal Ontario Museum
18
Edgewalk at the CN Tower Skypod
FESTIVAL CITY
cuisine, indicative of the city’s broad ethnic and cultural diversity. The Toronto Jazz Festival swings into action each June while the Toronto International Film Festival in September is one for the movie buffs. Toronto Pride will be back for the 37th time in 2018. Before then, Winterlicious, kicks off on January 27. This food festival involves more than 200 restaurants. The Evergreen Brick Works, known for its Saturday farmers’ market, will host a street food market as part of its Winter Village. The hip Distillery District — dotted with boutique shops and places to eat and drink — will be artistically lit during the Toronto Light Fest, from January 19 until March 11.
Most travellers will likely find their visit coinciding with one of numerous festivals. The calendar of events includes the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, a month-long celebration of music and
In May 2018 British Airways will start flying three times a week from Gatwick, adding to services by Air Transat and WestJet. A month later Air Canada commences a service from Dublin’s Shannon Airport, building on the airline’s existing Heathrow flights. The Chelsea Hotel, Canada’s largest with 1,590 rooms, has been joined by the boutique Broadview Hotel and luxury Bisha Hotel. Openings of Hotel X, a Kimpton Hotel, and Nobu Residences are planned for 2018. •
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
City Profilie_Toronto.indd 18
10/20/17 03:09 PM
ONTARIO
Whizz through the trees at 70kmph on the half-mile twin zipline
Adrenalin-pumping whitewater rafting
Nature's calling With its endless outdoor activities and natural wonders, Ontario is Canada’s archetypal adventure playground. And its many visitors are now shouting about it from the treetops too!
H
TAKE THE PLUNGE
ome to over 250,000 lakes, 100,000 waterways and a network of land trails, Ontario encapsulates Canada at its most natural. It's a place where visitors can paddle, climb, cruise or even zipline into the heart of some of the country's most diverse landscapes.
Back on dry land, one of the best ways to explore many of Ontario’s numerous ancient caves and caverns is a self-guided walking trail with Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. The site features 18 geological rock features dating back 450 million years and several lookouts with stunning panoramic views of Georgian Bay. Those brave enough can embrace the dizzying heights of the suspension bridge walk or, if they're feeling really daring, tackle the half-mile twin zipline, Thunderbird, which whizzes through the treetops at up to 70kmph!
MAKING WAVES Adrenalin-junkies will love the fastmoving water of the Ottawa River and the opportunities for whitewater rafting. It's plain sailing with whitewater champions Claudia and Dirk Van Wijkon running the show – although the 12km Rocher Fondu rapids always test the steeliest of nerves! The couple own OWL Rafting, located 90 minutes west of Ottawa. Day trips and two-day packages range from adventure and sport rafting to family trips ideal for children. The centre is open seven days a week, from mid-May until September owlrafting.com For something a little more relaxed, new Le Boat holidays are a great way to discover the beauty of Ottawa's Rideau Canal. Winding from Ottawa to Kingston, the canal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest continuously-operated canal system in North America. Le Boat has plans to launch 16 new Horizon cruisers in 2018, meaning more visitors can explore the scenery of this region from the comfort of their own self-driving houseboat. leboat.co.uk
sceniccaves.com
FEELING FRUITY
SELL IT! Visit the new online training programme, designed specifically for agents, to learn more about Ontario’s year-round water and land experiences discoverontarioagent.com
Cranberries are one of Canada’s native fruits - but they taste even better as a wine! The Bog to Bottle Discovery at Johnson’s Cranberry Marsh, Bala, offers year-round tours available three times a day. The guided farm tour takes clients on a journey from bog to bottled Muskoka. Relax in one of Canada’s oldest farms and taste your way through nine wine varieties – from red-style dry wines to sweet ice-wine, the perfect accompaniment to desert. There are also seasonal events including skating and mulled wine in winter, hiking in spring and the autumn Bala Cranberry Festival. cranberry.ca •
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Ontario - SPONSORED FEATURE.indd 19
19
10/20/17 12:30 PM
Our SPECIAL E F FECTS w i l l B LOW YOU AWAY Aurora Domes/Alex de Vries Aurora Pod/Alex de Vries
Churchill Northern Studies Centre
You’re invited to a show with no actors and no script. Manitoba’s skies come alive as the northern lights dance to a soundtrack of wonderment. In Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, the aurora borealis takes centre stage.
