Selling Travel July/August 2024

GO WITH THE FLOW

Encourage clients to venture beyond Canada's main gateways for epic adventures

Overlooking the still waters of the Saronic Gulf, One&Only Aesthesis is a captivating coastal hideaway that harks back to the glamour of the 1960s, when the Athenian Riviera was a playground for socialites. Choose from beautiful beach bungalows and signature seafront villas. Cool off in the pool. Relax at the spa – the first Guerlain Spa in Greece. And when the mood strikes, explore the wonders of the capital; the Acropolis and Parthenon are just half an hour away.

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inside this issue

08 UK Holidays: From Bridgerton-inspired trips to Scottish rail holidays

12 Four-sight: Are tourist taxes warranted to combat overtourism? Globe Hopping

14 Japan: Why now is the time to sell this bucket-list destination

18 Six of the Best: Winter attractions in Cologne

22 My Journey: Americana in Arkansas

20 Accessibility: In the Middle East

25 Destination Update: Mexico: Cancun & Riviera Maya

28 Canada Update: How the country is encouraging visitors to travel beyond gateway cities – and in all four seasons

34 Top Itineraries: British Columbia

36 48 hours in... Vancouver

37 Spotlight on... Atlantic Canada's hiking trails

39 Take Five... Stops on Alberta's Cowboy Trail

40 Show Report... Rendezvouz Canada in Edmonton

Talk

46 The Review: Selling Travel Connect: Tenerife, Rotana and Indian Ocean & Middle East events

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Steve Hartridge

EDITOR

Jessica Alexander

DIGITAL EDITOR

April Waterston

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Sheena Adesilu

WRITERS

Charlotte Flach, Bev Fearis, Stuart Forster, Helen Fox

PUBLISHING

PUBLISHERS

Steve Thompson steven.thompson@sellingtravel.co.uk

Sally Parker sally.parker@sellingtravel.co.uk

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Stella De Berniere stella.deberniere@sellingtravel.co.uk

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Shani Kunar

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Matt Bonner

CEO

Martin Steady

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

DESIGNERS

Caitlan Francis & Colette Denham

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Clare Hunter

PRODUCTION ADMINISTRATOR

Steve Hunter

COVER IMAGE

People canoeing with the Canada Flag in the boat on Lake Louise in Banff National Park. Credit Travel Alberta / Roth and Ramberg

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Covering all four corners July/August

Jessica Alexander EDITOR

It has been a busy few months for the Selling Travel team with colleagues travelling across the globe for major trade shows, most notably Rendez-vous in Canada, IPW in the USA, Australia Tourism Exchange (ATE) in Australia, Advantage Conference in Mexico and Indaba in Africa.

As well as getting an update on the various new tourism products and catching up with industry friends, it’s always exciting to see how a host city will showcase itself with the eyes of the travel industry upon it.

I was in Melbourne for ATE where delegates were treated to an impressive welcome event at John Cain Arena, Melbourne and Olympic Parks in celebration of the 'Green and Gold Decade' leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Delegates were invited to compete for prizes at various sporting activations - any hopes I had of becoming an Olympic athlete were quickly banished - and indulge in Melbourne’s famous food and wine scene (now this I excelled at)!

On the back of Rendez-vous Canada, our dedicated Selling Canada section will update you on the latest product news from Canada along with the ways that Destination Canada is working with the trade to help you sell this vast and multi-faceted country.

Closer to home, the team have also been touring the country for our Selling Travel Connect events. In the past two months we’ve seen nearly 400 of our agent readers at locations that included Chester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Sutton Coldfield and London. Agents connected with suppliers from Tenerife, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and Rotana Hotels. You might even see yourself on our online event galleries and event round-ups in each issue.

We’ve already finalised our 2025 calendar for our popular events and chances are we are coming to a city near you!

You can secure a space by visiting sellingtravel.co.uk/ connect-calendar.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.

Enjoy the issue!

THE KÉA TO SUCCESS

Located a 45-minute speedboat ride from Athens, One&Only Kéa Island is considered the first ultra-luxury resort on the island of Kéa. The all-villa resort features cliffside accommodations, each with its own private infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea. The property has its own speakeasy bar, Incognito, which seats just 20 people and is hidden behind an unmarked door. There is also Bong Beach Club, Epicora wine bar and Atria Greek restaurant. Kéa is described as an ‘untapped’ Greek island and a ‘magnet for deep-sea divers’. oneandonlyresorts.com

Australia

EASY LIKE SUNDAYS

Opening in 2025 is The Sundays, Hamilton Island’s new boutique hotel in Australia’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Designed with families in mind, the property will offer activities ranging from tennis, bowling, mini-golf and ATV adventure. There’s also seaplane and helicopter excursions to see the Great Barrier Reef, or to Hamilton Island Golf Course, located on its own private island. The property is accessible via boat transfers from mainland Queensland. hamiltonisland.com.au

Italy

SCHOOLS OUT

Clients looking for a place with character will find it at former cultural institution and boarding school, Collegio alla Querce in Florence. Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, the property has transformed into a luxurious 83-room hotel with 66 guest rooms, 16 suites and a 2,300-square-foot signature Quercia Suite with rooftop pool. Guests will also enjoy a restored original chapel and theatre, a conservatory lounge, a bar and two restaurants. aubergeresorts.com

CASTLE HOWARD, YORK

This season’s diamond

As Bridgerton returns to our screens this summer, now is the ideal time to explore the magnificent landscapes and culture the UK has to offer, says Charlotte Flach

This author is excited to share that the new series of Bridgerton has caused quite a stir when it comes to booking trends.

An upsurge in interest in UK hotspots has coincided with the release of Season Three of the popular Netflix show, with Google trends data revealing that searches for ‘Bridgerton filming locations’ have increased by 1,274%, reaching an all-time high in May.

The popularity of Bridgerton is having a knock-on effect on domestic tourism, as holidaymakers become captivated with what’s on offer closer to home.

Visit West, Bath’s tourism body, says the period drama has added more than £5 million to the local economy thus far, from UK and international visitors, and expects that figure to increase in 2024 with the release of the new series. The Regency era show is also responsible for thousands of extra visitors to The Guildhall, the Royal Crescent, and other historic Bath tourist attractions that feature.

Similarly, Castle Howard in North Yorkshire reported that the number of visitors aged 18-24 to its website was up by more than 3,400% after Bridgerton was released.

In for a penny

Aside from the glamorous TV link, there are many reasons why a UK staycation might be more appealing this year. With an array of great hotels, tours and product, the UK has a lot to offer.

“The UK is always popular as a holiday choice, year-round, and this year is no different,” says Claire Dutton, Trade Sales Manager at JG Travel Group. “Holidaying in the UK is convenient, avoids airports and exchange rates and there is so much choice in terms of where to go and what to do.”

The cost of living issue is impacting on holiday choices too, as travel abroad becomes more expensive, says Denise Hill, VisitScotland’s Head of Intermediary Marketing. “The cost of living is influencing some decision making, for example shorter breaks, choosing cheaper accommodation and people looking for more free things to do. However, this differs by household income and life stage.”

Older travellers are a good target market, agrees Leger Shearings Group’s Head of Retail Sales, Ashley Dellow. “The less price conscious UK traveller, especially the newly retired with time on their hands, has

discovered the delights of UK short breaks and realised how much of the country there is to see. They tend to book a few tours in the UK a year, in addition to their main holiday abroad.”

Summer sale

As travel tastes continue to evolve beyond the traditional fly and flop, agents have an opportunity to sell closer to home. Rail and coach trips, among others, are showing increased bookings, as are breaks in colderclimate destinations.

“It’s important for agents to remember that UK breaks tend not to be weather dependent. Customers know that the weather cannot be guaranteed and that’s not the primary reason why they choose them,” says Dutton. “They want to get away and experience a new place or attraction, and in many cases a UK short break is in addition to a main overseas holiday.”

Easily accessible locations that offer

both beauty and sustainability are popular too, says Hill. “Scotland is very accessible to UK residents. A trend we are noticing is interest in rail travel, which reflects growth in awareness of more sustainable options – and Scotland delivers some of the most awe-inspiring journeys by rail.”

Data from VisitScotland supports this trend: “Our 2023 Scotland Visitor Survey showed that UK visitors were very positive about their holiday or short break experiences with 81% likely to recommend Scotland to friends and family and 89% quite or very likely to return to Scotland in the next five years,” adds Hill.

“We are seeing lots of interest in breaks to Scotland and have added more itineraries and dates to existing tours to meet demand,” confirms Dutton.

“Our UK rail experiences really go deep into the heart of the UK countryside, and these have shown increased bookings,” says Dellow. “Bookings for UK festive breaks, especially over the actual Christmas and New Year period, have increased significantly as people realise it’s often cheaper and more fun to go away.”

Both Leger Shearings and JG Travel Group are noticing the continued popularity of coastal resorts, including the Isle of Wight, Whitby, Scarborough and the English Riviera. “Naturally, the coastal resorts are always very popular; this year bookings for St Ives and St Mawes are up and the Lake District is a firm favourite,” says Dellow.

Guaranteed greatness

Agents trying to make the case for a UK break should emphasise the amount of choice right on clients’ doorsteps, says Dellow. “Beautiful coastal resorts, stunning mountain views such as Snowdonia in North Wales, and breathtaking scenery in Scotland for example. Travelling by coach also means someone else does the driving and takes care of parking. Agents who know the product can easily make a couple of bookings in one sale!”

It’s worth also taking advantage of the tendency for many to book two holidays a year, meaning a UK holiday does not have to replace a trip overseas. “The UK is always worth offering as an option to customers, and this is something I tell agents time and time again,” says Dutton.

“We find that many of our customers love to visit places in the UK multiple times, often returning to a place they went to in their childhood that holds precious memories or a place they have grown to love more recently and they return year after year.

Where to book it

THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa has a new ‘Bath on Screen’ package, which includes a two-hour tour of Bridgeton filming locations, led by a guide. The package includes a twonight stay, one lunch, and unlimited use of The Spa & Bath House. Priced from £934 per room. royalcrescent.co.uk •

BROADRAYNE, CUMBRIA

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

BATH’S ROYAL CRESCENT

PENZANCE, CORNWALL

Wendy Wu Talking with

Stuart Forster talks to Wendy Wu, Founder of Wendy Wu Tours, about group tours to China and the emergence of Zhangjiajie as a destination

Q: How did you get into operating tours?

A: I love travel so I think it’s by fate and serendipity. I was a petroleum chemist then I worked for American Express. By chance I got into travel. Our first tour was China Highlights in the 1990s. At that time it was eight ancient cities in 28 days for a fabulous price. So we became known as a specialist tour operator.

Q: What do group tours offer clients interested in visiting china?

A: Because of the language barrier and cultural differences, including different types of food, it can be quite difficult for people to travel by themselves. It is much easier to travel with a fully inclusive specialist tour operator like us because everything is taken care of from the visa to the flights, including guides. Research shows that for backpacking, Russia and China are the hardest countries for independent travel. A group tour operator makes it so much easier. We do also offer tailor-made trips for individuals and their families.

Q: Why are you now promoting Zhangjiajie as a destination?

A: This area has many special features. It has a combination of nature, such as Baofeng Lake and the mountain peaks in Zhangziajie National Forest Park, together with culture in the form of wonderful shows. There are also man-made marvels, such as the Tianmen Mountain cable car – the longest in China – and the world’s highest glass bridge, which has a zip line. Together, you have a combination of city, country, nature, ancient, modern and futuristic. That’s why I brought 85 travel agents to experience it on the 2024 Wendy Wu Tours China Mega Fam.

Q: Generally, how is the demand for trips to China?

A: Pre-COVID, China was booming and it’s a huge sector for our company. For three years, it was completely locked down –China was the first country to lock down and the last one to open.

As soon as it opened, our team came here to check it out for travel agents and customers to see if it was completely safe and had returned to normal. We were so happy to find everything still here and the people warmer than ever before.

Our recovery is good. Nonetheless, tours to China are still not at the level of 2019.

Q: What do you say to those who have previously visited China?

A: China has changed quite a lot. If you have been to China before, then it’s time to come again.

Changsha and Zhangjiajie are wonderful places for both first- or second-time visits to China and the majority of people have not been here, though for Wendy Wu Tours Zhangjiajie is not a new destination.

Our customers were the first Western tourists to visit this area.

The area has been developed a lot, so now we are are adding many more programmes.

Q: How do you expect China to develop as a market for travel?

A: Right now, I think the market is damaged by the politics. But I want all agents to know how much enjoyment visitors to China can have and how warm and lovely the Chinese people are. The natural wonders like the mountains and lakes are out of this world and feature as a backdrop in the film Avatar.

The warm hearts of local people make trips to China unforgettable. This makes it very special for customers. wendywutours.co.uk. •

“The

language barrier and cultural differences, including different types of food, can make it difficult for people to travel independently in China”

Popular holiday spots such as Venice and Bali have started charging a tourist tax.

