12th December 2016

A round of Canada News

BRITISH VISITORS TO CANADA MUST HAVE ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORITY (Eta)

As of November 2016 all British visitors must have an Electronic Travel Authority (Eta) to travel to Canada. Those planning trips for 2017 are strongly advised to apply for the Eta in advance of booking flights/packages. The Eta costs $7.00 and is valid for 5 years. Purchase is done on line through : www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp

Please note and inform your readers : Any site changing more than $7.00 is not the official government site.

NIAGARA FALLS GETS NEW LIGHTS

The Niagara Falls Illumination Board was proud to unveil its $4M enhanced Falls illumination project to the public last week. With financial support from both government and local tourism stakeholder groups on both sides of the border , this important Bi-National tourism initiative will provide more than twice the lighting levels at the Falls now being attained, whilst providing a broader and more robust colour spectrum for all those wishing to experience the nightly illumination of Niagara Falls.

The Falls were previously lit using XENON lighting technology and it had been almost 20 years since the last investments were made  in the lighting infrastructure. The new lighting systems now in place will showcase advances in LED lighting technology that will greatly enhance the visitor experience at the Falls. And all just in time to celebrate the Nations 150th Anniversary!

THE ILLUMINATION OF THE JACQUES CARTIER BRIDGE, MONTREAL, (MAY 17th, 2017)

The Jacques Cartier Bridge is an icon in the Greater Montreal area  known for  its history and unique architecture. One of the great engineering feats of the 20th Century, it is used every day by thousands of people to cross the Saint-Lawrence River. Illuminating the bridge for Canada's 150th Anniversary and Montreals 375th Anniversary in 2017 will shine a spotlight on Montreal and touch the hearts of local citizens and visitors alike. This major interactive illumnitation project for the Jacques Cartier Bridge will also contribute to showcasing Montreal's urban heritage. The Bridge will be illuminated on May 17th, for 10 years.

THE ROYAL ALBERTA MUSEUM WILL REOPEN ITS DOORS

Once it opens its doors, the new Royal Alberta  Museum will be the largest museum in Western Canada, and an integral part of Edmonton's Art District. The Museum will embody the story of Alberta, preserving experiences for its people and places and inspiring visitors to explore and understand the world around them. The beautiful new museum will be completed at a signficant price tag of $375M and will feature natural and human history to share Alberta's incredible archeological and cultural stories, from changing landscapes, to First People, to where the province is at today and the challenges it faces as a vibrant, growing , multicultural community.

The Royal Alberta Museum is in the process of relocating and will open its doors in late 2017.

AIR CANADA ROUGE ANNOUNCES NEW CANADA FLIGHT

Air Canada Rouge has recently announced it is further boosting international flights at its Vancouver hub next summer with three weekly seasonal flights from London Gatwick to Vancouver. Flights begin June 8th, 2017 and tickets are already available for purchase.

Air Canada's London Gatwick to Vancouver service will be operated by Air Canada Rouge with a Boeing 767 - 300 ER aircraft featuring premium and economy cabins. Flights are timed to optimize connectivity to and from flights within British Columbia and the Pacific North West  at Air Canada's Vancouver hub. All flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, and for eligble customers, priority check - in , Maple Leaf Lounge access in Vancouver , priority boarding and other benefits.

Flight timings from London Gatwick departs on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12.00 noon, arriving Local Time 14.10, whilst the return leg from Vancouver departs on Tuesday , Thursday and Saturdays at 16.45, arriving the following day at 10.25.

Next summer, Air Canada Rouge will operate from London Gatwick to two points across Canada: Vancouver and Toronto.

WORLD EXPEDITIONS INTRODUCES NEW PACKAGES FOR 2017

With Canada gearing up to celebrate its 150th birthday, World Expeditions is adding for 2017 a series of exciting new trips across the country - including a voyage to the "Canadian Galapago", a trek thought a remote, unmarked route in Newfoundland and it first ever  'leaf peeping' themed trip.

New packages for 2017 include a Haida Gwai Adventure, a traverse of Gros Morne in Newfoundland with Edge of the World views, a Lake Superior Adventure leaf peeping on North America's largest lake, a multisport package in Whistler where clients get to hike, bike and paddle and a Rocky Mountain Winter Adventure where 'Revenant' was filmed.