Learning Vacation. Join working scientists at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre for an opportunity to learn about the aurora and astronomy of winter skies. Watch from the comfort of the heated viewing dome in the shadow of 1950s rocket launch towers. churchillscience.ca
As one of the top three places in the world to view the northern lights, the skies above Churchill shimmer with colour over 300 nights of the year. While the lights may be visible at any time of the year, viewing is best between January and March when the nights are long and the skies are typically clear. Here are some ways to experience the northern lights in Churchill.
The Aurora Lounge. Watch the
Aurora Pod. Watch the skies shimmer
The Aurora Lounge/Frontiers North Adventures
above you with 360 degree views from this custom made viewing structure by Great White Bear Tours for Natural Habitat Adventures. Glass walls extend to a glass ceiling offering unobstructed views. The heated interior and reclining seats offer the ultimate in comfort while you watch the show. greatwhitebeartours.com
northern lights from the comfort of the Aurora Lounge, set on the edge of the boreal forest with Frontiers North Adventures. Get comfy inside the lounge, or go up to the rooftop observation deck to set up your tripod and camera for completely unobstructed views. And you can also feast under the lights of the aurora borealis with select departure dates at an exclusive pop-up restaurant located inside the Fort Prince of Wales National Historic Site. RAW: churchill sets up for a limited run during March as some of Canada’s best chefs create an unforgettable meal served in a structure with a transparent roof to make the most of the view. frontiersnorth.com
Aurora Domes. Owned and operated
by the Churchill Hotel, these Plexiglass “bubbles” are located just far enough away from the lights of the town. Observe the night sky from inside the heated structure, enjoying light snacks until the show begins. auroradomes.ca
For more information on Manitoba’s northern lights adventures, go to TravelManitoba.com
Untitled-3 Untitled-1 1
10/19/17 05:45 PM 04/10/2017 16:38
Selling Canada - November Issue | Full Page Colour Advertorial - 297mm (depth) x 210mm (width) x 3mm (bleed) | Travel Manitoba 2017
MY CANADA: A TRAVEL AGENT'S STORY
Ice time of year Travel agent Pat Waterton enjoys a return trip to Newfoundland, a pretty island with quirky place names such as Placentia, Dildo, Conception Bay, Heart’s Delight and Nanny’s Hole
A
fter visiting Newfoundland on a Destination Canada Megafam, I was keen to return to visit Iceberg Alley at the 'right time' of year. So, in mid-June, I arrived in St. Johns to bright sunshine and strong winds. On our first morning we joined a trip with Ocean Quest to Conception Bay, with the aim of finding icebergs. Being early in the season, our co-passengers were mainly staff on a 'refresher' trip. We were kitted out with duvet-type survival suits, but declined the invitation to kayak or snorkel. We got lucky: there were a couple of large icebergs in the bay as well as the first whale and calf of the season. Later, we walked up Signal Hill, where you get an amazing view of St.John’s and the harbour area. It was from here in 1902 that Marconi sent radio signals across the Atlantic, which were received as far away as Polduh in Cornwall.
ICEBERG CAPITAL
We left St. John’s for Twillingate, the iceberg capital of Canada, a drive of around five hours. We were booked into the Anchor Inn & Suites, where downstairs in the Captain’s Pub, we were regaled by local tales and songs. One of the absolute joys of Newfoundland is that everyone seems to have been born with a fiddle, guitar or squeezebox fixed firmly in their hand. There is music of all kinds wherever you go. In Twillingate we visited the Auck Winery, where fruit wines are made from local berries. We took the tour and enjoyed the tasting.