Do you think this is warranted?

On all levels, I think a tourist tax is warranted to protect a destination from overtourism and to give something back to the local economy.

Travel is an amazing experience that creates jobs and brings economy to a destination, but it is a fine line between creating a tourism industry and overpopulating a destination with tourists which could potentially damage that place – a balance I have often toiled with as a travel agent.

Hopefully it opens up the conversation of sustainability

We want to encourage people to see the world, and our role enables that, but we also have a responsibility to help people travel in the least damaging way. Personally, I think limits on the numbers of people entering a tourist site such as Machu Picchu or the Galapagos, as examples, can only be a good thing as we need to protect these beautiful sites for years to come.

Sustainability is such a key issue in travel now and hopefully tourist taxes can play a part in giving something back, as long as the money gained is used for good. If clients are aware of the taxes in advance, there shouldn’t be a problem, and hopefully it opens up a conversation as to how their trip can have a positive impact too.

Anneka Desrosiers

Southern Cross Travel, East Sussex

The Cruise Specialist

To date, no river cruise destination that I usually book has administered any tourist tax. But I can see the rationale for tourist hotspots looking to get some extra revenue from visitors to pay for the upkeep of attractions and indeed cover some of the infrastructure costs, which may be currently paid for by residents through local taxes.

If clients want to visit such destinations I feel they will be willing to meet small charges - and maybe even

The tax might make clients appreciate the visit more

appreciate the visit more! Although I haven’t had to deal with tourist taxes, I am dealing with cities that have decided to try and limit overtourism by making it harder to visit via river cruises. Amsterdam is an example: the usual city-centre docking location has now been moved to an out-oftown location that requires a bus/taxi/ bike transfer. This is a classic case of totally muddled thinking by politicians and administrators looking to reduce the number of stag and hen parties but instead hitting the typical 50-plus culture-seeking river cruise client.

In due course they will complain about the distance from the city and Amsterdam will lose good business as ships move elsewhere.

James Hill Director of GoRiverCruise Worcestershire

The High Street Agency

Most countries will ask guests for a locally payable tax. In Europe paying a few euros a day doesn’t cause too many complaints from clients. However some resort fees in USA – especially in Las Vegas – can add significant charges to a holiday. Our receipts and paperwork mention these fees, to cover us in case anything is introduced that we didn’t know about at time of booking.

In general, though, I think travellers

Clients seem happy to give back to countries they visit

are familiar with this now and are willing and happy to give back to the countries they are visiting.

I often wonder why the UK doesn’t apply a local tax in hotels; perhaps it’s too hard to administrate?

It’s extra work for the hotels to account for, but if it worked surely it would be beneficial to the UK too?

Bali introduced a tariff in February this year (a tourist tax of $10 per person payable before entering the island) in a bid to preserve the destination’s cultural integrity and crack down on “unruly behaviour”. It also gave the option to pre-pay online before arrival, and reminding our clients of this is just one more job for us travel agents!

Liz Beaty The Travel Team Brampton, Cumbria

I personally don’t agree with destinations like Venice and Bali imposing a tourist tax as I suspect it’s just another scheme to make the rich richer – and that’s not what travel should be about.

I think holidaymakers are already penalised heavily through taxes on flights and hotels and contribute to the local economy by spending money once in the destination. I don’t think it’s fair to keep adding to the cost.

I find any additional costs usually put people off

In fact, I often find taxes and extras put people off booking.

I am writing this from Crete, at one of my favourite places, Goives, which I’ve been coming to for years. They have lovely family-friendly apartments which are so close to the beach.

I have noticed that the local stray cats are looking much healthier since we started raising money for the Greek Cat Welfare charity at the Yorkshire Travel Ball each year.

More than 200 cats have been spayed over the last three years and they have dedicated cat feeders who do the rounds every day, so thank you to all those that continue to donate.

I look forward to seeing you at this year’s Yorkshire Travel Ball in July.

Sandy Murray Sandy’s Travel Escapes

The Homeworker

Japan blossoms

With eccentric experiences and ancient culture aplenty, it’s no surprise that Japan continues to trend as a bucket-list destination. April Waterston gets a taste of its appeal...

“Ilike to listen to Taylor Swift,” says Fukuyu, a fifth-year Gion-based Maiko – words I did not expect to hear from the kimonoclad white-faced apprentice Geisha.

Reaching the end of our private 45-minute audience and tea ceremony, I have long since exhausted the more appropriate questions about Fukuyu’s training and the Geisha lifestyle and lean into my curiosity.

As a teenager, Fukuyu moved from her family home to Gion, Kyoto, to dedicate her life to becoming a Geisha. She cites a life-long interest in tradition as the reason for her lifestyle choice, which includes spending multiple hours getting into the Geisha garb each morning. Yet, in her limited spare time she enjoys the same pop culture as most girls her age. I soon realise that this clash of modernity and tradition is a key part of Japan’s charm. The theme continues the following day as I find myself exploring the historical and ornate Osaka Castle in the morning, and driving whacky go-karts through the brightly-lit streets of Dotonbori in the afternoon.

Prime position

Nowadays it seems like Japan is on the top of every traveller’s bucket list. Despite being one of the last countries to reopen to tourists post-pandemic, tourism figures to Japan are soaring, with an estimated 11.6 million visitors travelling to Japan in January-April 2024 alone.

Now is an excellent time to go, too. Japan is currently a surprisingly affordable destination for UK travellers to visit, due to the current favourable exchange rate for the British pound against the Japanese yen. Tokyo, the capital, was recently named the fourth most affordable destination worldwide in 2024’s Post Office Holiday Money Report.

“2024/25 is the ideal time to visit Japan because the recent increase in interest has led UK travel operators to expand their tour package offerings to Japan, leading to a wide breadth of itineraries across the country, including many lesser-known, regional destinations,” says Yumi Takakubo, Head of Trade Marketing & Partnerships,

“Japan is beginning to address the issue of overtourism, particularly in popular destinations like Kyoto”

UK, Ireland & The Netherlands at the Japanese National Tourism Organisation (JNTO). “These agencies are able to tailor trips extensively to individual preferences, including arranging domestic travel and booking activities. The addition of many cruise options that port across Japan also adds further allure.”

Past the Golden Route

Overtourism has been a hot topic in recent months, especially in high-traffic areas like Kyoto. Excursions such as meeting Geishas are becoming increasingly tricky to secure without the support of an experienced tour company like Inside Japan, which relies on long-standing contacts to facilitate the meetings. Throughout the historic Gion district, ‘no photography’ signs have been erected to discourage disrespectful tourists from loitering and harassing local Geishas for selfies.

“Japan is beginning to address the issue of overtourism, particularly in popular destinations like Kyoto, with further measures expected to be implemented to tackle its impact,” explains Takakubo.

“To ease congestion on the local buses, a new bus service that exclusively serves tourist spots has been operating since

June. Additionally, a luggage forwarding service is available in and around the city, encouraging visitors to use public transport by reducing the need for large luggage space during peak times.”

To play their part, agents can recommend clients visit Japan outside of peak times (for example sakura season in March) and to venture further afield.

“Whilst many tours to Japan focus on the Golden Route, which includes Tokyo and Kyoto, we ask agents to consider recommending tours beyond this,” adds Takakubo. “By doing so, their customers can explore less-visited and beautiful areas of the country on more relaxed tours.”

“Japan has most certainly become a top tourist destination, with many visitors from around the world making their way to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo and Hiroshima,” says Paul Christie, CEO, Walk Japan. “Bolder travellers, however, are increasingly venturing further into the regions. Japan, after all, stretches over 3,000km from the Siberian Sea of Okhotsk

TOURIST CONTROL MEASURES ARE IN PLACE IN GION

OSAKA’S DOTONBORI DISTRICT IS A MUST FOR FOODIES

in the northeast to the sub-tropical East China Sea in the southwest, and is composed of the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Okinawan island chain, plus many thousands of other islands.

“To put it mildly, there is a tremendous amount of variety to explore across Japan,” he adds.

Walk Japan, unsurprisingly, specialises in walking tours. “Walking, being an innate human pursuit, offers an immersive experience, allowing us to connect well with our surroundings while creating space for personal and communal time. It serves as an ideal avenue for socialising with fellow travellers, engaging with locals, and fostering a sense of belonging within the natural environment and local communities,” says Christie.

But what if your client has their heart set on seeing the famous cherry blossoms?

Perhaps Tohoku is the answer, suggests David Peat, Senior Product Executive at Audley Travel. “Visitors to Japan often believe that opportunities to see the iconic cherry blossom are limited, but by heading north to Tohoku, where it blooms later in the year, this period is expanded.”

What’s new

Journey to Tsuruga: The Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) line has recently been extended by 124km to Tsuruga station in Fukui Prefecture. Home to the Kehi Shrine and a number of picturesque beaches, Tsuruga is worth a visit. shinkansen-ticket.com

See the sights: Also in Tsuruga, a new sightseeing train, Hana Akari by JR West, is set to launch in October, travelling between Tsuruga Station (where the new Hokuriku Shinkansen now ends) and Kinosaki Onsen. westjr.co.jp

Take to the skies: A new helicopter and hiking tour will take flight in Shizuoka this September exploring Japan’s Southern Alps. Offering views of Mount Fuji and its surrounding peaks, the tour includes stops at a rejuvenating mountain onsen, a traditional ryokan and Japan’s most remote whisky distillery. lns-nihon.jp

Glamping in Kawaguchiko: Newlyrenovated villas at Glamping Villa Hanz in Kawaguchiko offer a serene escape amidst the natural beauty of Japan’s Fuji Five Lakes region, providing an alternative base to Hakone. gv-hanz.com

Fly to Nagoya: Finnair has resumed its twice-weekly connection between Helsinki and Nagoya, Japan’s fourth largest city. finnair.com

Take a tour

One step forward: Walk Japan has launched the new Kyoto: Mountains to the Sea tour. It explores Kyoto Prefecture, a rural region where the contrast with Kyoto’s urban landscape could not be more stark. The fullyguided eight-day tour ventures through Kyoto’s backcountry. walkjapan.com

Spiritual heartland: Bamboo Travel has added a 13-night Japan’s Spiritual Heartland tour to its portfolio. Travellers can journey through Japan’s heartland, including a multi-day walk along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail and a night at the revered Mount Koya. bambootravel.co.uk

Sakura search: The cherry blossom season has expanded with the reintroduction of Tohoku to Audley Travel’s portfolio of destinations. Located in the most northern region of the mainland, the iconic flowers bloom into April. audleytravel.com

Deluxe with Geluxe: From discovering the villages outside Kyoto on foot and kayaking Japan’s deepest lake to walking the newly-opened Michinoku Coastal Trail, G Adventure’s Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & the Michinoku Coastal Trail dives deep into Japan’s past and present. Each day offers ample opportunity to explore outdoors. gadventures.com

Where to book it

EXPLORE

Travel from super-modern Tokyo to villages, castles and temples that remain unchanged from the times of the Shogun and Samurai on Explore’s 14-day Simply Japan tour. Prices start from £3,999pp for 14 days, including breakfast and accommodation, a night in a traditional ryokan, one night in a monastery and internal travel. explore.co.uk •

MASCOTS ARE COMMON ACROSS JAPAN

SAKURA SEASON RUNS LATE IN THE NORTH

FEED DEER IN NARA

An almighty adventure

awaits

Simply Japan

Travel from super-modern Tokyo to villages, castles and temples that remain unchanged from the times of the Shogun and Samurai. Stay in a Buddhist temple and a family-run ryokan, meet snow monkeys and tame deer, and experience the modern and the ancient in this invigorating country.

14 days from only £3799pp

Daily departures now added for Cherry Blossom season.

Subject to availability (price based on selected departures in Nov/Dec 2024, Trip only) - For full itinerary details visit explore.co.uk/QJS

Our full range of trips in Japan

True small groups (average 11/max 16)

Named characterful accommodation

Expert leaders | Unforgettable experiences

Guaranteed departures | Feefo platinum rated

Price Parity and Fully funded loyalty discounts

Dedicated trade sales team: trade@explore.co.uk

Winter activities

in Cologne

With festive traditions and warming treats keeping the cold at bay, Cologne in Germany makes for the perfect winter city break

Cologne Cathedral

Dominating an open square, set amid the reconstructed old town, Cologne Cathedral is an imposing introduction to the 2,000 year-old city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the twin-spired building’s high Gothic architecture is emblematic of the region. After visiting the Shrine of the Three Kings and the Cathedral Treasury, climb 533 steps up to the tower for sweeping panoramic views of twinkling Christmas lights.

