11 Nov 2019
11 November 2019
A Round up of Canada news for 2020
CANADA MUST HAVES BEFORE YOU TRAVEL: DON'T' BE SCAMMED
BRITISH VISITORS TO CANADA MUST HAVE ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORITY (ETA)
All British visitors arriving by air in Canada must, as of November 2016, have an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to Travel to Canada. Those planning trips for 2020 are advised to apply in advance of booking an airline ticket or a tour. The ETA costs $7.00 and is valid for 5 years. Purchase is done online through:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html package
PLEASE NOTE : Any site charging more than $7.00 is not the official government site. ETA is linked to a passport so if you are required to change passports during the five year validity you will be required to apply for a new ETA.
2020 AND BEYOND - DATES AND STORIES TO NOTE:
March 2020 marks 200 years since death of Alexander Mackenzie, Scottish explorer known for accomplishing first east to west crossing of America north of Mexico, and was the first European person to cross Canada and reach the Pacific Ocean.
Rocky Mountaineer celebrates its 30th Anniversary
Quebec Ice Hotel celebrates 20 year Anniversary.
Kootenay National Park, British Columbia celebrates 100th Anniversary, 50th for Mauricie N.P in Quebec
The province of Manitoba celebrates 150 years since founding.
Hudson Bay Company celebrates 350th Anniversary.
2021 Yukon will Celebrate 135 year Anniversary of the Yukon Gold Rush.
WHY THE CANADIAN ARCTIC IN 2020 ?
In the summer of 2020 The British Museum will be hosting an exhibition about the Arctic at large. As one of the worlds' last true wildernesses the Canadian Arctic can be a transformational place to visit , as visitors interact with Inuit Culture, see rare wildlife and learn that even in this modern day, travel to this area still demands flexibility to adapt to changing weather patterns, and to be open to different cultural norms. Taking into account also the proposed February 2020 release of the Hollywood Movie, Call of the Wild , set in the Yukon Territory and a raft of new hotel openings in the Yukon, interest in the “North”, allowing visitors to find 'their True North', seems set for rising interest.
AIR TRANSAT BOOSTS SERVICES TO TORONTO AND MONTREAL FOR SUMMER 2020
For summer 2020, Air Transat will double the frequency of its London Gatwick to Toronto service to twice daily and increase its Gatwick to Montreal flights from three to five times weekly, with many of the flights operated by the airline's new, state of the art Airbus A321neo LR Aircraft.
Air Transat is also increasing capacity on its routes from Glasgow and Dublin to Toronto, where it is phasing out the Airbus A310 and replacing it with an all new A330 service from Glasgow five times weekly, and a mix of A330 and A321neo LR services from Dublin five times a week. The airline will continue to offer an all A330 five times weekly service from Manchester to Toronto.
For summer 2020 the airline will be offering over 30 direct flights every week from the UK and Ireland to destinations across Canada . Economy class flights to Toronto for summer 2020 start from £341 return (based on travel on select dates in May)
For more information please visit www.airtransat.com
CANADA AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET NOVEMBER 4 – 6TH, 2019
Destination Canada will be proud to be showcasing their new brand at this years World Travel Market.
'Canada, For Glowing Hearts' taps into what it means to be Canadian and will be used to inspire even more international travellers to visit Canada. The tagline is inspired by the Canadian National Anthem and a distinctive heart shaped logo, rooted in the country's bold red and white iconography. The brand evolution follows a five year period of transformation for Destination Canada in becoming a more digitally focused, data driven organization. Extensive market research and industry consultation helped shape the latest journey of the Canada travel brand. Destination Canada is rolling out the brand in its 10 leisure and 5 business events markets over the coming months. Leveraging the tag line, logo and concept of transformational travel , inspired by a pride for being Canadian, elements of the brand will be used to inspire Destination Canada's content across digital and print platforms.
For more information on the brand please go to : www.destinationcanada.com where you can sign up for Destination Canada news and follow @DestinationCan and @ExploreCanada on twitter.
CANADIAN DESTINATIONS RECOGNISED WITH CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER'S 2019 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS
From coast to coast, Canadian destinations ranked highly by global travellers.
