CTC EDUCATIONALS Feature


flew to Halifax and travelled on to New Brunswick, to Shediac the lobster capital of the world, then to the Hopewell Rocks to see the amazing rock formations created by the world’s highest tides. “A highlight for me was Cape Enrage Lighthouse. On arrival you place your order and await a delicious home- prepared picnic to be brought to you as you admire the stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and ocean. “Then there was the amazing phenomenon of the Reversing Falls; the Fundy Trail in the Bay of Fundy, a wonderful area of trails and pristine beaches for a very nice salmon meal; and St Andrews by the Sea, where we went on a whale-watching trip. "It was great fun and we dressed in suits that made us look a bit like the cast of the film Armageddon, in the scene where they all set off into space to save the planet!” Steve Guy of Bailey’s Travel, on his second fam trip to Canada, found his long-held perceptions of the region were accurate – but he discovered so much more too. “Before I travelled to Atlantic Canada


my main preconceived ideas of the region were that it comprised small coastal fishing villages with lots of lighthouses on granite cliffs overlooking big Atlantic seas,” he said.


“In many ways I discovered exactly


that, however I hadn't bargained on just how spectacularly beautiful the coastal scenery would be. Steve found plenty of similarities with


shores closer to home too and said: “In many ways the coast of Newfoundland is very similar to the


western coast of southern Ireland, with its rural, rugged, dramatic, steep high cliffs that tumble down into the ocean below. “The coastline of Southern New


Brunswick, whilst not as dramatic perhaps, was no less beautiful, with its small seaside towns and villages that intersperse the landscape, reminding


HOW USEFUL DID YOU FIND YOUR FAM?


CHRIS ROBERTS Travel Counsellor “Since returning from Atlantic Canada I’m


still waiting to convert my newly- acquired knowledge into a sale but I am known as a Canada expert locally and I am good at introducing destinations I visited into the conversations I have with clients. “I have booked a 7K Canada trip since I returned, although not to Atlantic Canada.


“My advice as an experienced


agent, even one benefiting from being a trained Canada Specialist, is that you need expert help to plan an itinerary that gets the best out of Atlantic Canada.


“I use 1st Class Holidays or


Premier Holidays, which are both excellent. They are very helpful and knowledgeable.”


STEPHEN GUY Bailey’s Travel “Since experiencing Atlantic Canada on


the fam I have been able to suggest to a family of two adults and a 10- year-old child that they should include time exploring New Brunswick. They had only figured on Québec and Nova Scotia originally. “They agreed and I have planned an itinerary that includes Kings Landing, The Fundy Trail & Hopewell Rocks – all very much family attractions! “The CTC fam trip has instilled in me the confidence to sell this part of Canada much more easily, as proved by the booking I’ve just made! “More operators should feature some of Canada’s lesser-known areas so agents can more easily help promote amazing regions of Canada that remain unspoiled.”


me of Devon and Cornwall's coastline.” The welcome he received in St. Johns,


Newfoundland, was ‘relaxed and friendly,” said Steve.


“The city is compact with a bustling shopping street, varied informal restaurants and several excellent bars that resonate to the sound of local, heavily Irish-influenced folk-inspired bands. It made a good base for our short three-night stay in the province." Highlights for Steve included the lighthouse picnic mentioned by Chris Roberts; the Fundy Trail, near St. John's, an area of outstanding natural beauty and near-deserted beaches; and the family- orientated attraction Kings Landing, near Fredericton, New Brunswick. “It’s a ‘living historical settlement'


where the people meet you in character and period dress as they explain all about the lives of an early farming community in the area,” he said. A group of Canada specialist agents headed out to Ontario as this issue of Selling Canada went to press. You can read about their trip, which included a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls, lunch at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, and a tour of Ottawa’s mounth- watering food markets, in the December issue of Selling Long Haul. To be considered for future fams, train at Canada Specialist Programme www.canadaspecialist.co.uk


SELLING CANADA • WINTER 2012/13 15


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