Cologne Old Town

Wrap up warm and take to the cobbled streets of the Old Town, a hive of shops, restaurants and bustling activity. Take in the colourful gables, historic buildings and Romanesque Churches that are reminders of the town’s medieval origins. As the beating heart of the city, the Old Town is a great place to sip a famous local beer Kölsch at breweries such as Früh, or sip a mulled wine in one of the many squares.

Chocolate Museum

When the weather is cold outside, there’s nothing that warms the soul quite like chocolate. Those with a sweet tooth will love the Chocolate Museum in the Rheinauhafen district which demonstrates a traditional production process. In the museum, the world’s most comprehensive cocoa exhibition can be found, spanning 5,000 years of chocolatemaking history. The gold chocolate fountain is not to be missed.

Rheinauhafen district

Contrasting with the old world feel of the Old Town, the Rheinauhafen district is a city of the future. Featuring beautifully renovated warehouses and experimental Kranhaus buildings, the modern architecture blends with Cologne’s historic charm along the Rhine River. Entry is across the iconic swing bridge, offering a gateway to delights such as the German Sport & Olympia Museum, cafés, restaurants and the Chocolate Museum.

Street Art in Cologne

Cologne is considered Germany’s art hub, with vibrant murals, graffiti and street art on show from Ehrenfeld to the Belgian Quarter and throughout the city centre. Cologne offers an impressive array of urban art, which can be discovered using the Urban Art Map, a digital guide showcasing the diverse artistic landscape. Other hotspots include the Latin Quarter, Nippes and Mülheim.

Christmas Markets

As the festive season approaches, traditional German Christmas markets pop up across Cologne, including the splendid and immensely popular Market of Hearts, clustered around the Cathedral.

There are many themed Christmas markets, all of which create festive cheer with traditional nativity scenes, handmade decorations, twinkling lights and warming mulled wine.

Cologne,

Germany

Germany’s fourth-largest city and a long weekend choice has a hefty offering when it comes to taking in its art, architecture and trendy neighbourhoods

Day 1: Hit the town

Morning: Fuel up for a busy day of exploring with breakfast at Café Reichard, situated directly in view of the beautiful Gothic Cologne Cathedral. After enjoying the extensive breakfast buffet and admiring the cathedral from the outside, head in to explore further. The UNESCO World Heritage building houses the Shrine of the Three Kings and the Cathedral Treasury. Its rooftop doesn’t disappoint either, with views across the entire city.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon in the Belgian Quarter, strolling through the charming streets and window shopping in its unique boutiques. As the trendiest neighbourhood in Cologne, this district

offers a plethora of galleries, theatres, pubs, cafés and bars. Stop by the Stadtgarten, which serves as a beer garden, music venue, or Christmas market in winter.

Evening: Make your way towards the Old Town and the Rhine via Neumarkt and Heumarkt, taking the time to appreciate the cobbled streets and gabled buildings of this restored medieval part of the city. Keep the experience authentic by ordering a cold Kölsch, the local beer, in a traditional brewery, then head to dinner at Ox & Klee or Maibeck. The former has a meat and seafood or vegetarian menu to choose from, while Maibeck is the proud owner of a Michelin star.

Book it with... BA and Hilton Flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Cologne/Bonn on November 21 2024 cost from £60 return. A two-night stay at the Hilton Cologne, close to the Cologne Cathedral, including breakfast is priced from £174. britishairways.com; hilton.com

Day 2: As sweet as chocolate

Morning: Discover Europe’s largest Pop Art collection and the world’s third-largest collection of Picassos at the Museum Ludwig, just steps away from Cologne Cathedral and the Rhine River. After a cultured morning, enjoy a leisurely walk along the riverside promenade towards the Rheinauhafen neighbourhood, with its modern architecture, cafes, restaurants and historic buildings.

Afternoon: Conveniently located right at Rheinauhafen, the Chocolate Museum is a delight for visitors with a sweet tooth. A variety of chocolate treats, along with idyllic river views, are on offer in the Chocolat Grand Café, while the museum is

worth a visit to brush up on the history of chocolate. Afterwards, embark on a one-hour panoramic Rhine cruise with Köln-Düsseldorfer for a leisurely tour.

Evening: Spend the evening on the other side of the Rhine. Start off with a stroll across the Hohenzollern Bridge, famous for its thousands of love locks, stopping to read the messages. Then continue on to the Köln-Triangle observation deck for more impressive views of the city, including the twin-spires of the cathedral. Just a short walk away is Grissini, an Italian restaurant with a vista of the Rhine boulevard. Pasta, seafood and tiramisu can all be washed down with a spritz. •

SEE THE CITY FROM A RIVER CRUISE

BELGIAN QUARTER

GOTHIC COLOGNE CATHEDRAL

LOVE LOCKS ON HOHENZOLLERN BRIDGE

Accessing the Middle East Destination in focus

The Middle East is taking progressive strides towards providing accessible options for travellers. Sheena Adesilu investigates

The Middle East has adopted a stronger stance on accessibility in recent years, with many governments and organisations taking proactive measures. From wheelchairadapted transportation solutions and accessible activities to sign language interpreters and audio announcements, inclusivity is gaining traction in the region.

Open to all...

In fact, the UAE introduced the clinical term ‘People of Determination’ for those with disabilities or special needs and all seven emirates have enforced a raft of accessibility regulations for travellers who need additional support.

Equal rights and protection from discrimination are top of the agenda, with The People of Determination Protection from Abuse Policy and the Emirati Sign Language Directory taking centre stage.

The Zayed Higher Organisation in Abu Dhabi also provides support in the form of counselling and training.

The UAE boasts several accessible parks like Dubai Miracle Garden or Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.

Animal lovers are also catered for, with many accessible zoos in the country, such as Sharjah Breeding Centre for

Endangered Arabian Wildlife or Dubai Zoo. Shopping malls across the Emirates are equipped with wheelchair ramps and Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC), offer a full range of special services and facilities, starting with prioritised drop-off zones, dedicated check-in areas and accessible washrooms. There are also financial incentives available for disabled tourists such as discounts on services and attractions. This could include discounted fares on public transport or reduced entrance fees at museums and parks.

Raising the bar...

Paralympic medalist Kevin Paul recently partnered with Visit Dubai to raise accessibility awareness and highlight the most accessible sites for fitness in the city. These include Wellfit Gym, Aventura and Jumeirah Public Beach.

For some family-friendly fun, LEGOLAND Dubai offers a range of accessible rides. Guests can claim a Ride Access Pass to enter most rides via a listed entrance.

It is also advised to choose a designated Responsible Helper to assist with getting in and out of the rides.

There are wheelchair-friendly lifts and a Q-Fast entrance, too. •

Mark Dyer, Accessibility Director of Destination Development at Red Sea Global in Saudi Arabia: How can the travel sector facilitate accessible infrastructure?

If infrastructure is designed from the outset to be accessible for disabled people, it is designed to be accessible for everyone. If businesses get that right, then the demand from disabled people will be high. Usability and flexibility of the space will increase. It’s a huge untapped market. What can be done to mitigate anxiety for impaired people? At the start of the booking process, disabled people want to know that you’ve listened to them. It’s really important to be honest, especially if things don’t work. Make the client aware and manage expectations. Try to encourage a level of openness and communication. It’s about keeping people safe and giving them confidence. Dignity and independence are key.

And you are developing accessible initiatives?

Yes, we’re creating a new set of technical standards that will encompass the best of global accessible design. They will also include understanding cultural requirements in the Middle East, such as the design of prayer rooms and mosques. At Red Sea Global, we offer a handful of active tours, including hiking, scuba diving and sailing. Our goal is to create different options for all abilities.

DUBAI SKYLINE

Finding Americana in

TArkansas

One of the American South's 'lesser known' states offers a host of authentic experiences and plenty of surprises, discovers Steve Hartridge

he bumpy gravel road is unerringly straight and divides two fields that gave up their crops a few weeks earlier.

A ball of white fluff, a stray from the annual cotton harvest, skips down it before tumbling into a pool of water that has gathered in the adjacent soil.

Ominous looking ebony clouds are rolling in, but the now monochrome afternoon seems fitting for my visit to the home of one of the USA's true musical legends.

For Johnny Cash was known as the 'Man in Black' and his restored childhood home stands alone among cotton fields in the small northeastern Arkansas town of Dyess, in the region of the state known as the Mississippi Delta River.

The one-level home is set up as it was when Johnny lived there with his family in the 1940s, but this solitary modest structure hints at a bigger story: it's one of the few surviving buildings that were once part of a grand experiment, a key plank of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal that between 1933 and 1938 created a huge range of public works projects designed to create jobs to get the country's labour force moving again after the ravages of the Great Depression.

The Dyess Colony was an ambitious project: starting in 1934, eventually 500 homes were built to establish a permanent community of independent farmers, a pioneering effort designed to drag the rural population out of desperate poverty.

Johnny Cash lived there, during the day working in his father's cotton fields and in

the evening singing hymns on the porch while his mother played the piano.

That very piano is now displayed in the house and during our two-hour tour we hear the full story of both the Cash family and the Dyess community.

A musical legend, a snapshot of U.S. history, cotton, a harsh rural landscape – it is all here in a tiny corner of Arkansas, a microcosm of the American South; a slice of true Americana.

The Waltons

Arkansas calls itself 'The Natural State', a nod to its many scenic highlights – think rolling hills, the Ozark mountains, rivers, caves, forests and even hot springs. But the 'Surprise State' would be an equally apt epithet as a visit throws up 'living history' aplenty and many 'Oh, I didn't know that was in Arkansas' moments.

Take the sister towns of Rogers and Bentonville, in the state's northwest corner, two small towns with a big-town vibe that both claim to be the home of Walmart, the USA's largest retailer.

Sam Walton opened his first store in Rogers in 1962, but he conceived the idea for a giant discount store in nearby Bentonville and opened Walton's '5&10' – or 'nickel and dime store' – on its downtown square a dozen years earlier.

That original Walton’s 5&10 is now home to a Walmart Museum, which has its original floor tiles as well as toys, candy and books straight out of the old days. It's currently undergoing a restoration and will open again later in 2024. For now there's

In Little Rock I visit the impressive Clinton Presidential

Library

a temporary exhibit nearby that includes a somewhat unnerving hologram of Sam Walton, who offers sound bites on Walmart's history, corporate philosophy and bid for world domination (there are now 11,000-plus Walmart stores worldwide).

The Walmart influence also extends to one of Arkansas' best-known attractions, the world-class Crystal Bridges, a museum of American art created by philanthropist Alice Walton that is set among acres of Ozark forest. The building and grounds are eye-catching and include forest trails, sculpture gardens and waterside pavilions.

Rogers, Fort Smith, Fayetteville

More shades of Americana are found in Rogers, an old 'railway town' where many of the store fronts in the charming downtown area are registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

But this is no sleepy forgotten backwater: an estimated 40 people are moving there a day for the town's research, high-tech and business sectors.

It is also attracting entrepreneurs like John Allen, owner of the Onyx Coffee Shop that is housed in a historic ex- warehouse. Describing himself as a "purveyor of highend coffee", John tells us that Onyx is the country's "most awarded coffee roaster".

"We source our beans from 800 sustainable growers and are the only 100% full transparency company. We're proud of that, and so is Rogers," he says.

I walk a few blocks to the Daisy Airgun Museum, which tells the story of the BB air rifle that our guide tells me is "everyone's favourite first gun". Back in the day the toy firearm that fires small metal balls and is the scourge of small birds everywhere was so popular it spawned its own phrase: 'It's a Daisy!" – meaning "that's really cool".

In Little Rock, the state capital, I visit the impressive Clinton Presidential Library and join a guided tour of Little Rock High School, the scene of a major confrontation in the struggle for civil rights in the late1950s when a handful of black school kids defied threats and violence to take their places in a previously all-white school.

In Fayetteville, next to the University of Arkansas, we visit the first home of Bill and Hillary Clinton, who in 1975 got married in the small front room.

In Fort Smith, at the new U.S. Marshals Museum I learn the story of how in the mid-19th century the law enforcement agency started out by chasing the bad guys of the Wild West into dangerous Indian Territory – and arrested and returned fugitive slaves to their masters until 1861 – and how today they apprehend terrorists, criminals and take custody of federal prisoners. The building, shaped like the star on a U.S. Marshal's badge, has fun interactive exhibits and memorabilia from various eras.

Johnny Cash, Walmart, Bill Clinton, the BB Gun, Civil Rights, U.S. Marshals – it doesn't get more Americana than this. Arkansas? It's a daisy! •

Authentic Texas in

Grapevine

A convenient and perfect Gateway to Texas and the central U.S., Historic Grapevine is a small town that is packed full of authentic ‘Americana’ attractions and family-focused experiences

Just a 10-minute drive from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport –with downtown Dallas and Forth Worth both under 30 minutes’ drive away – Grapevine is a small but characterful city known for its walkability and genuine warm Texan hospitality. When it comes to the range of things to do, Grapevine packs a mighty punch for its size: on offer is a historic town centre, bistros and cafes, family-focused attractions, great shopping, the tasting rooms of local wineries – and there’s cowboy culture on the doorstep at the Historic Stockyards. Getting around is easy thanks to the complimentary shuttle service that operates across three routes, providing connections from Grapevine Main Station to local hotels and attractions.