Oct. 10, 2019 Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its annual Readers' Choice Awards with Cape Breton Island (#1) and Vancouver Island (#3) both recognised in the category of Top 5 Islands in The Americas.
At the north-eastern tip of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island is a magical place of captivating beauty, delicious seafood and rich culture. From exploring the Cabot Trail to catching your own lobster dinner, the experiences of Cape Breton Island are almost as diverse as the land, history and culture. It is accessible from the UK by direct flight to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Nestled along Canada's West Coast, the Vancouver Island region is a paradise of tranquil islands, pristine coastlines and emerald forests, where the ever- present Pacific Ocean shapes the scenery and softens the climate. Vancouver Island features coastal rainforests that provide some of the best hiking in the world. Fishing, wildlife viewing and adventure excursions off our coasts are once in a lifetime type experiences. The island is accessible through Vancouver, British Columbia by direct flight from the UK.
More than 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted a record- breaking number of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today. Readers also recognized Québec City as the 3rd best small city in the world, and the Rocky Mountaineer as one of the top luxury trains.
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.”
The 2019 Readers Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler's website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK print editions.
About Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler is the world's most distinguished travel title providing inspiration and advice for discerning travelers. Authoritative and influential, Condé Nast Traveler is a multi- platform, transatlantic brand. Publishing US and UK print editions under Editor-in-Chief Melinda Stevens, Condé Nast Traveler offers award-winning expertise in luxury travel from around the world. For more visit www.cntraveler.com.
NEW HOTEL OPENINGS
ACE HOTEL
Toronto gets it first Ace Hotel . IN 2020 the grand opening of the new 13 storey hotel inside Toronto's fashion district . The Ace Hotel is made of a group of inclusive individuals seeking to embrace the cities they're in but building spaces for collective gatherings.
W Hotel
Marriot International has announced Toronto's first W Hotel in Yorkville. The hotel will be a nine storey, 255 room luxury property surrounded by Bloor Street's high end shopping boutiques and will feature its own DJ booth and recording studio, Guests can stay in the new , vibrant and sophisticated hotel as early as summer 2020. The $40 million design transformation which began in July 2019, will reimagine the property's guest rooms, restaurants and amenities. The property is expected to open as W Toronto in Summer 2020.
HYATT
Expected to double Canada brand presence by 2022 – Hyatt Hotels Corporation are expecting to open more than 20 new hotels in Canada by the end of 2022. The newly announced properties include three hotels in the downtown area of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Expected to open in 2022 a dual branded Hyatt Centric Falls and Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls Project, with 150 and 350 guestrooms respectively and the 200 room Hyatt Place Niagara Falls. This includes properties that will mark the first Hyatt House and Hyatt Centric hotels in Canada and the first Hyatt Hotels in the Niagara Falls Market. Other scheduled openings for 2020 include Park Hyatt Toronto (after renovation), Hyatt Place Kelowna, Hyatt Place Winnipeg Downtown, Hyatt Place Moncton, Hyatt Place Brampton, Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Edmonton Downtown and Hyatt Place Ottawa.
HILTON EXPANSION BRINGS NEW BRANDS TO CANADA
Hilton has recently announced robust Canadian expansion plans for Canopy by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Tru by Hilton, driven by the regions thriving tourism industry.
Providing guests with vibrant, unique experiences at different price points, the expanded footprint of Tru by Hilton and the introduction of Canopy and Tapestry Collection by Hilton into Canada will offer travellers more options in the country. Hilton has the largest hotel construction pipeline in Canada with nearly 70 hotels and 8000 rooms, comprising 22% of the total hotel pipeline in market.
“The introduction of Tapestry Collection to a country experiencing a significant rise in tourism is an exciting prospect for a brand still in its early development, “ said Jenna Hackett, global head, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. “ Our debut in the Canadian market will allow us to reach a new set of guests and offer those who have grown to love Tapestry Collection brand more opportunities for authentic, independent experiences outside of the US.”
