Trade show report RENDEZ-VOUS CANADA: VANCOUVER
Zodiac bayshore tour puts zip into Vancouver
'ON TRACK'
Canadian tourism 'bullish' as partners pull together
CANADIAN tourism is ‘on track and feeling bullish’ after overcoming the challenges of recent years, delegates attending Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) in Vancouver were told. “We have turned the corner; we feel optimistic,” said Gregg Klassen (pictured), CEO and Interim President of the CTC. Klassen added that ‘a spirit of collaboration and partnerships’ was evident at the 38th staging of RVC, which attracted a record 477 buyers from 28 countries, including most of the leading UK operators featuring Canada. “There have been an unprecedented
number of conversations this year on how we can all work together to make sure that the guest experience in Canada is as good as it can be.”
The CTC has set a target of attracting 5% of all international travellers by 2017, a year that will see Canada celebrate its
150th year of confederation with a series of nationwide events and festivals. The youth market would be targeted, and discussions are underway to create an 'infrastructure’ for youth travel, including an Inter Rail-style train pass, and a discounted airpass, Klassen added. The CEO admitted that Canada’s southern neighbour “presented a
challenge”, with Brand USA having a 'war chest' of up to $200 million to promote tourism, but expects Canada to benefit from the greater interest in North America generated by Brand USA’s activities.
Inaugural Brits Night party sees the fl ags put out in Vancouver
SELLING Canada co-sponsored the first-ever Rendez-vous Brits Night, which saw the 50-plus UK delegation, along with senior members of the Canadian Tourism Commission, enjoying good company, food and wine at The Bellaggio Wine Bar at Canada Place, near Vancouver’s conference centre and cruise terminal. Pictured: Lisa Chamberlain, Tourism Yukon; Lisa Gagnon, New Brunswick Tourism; Steve Hartridge, Selling Canada; Josephine Wiggall Lazarus, Destination Quebec; Amanda Newby, Travel Alberta; and Louise Petter, Destination British Columbia
14 SUMMER 2014 • SELLING CANADA
A new boat tour of Vancouver is aimed at those with limited time. Operated by whale-watching company Prince of Whales, Sea Vancouver is a 90-minute tour aboard an open 12-passenger zodiac that heads out from the downtown Westin Bayshore Hotel before cruising along the Vancouver Inner Harbour, at speeds of up to 55kph. Guests, who are outfitted with survival suits or lifejackets, depending on the weather, enjoy spectacular views of a city surrounded on three sides by water. The zodiacs offer photo opportunities of city attractions such as Canada Place, Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, False Creek, Granville Island and the Olympic Village. Although not billed as a wildlife tour as such, clients can look out for sea otters, seals and bald-headed eagles, amongst others. “We are aiming at visitors to Vancouver who want an experience on the water but don’t want it to take a big slice out of their day,” said Ben Duthie, Prince of Whales Sales and Operations Manager. Priced at just $39, the tours leave several times a day.
Princeofwhales.com
IN BRIEF VIA Rail provided Rendez-vous delegates
with an exclusive showing of its new Prestige Sleeper class. Being phased in on its transcontinental train, The Canadian, throughout 2014 the Prestige Sleeper car features a cabin for two that is 50% larger than that in Sleeper Plus class, a private washroom with shower, a mini bar and flat-screen TV. Prestige Sleeper car passengers also enjoy access to the Park Car Bullet Lounge (pictured) which offers an all-inclusive bar service. Alcoholic drinks are included in the fare for Prestige class passengers.
Viarail.ca
CANADA’S largest living historical museum is celebrating its 50th year with several new attractions. New at Heritage Park in Calgary is the Famous 5 Centre of Canadian Women – which celebrates influential women in Canadian history – and opening this summer is the River Forth Dining Rail Car. The restored car dates back to the 1920s and 1930s when it travelled across Canada equipped as a solarium.
Heritagepark.ca
QUEBEC City landmark hotel Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac has completed a $75-million lobby-to-roof renovation. The changes include a complete redo of the 611 guestrooms and more rooms added to Fairmont Gold, the Chateau’s boutique hotel product. There’s also a newly-built spa. Until December 18 2014 a Chateau package starts at $339 per night (based on two sharing) and includes breakfast and a $50 dining credit.
Fairmont.com
THE North West Territories (NWT) has re-branded itself as the ‘Aurora Borealis Capital of the World’. “In the autumn and winter visitors have a 98% chance of seeing the lights,” said Ron Ostrom, NWT Tourism’s Marketing Director.
Spectacularnwt.com
VISITORS, to Calgary, Alberta, can now see the city sites via the new hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus. The buses reach every corner of the city including the Calgary Tower, Heritage Park, Calgary Zoo and Fort Calgary.
visitcalgary.com
LEE GEORGE
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