Historic District

Grapevine’s Historic Main Street District is home to more than 80 boutique stores, bistros, cafés, art galleries, working art studios – including the Vetro Glassblowing Studio – the International Porcelain Artists Museum and winery tasting rooms.

The self-guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour highlights buildings such as the Glockenspiel Clock Tower and the Grapevine Calaboose, a concrete jail cell that held outlaws from 1909-1957.

Grapevine Urban Wine Trail

Texas has a long history of wine production with its wines drawing comparisons to Spanish and Italian varietals – and Grapevine is appropriately named for the abundance of grapes that originally grew there. Follow Grapevine’s Urban Wine Trail, a collection of wineries, and sample fullbodied reds and crisp whites at winery tasting rooms along Main Street. Grapevine Wine Tours offer guided daily wine-tasting tours that include lunch or dinner.

Family time

And there’s much to do for families thanks to the Peppa Pig World of Play, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center – which also hosts adult nights. All three are at the vast Grapevine Mills shopping destination which has outlet stores and Meow Wolf’s The Real Unreal, an immersive experience straddling entertainment and art.

Dates for the diary

Festivals are a great way to meet locals. As the Christmas Capital of Texas® the city comes alive during the festive season with 1,400 in a 40-day period.

Craft brewing is central to Main Street Fest (May 16-18, 2025) while wine production is showcased during GrapeFest® (September 12-15, 2024). Nearby, AT&T Stadium in Arlington is the Dallas Cowboys’ home and will host nine games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making Grapevine an ideal base for sports fans. •

GRAPEVINE MAIN STATION

WIN A FAM TRIP... UK travel agents can win a place on a fam to Grapevine this autumn to coincide with GrapeFest®. Agents can enter by visiting grapevinetexasagentpromo.co.uk

LIVE MUSIC AT GRAPEFEST

SAMPLING CRAFT BREWS

Next level

all-inclusives

Cancun and the Riviera Maya are already firm favourites for all-inclusive holidays and their appeal is set to widen even further thanks to continued investment, says Bev Fearis

When it comes to all-inclusive holidays it’s hard to beat the diversity on offer in the neighbouring Mexican resorts of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Along this stretch of the Yucatan Peninsula, you’ll find everything from intimate, boutique-style properties to the all-singing, all-dancing mega resorts with multiple pools, kids clubs, spas, nightly entertainment, and so many food and drink options that you could take a two-week break and still enjoy a different dining experience every mealtime. And, due to strong demand for all-in breaks, the choice is widening.

Big but boutique

Welcoming UK guests from November 2024, the AVA Resort Cancun is promising to take the all-inclusive concept to the next level by offering the best of both worlds.

From AIC Hotel Group, the people that brought us Eden Roc Miami Beach and Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, AVA is promising the luxury

and personal service of a boutique five-star hotel but on a much larger scale – 1,622 rooms, suites and villas, in fact, and all of them directly facing the Caribbean Sea.

Resembling two giant cruise ships, the AVA will have beachfront access (with a breaker to ensure calm waters to swim in). For those who don’t want to get sand between their toes, there’s a 2.8-acre, eco-friendly saltwater lagoon, with floating cabanas.

Guests can choose from a further six swimming pools, a 66,000 square feet spa with 55 treatment rooms, 11,000 square feet of elite fitness space, and numerous boutiques and souvenir shops.

Helmed by award-winning chefs and mixologists, there are no less than 27 restaurants and bars, all accessed from one central internal boulevard which runs in each direction from the vast, stylish lobby.

Brand new

Already well represented in Mexico with its countless brands, Marriott is demonstrating

its commitment to the all-inclusive market this summer by reaunching one of its Marriott branded properties – previously offering B&B or half-board - as Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort.

Although it already has a collection of hotels under its All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy brand, this will be the first Marriott branded hotel on an all-inclusive basis.

In the Costa Mujeres area, on a wafer-thin peninsula stretching upwards from Cancun, the hotel is re-launching with renovated rooms, new pools and a water park.

Later this year, Marriott is joining forces with Playa Hotels & Resorts to create the Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Adult All-Inclusive Resort in Puerto Morelos. Previously under Hyatt’s Zoëtry brand, the hotel will re-open with 100 oceanfront suites, three restaurants and a sushi and ceviche bar.

A ‘resort within the resort’ will have 10 suites with private plunge pools and beach access, an intimate exclusive pool, and two dedicated restaurants with a private chef.

BAHIA PRINCIPE, LUXURY AUKUMAL

MELIA PARADISUS LA PERLA

DAVID MASSEY

BEACHFRONT BY THE FIVES

Take five

With just 38 rooms, the new Beachfront by The Fives is another adults-only boutique all-inclusive. It opened earlier this year on Xcalacoco Beach in the Riviera Maya. It’s the fourth hotel from Spanish group The Fives Hotels & Residences and all guests here have full access to the larger Essence at The Fives Beach next door.

The group also owns its own Dive Centre and all four of its hotels offer bespoke diving packages, from three-day courses to advanced five to 10-day packages.

Mayan style

Guests can enjoy a more exclusive experience at the recently-refurbished Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal thanks to two new room types: Junior Suite Premium and Junior Suite Deluxe Swim Up, with direct pool access. With wood furnishing and rustic touches, both take inspiration from Mayan culture.

Surrounded by tropical jungle and with direct sea access, this family-friendly resort

also has an exclusive adults-only beachfront area with an infinity pool.

Next door is the PGA Riviera Maya professional golf course and guests are also offered unlimited access to the à la carte restaurants and bars at the three other Bahia Principe resorts within the Bahia Principe Riviera Maya complex.

Foodie heaven

Major investment at the five-star all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya has brought a host of enhancements at Heaven, the adults-only side of the resort, including three new restaurants, deluxe swim-up rooms, poolside cabanas and a new lively pool.

Umo, a new Mexican Yucatan inspired restaurant, offers traditional menus and Mayan PIB oven-style dishes along with handmade artisanal tortillas.

Meanwhile, Wai specialises in Thai with handmade noodles cooked at the wok show station, and Faro is a food hall inspired by fish and farmers markets.

Book it...with Fives Hotels & Residences A seven-night all-inclusive stay for two people sharing a Junior Suite at The Fives Oceanfront is £3,204, including flights with British Airways. thefiveshotels.com/oceanfront

Immersive experience

At the Melia Paradisus Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, guests in superior rooms can now visit a local cenote guided by a Mexican shaman for a private meditation and yoga class as part of the group’s new Destination Inclusive initiative, designed to give guests a flavour of the destination they are staying in.

Launched last year, each Melia resort offers a carefully-curated range of unique local activities inside and outside the hotel, with other experiences available to guests in all room types.

Holidaymakers who want to venture outside of their all-inclusive resorts on excursions can now book tours with TUI Musement – even if they haven’t travelled with TUI.

There are dozens of TUI Collection excursions or National Geographic Day Tours in the Cancun and Riviera Maya area, and thousands across the world, available at tuimusement.com or via the new TUI Musement app. •

BAHIA PRINCIPE, LUXURY AUKUMAL

AVA RESORT CANCUN

HARD ROCK HOTEL RIVIERA MAYA

THE FIVES OCEANFRONT

Growing gains

Enquiries and bookings are looking healthy but Canada has major plans to see more tourists venturing into all of Canada's provinces and territories year-round, says Steve Hartridge

“All aboard!” is the clarion call and one that prompts a group shuffle out of Vancouver’s train station and onto the platform. Waiting for us are the silvercoloured carriages, emblazoned with a red maple leaf and the distinctive yellow logo, of Via Rail’s The Canadian I make my way to near the front, to Car 9, and find my sleeper cabin, Seat C.

I just have time to drop my bag and check out my pull-down bed before the train slowly splutters into life and a steward points me the way to a departure drink.

It is 15.00 and I am heading to Jasper, on a taster trip that involves an overnight on the train. In four days, some of the passengers will be deposited in Toronto. There is something uniquely uplifting about the start of a rail journey, a sense of anticipation and escapism and of leaving the

ordinary behind for a while; even a time for self-contemplation and discovery.

Rail travel can feel epic, almost timeless, and there is an immediate authenticity to this train. Although the fittings are perfectly modern, most of the carriages are over 50 years old, which just adds to the charm and sense of history.

The fact that the Rocky Mountains lie ahead along with a day of adventure activities in Canada’s quintessential mountain town, adds to the anticipation.

As we head out of Vancouver, the train now settled into a comforting rhythm, the skyline of the city is replaced by cactus, sagebrush and isolated pinnacles of rock called hoodoos.

The Canadian’s boast of being ‘Canada’s best window’ is not an idle one: from the comfort of my cabin, or from the domed Park car, the passing scenery is often mesmerising. We crowd around windows to see Hell’s Gate, a famous stretch of

rapids where the current is so swift that there’s a fish ladder to help salmon swim upstream. Ahead lies the glorious Rocky Mountains and Mt Robson, at 3,954 the range’s tallest Peak.

Along the way we enjoy meals showcasing Canadian and regional cuisines – Cajun salmon, rack of lamb, maple Dijon chicken –prepared by the train’s own chefs.

The night brings its own adventures with the Northern Lights making an appearance and visible from the train’s glass windows.

The next day we squeeze in an extra lunch before arriving in Jasper. The Canadian’s timetable is, how shall I say, a little on the loose side with arrival times ‘subject to change’. This is because the train ‘shares’ the tracks with those of Canada’s two freight companies, which have right of way when two trains meet on a single track.

Onboard stewards even have a name for this, which they call ‘cushion time’.

We build up plenty of cushion time, with several stops that last for minutes at a time while we wait for those other trains to roll by, and we arrive into Jasper four hours after the scheduled time.

But no matter, The Canadian is more about the journey, not a fast dash to a destination that’s not going anywhere.

Opportunity knocks

Canada has slipped down the table of favourite travel destinations but has a plan

in place to arrest the slide. The Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, which measures the impact of factors and policies which enable sustainable development of tourism and its contribution to over 100 countries worldwide, ranked Canada 13th, a drop of three places from its previous position and marking the first time Canada has fallen out of the top ten.

However, Destination Canada is working to keep Canada’s tourism sector competitive and a new tourism strategy roadmap titled 'A World of Opportunity' hopes to transform the way tourism is “experienced, expanded, promoted and measured” in the country.

Underpinned by closer cooperation between all the players involved in Canada's tourism industry, the goal is to see the country become a top seven global tourism destination by 2030, with an aim of generating $160 billion in annual revenue, up from around $140 billion at present. But the strategy goes beyond the bottom line and also has a key regenerative and transformational aim (for travellers).

“We want Canada to be a destination that resonates deeply with travellers. And not just because of their experience here, but because travel to Canada leaves a mark on their hearts and gives them stories to tell long after they return home,” says Marsha Walden, CEO, Destination Canada.

“Canada is world-renowned for the beauty of its land, rugged coastlines, and majestic wildlife. That’s worth protecting. Tourism

CANADA TAKING OFF

Canada’s regions are set to be boosted by a raft of new air services

Westjet: A new Westjet flight between Gatwick and St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador this summer provides a timely boost for the Atlantic provinces.

The three-times-weekly seasonal service, operated by a Boeing 737-8 aircraft, will run until October 25, 2024. It marks the destination’s first non-stop service from Europe since 2019. WestJet Vice President for External Affairs, Andrew Gibbons, says the carrier is "closing the critical gap in air accessibility for the province from one of Europe's most popular travel hubs".

Westjet also flies from Gatwick to Halifax and from Heathrow to Calgary and is operating nonstop services from Edinburgh to Calgary, Toronto and Halifax.

Air Transat: The airline has two direct routes between Gatwick and Québec this summer: to Québec City and a daily service to Montréal.

Air Transat also operates double daily flights between Gatwick and Toronto, as well as daily flights from Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin to Toronto.

Virgin Atlantic: The airline will launch a daily service between Heathrow and Toronto Pearson International Airport on March 30 2025, its first service to Canada in a decade. Flights will be operated by a mix of aircraft including the A330-900neo, the latest addition to Virgin’s fleet. Virgin is expanding its codeshare partnership with WestJet from October, allowing connections from Toronto to destinations such as Ottawa and Winnipeg.

can only flourish in the long-term when it is supported by a healthy environment and welcoming communities. We are adopting a regenerative approach to tourism growth – to preserve, improve, and repair our environment. When tourism thrives, we all thrive," she said.

"We’ll concentrate on travellers who stay longer, spend more, seek local culture, and truly engage with Canada, leaving our destinations better than they found them and becoming advocates for Canada through word-of-mouth."