The Back Harbour trail in the afternoon was a sight to behold, with ice as far as the eye could see. This wasn’t pack ice, but 'bergy' bits that had been brought back into the bay on the tide and rammed together: great for iceberg-seeking tourists but the 'worst' season for 25 years for the local fisherman and tour boats. It was then onwards to Western Newfoundland and Easy to get too a return visit to a lovely inn St. Johns is a five-hour, 40-minute flight at Woody Point – the Bonne from Heathrow – that's just over an Bay Inn. hour longer than flying to the Owned and run by Darlene Canary Islands Thomas, this beautiful spot has a lounge with panoramic windows and binoculars (and cocktails) for whale watching. On the list of starters was Moose Samosas, or Samoosas as we later renamed them. Delicious! Close by is Gros Morne National Park, one of the few places in the world where you can walk on the earth’s mantle. There are hikes and walks suitable for all ages and levels of ability. Late May/early June is a great time for bird migration and the chance to see rare plants such as the lady-slipper orchid. Our next stop was another re-visit, Rocky Harbour, where we booked into the Ocean View Hotel. A kitchen party in the bar saw visitors invited to play on an 'Ugly Stick' – a long pole with bells, beer bottle tops and all kinds of percussion accessories. Our week in Newfoundland flew by – and we didn’t ven have time to visit L’Anse aux Meadows, where the first Vikings to land on the North American continent settled, or to Quirpon Lighthouse, which was blocked by ice. • SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
My Canada2.indd 21
21
20/10/2017 16:10
WINTER SPORTS
BEARLY NO TIME AT ALL
‘til winter! Skiers who know a good thing when they ski one are standing by to make the most of what promises to be an epic winter in Canada, says Arnie Wilson
T
his is going to be a banner year for winter sports in Canada? How can we be so sure? Well, we consulted Boo the bear, who hangs out at one of Canada's top ski resorts. The grizzly bear was brought to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in British Columbia after being orphaned. His coat started thickening weeks ago and he’s been piling on the pounds, leading many to conclude winter will come early and be extra snowy! This winter Kicking Horse will be the only Canadian resort to host part of the Freeride World Tour. To qualify, a resort needs to have a massive variety of terrain, thighburning vertical and incredible snowfall. And Kicking Horse, with the fourth biggest vertical in North America, is known for its in-bounds chutes and variety of terrain. It’s trademarked as the ‘Champagne Powder Capital of Canada’.
BETTER AND BADDER IN BC
Elsewhere in British Columbia, Panorama Mountain Resort is ‘bigger, better and badder’ this winter. The resort has 22
announced an additional 128 acres of skiable area, including 75 metres of ‘nasty, brutish and long terrain’. Panorama describes the new terrain as ‘steep, exhilarating and downright epic – a monstrous addition’. Now with 1,300 metres of vertical, the extra terrain also means a new resort record for a ski run: more than 6.5 kms. Kimberley Alpine Resort is offering Men’s Bumps and Brews All Mountain ski camps, a guided mountain experience with some learning thrown in. The focus is personalised skier improvement in all types of ‘fun and challenging’ terrain. Participants will ski lots of powder, tree runs and natural terrain, and deserted ‘groomers’. They will also train in race gates and experience a ‘whole new way’ of skiing the mountain. Guided ‘uptracking’ tours are a highlight at Fernie Alpine Resort this winter. Uptracking, or climbing UP a mountain on skis or with a snowboard, is gaining popularity and is, in its own way, an art form and sometimes described as a Zen exercise for true lovers of winter sports.
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Winter Sports - Feature.indd 22
20/10/2017 16:11
WINTER SPORTS often gets large amounts of snow when it’s raining elsewhere. Located in the biggest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Marmot has almost 90 runs for all grades of skier spread over 1,675 acres, and the longest high-speed quad chair in the Canadian Rockies, the Canadian Rockies Express. The resort has a reputation for 'easy skiing', but the steep Eagle East runs like Glory, Face Shot and Terminator, (just three of a dozen double-blacks) will take your clients’ breath away.