QUEENS MARQUE
Queens Marque due to open in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Autumn 2020. The 4.5 to 5.00 star luxury hotel will have 110 rooms, 400 sq.ft each, jutting out into Halifax Harbour so that each room has a view of the harbour. The hotel will have its own brand – as yet unnamed – which will reinforce the power of place. The hotel aims to be Fogo Island meets Ritz Carlton. Historical and cultural elements are integrated in the room design - salt and pepper Nova Scotia granite, abstract tartans, and hooked rugs ; bespoke furniture and fine joinery. The common areas will include a living room, but also a main salon offering three meals a day. The food in the 150 seat restaurant will consist of modern versions of Nova Scotia classics. Services include 8000 square feet of wellness amenities including a vitality pool area, a series of wellness pools, cold plunge and sauna steam room alongside Nova Scotia salt therapy or halo therapy. In addition the hotel will have its own yacht and runabout for water excursions.
Queens Marque will include about 900 tonnes of Nova Scotia sandstone slabs, the primary heating and cooling systems will use heat pump and chilled beam technology where seawater is drawn from the harbour and circulated through the buildings. Nova Scotia granite steps will descend into the harbour and reimagine the sites historic slipway, formerly called Queens Landing. The north and south wharf buildings are meant to be emblematic of ships docking on the waterfront. At the apex of the rising pier building an as yet to be designed and named 'harbour light' art installation will be build, a glowing tower which people can enter and climb.
RAVEN INN
The 50 room, 4 star boutique style property in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon, is now under construction and due to open in January 2020
RIVERS EDGE
This 120 room , 4 star hotel First Nations themed project on the Whitehorse Waterfront in the Yukon was recently announced with construction starting in Spring 2020.
MOUNT LOGAN LODGE
A beautiful property with stunning views of the Kluane National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) St. Elias range is planning new packages and programmes for winter 2020 including snowmobiling, dog sledding and icefishing. Five well appointed guest rooms, a 6 person Yurt, a Goldrush Era cabin and even a school bus converted for guest accommodation round out the accommodation options, Summer activities include fly fishing and kayaking excursions on nearby Pine Lake , and Yoga and artistic activities at the lodge. www.mountloganlodge.com
NEW NEIGHBOURHOODS TO EXPLORE
Opened in 2019, the harbourfront Seaside Hotel is a 71 room boutique hotel and spa location in the Shipyards District adjacent to the new Polygon Gallery in Vancouver . The opening of the Polygon - housing an exhibition of internationally renowned photos and video in an architecturally iconic building – has been the catalyst to an exciting new vibe in North Vancouver. Deep Cove Kayaking offers Full Moon or Friday Night Lights kayaking tours and daring visitors to the Grouse Mountain can try the Skyride Surf Adventure, riding on top of the gondola as they ascend 853m (2,800 ft) to the peak or the new Mountain Ropes Adventure. A 12 minute trip from downtown Vancouver by seabus, Shipyards overlooks downtown Vancouver and the Port Area .
For an update on the Shipyards District click here : www.tourismvancouver.com/media/articles/post/north-vancouvers-newly-developed-shipyards-have officially-opened/
FUEL FREE
Once you arrive in Penticton, British Columbia, you can switch off your engines, lock your car keys in the hotel safe and begin your fuel free adventure.
Foot – The natural landscape surrounding the City of Penticton has fostered a cosy community feel with all the amenities of a larger metropolis. With less than 7 km between the north and the south end of the city, visitors are steps away from world-class culinary experiences and outdoor activities.
Peddle – Penticton is surrounded by a wide range of responsibly maintained road cycling routes and bike trails. The 45 km loop around Skaha Lake and the Kettle Valley Rail Trail both offer incredible vistas and panoramic lake views and for the more adventurous Three Blind Mice and Campbell Mountain offer some of the best single track terrain in British Columbia
Paddle – Penticton is situated between two lakes. The fresh waters of the Okanagan and the Skaha Lakes are idea of a variety of fuel free activities whether taking a cooling swim, exploring coves by kayak or catching air on a kiteboard. A 7 km long river channel connects the two lakes that local and visitors love nothing more than to grab a floatie and spend an afternoon lazily drifting through the city.
