ALBERTA & BRITISH COLUMBIA Feature
than ever as the rodeo celebrates its 100th anniversary, but at anytime the city is worth a stopover. Combine laid- back cowboy lifestyle, with bustling streets full of theatres and art galleries, fine restaurants and shops, endless cycle trails and even fishing opportunities right in the downtown core. From here encourage clients to
experience the stories of the First Nations people in Alberta South – visit places such as Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump or Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park where they can stay in a tepee. Adventure is the watch word in
city is beloved by all who go. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean
and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is frequently voted one of the best cities in
humpback whales, porpoises, harbour seals, and sea lions. Grizzly and black bears are also to be found. Day trips or island-hopping through
"In the breathtaking scenery of Alberta and British Columbia I created some outstanding memories. I would recommend this area whether you are a hard core adventurer or prefer something on the softer side.” Charley Boorman, celebrity biker
the world to live. It is an ideal starting point for an easy self-drive itinerary across Canada's West or for boarding the iconic Rocky Mountaineer running from Vancouver into Banff or Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Visitors can take a side trip to the
alpine resort of Whistler, while a short ferry trip or floatplane ride across the strait of Georgia also gets them to Vancouver Island. Recommend the harbour city of Victoria, the Garden City, with its English heritage and laid- back charm. Nearby, the Butchart Gardens are a ‘must see’ for firework displays all summer; and everywhere fresh seafood, cider trails and scenic communities such as Duncan, the 'City of Totems', and Chemainus, famed for its murals, are well worth a look. The wildlife experiences of Canada's
West add to its compelling summer sales pitch. The west coast has 25,000km of rugged coastline regularly frequented by grey whales, orcas, minke and
From top: The whale-watching is second to none; coastal kayaking adds fun and mountain biking trails abound through Canada's West
the Gulf Islands is popular or suggest clients take the Inside Passage from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, a route through the maze of channels of Queen Charlotte Sound. Venture inland and they'll hit the Okanagan Valley - known as the 'fruit basket' of British Columbia where award-winning wineries benefit from endless sunshine from April to October. The interior also offers the chance to soak in the Radium Hot Springs, Canada's largest hot springs pool; to tour the remote Yoho National Park; and tap into the region's gold rush history. From there, visitors can travel into the
Canadian Rockies and enjoy the towns of Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise - ideal bases for many activities including hiking,
canoeing, horse-riding and heli-hiking, heli-skiing or even heli-yoga. Visitors to Banff and Lake Louise can
savour Rocky Mountain Cuisine after a day of activities or take some rest and relaxation at the Upper Hot Springs. Wildlife spotting is also a must – with 69 species of wildlife to be seen in Jasper National Park including black and grizzly bears, elk and moose. A trip from Banff to Jasper should also be included along the Icefields Parkway, known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. From Jasper, recommend your clients
head to Edmonton, known as the Festival City, with 30 different events throughout the year. Visit in the summer and they can explore the city on a segway or take a thrilling jetboat ride down the beautiful valley of the North Saskatchewan River. Edmonton is the perfect base for travelling up to Northern Alberta and seeing the Northern Lights and no trip is complete without a trip to West Edmonton Mall, North America’s largest shopping mall. Alternatively from Banff, they could
head south towards Calgary and get up close and personal with cowboy culture by staying in a guest ranch with a real cowboy family. Following trails on horse- back, wrangling the cattle and learning cowboy skills is certainly a must do. Cowboy culture comes to the fore in Calgary each July as the city hosts the annual Calgary Stampede – 10 days of cowboy fun and excitement and attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this year. In 2012, the celebrations will be even more intense
Canada’s West. No matter what the season, the adventures are there, just waiting to happen. Sell the snow now but remember that the spring and summer appeal of the destination are never too far behind.
TOURISM TALK Amanda Newby de Saulles Travel Alberta “British travellers with a sense of adventure need look no further than Canada’s West. From our fantastic boarding in the Rockies and phenomenal ice-climbing or heli-skiing all winter long, to mountain biking, climbing, sea-kayaking and white-water rafting in summer, this is the place to send clients for a breath- taking adventure. No matter how young or old, active or inactive they are.” •
LEARN MORE
Wise up to Alberta and BC and prepare to sell!
www.travelalberta.com www.BritishColumbia.travel
SELLING CANADA • WINTER 2011 25
©TOURISM BC
©TOURISM BC ALBERT NORMAMDIN
©TOURISM BC AND T.KAWANO
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