The A World of Opportunity initiative also “provides a platform for truthful storytelling". It states: "To truly represent Canada to the world, we must understand our history. We are a country of both amazing achievements and terrible injustices. We need to see it for what it is, what it has been, what it is becoming. From here, we must build the Canada we want."

Reasons for seasons

An aim of this regenerative approach is to draw more visitors in the "off seasons", that is winter and autumn, which offer “underexploited opportunities”. This will need significant investment to expand operations and create new product, admits Walden.

Several UK operators are already selling Canada as a year-round destination and are promoting the 'less-busy' seasons.

These include Canadian Affair, whose Head of Marketing Nick Talbot says both autumn and winter offer plenty of opportunities for visitors. “Winter presents some unique

experiences that are not to be missed. Skiing in Whistler is a must do alongside staying at the Ice Hotel in Québec and visiting the Polar Bears of Manitoba at Tundra Buggy Lodge.

“And autumn is a great time to visit Canada as usually the crowds are smaller and the weather is still good; I recommend this as a great time for couples to visit,” he says.

Canadian Affair has launched an Alberta Agents Ski Incentive offer for agents, who can take a partner to Banff and Lake Louise for skiing/winter activities at a heavily discounted rate. “The aim is to expand agents’ familiarisation of these unique experiences so that they can offer them to their customers,” says Talbot.

Charlotte Porritt, Product Manager, Canada, Alaska and the Polar regions for Discover the World, recommends autumn for its wide range of experiences.

“September and October are good months to see the colours on a rail or self-drive trip and this is also peak bear viewing season, particularly for spotting grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest, polar bears in Churchill, and for seeing the Northern Lights,” she says.

Denise Hunn, Canada Programme Manager for Prestige Travel, agrees.

"Early to mid-October is one of my favourite times to visit. I was in British Columbia last October and have a great video of a grizzly bear and a black bear just wandering around the edge of a salmon fishing river in Campbell River,” she enthuses. “While winter is not a huge seller for us, it really should be with the great range of non-ski activities available.”

'THE BEST SEAT IN CANADA'

VIA RAIL'S THE CANADIAN

Explore Québec City with Air Transat this summer

Direct Flights

The UK’s only direct service to Quebec City from London Gatwick this summer.

Economy Class Ergonomic seats, complimentary meal and inflight entertainment.

Club Class Exclusive 12-seat Premium Economy cabin, for an elevated travel experience.

A321LR Modern fleet of the most energy-efficient aircraft in its class.

Destination Québec cité’s new e-learning platform, Académie Québec cité, offers you everything there is to know about this enchanting city, with prizes to be won!

The majority of Audley Travel clients travel to Canada during the summer but Canada Product Manager James Butler is keen to position the country as a fourseason destination.

“We are all in favour of extending the summer season to include the months of May and October, which offer exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, autumn colours, fewer tourists and good value. We look forward to working with Destination Canada to grow visitation in these shoulder months, and throughout the year,” he says.

Selling fast

Canada is selling well for the UK’s Canada specialist tour operators. “Demand for 2025 is very strong. we are seeing record levels of forward business and the demand for holidays next year started earlier in comparison to previous years,” says Canadian Affair’s Talbot.

That's a view echoed by Lorna Curry, Head

of Product at First Class Holidays. “Canada is selling very well and bookings for 2025 are strong, with more clients booking much earlier than before,” she says.

While Toronto, Vancouver and the Rockies remain ever-popular, second- and third-time visitors are venturing to other regions of Canada, says Discover the World’s Porritt.

“We have a lot of repeat bookers who like to explore other parts of the country, such as the Atlantic regions and the Yukon.

"We have seen an increased interest from clients for alternative travel options, like rail and motorhome holidays,” she says.

Western Canada continues to be a huge draw for First Class Holidays' clients but Curry says there is now more dispersion across Canada’s provinces and territories claiming: ”We are doing a lot of work with the other provinces including Atlantic Canada and Ontario, and it’s good to see slightly more off-the-beaten-track and unusual itineraries selling well.”

For Audley's James Butler, Québec and the Atlantic provinces offer exciting opportunities. "We are developing an innovative new range of product and places for both,” he says.

As always, the advice to travel agents is to book as far in advance as possible, particularly for in-demand regions and products such as the Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer and Churchill.

“With a short lead-in time it is difficult to find hotels in Banff and Lake Louise, which quickly get booked up or are available only at a high premium,” says Gary Worthington, Senior Product Executive at Lusso.

Worthington says increased flight options (see side panel) will open up new opportunities. “I recently flew with WestJet for the first time and was impressed by the smooth connections through Calgary,” he says. “We are hoping the airline’s services to Atlantic Canada will boost our East Coast bookings when we get Nova Scotia online."

RAFTING THE ATHABASCA RIVER

VANCOUVER, AS SEEN FROM A HARBOUR AIR FLIGHTSEEING PLANE

In February 2025 Vancouver will also host the first-ever winter edition of the Invictus Games and the following year, two cities will hosting FIFA World Cup matches: Toronto (six matches) and Vancouver (seven). The time is right, it seems, for Canada to finally realise that world of opportunity.

What's new

Ferry: A new ferry service, operated by Hullo Ferries, links downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo on Vancouver island. Two fast catamarans make the crossing in around 70 minutes.

Hotel: Niagara Falls, Ontario, will welcome its first five-star hotel in late 2026 or early 2027. The $200-million property will occupy the site of a former power generating station at Niagara Falls, built more than a century ago. The refurbished building will include a rooftop observation deck with a view of the falls, a public art gallery and a craft brewery.

Hotel: New in Prince Edward Island is Blackbush Resort, located by the water’s edge at Tracadie Bay and surrounded by the

PEI National Park. Around 20 minutes northeast of Charlottetown, the resort’s original hotel was destroyed by fire in 1906. Plans include a hotel, a seafood restaurant, a fish market, holiday cottages and shops.

Tour: New this summer, Harbour Air’s Butchart Gardens Flights 'n' Flowers half-day tour is a 30-minute scenic seaplane service that operates from downtown Vancouver to The Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island.

Travellers enjoy a flight over British Columbia’s coast followed by a visit to the floral displays and serene landscapes of the gardens, a 55-acre attraction, before taking the return flight to Vancouver.

Train: Coming to Montréal in 2027 is an electric train service that will speed passengers from the city's airport to downtown in 22 minutes. All stations in the network will be equipped with elevators to cater to passengers with luggage.

Tour: Ahous Adventures, in Tofino, B.C., owned and operated by the Ahousaht Nation, launched last summer season and is now hosting travellers on eco and cultural tours of Ahousat territorial lands and waters,

including hot springs, bear watching and whale watching experiences.

Art: The Remai Modern art gallery in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, opened an Indigenous garden this summer that includes a collection of medicinal plants.

Trade News

Each Wednesday (at 16.00) Destination Canada runs its Canada Specialist Programme Webinars.

“Agents have lots of fun learning about Canada coast to coast to coast, season to season with our tourist board and product partners,” says Adam Hanmer, Manager, Travel Trade at Destination Canada.

“Our CSP Elite programme launched in 2024 and we already have 20 top independent travel agents onboard.

“Over the next two years these agents will have access to Fam trips to Ontario, Winter Rockies, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia. The programme culminates with an exclusive overnight training event in a top UK hotel.” Register at canadaspecialist.co.uk. •

Rockies From Rainforest to

British Columbia is highlighting a series of new itineraries – exploring the dramatic landscapes from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies

THE SIGNATURE CIRCLE ROUTE

(7-10 Days): Starting in Vancouver, this route takes you from the Pacific Ocean to the Canadian Rockies and back again. It takes in the mountain town of Whistler, jade-hued Lillooet Lake, canyons and rivers.

The leg between Kamloops and Valemount promises outdoorsy thrills like trail hiking, water-based activities, mineral springs, lava beds, waterfall-watching and the chance to see bears and kokanee salmon thriving at Blue River in the North Thompson Valley. Then there is Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Finish the trip via Golden and the Hot Springs Circle Route, Kimberley and Cranbrook before following Highway 1 back to Vancouver.

ALONG THE TRANS-CANADA

HIGHWAY (7-10 Days): Set off from Metro Vancouver via the Trans-Canada Highway 1. Travel east alongside the mighty Fraser River and trade the roads for river adventures such as fishing or white-water rafting before arriving in Hope, a canyon town nestled at the foot of the Cascade

Mountains. At Hell’s Gate witness what happens when 750 million litres of water tries to make its way through a 110-foot narrowing. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway through Goldpan Provincial Park, towards Cache Creek, home to gold rush history and on to Kamloops before arriving at Revelstoke THE place for skiers, bikers, boarders and hikers. Finish at Yoho National Park a UNESCO-designated Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.

COAST MOUNTAIN CIRCLE ROUTE

(4-6 Days): From Vancouver, head north along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway.

Stop at the historic Britannia Mine Museum on the way to Squamish. Travel to Whistler and try outdoor adventures such as biking, hiking, bear watching and ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Be sure to visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for insight into the Indigenous peoples.

Continue driving north of Whistler to pretty Pemberton, then on to Lillooet and Lytton. Stop at Fraser Canyon and Harrison Hot Springs before finishing back at Vancouver.

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER RAIL TOUR

(3 Days): Choose from three rail routes onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, a BC-based luxury train operator.

The First Passage to the West from Vancouver to Banff is the most popular route through the Canadian Rockies, famous for uniting Canada’s East and West.

The Journey Through The Clouds from Vancouver to Jasper showcases the beauty of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies and the vistas of Canada’s West, while the Rainforest to Gold Rush route travels from Vancouver ending in Jasper, carving through BC’s coastline, rainforest, Fraser Canyon and the Cariboo gold rush region.

THE

COLUMBIA VALLEY (4-6 Days): From Vancouver, travel east on Trans-Canada Highway 1, stopping in the Fraser Valley and Hope. Journey southeast on Crowsnest Highway 3, looking out for grizzly bears and moose in the Cascade Mountains. As you arrive in lakeside Osoyoos, Canada’s semi-arid desert ecosystem unfolds. Transition east into the

Kootenays for hiking and biking. Next, explore the mountain peaks of The Columbia Valley. Head north on Highway 95 to the town of Golden, where mountain culture reigns. Savour a final nature fix in UNESCO Yoho National Park before heading back to Vancouver.

LAND OF HIDDEN WATERS (4-6

Days): From Vancouver head to the fertile farmlands of Pemberton. This area is still an active fishing ground for the St’át’imc Nation, and Xwisten.

As you travel along Highway 97 stop in at Chasm Lookout Point, with panoramic views of small lakes and sweeping pasturelands. Highway 24 between Lone Butte and Little Fort is known as “the Land of Hidden Waters” on “the Fishing Highway”. This 97-km stretch across the Thompson River Plateau is dotted with the lakes of Kokanee, Burbot, Rainbow, Brook, and Lake trout. From Little Fort, head north on Highway 5, also known as the scenic Southern Yellowhead Highway.

End the journey in Mount Robson by hiking the renowned Berg Lake Trail.

VALLEY AND VINEYARDS

(4-6 Days):

Sample fresh seafood scooped from the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver before stopping at the Fraser River near Hope which has one of the world’s largest salmon runs. Follow The Crowsnest Highway 3 to the former mining town of Princeton, beyond which the mountains part to reveal a green floor of farmland: Keremeos in the Similkameen Valley is known as the Fruit Stand Capital of Canada, with bountiful orchards and vineyards. Stop at Okanagan, BC’s grape-growing hub with the town of Oliver named Canada’s Wine Capital.

NORTH TO MOUNT ROBSON (7-10 Days): Start in Vancouver, travelling on the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler.

Continue on to Lillooet, a historic community home to the St’át’imc peoples and further to Kamloops, the second-largest city in BC’s interior and with some great spots to enjoy a craft beer on a sunny patio.

As you leave Kamloops, consider a detour to the all-season Sun Peaks Resort for lift-accessed mountain biking and alpine

hiking in summer, and tackling the country’s second-largest ski area in the winter.

Farther north, Clearwater is known as the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park, one of BC’s finest. Point your car in the direction of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and enjoy a scenic drive.

TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY 1 TO

MILE 0 VANCOUVER ISLAND (4-6 Days): Head west on Trans-Canada Highway 1 to BC Ferries’ Horseshoe Bay terminal, where sailings depart regularly to Nanaimo.

Take a tiny passenger ferry to Saysutshun, rent kayaks, swim, and learn more about why the island is so special to the local Snuneymuxw People.

The postcard-worthy views of the Strait of Georgia make the journey between Cowichan Bay and Victoria particularly noteworthy. A drive or cycle around Victoria takes in beachfront neighbourhoods, while whale-watching trips from photogenic Inner Harbour may bring you closer to orca, humpback, grey, and minke whales.

Visit hellobc.com/rainforest-to-rockies for more.