QUÉBEC’S SLIPPERY SLOPES
Tremblant is one of the 'closest' major ski resorts to the UK and the most impressive and expansive of 21 ski resorts in the Laurentians, reputedly the oldest mountain range in Canada. The slopes are divided into a North Side, South Side, a Sun Side (Versant Soleil) and The Edge (Versant Edge). Tremblant’s 75-plus trails are generally fairly friendly, but Boiling Kettle, Haute-Tension, Cossack and Emotion will certainly stretch your clients’ skills, while Geant is a glorious topto-bottom black run on the North Side.
A little aprés-ski in Tremblant, Québec
Over at Sun Peaks, visitors will be invited to master the bumps in a new mogul camp, allowing them to ski pretty much anywhere and explore terrain they might never have thought possible. Highly qualified coaches will employ a variety of techniques and tactical approaches to develop both skills and confidence. The resort will also be hosting the 20th Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival (January 12- 21, 2018) with 20 events, whilst Coors Light Snowbombing Canada will return to Sun Peaks (April 5-9). The popular Whistler Blackcomb has produced its own ski and snowboard movie, Magnetic, billed as 'the visual distillation' of why skiers and snowboarders are drawn to the Whistler area. Filmed entirely at Whistler Blackcomb, the film is the resort’s flagship content for this winter season. It features athletes with Whistler connections, focusing on the attractions that make it one of Canada's most popular resorts.
ALBERTA MEANS SNOW BUSINESS With skiing on three mountain faces, Lake Louise overlooks some of Canada’s most dramatic peaks, offering an outstanding selection of pleasant gladed tree runs on the Front Side and Larch area. Experts can reach the powder bowls – open, treeless, predominantly north facing and in parts very steep. The Ptarmigan area offers great tree skiing. The black Outer Limits run and the languid blue Sunset trail down the West Bowl offer stunning scenery across the iconic Bow Valley. Up the scenic Icefield Parkway in Jasper, Marmot Basin has the highest base elevation (1700 metres) of all Canadian ski resorts and
WINTER CAPITAL IN OTTAWA
BOOK IT SKI INDEPENDENCE – 0131 243 8097 The operator has a seven-night Banff and Lake Louise twin-centre itinerary, staying at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Prices start from £1,380pp, with flights from Heathrow to Calgary and shared airport transfers. The deal is for departures on January 18 2018.
When Ottawa celebrates its 40th Winterlude Festival (February 2-19, 2018), the country’s capital will be transformed into an enchanting city of all things snowy and frozen, with some 600,000 revellers. The celebrations, all free of charge, will be centred around three downtown locations. The Crystal Garden, also known as Ottawa’s Confederation Park, will host the spectacular Winterlude opening ceremony, featuring pyrotechnics, live music and dancing. The park is also home to an international ice-carving competition. Ottawa’s iconic Rideau Canal Skateway will play centre stage – it’s the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink, stretching almost eight kilometres through the heart of the city. •
ski-i-com
CRYSTAL SKI HOLIDAYS – 020 8610 3123 A seven-night stay in Tremblant in January 2018 starts from £844pp, based on four sharing at the Holiday Inn B+B. The deal includes fights to Montréal and transfers. A similar package at the Bow View Lodge in Banff is priced from £736pp, while Panorama is featured from £730pp. crystalski.co.uk
Winterlude in Ottawa
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Winter Sports - Feature.indd 23
23
20/10/2017 16:11
DESTINATION CANADA: SOCIAL MEDIA THE UK'S LEADING TRAVEL BLOGGERS WERE LET LOOSE AROUND CANADA... HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR LASTING IMPRESSIONS…
Rocking around Calgary
Blog
Twittersphere
Calgary rising tall
Woodbine Beach
“Toronto surprised me with it's pockets of rural paradise... it has a lot more than it's famous skyline.” @PaperBoyo
Misty mountains