For more information : www.visitpenticton.com
AQUAGLIDING AND GLASS BOTTOMED BOATS – A NEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE MANITOBA'S BELUGA WHALES
Be a glider rider on an experience that places you at eye level with the beluga whales. Slip into a drysuit, step on the thick square three person floating mat tethered to a Zodiac Boat , lie down on your belly and float! The Zodiac sets you up for success on the water whilst we wait for the friendly, curious beluga whales to come and check you out. This ensures the beluga whales always rule the experience. When and if they choose to approach the gliders – they always do – glider riders will be surrounding by beluga whales, comprised of six snow white females and a gray calf or two , an incredible and moving experience. It is not uncommon for guests to cry.
Meanwhile Lazy Bears Adventures will also offer the perfect summer trifecta – polar bears, beluga whales and Churchill in its five day Ultimate Arctic Summer Adventure, the trip for both Polar Bears and Beluga Whales. In July and August you can see polar bears in their summer environment , swimming with cubs, prowling around the rocks and if you're lucky, snoozing in pink fireweed. Also the summer waters are visited by 60,000 beluga whales – the highest concentration in the world – entering Hudson Bay and nearby rivers. Guests can suit up for a full days boating along the Hudson Bays' western shores to a remote polar bear viewing area in northern Manitoba. In summer 2020 this day will be in the state of the art glass bottomed boat, enhancing an already incredible experience.
SKI NEWS FROM PANORAMA MOUNTAIN RESORT
The resort continues to expand its offering of steep and deep, adding another four trails and more unnamed monstrous lines after extensive summer glading. The area is accessible by the Monster X, a 13 seat passenger snow cat that provides a paid shuttle ride to the highest point of the terrain.
In a time of resort consolidation, Panorama Mountain Resort remains privately owned and fiercely independent. In time for this winter, the resort has also installed more leading edge snow making technology, purchased a new Prinoth Snow Groomer and completed earthworks to improve several popular trails.
Panorama will open November 8th for alpine race training, and will host national teams from Canada, Switzerland, France, Slovenia and Chile. The resort will open to the public on December 6, 2019 – April 12, 2020. www.panormaresort.com
CANADA'S NEWEST NATIONAL PARK RESERVE
As Banff National Park was the worlds second oldest National Park , Canada has a long history of protecting and caring for its lands. It took nearly 50 years of planning and consultation but Canada's newest national park reserve has now officially been established in the Northwest Territories.
In August of 2019 , representatives from Parks Canada, the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, the Deninu K'ue First Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the territorial government met in Lutsel K'e to formally sign an agreement establishing Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve (www.landoftheancestors.ca). The Northwest Territory Metis Nation which also has ties to the region held a similar signing event in Fort Resolution.
Thaidene Nene is Canada's 48th National Park or Park Reserve and the first to be established since 2015. IT was first proposed back in the 1970's but was met with resistance. In the 1990's the area began to attract interest from mining companies, and in 2000, Felix Lockhart, the former Lutsel K'e chief approached Parks Canada to reopen discussions about the park.
Thaidene Nene will be co–managed by the federal and territorial governments and the local First Nations, with the Ni Hat'ni Dene Rangers serving as guardians during the summer months – interacting with visitors, monitoring the environmental well being of the park, and passing on traditional knowledge to the youth. To that end, the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation has set up a $30 million trust fund to support its responsibilities in the park and the federal government has said it plans to invest $40 million in the park in its first 12 years.
The park protects 26, 525 sq. Km of land northeast of the territorial capital of Yellowknife. The name translates to Land of the Ancestors in the Denesuline or Chipewan lanauge. The Lutsel K'e Dene consider Thaidene Nene to be a sacred place where the foundations were laid for their way of life.
Thaidene Nene encompasses part of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, including part of Christie Bay, part of the Lockhart River, most of Snowdrift River, and dozens of lakes, waterfalls, islands and dramatic glacier carved cliffs. Both Boreal forest and tundra eco systems are found in the park, supporting an array of iconic wildlife including barren-ground caribou, muskox, moose, wolves, black and grizzly bears, red Arctic Foxes, lynx, wolverines, beavers and many smaller mammals and birds.
Fort Reliance, a national and territorial historic site is located in the park at the mouth of the Lockhart River. First built by the Hudson Bay Company in 1833, the fort served as a base of operations for the search for Sir John Franklins missing 1845 expedition
Can you visit Thaidene Nene?