Explore

Vancouver

Surrounded by ocean and mountains, and juxtaposing shiny glassreflecting buildings and an ancient urban rainforest, Vancouver offers city and outdoor adventures, says Steve Hartridge

Day 1: Stanley Park. Granville Island. Kitsilano

Morning: For a hotel away from the city centre, stay in the resort-style Westin Bayshore on Coal Harbour Shores. Joggers can sign up for the hotel’s free morning 5k jog into nearby Stanley Park. Alternatively, rent a bike from one of the many outfitters on the edge of the park and cycle the 10km seawall loop.

Take a detour on one of the park’s interior paths to explore Vancouver’s downtown rainforest – all 1,000 acres of it.

Walk to Canada Place, in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront, and catch the free bus up to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, on Vancouver’s North Shore, where attractions include a 140-metre-long swing

bridge, a forest canopy walkway, a birds of prey area and, in December, a spectacular festive Canyon Lights display.

Afternoon: Take the Aquabus Ferry, a rainbow-coloured foot passenger vessel, that travels from False Creek to Granville Island. Once a disused industrial area, today it is home to around 50 vendors selling fresh produce and gourmet goodies. Vancouver Foodie Tours will introduce you to outlets such as Bread Affair, whose breads have names like Love at First Bite and Olive you Forever. At Longliner Seafoods, buy vacuum-sealed maple-candied chinook salmon, which will last in your fridge unopened for two years.

Evening: Head to the shops and restaurants in Kitsilano, with its collection of attractions, beach and parks. Alternatively, for dining with views overlooking downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park, try The Salmon House On The Hill which bills itself as ‘Vancouver’s Original Seafood Grill Restaurant’.

Day 2: Harbour Air. Gastown. Mount Pleasant

Morning: Take a 30-minute scenic flight on a Harbour Air seaplane. See the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean that surround the city before swooping high above the downtown area. Harbour Air, a carbon-neutral company, developed the first fully-electric commercial aircraft.

Afternoon: Explore the city on foot. Find a pub in historic Gastown, with its brick buildings, vintage street lamps, photogenic steam clock and art galleries. The area was named after ‘Gassy Kack’ Deighton, a sailor from Yorkshire who opened a saloon there in 1868.

Then plan on a cultural afternoon, choosing from the Vancouver Art Gallery,

the Bill Reid Gallery of Native Art and the reopened Museum of Anthropology at the UBC, with its displays of Northwest Coast Indigenous carvings, poles and weavings. Take time to stroll down Robson Street, the city’s main retail and commercial hub.

Evening: Head out to Mount Pleasant, an up-and-coming neighbourhood in East Vancouver that can be reached by the Canada Line, an extension of the SkyTrain from Downtown Vancouver to the airport. Drop into one of several neighbourhood craft breweries before strolling to Salmon n‘ Bannock Bistro for dinner. The menu feature dishes inspired by coastal indigenous culture. •

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE

FRESH SEAFOOD ON GRANVILLE ISLAND

HARBOUR AIR SEAPLANE

GASTOWN MAIN STREET

Hiking trails across

Atlantic Canada

A network of hiking trails lead the way to panoramic mountain vistas, tidal crossings and ancient forests that are home to moose and deer

The Fundy Footpath

Hikers keen to take on a challenge will relish the long-distance Fundy Footpath that traverses New Brunswick’s steep valleys, sandy beaches and tidal crossings. The footpath trail starts in Fundy Trail Provincial Park, near the suspension bridge over Big Salmon River. Hugging the coastline to Fundy National Park, it includes two tidal rivers that can only be crossed during low tide – so plan accordingly. The trail can be hiked in four to five days and is considered a ‘strenuous hike’ with an elevation gain of over 10,000 feet. tourismnewbrunswick.ca/hiking

East Coast Trail

Newfoundland & Labrador is home to almost 300 hiking and walking trails that allow views of seabirds, whales and even icebergs, depending on the season. The East Coast Trail spans 336km along North America’s easternmost coastline, with highlights including sea stacks, deep fjords and a natural wavedriven geyser called ‘the spout’ – it’s truly a walk on the wild side! Choose from 25 paths, from easy trails with little elevation, to strenuous rugged trails. newfoundlandlabrador. com/things-to-do/hiking-and-walking

Franey Trail

Nova Scotia encourages hiking year round with snowshoe tours in winter and wildflower walks in spring. The trailhead to Franey Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park

is located off of the Cabot Trail roadway and is a 7.4km loop taking between two- three hours. From the highest peak hikers are rewarded with views of the entire Clyburn Brook canyon and the Atlantic coastline. There’s also the sheer rocky face of Franey Mountain to admire and maybe even a passing moose or deer. The trail has a rating of ‘difficult’ as it is a steep climb. novascotia.com/ things-to-do/outdoor-activities-tours/hiking

The Island Walk

The Island Walk is a 700km journey that circumnavigates Prince Edward Island. Serious hikers can take on a long-distance multi-day itinerary to complete the entire route whilst those looking for a gentle ramble can choose to just walk a section of the trail. The Island Walk is divided into 32 sections with points of interest, terrain, average completion time and amenities outlined for each. Walkers will pass quaint coastal communities as well as PEI’s two major cities – Charlottetown and Summerside. tourismpei.com/what-to-do/outdoor-

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

NEW BRUNSWICK

NOVA SCOTIA

“We invite people to come into Huron–Wendat culture and understand it”

Dominic Ste-Marie, Marketing and Sales Coordinator, Tourism Wendake

Tourisme Wendake is located in the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations in Québec. We offer a multitude of activities and packages that take visitors into the world of First Nations knowledge and traditions while letting them discover our history. We invite people to come into our culture and understand it. Whenever I travel that is what I am looking for. We are proud of our roots and are eager to share our story.

Activities range from a simple meal to a fully immersive experience.

For example, ‘Myths and Legends’, one of our most popular activities, takes place in our national longhouse, Ekionkiestha, the dwelling of the Iroquoian people. Built entirely of wood and bark, it’s a magical setting where storytellers shed light on the culture of the Huron-Wendat Nation.

Ahkwayaonhkeh is the very first Wendat artist-run centre, located on Nionwentsïo.

From September to June, it presents exhibitions by contemporary Wendat artists and other Indigenous nations. We also have a talking stick handicrafts

workshop where guests are invited to make a talking stick. This is a tool that was and sometimes still is used in tribal councils to help regulate speech – the person holding the stick has the floor. When making it, the craftswoman explains its importance before guests make one in the image of their family. Other activities include a canoe package and a snowshoe trip, from December to March, depending on the amount of snow. Overnight stays are available, in a longhouse, a boutique hotel or a more cozy stay in a cottage. We are waiting to welcome you! tourismewendake.ca •

ALBERTA’S COWBOY TRAIL

As the home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, the Calgary Stampede, of course Canada’s Alberta has a dedicated Cowboy Trail! Here are some top spots as you drive from Calgary south to Waterton Lakes NP...

KOOTENAI BROWN PIONEER VILLAGE: This Western Canadian frontier village showcases more than 30 historical buildings, including ranch houses, cabins, barns, a blacksmith shop and a NWMP (North-West Mounted Police) outpost. Each contains authentic artefacts from bygone times.

BOUNDARY RANCH: A full immersion into the ‘real west’, Boundary Ranch is owned by a local family, whose entrepreneurial history dates back over 100 years. Set in the picturesque Canadian Rockies, it is the perfect place to experience great western hospitality alongside history and tradition.

EAU CLAIRE DISTILLERY: Did you know that Canada had its own Prohibition? Turner Valley was once a wild frontier town brimming with speakeasies, illegal whisky trade and illicit activities. Visit Eau Claire Distillery, Canada’s most awarded craft distillery, on Whisky Row for a guided tour.

REMINGTON CARRIAGE MUSEUM: Home to over 330 vehicles, The Remington Carriage Museum tells the story of horse-drawn transportation in North America through interactive displays, horses, carriages, wagons and a stable. Find out more about the ‘lost arts’ of blacksmithing, wheelwrighting and woodworking at the working restoration shop. Carriage rides are available to book in the summer months.

HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP: Alberta’s Indigenous peoples practised a form of group hunting with bison traps for nearly 6,000 years. Learn about this tradition at the UNESCO-protected Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, whose deep archaeological deposits are still intact. There’s also an Interpretive Center and a network of hiking trails.

Canada looks forward in Edmonton

Rendez-vous Canada (RVC), Canada’s signature annual tourism marketplace, was held in Edmonton, Alberta (May 13-16). Steve Hartridge was there for Selling Travel

Tourism ‘vital for Canadians’

Destinations, cities, regions and providers of tourism experiences from across Canada descended on Edmonton in a show of force that illustrated the country’s travel sector is recovering from the collateral damage caused to the industry by the pandemic.

Rendez-vous Canada (RVC), the country’s signature annual tourism marketplace, has been running for 48 years, attracted 400 buyers and media from Destination Canada’s key markets – that’s the UK, U.S., Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and South Korea. They met with over 482 Canadian organisations.

“The connections made here in Edmonton are vital, driving economic growth and enriching communities across Canada. Tourism significantly enhances lives and communities nationwide,” said Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

At a ‘focus on key markets’ presentation, it was revealed that UK travellers are

turning to travel agents and tour operators for guidance and expertise, with almost 75% of high-value guests using them for booking travel to Canada. They are also enquiring more about premium products and trips that “have a positive impact on people and the planet”.

Visits by UK travellers in 2023 reached 83% of 2019 levels and for 2025 Canada expects to welcome 881,000 Brits, which would see numbers back to where they were in 2019. But Brits are splashing the cash more in Canada than before Covid as in 2023 spending reached 107% of 2019 levels.

A world of opportunity

Rendez-vous Canada provided a platform for the launch of Destination Canada’s new tourism strategy, ‘A World of Opportunity’, which aims to transform the sector and propel Canada back into the top seven global destinations by 2030.

The blueprint calls for industry-wide collaboration to increase Canada’s global competitiveness.

Among the main goals are achieving a greater dispersion of visitors across the country and in all four seasons, with a particular focus on autumn and winter, and ensuring a steady pipeline of new hotels, experiences and activities to cater to the

anticipated increase of visitors. Working with Indigenous stakeholders and growing Indigenous owned and delivered products is also a priority.

Marsha Walden, President and CEO for Destination Canada, said the ‘A World of Opportunity’ strategy is designed to achieve a target that would see annual visitor spending increase from $113 billion in 2023 a year to $160 billion by 2030 – a number that would inject $450 million a day into the Canadian economy.

“The demand for travel is roaring back and our sector is poised for growth. The future is ours to take, together,” she added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Rosewood reopens

The Rosewood Hotel Georgia has reopened in Vancouver following a five-month renovation. The re-imagined hotel includes a new dining option, The Georgia Bar, which features cocktail ‘snacks’ such as caviar paired with fine wine and spirits, Paani Poori and Brioche Vada Pav Sliders. The hotel also showcases works by a diverse array of modern Canadian artists. The hotel first opened in 1927 as Hotel Georgia. rosewoodhotels.com

• Indigenous B.C.

Indigenous Tourism British Columbia (ITBC) has launched an app designed as a trip planning tool. It introduces visitors to the Indigenous territories of the province and the authentic immersive experiences on offer, including activities, attractions events and accommodations listed on an interactive map. indigenousbc.com

• New wilderness resort

FINN Hotels has opened a new ‘wilderness resort’ in Valemount, British Columbia. The deluxe Terracana Resort and Lodge features riverside log cabins with mountain views and year-round outdoor adventures. The hotel group has 10 properties across British Columbia and Alberta. innhotels.com

UK operators loved ‘feel’ of Alberta city

UK tour operators were quick to praise the benefits of this year’s Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) and were impressed by Edmonton, the event’s host city.

“RVC is always a great way to connect with suppliers and partners face-to-face and the format means you meet with over 70 key partners, which is invaluable,” said Nick Talbot, Head of Marketing at Canadian Affair.

Charlotte Porritt, Product Manager – Canada at Discover the World, said the show gave her plenty of new product ideas. “I had some really productive meetings with suppliers and have lots that is new to consider for our Canada programme,” she said.

James Butler, Canada Product manager at Audley Travel, enjoyed the show and the city, saying: “It was my first visit to Edmonton and I was very impressed. There was a real buzz as the Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team were playing games in the city.”

Denise Hunn, Canada Tour Programme Manager for Prestige, was full of praise for the show and the organisers. “I loved RVC. Explore Edmonton and Travel Alberta did a great job in highlighting a city that is often overlooked, but it has great hotels and restaurants and a host of outdoor activities,” she said.

Lusso’s Senior Product Executive Gary Worhington was another who enjoyed a “well organised show” adding: “I got to meet lots of old faces, and new contacts too, and updated them on what we are up to at Lusso as we start out on our Canada programme.

“Edmonton was a surprise and had a real ‘feel good’ factor going on, especially around the hockey games,” he enthused.