BLOGGER Stuart Forster discovered how easy Calgary was to explore on foot – and found himself walking in the footsteps of rock royalty. “From my hotel in the East Village, I strolled to a handful of attractions, including the Glenbow museum and art gallery. This up-and-coming area is the location of Studio Bell, which houses Canada’s National Music Centre and displays the mobile recording studio once owned by the Rolling Stones. Calgary is more than merely a gateway to Canada's West...it's a city with lots going on.” Read Stuart's blog at: go-eat-do.com
"I don't think I could love Canada any more! The nature around Vancouver is just stunning!" @HLOBlog
Blog
Blog
Fresh produce
"I hadn’t expected such a diverse food scene in Saskatoon...I found excellent dishes throughout the city.” @KarenBurnsBooth East Point Lighthouse
Let it shine Icebergs ahead
“St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador's largest city, is the place to go for huge icebergs, which sailed by almost every day I was there.” @malloryontravel 24
"For a provincial capital, Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island has such a friendly small-town feel. It’s got all the great restaurants, galleries and historic sights you’d expect from some place much larger." ontheluce.com
City skyline
"Take in the stunning city skyline from Halifax's harbourfront." @traveldaveuk
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Social Media FINAL_v2.indd 24
10/20/17 12:32 PM
DESTINATION CANADA: SOCIAL MEDIA @DESTINATIONCAN
EXPLORECANADA
EXPLORE CANADA
EXPLORE CANADA
Craft brews and cocktails in Saint John, New Brunswick
Blog
Blogger Kathryn Burrington was impressed by the flourishing food and drink scene in Saint John, New Brunswick. "I found fresh and tasty seafood, but I also discovered delicious curries, excellent craft beers and ciders and melt-in-yourmouth desserts. The industrial shabby chic Port City Royal is the perfect setting for a 'Tickled Pink', an original cocktail created by bushy-bearded bartender, Eric." travelwithkat.com
Blog
National Gallery
Culture in the city
“The variety of museums, galleries and historical sites in Ottawa surprised me. Top of my list are the Canadian Museum of History, the National Gallery of Canada and Parliament Building.” thequirkytraveller.com
Surprising Victoria
“I knew Victoria was considered to be the most British of Canadian cities, but I was interested to discover a city that had a cool and youthful vibe, with community coffee bars and farm-to-table cafes. Victoria was certainly a tasty surprise!” heatheronhertravels.com
Win a travel speaker and charger! WORDSEARCH Find the words horizontally, vertically, diagonally, forwards and backwards and send us your answers today! The words to find are: SNOWSHOE, LOBSTER, ONTARIO, YUKON, ROCKIES, VICTORIA, BEAR, CRANBERRY, NAME:
AGENCY:
ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER: EMAIL:
ABTA NO:
POSTCODE:
J
S
L
E
P
E
O
O
A
U
V
I
N
O
K
U
Y
N
N
I
H
B
R
O
B
A
Y
R
J
T
R
C
O
A
W
S
R
A
R
D
A
O
G
J
W
S
T
L
T
E
E
R
T
K
D
G
H
E
J
W
B
C
I
C
T
J
V
O
R
Z
X
N
V
O
I
B
V
N
E
H
X
U
A
S
O
V
R
H
M
D
V
M
C
R
I
L
X
V
E
Z
B
N
R
O
C
K
I
E
S
E
TO ENTER: Post to: BMI Publishing Ltd, Suffolk House, George Street, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 1SR. Put Selling Canada Winter 2017 (Wordsearch) on the back of the envelope. Or fax this page to: 020 8649 7234 (Feel free to make copies so a colleague can enter too). Closing date is December 15, 2017. SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Social Media FINAL_v2.indd 25
25
10/20/17 12:32 PM
ALBERTA
Learn to mush
Back country adventures abound
Winter in Alberta With the Canadian Rockies on the doorstep and a long season of snow, Alberta is a top choice for those who want to ski, snowboard or experience some great alternative wintersports
T
he wintersports season is upon us and as enthusiasts seek out their annual fix snowy Alberta’s famed powder and extensive ski area calls. But remember, there is plenty more on offer beyond fabulous skiing and boarding! So wise up fast to the numerous alternative winter activities in the province.