- Yes! There are however no roads to the park , and it can only be accessed by air or water from the gateway community of Lutsel K'e, which is a 45 minute flight from Yellowknife. Once there, a number of local guides can take you to see some of the area's most spectacular natural features. The Lutsel K'e Dene are keen to welcome visitors to the Land of the Ancestors in the hopes of developing a sustainable tourism economy in the community however the park remains one to watch for now for accessible tourism packages.
NEW ATTRACTION
Little Canada, a new attraction is set to open in Toronto in 2020 making their home in the heart of downtown Toronto at 10 Dundas East, Yonge – Dundas Square.
A vast animated attraction that includes over 45,000 sq.ft of indoor space, Little Canada will take visitors on an immersive journey through Canada in miniature, offering them a rare opportunity to explore and experience Canada's expansive country in just a few short hours.
"During a time when others are putting up walls, Little Canada gives people the chance to become part of a beautiful country without conflict" says founder and president, Jean Louis Brenninkmeijer, who immigrated to Canada with his family in 1999. “Little Canada is a friendly and welcoming place, much like the Canada I have come to know and love. We see Yonge and Dundas as the perfect home for Little Canada – accessible to everyone and at the intersection of Toronto's many wonderfully diverse communities”.
For the launch they will be opening the first destinations of Little Niagara, Little Toronto and Petit Quebec, with a new destination opening every year or two after, until the journey reaches from coast to coast to coast. Little Canada aims to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about Canada. Visit www.little-canada.ca #bepartofsomethingsmall
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH AND NATIONAL INDIGENOUS DAY
Canada's First Nation, Inuit and Metis, invite locals and visitors to join nationwide celebrations on June 21, 2020 for National Indigenous Peoples' Day. Part of National Indigenous History Month, this important event, shares the rich heritage, culture and achievements of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Across the country, inclusive festivities will showcase traditional dances, songs, storytelling, drum socials and potluck feasts.
Event listings are available : https://www.indigenousbc.com/events/
SNIPPETS :
SHOPPING :A NEW CHRISTMAS MARKET
A new European style Christmas market launches at Lansdowne in the Ottawa, the Nations Capital City, Fridays through Sundays from November 22 to December 22, 2019.
www.ottawachristmasmarket.com.
NEW VEGAN FOOD TOUR
Vancouver's Food Tours newest tour includes some of the cities top vegan spots such as a vegan pizza place,. Bites may include locally made tempeh, Kombucha and diary free gelato! http://www.vancouverfoodtour.com/vancouver-vegan-lunch-tour/
MAKING WAVES
The Story of Greenpeace at Vancouver Maritime Museum explores Greenpeace's humble origins in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood and its journey to becoming one of the most recognisable environmental organisations in the world. Until September 2020
https://vancouvermaritimemuseum.com/exhibit/making-waves
TIME OUT MARKET MONTREAL OPENING FALL 2019
Time Out Montreal is a food and cultural market bringing the best of the city under one roof ; its best chefs, drinks and cultural experiences based on editorial curation. Spanning 40,000 sq. ft, Time Out Market Montreal will give guests a true taste of the city with 16 eateries to choose from, a demonstration kitchen, a cooking school, 3 bars, a cultural space and a retail area. The Time Out team have spent months testing and tasting Montreals best food and then selected the best chefs and restauranteurs to join Time Out Market. The Montreal version is due to open in Autumn 2019 whilst London , UK is due to open at Waterloo Station in 2021. Time Out is rooted in the heritage of Time Out – a magazine created in London in 1968 to inspire people to explore and enjoy the best of the city. Since then Time Out editors have been writing about the best food, drink, and cultural experiences with today a global team of local expert writers curating the best things to do in 315 cities in 58 countries across websites, magazine, social media and live events.
For more information on Time Out Montreal please visit www.timeoutmarket.com/montreal/en.
Fact Box Info:
Readers wanting more information on Canada should go to www.explore-canada.co.uk
For more media information and visual images, b roll , video on Canada please check out
www.destinationcanada.com/media
For media assistance please contact : Nim Singh, Media and PR Manager, Destination Canada, 0207 389 9983 singh.nim@destinationcanada.com @canadanim (Not for publication)