RVC delegates were offered a range of day tours that showed off some of the Edmonton area’s main visitor attractions.

These included walking tours, sampling Indigenous flavours at Pei Pei Chei Ow, a ‘food and education company’ owned by a Cree chef; navigating the city’s River Valley, the longest in North America, by kayak, Segway and bicycle; visiting the Aga Khan Garden, the world’s northernmost Islamic garden; and a trip out to Elk Island National Park, where attendees got a behind-thescenes look at plains bison conservation efforts.

Next year’s RVC will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. exploreedmonton.com; travelkalberta.com

ESCAPE THE CROWDS

• Multi-day trips to experience Canada’s vast wilderness in comfort

• Includes transportation from Calgary, Alberta

• Accommodation at remote, helicopteraccessed luxury lodges. 3 lodges to choose from

• Daily helicopter flights into the high alpine for scenic hikes with qualified guides

• Via Ferrata climbing routes available for the adventurous

• Enjoy chef-prepared meals (included)

• Lodge amenities include spa facilities, massage, wine cellars, and more

• More than 55 years of safety and experience.

4, 5, 7 & 9-day trips available. Suitable for most abilities and ages.

by Katie Goldie

Photo

British Columbia rolls out Iconics

British Columbia is highlighting the many diverse travel experiences in the province through a series of seven themed ‘sub-brands’ called ‘Iconics’ that are being rolled out over the next couple of years.

The first, Rainforest to Rockies, launched to the market in 2024. A second pillar, The Great Wilderness, will be unveiled in Germany later this year and will arrive in the UK in early 2025.

“This marks the beginning of a series of extraordinary adventures across British Columbia, each destined to become a globallyrecognised brand,” said Maya Lange, Vice President of Global Marketing for British Columbia.

“Rainforest to Rockies is a journey through ever-changing landscapes: from ocean to city, to rainforest, to fertile valleys, to desert, to crystal clear lakes, towering mountains, and glaciers.

“The Great Wilderness, where mountains, glaciers, and booming waterways shift perspectives, will remind us of something greater than ourselves,” she added.

Lange said the Iconics were inspired by campaigns in other countries, such as the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, the Great Ocean Road in Australia and the Camino de Santiago in Spain. hellobc.com

New in Manitoba

The prairie province of Manitoba unveiled a raft of new visitor experiences in Edmonton. These include the Ultimate Northern Lights Solar Science Adventure with Lazy Bear Expeditions, which invites visitors to spend time with astronomy scientists and Indigenous community members, and Discover Churchill’s Changing Colours of the Tundra, for autumn colours, Northern Lights viewing and polar bears.

Meanwhile, Elkhorn Resort in Onanole has opened Klar So Nordic Spa. Surrounded by the boreal forest of Riding Mountain National Park, the spa offers a steam and dry sauna, hot tubs, pools and cold plunges. travelmanitoba.com

Five minutes with...

Why is Edmonton a good choice for a food tour? Edmonton is a very tasty place! We offer a walking tour in an historic neighbourhood called Old Strathcona.

What food is Alberta known for? Alberta has seven signature foods that we explain and explore on our tours: beef, bison, red fife wheat, canola, honey, root vegetables and Saskatoon berries.

Tell us about the tour and the places you visit We make at least four stops over the course of three hours and start at a restaurant called MEAT. Their specialty is smoking meat. The owners went to Austin, Texas, to learn all about BBB-rub and smoked brisket. They smoke the meat overnight, for 12-14 hours, with cherry and applewood. A vegetarian option is available, along with some local beers.

Another stop is Remedy Café. The owner is from Pakistan who was once a taxi driver in New York City. He then bought a gas station in Texas, sold it for a big profit and came to Edmonton. He now has 11 cafes in and around the city. His Kashmire Chai tea is very popular. We finish at Made by Marcus, an organic ice cream maker who works with local suppliers. You get to taste some unusual flavours, such as sweet pea ice cream, corn ice cream, or malted chocolate honeycomb, which is like a Crunchie bar in a dairy format.

Are the foods sourced from local suppliers?

Absolutely. I wrote a book last year called Eat Alberta First and listed over 300 local producers. We have a deep culinary scene and our tours tap into that.

Is a food tour a good way to get to know a city?

It really is. You can drive through a place and say, ‘there’s a river, some impressive buildings, a lovely park’, etc, but on a food tour you learn about the neighbourhood and are given recommendations from our local guides on places to eat and things to do. Experiencing a destination through its tastes and the eyes of a local makes the experience that bit more memorable.

How important is ethically-produced food?

Very. I believe in ‘healthy soil’ so we try to choose partners that care in the same way. I always say that healthy soil results in healthy food and healthy people. albertafoodtours.ca

Karen Anderson, Alberta Food Tours

HOTEL REVIEWS

Checking out

Reykjavik EDITION Hotel

By April Waterston

The Background: With 253 rooms, the five-star Reykjavik EDITION Hotel brings modern luxury to Iceland’s capital city. A mix of guest rooms and suites allow the hotel to cater for clients seeking a classy and comfortable stay.

The Location: Located in downtown Reykjavik, the hotel is a 45-minute drive from Keflavik airport and ideally located for exploring the city. A short stroll from the hotel is the Old Harbor port, Laugavegur Street, and the Harpa Concert and Conference Center.

The Check In: I was warmly greeted by a valet ready to take my rental car to the secure car park. I was able to check in two hours early and was relaxing in my room within minutes.

The Room: I stayed on the fifth floor in a Harbor Suite. With a separate living room and guest toilet in addition to the bedroom and generously-sized bathroom, the suite felt airy and spacious. The king-sized bed was extremely comfortable, as one would expect from an EDITION hotel (the same mattresses and pillows are used in their hotels across the globe). Le Labo toiletries completed the luxury amenities.

Restaurants & Bars: On the ground floor, the Michelin-recommended Tides restaurant is home to a varied breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner service, the menu celebrates locally-sourced sea food. A cosy lobby bar is open every day from 11am, while THE ROOF offers panoramic mountain and ocean views.

Icelandic design and culture is woven into all elements, from the decor and friendly service to the locally-sourced restaurant dishes. It is an ideal base for day trips into Iceland’s wilderness, or to bookend a road trip with some city-based luxury.

Rates: A Harbor suite for a weekend in June starts from around 335,000 ISK a night. editionhotels.com/reykjavik

Ladera Resort, Saint Lucia

By Steve Hartridge

The Background: Ladera was not just the first-ever hotel on Saint Lucia but was also a pioneer in the open wall (or three wall) villa concept, made possible due to the prevailing trade winds that approach from the back (eastern side) of the resort. Instead of staring at a fourth wall guests look directly out to the twin Pitons and the Caribbean.

The Location: Is there a more spectacular one anywhere? Ladera’s 37 rooms and suites are built into a ridge among tropical foliage and flora, near Soufrière on Saint Lucia’s southern end.

How do you beat this for a top tropical getaway that is lush in every sense of the word? Ladera oozes class and ‘sustainability’ too, with its use of local woods and stones. The quality of the experience and the smiles of the staff (local and trained on site) never faded.

Rates: Check Ladera’s website for specials and package offers. ladera.com

The Room: What a room to walk into! My Hilltop Dream Suite seemed to be floating untethered among a rainforest and there wasn’t a time during my stay when I entered without letting out a little gasp. It was set on two levels with hardwood flooring. A four-poster king bed had a mosquito and bug netting. Steps led down to a lounge area and the prize feature: a private, brick-walled heated infinity plunge pool that I found myself in each afternoon for cocktails and for gazing down (through binoculars) at the passing super yachts. Steps led down to the bathroom: each time I ventured down there It felt like I was stepping into a cave scene from an Indiana Jones movie.

Restaurants and Bars: The menu at Dashneee is full of creative dishes that embrace Caribbean tastes and cultural influences. New is the Hideaway Rum Bar, with rums from around the world. On Fridays, Ladera cooks up a Sunset Fish Fry with lobster, cocktails and music.

ATE attracts record numbers

by Jessica Alexander

Australia Tourism Exchange (ATE), Australia’s premier tourism event, saw a record number of attendees descend on host city Melbourne in May.

Speaking at the 44th running of the event, Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director at Tourism Australia (TA), emphasised the importance of aviation to the industry’s growth, admitting that increased airlift is of key importance if the country is to attain its goal of securing pre-pandemic arrival figures by the end of this year.

From Europe, Turkish Airlines launched a direct route from Istanbul to Melbourne earlier this year, its first destination in Australia. It operates three weekly flights to Melbourne, and is the only European airline to serve the city.

The inaugural Perth-Paris route will kick off in July, just before the Paris Olympics, and Emirates will also return to Adelaide with direct daily flights from Dubai starting October 28.

Delegates were also told of new domestic routes that have come to market, which Harrison said was important because “most people who visit Australia visit several states, so more connectivity around our country is important in moving and dispersing our international travellers.”

Virgin Australia launched two direct flights to Uluru in June, operating from Melbourne

and Brisbane. Qantas will begin flying to Perth from July 12; Emirates to Adelaide from October 28.

The country is experiencing a demand for cruise and self-drive, delegates were told.

“We’ve seen a boom in cruising and people discovering our coastline and beyond”, said Harrison. “We’re also seeing more people self-driving. We have some epic drives that we’re going to start talking more about on an international stage.”

Sports tourism is a key focus for the tourist board in the run up to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, with the ‘Decade of Green and Gold’ in full swing to promote the event.

“We have an incredible range of national events in the lead-up to the Olympics in southeast Queensland and Brisbane over the next eight years,” said Harrison.

“It was a big moment when we hosted the Sydney 2000 Olympics and we are very excited to be hosting again in 2032.” tourism.australia.com

Indaba’s ‘unlimited’ Africa

South Africa must work towards promoting multi-centre holidays across its nine provinces and across all four seasons, urged Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille at this year’s INDABA in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s annual tourism showcase.

“South Africa is a year-round destination and we want our provinces and the private sector to work together to attract tourism year-round by taking visitors beyond our normal attractions,” she said.

The favourable rate of exchange for visitors was another major topic with South Africa recently awarded second place [out of 40 countries] for “best value for money

for UK holidaymakers” by the Post Office Money Report 2024.

Meanwhile, over 120 tourism SMMEs showcased their products at INDABA in the Hidden Gems Pavilion. Over 60,000 of these ‘gems’ will now feature on Google maps following a new agreement which also includes improvements of the Google maps’ directions to ensure self-drive visitors are only taken on routes that are deemed completely safe.

Other developments include South Africa’s first all-inclusive Club Med Beach and Safari Club, which will open in July 2026. southafrica.net

Titan Travel has rolled out a brochure with two new tours. Called Small Group Holidays and Solo Tours, the brochure features holidays to Namibia and Nepal.

The first tour, which is named ‘Namibian Discovery’, includes a safari and cruise off the Skeleton coast.

The second, ‘Classic Nepal’, features Bengal tiger spotting in Chitwan National Park and visits to the Annapurna and Himalayan Mountain ranges.

Solo tours in the brochure include ‘Ionian Island and Paradise’, which explores Corfu’s beach, old town and the 19th-century villa Mon Repros.

Meanwhile, ‘Images of Vietnam and Cambodia’ journeys from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, before heading to Cambodia and Laos. titantravel.co.uk

New brochure from Titan Scenic cruises

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours new Worldwide Discoveries Collection will feature 163 itineraries, 278 ports and seven continents.

Two Discovery Yachts will depart from October 2025 to March 2027. Highlights include the Solar Eclipse in Greenland and Iceland; Christmas in Antarctica; a dedicated schedule to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S., departing from New York in 2026; a Monaco Grand Prix sailing along the French and Italian Rivieras; and wellness focused journeys to Panama. scenic.co.uk

Advantage poised for growth

by Bev Fearis

Advantage Travel Partnership is reporting “exceptional growth” despite external macro pressures, its CEO told delegates at this year’s conference in Cancun, Mexico.

Julia Lo Bue-Said told the conference audience that high interest rates, energy and food poverty are impacts for all major economies. “This year we are also set to witness a remarkable milestone in political history when over four billion people –across more than 40 countries – will go to the polls, creating in itself heightened geopolitical unrest,” she added.

“As the world becomes increasingly complex to navigate, our vision as a voice of authority remains to reinforce the travel agent role, and to help consumers make sense of the consumer protection landscape, which to this day is entwined in a sea of complex and multifaceted regulatory tangle.”

Advantage members now generate more than £15.6 billion in global sales annually –£7.6 billion coming from its UK membership.

“With footprint expansion being one of our key strategic pillars, we will continue to grow both in the UK and globally through our partner network,” she said.

Lo Bue-Said said the group has a “laser focused and ambitious recruitment plan” and is confident over the next 12 months it will deliver “yet another significant rise to our buying power, whilst continuing to engage and nurture our existing members”.