For more information and bookings please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk or Call 0800 0744 135

MAGNETIC NORTH TRAVEL EXPANDS INTO CANADA WITH A COLLECTION OF NEW WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS

Tailormade Specialist operator Magnetic North has launched its first collection of wildlife holidays to Canada, featuring a wide choice of destinations and travel experiences. In addition  to the extraordinary arctic landscapes and the opportunity to immerse in the First Nation culture, this new collection incorporates a selection of hand picked wilderness lodges, chosen for the exceptional wildlife viewing potential. These holidays include opportunities to view Spirit Bear in the Great Bear RainForest,  Big Animal watching on a self drive wilderness adventure in British Columbia, Tracking Grizzlies on a river drift adventure at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge in Great Bear RainForest, Wilderness Glamping in prospector tents in Ontario ,a Summer Arctic Safari in Manitoba to list a few.

For more information please go to www.magenticnorthtravel.com

CALLING  ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN FRANKLIN

2017 will be the first year that Arctic Expedition company, Adventure Canada, will facilitate public access to the wreckage of Franklins vessel, HMS Erebus.

The September 2016 discovery of the wreck of HMS Terror, joins the breakthrough discovery of the HMS Erebus in 2014, ending almost 170 years of mystery that has surrounded Franklin's mysterious disappearance since 1845. For the first time ever members of the public , history buffs and Arctic enthusiasts will be able to lay eyes on the wreck of HMS Erebus - the vessel Sir John Franklin himself commanded  - in person. Adventure Canada is teaming up with Parks Canada to present a pilot project visit to the Erebus site during their acclaimed Out of the Northwest Passage expedition - a Canadian signature Experience which sails from  Kugluktuk, Nunavut to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland from September 7 - 23, 2017.

The wreck of the Erebus lies on the ocean floor in ten metres of water. Here, adventurous travellers may have a chance to snorkel over the wreck. Those not wanting to get in the water may be able to view the site on screen where a member of the Parks Canada Underwater Archeology team can interpret the wreck using an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

The visit will coincide with a community event in Gjoa Haven - the closest community to the wreck  - to celebrate the discovery of the ship.

"We are so excited to be the first to bring guests to see such an important site in Arctic exploration history", says Cedar Swan, Adventure Canada CEO.  " We are honoured to be awarded this privilege, and look forward to working alongside Parks Canada to set precedent for sustainable visitation of this and other archeological wonders"

For more information go to : www.adventurecanada.com/trip/out-northwest-passage-west-east-2017/

INUIT ART GALLERY IN WINNIPEG TARGETS 2017 OPENING

Year 2017 - Canada's 150th birthday - has been set as the target date for the opening of a new Inuit Art Centre now in the works at Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG). The goal is to move 13,000 pieces of Inuit art currently in the WAG vaults and into a newly dedicated exhibition space for the collection.

The Inuit Art Centre will be the largest space devoted to an indigenous group in North America , and the Inuit collection of Artefacts and Art pieces at the WAG is the largest of its kind in the world. The centre will be built adjacent to the existing art gallery  and will allow the WAG to expand its educational services with room for a new studio.

The WAG's collection of Inuit Art dates back to the early 1950's when the Hudson Bay Company first bought pieces south to Winnipeg from Arctic Trading posts. Since then , the development of art in the collection has evolved to not only include sculptures, but also prints, tapestries and visual media. The works have also been the focus of academic scholarship and have contributed to the understanding of Inuit culture.

For more information go to www.wag.ca

EXPLORE CANADA'S 150TH AND CONNECT WITH ANCIENT FIRST NATION KNOWLEDGE ON A SPRING 2017 EXPEDITION CRUISE

A west coast expedition cruise company is offering a trip that celebrates Canada's 150th birthday with a twist : in addition to exploring BC's Salish Sea region with Canada's Pacific history in mind, the much more ancient First Nations knowledge of the area will play a key role.

On the April 15 - 19, 2017 Sailing with Maple Leaf Adventures and Canadian Geographic , the regions beautiful geography is a major feature; from a visit to beautiful white shell beaches that are actually middens to spectacular views of the location of a US Boundary war, that's a hot spot for whales. The trip also highlights the nature of the region, in the Gulf Islands area east of Victoria.

The itinerary includes remote, natural and historic islands that are off ferry routes. The trip occurs in peak wildflower and wildlife season. Guides include naturalists, historians and includes Penelakut elder Florence James.

The ships are classic wooden ships with long BC Coast histories; an 88 foot converted tug boat and a 92 foot schooner. Frequent shore visits, gourmet food and diverse natural settings round out the experience.

As an eco tourism company, Maple Leaf Adventures wanted to recognise the ancient cultures of the coast in any trip celebrating Canada's birthday.

Dates: April 15 - 19th, 2017 , 5 days, 4 nights from Cdn.$1890 to $3872 per person exclusive international flights and some local accommodation.

For more information please go to www.MapleLeafAdventures.com

Readers wanting more Canada information should go to www.explore-canada.co.uk

For more media information please go to :Nim Singh, PR and Media Manager, Destination Canada 0207 389 9983 singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (not for publication)