OFF-PISTE ADVENTURES
Beyond the adrenaline of wintersports, visitors can try their hand at cross-country skiing at venues such as the Canmore Nordic Centre (developed for the 1988 Winter Olympics) or try snowshoeing in the back country, perhaps seeing wildlife up close or the ice bubbles which form in frozen lakes. No previous experience is required and great photos are Long winters with reliable snowfall assured. Or, suggest they take a horse provide fresh powder conditions at sleigh ride through the landscapes or world-class skiing and learn to mush as the dogs do the snowboarding resorts, but hard work on a dog sledding ride. Pulling power alongside these there are also The intrepid might try their hand “Skiing the Rockies appeals to skiers frozen canyons to explore, tundra at ice climbing, scaling a frozen of all levels while the range of to snowshoe, dog-sled rides and wall or two in Jasper, Banff and off-slope activities throughout great mountain landscapes to Kananskis Country with an expert Alberta guarantees plenty admire before visitors relax back to guide; or learning the ropes of winter fun” soak up the chilled apres-ski vibe. beforehand at the Calgary Outdoor Centre or with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures in Canmore. HIT THE SLOPES Skiing the Rockies, surrounded by national park, Helicopter trips showcase the mountains from adds kudos to any Alberta wintersports package. yet another Jasper National Park has the highest base elevation perspective, or of all Canada’s ski areas. Marmot Basin is at its heart time the visit right and offers 86 runs spread across four mountain and visitors love faces. Luxury hotels include the Fairmont Jasper the classic winter Park Lodge, just outside of Jasper, and there are festivals such as Ice downtown lodges and hotels close to welcoming Magic, in Jasper bars and restaurants. From Banff, wintersports (Jan) or Ice on enthusiasts can head to the slopes of Sunshine Whyte, World Ice Village, Norquay or Lake Louise, each with its own s distinctive appeal and runs to suit all abilities. Sculpting (Jan/Feb). • the Rockie in erb views g and sup Great skiin
26
MUST DOS DOG SLEDDING Race across frozen landscapes with a team of dogs. No experience needed.
HOT SPRINGS The historic Banff Upper Hot Springs Miette Hot Springs near Jasper has mineral-rich waters with fab views
SNOW TUBING There are snow-tubing parks across Alberta. Locations include Mount Norquay in Banff
ICE WALKING Strap on the ice cleats and trek to frozen canyons and waterfalls
ICE HOCKEY See the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers or Canmore Eagles in action
SELLING CANADA WINTER 2017/18
Alberta_v2.indd 26
10/20/17 04:14 PM
ALL ABOARD AMAZING.
A journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer is much more than just a train ride through the Canadian Rockies and the Pacific Northwest. It’s the key to unlocking a hidden world of shifting landscapes and unparalleled beauty. Indulge all of your senses as you wind through awe-inspiring scenery, complemented by gourmet cuisine, vibrant storytelling, and impeccable service. Journey to a place that’s truly above and beyond extraordinary. Contact Rocky Mountaineer to learn about our current in-market promotion, an offer as rare as the landscape.
Call: 00800 0606 7372 • Email: sales@rockymountaineer.com Visit: www.rockymountaineer.com
Untitled-3 Untitled-1 1
10/19/17 05:41 PM 09/10/2017 08:55
Lots of people come to paint the town red. Some prefer a broader palette.
It’s 5 hours from London Heathrow to St. John’s direct. And you get 31/2 of them back. Year-round flights. Visit aircanada.com, call 0871 220 1111, or contact your travel agency.
Untitled-3 1
10/19/17 05:44 PM
NLT2492
210mm x 297mm
1
PROOF