This year, Advantage will be “refreshing” its company values and looking at its brand positioning for the future.

Advantage also announced it was joining forces with its U.S. agency partner, Hickory Global Partners, to create a joint accommodation programme Global Stays –

The Accommodation Network.

Global Stays will become effective for the 2025 hotel programme and offer more than 60,000 properties worldwide. advantagemembers.com

A&K expands in Mexico

Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) is to expand its presence in Latin America by opening a Destination Management Company (DMC) in Mexico. The move coincides with the company’s plans to open a property in Mexico over the coming year.

A&K’s expansion Latin America follows the recent announcement of its plans to launch a luxury riverboat in Peru in 2025. These developments underscore the company’s commitment to providing “immersive and transformative” travel experiences across the region.

A&K’s Mexico DMC will offer services including customised itineraries, exclusive access to unique experiences, and 24/7 onthe-ground support.

The company says its planned properties in the Yucatan “will provide guests with

luxurious accommodations and immersive activities that showcase the region’s vibrant culture and natural beauty”.

The Mexico DMC will be committed to sustainable tourism practices and supporting local communities through its philanthropic arm, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP). abercrombiekent.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Virgin adds lift to Vegas Virgin Atlantic has a new service from Manchester to Las Vegas. The new seasonal summer service operates three times a week, on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Manchester Airport is the only English airport outside of London to offer direct flights to the USA’s west coast. virginatlantic.com

• BA sets sights on Lapland British Airways’ winter schedule will feature new flights to Lapland. The twice-weekly service from London Gatwick to Ivalo Airport will start on December 3 2024. Return flights, which start from £345, will run until February 14 2025 and will be operated by BA Euroflyer. britishairways.com

• Croisi adds new cruise CroisiEurope has introduced a new Seine cruise highlighting the “history and beauty” of Normandy. Starting in the medieval city of Rouen, guests will sail to Honfleur and the UNESCO-listed city of Le Havre before heading back to Rouen. Departures are on July 28 and 29 and August 1 and 5 on MS Seine Princess and MS Botticelli. croisieurope.co.uk

• New route from Air India Air India will fly non-stop between Bengaluru and London Gatwick from August 18. It will operate the route five times a week and will have 17 weekly flights operating from Gatwick, including to other Indian cities Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi. airindia.com

Tenerife offers a taste of the high life

Tenerife is redefining itself as an upscale destination, as agents discovered at Selling Travel Connect: Luxury Tenerife

This dedicated Tenerife event was attended by the following suppliers: Bahía del Duque, Global Incentive Canarias (DMC), Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora, Hacienda del Conde Member of Meliá Collection, Hotel Botánico and The Oriental Spa Garden, Hotel Royal Garden Villas, Royal Hideaway Corales Resort, Royal River Luxury Hotel and Tivoli La Caleta Tenerife Resort.

Tenerife is earning a reputation as a luxury hotspot thanks to a host of five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and designer boutiques, agents were told at dedicated events in Leeds, Chester and Sutton Coldfield.

“The largest of the Canary Islands is redefining itself as an upscale destination,” said Tenerife Tourism Corporation’s Elena Mastora, who explained that Tenerife is one of the most easily accessible holiday destinations for British travellers looking for a premium gateway.

“Guaranteed sunshine, diverse landscapes

and charming villages make Tenerife an ideal holiday choice all year round; while its vast array of fantastic activities – from yearround whale watching and stargazing on Spain’s tallest peak to caving adventures inside Europe’s largest lava tubes – ensure that the island has more to offer than just golden beaches,” said Mastora.

As for luxury, Tenerife has plenty to satisfy discerning visitors. “Tenerife offers a luxurious escape with its five-star hotels and exclusive villas; gourmet dining, including Michelin-starred restaurants and world-class spas. Shoppers can revel in

For future events visit sellingtravel.co.uk/connect-events

designer boutiques while golf enthusiasts enjoy championship courses,” she added.

Tenerife’s luxury accommodation offering is continuing to grow including the new fivestar Gran Hotel Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz due to open in December 2024.

Tenerife is also home to seven Michelinstar restaurants. Taste 1973 at the Hotel Villa Cortés in Arona and Haydée in La Orotova, joined the list in 2023.

LUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN TENERIFE Luisa García-Estrada represented the fivestar Tivoli La Caleta Tenerife Resort. The

resort offers elevated gastronomy, shaped by celebrity chef Olivier da Costa, and has Tenerife’s first Anantara Spa.

“The hotel underwent a full refurbishment and rebranded to Tivoli before reopening as the Tivoli La Caleta Tenerife Resort in 2023. It was the first Tivoli resort to open in Spain,” explained García-Estrada.

Mariana Nori Rosendo explained that gastronomy and upscale experiences are selling points of the Royal Hideaway Corales Resort, which is set to open in September.

Meanwhile, at Hotel Botánico and the Oriental Spa Garden, rooms are being modernised said Rachel Dearden of the luxury property in Puerto de la Cruz.

Dearden added that the property is a comfortable base for discovering the north of Tenerife: “where you can enjoy culture and the best gastronomy.” There is also an 18-hole putting green free for guests.

TENERIFE CONNECT

Agents had the chance to win luxury prizes including hotel stays. Travel Counsellor Fiona Whitehead from Yorkshire was amongst the winners.

“It’s great that Tenerife wants to diversify and has an extensive luxury offering. This should get rid of existing preconceptions”

Michelle Harriman, Jet2

Annabel Griffin represented the adultonly, 100% sustainable Royal River Luxury Hotel on Costa Adeje Golf Course.

Guests at the resort and its sister property Royal Garden Villas can experience exclusive trips to see dolphins and whales aboard the Royal Garden yacht.

The hotel also has an incentive: make one booking and receive two complimentary nights and one dinner.

Boasting the largest seawater infinity pool in Europe, the Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora is perfect for families, said Dunia Rodriguez.

“We are always adapting our experiences and our spaces. This year we are launching a splash park for children,” said Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, the UK is the main market for Bahia del Duque, said Sales Executive Ismael Garcia. The property is renovating 50 rooms this year.

Agents looking for a local DMC on the island can utilise Global Incentive which specialises in luxury travel. COO David Febles introduced the company’s “slow luxury concept” and tailor-made offerings. •

Win a stay in Fujairah, the UAE’s hidden gem

Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa is giving away a seven-night stay in an Ocean View room. Enter here

Agents have the chance to win a weeks stay at Fujairah in the UAE, plus Ultra All-inclusive meals for two adults and two children below age 12, courtesy of Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa.

The experience is complemented by round-trip airport transfers from Dubai International Airport, ensuring a seamless journey to this luxurious coastal retreat.

Nestled between the glistening shores of the Indian Ocean and the magnificent Hajar mountain range, Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa is a true retreat for guests seeking the ultimate getaway. From fun-filled family vacations and relaxed group stays to romantic breaks for couples, this luxury resort has it all.

The property boasts 200 meters of private shoreline, newly refurbished rooms and suites with either a terrace or balcony and breathtaking views of the ocean. Guests can enjoy six dining venues, signature spa treatments at Zen the Spa and a kids club.

Meanwhile the emirate of Fujairah boasts a 70km Indian Ocean coastline with some of the UAE’s best beaches, popular for water sports and deep-sea adventures. The emirate is home to the UAE’s oldest existing mosque and the historic Fujairah Fort, once a residence for the ruling family. Additionally, Wadi Wurayah, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Fujairah, houses some of the country’s rarest plants and animals. T&C apply.

200 meters of private shoreline

Rotana Hotels turns up the heat at UK events

The Middle East was the focus for agents attending Selling Travel Connect: Rotana Hotels

Representatives from Rotana Hotels and Resorts and Emirates met a total of 119 travel agents in Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Leeds to provide updates on the brand’s properties across the Middle East and some exciting new developments closer to home.

“Our diverse collection of hotels transforms moments into memorable experiences,” said Anthony Vale, Key Account Director – Leisure at Rotana. Rotana will open its first properties in the UK this year, under its affordable hotel and serviced apartment brand, Centro. Centro

New Malden and Centro Kingston will be part of a strategy to develop Centro properties across Greater London.

SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT AND VILLAS

Marwa Mustafa, Executive Assistant Manager – Sales at the Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas in Abu Dhabi, said: “To cater for the UK market and families we have introduced an all-inclusive dinearound meal plan.”

The resort also offers complimentary luxury transfers to the Yas theme parks which guests can book before they go.

Selling Travel Connect sellingtravel.co.uk/connect-events

GRAND ROTANA RESORT AND SPA

“We have refurbished all of our seafront rooms,” explained Essam El Nahas, Director of Sales at the Grand Rotana Resort and Spa in Sharm El Sheikh.

“At present, we’re running a promotion with tour operators, giving an upgrade to the next category of rooms. So when you book a sea view room you get a panoramic view room,” he added.

PALMERAIE ROTANA RESORT

“We have a golf course onsite,” said Yassir Yassine, Director of Sales at the

This dedicated Rotana Hotels event was attended by the following suppliers: Saadiyat Rotana, Amwaj Rotana, Media Rotana, Fujairah Rotana, Palmeraie Rotana, Grand Rotana and Emirates.

Palmeraie Rotana Resort in Marrakech. It offers an all-inclusive package as well as half-board and full-board meal plans. Guests can dine around in any of the six restaurants and three bars.

DUBAI PROPERTIES

Rabia Eddaoudi, Director of Sales at the Media Rotana at Barsha Heights in Dubai, explained that the property started a soft refurbishment last year that will be completed in 2024: “We are upscaling our rooms and restaurants,” he told agents. Firas Khatib, Director of Business Development at Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, shared the property’s unique selling points. “Our sea view rooms, at 42 square metres, are the largest in the area and have been newly refurbished. We offer a dine-around meal plan at unique destination outlets and family rooms.”

ROTANA CONNECT

Agents had the opportunity to win stays at the properties present as well as flights to Dubai with Emirates

“I found it really informative because I didn’t know much about Rotana Hotels. It would be great to see more events like this in the North East”

Julie Mattison, Hays Travel

FUJAIRAH ROTANA RESORT AND SPA

With a minimum stay of three nights, the Fujairah property lends itself well to a twincentre break also encompassing Dubai. Brian Strouys, Director of Sales at the Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa at Al Aqah Beach explained: “You get the nightlife, shopping and the culinary experience in Dubai then a great beach experience in Fujairah which is unique and authentic.”

FLYING WITH EMIRATES

Emirates will resume its Edinburgh service to Dubai from November 4 2024. The flight will operate daily. Paula Viagi, Inside Sales Executive – UK at Emirates, said: “This flight will complement our current daily service from Glasgow, offering our customers 14 weekly flights from or to Scotland. Flying Emirates to Dubai until September 30 gives passengers the opportunity to receive discounts in shops, restaurants and spas across Dubai and the UAE via the My Emirates Pass scheme. All passengers need to do is show their boarding pass.•

Blue skies await in the Indian Ocean and Middle East

Agents were inspired to sell twincentre holidays at Selling Travel Connect: Indian Ocean & Middle East

Suppliers included: Tourism Seychelles, Rotana Hotels, Sunlife, The Lux Collective, Dubai Holding Entertainment, Adaaran Resorts, Abercrombie & Kent, Gulf Air, RUI Hotels & Resorts, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, Banyan Group, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Air Mauritius, Travelpack, Colours of Oblu, Denis Private Island and Visit Jordan.

Agents enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of two of the most luxurious and in-demand regions, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, at events in Chester Leeds, Edinburgh and London.

DESTINATION UPDATES

Dubai Parks and Resorts and Real Madrid C.F. have announced the opening of Real Madrid World (RMW), the first ever Real Madrid-themed park celebrating football and basketball ‘the Real Madrid way’.

“Real Madrid World is dedicated to families, Real Madrid fans and theme park

enthusiasts. It is where guests of all ages can visit the locker rooms of Real Madrid players and see the club’s winning trophies It also features the region’s first wooden roller coaster and tallest amusement ride in the world,” said Dubai Holding Entertainment’s Vice President of Sales, Rami Mashini.

Emma Charlesworth, UK and Ireland Market Manager at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, added: “RAKTDA and Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in collaboration with OMRAN Group, have launched the See Double

Selling Travel Connect sellingtravel.co.uk/ connect-events

campaign. It is their first joint promotion that aims to entice visitors to explore the nature emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and neighbouring Musandam, the governate of Oman, in one experience-packed trip this summer.”

Karen Confait, Director of Marketing at Tourism Seychelles, believes the country is ideal for nature lovers with two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

“Encourage your clients to go island hopping. The Seychelles is much more than a beach destination — it has hiking, diving, fishing, sailing, golf and more.” •

In partnership with Virgin Atlantic, Delta is launching nonstop service to the Sunshine State from London Heathrow, starting 28 October 2024.

DELTA’S NEW FLIGHTS TO ORLANDO . TRADE RAIN FOR