Carry On Notebook: Roger Federer Signs With Swiss Tourism + News From England, B.C. and Broadway
March 29, 2021 Jim Byers
After years of positively representing Switzerland through his sporting excellence and friendly, down-to-earth manner, Roger Federer has now become an official brand ambassador for the destination of Switzerland. He’s entering into a long-term cooperation with the Swiss national tourism board, Switzerland Tourism (ST). The common goal: attracting guests to visit Switzerland with its energizing nature.
Roger Federer and Switzerland Tourism will together develop initiatives to promote Switzerland globally. Nobody is more equipped to do so than this iconic personality wearing the Swiss Flag, officials at ST are convinced. “This is a perfect match, because Switzerland and its unblemished nature have clearly contributed to Roger’s unprecedented career” explains Switzerland Tourism CEO, Martin Nydegger.
“I have always felt, whenever I step on the court, I am representing Switzerland,” Federer said.
“Whenever it says my name, there is a Swiss flag next to it. I have been very proud to do that for the first 22 years I have been on tour, and it will always be like that. To join forces with ST now is a logical step for me.”
HAPPY 150th BIRTHDAY TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
If you were wondering what that popping sound was earlier today, it was a bottle of Champagne being opened in London to celebrate the birthday of a famous Londoner. The beautiful Royal Albert Hall, scene of so many amazing entertainment moments over the years, officially turned 150 years old today (March 29, 2021). They’re planning a whole series of events over the next couple years to mark the occasion of a building that opened in 1871 and has played such an important role in British society.
“It’s called the nation’s village hall, because it really is a place where anything goes,” said Craig Hassall, the highly entertaining CEO of the hall, who tells stories of showing the place off to a tipsy mother of actor Pierce Brosnan and of visits by members of the Chelsea Art Club, who were banned from the hall for drunkenly smashing up special floats that used to be designed for their annual party.
Hassall said he can’t reveal details, but there will be a pretty big gala next July, with appearances by future stars and famous performers from the past. There also will be a street parade with vintage buses, a fly-over from a vintage plane and more.
The Royal Albert Hall has launched its 150th anniversary year with a tribute to live music entitled Your Room Will Be Ready, narrated by Mick Jagger, directed by BAFTA-nominee Tom Harperand scored by Academy Award-winning composer Steven Price. The short film, which focuses on the anticipation and energy of live events, pairs images of the empty venue with more than 40 pieces of archive footage including: Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Diana Ross, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, George Michael, Luciano Pavarotti, Albert Einstein, Freddie Mercury, Bob Dylan – and more recently examples of Adele, Stormzy and Wizkid.
WESTJET HEADING TO HEATHROW?
The website AirlineGeeks.com says WestJet has obtained 732 slots to London Heathrow for daily flights to Calgary and Vancouver, starting as soon as May 1. Currently, WS has slots at neighboring Gatwick that allow four daily services a day to Calgary, Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver. It is unknown whether WestJet will utilize Heathrow instead of Gatwick. Tentatively, WestJet has filed a return to London at the end of May as the airline plans its return to transatlantic service when Canadian borders reopen.
BROADWAY OPENING
It’s been over one year since Broadway went dark as COVID-19 swept through New York City and the nation.
Mayor Bill de Blasio last week announced that he expects Broadway to return in September.
“The whole theatre community is crucial to the comeback of New York City,” de Blasio said. “It’s time to raise the curtain and bring Broadway back. So the next four weeks we will be setting up dedicated vaccination sites specifically for the theatre community.”
PHUKET OPEN TO VISITORS IN JULY
Thailand tourism officials say they’ll open the popular island of Phuket to vaccinated visitors beginning in July. Visitors who can prove they’ve had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to visit the island without having to quarantine, officials say. That’s good news for a nation that relies heavily on tourism revenue.
WEST COAST TRAIL OPENS FOR CANADIANS IN JUNE
The West Coast Trail, which closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen to overnight Canadian visitors this summer, much to the delight of businesses that rely on tourists drawn to the 75-kilometre trek each year.
Parks Canada, along with the Huu-ay-aht, Pacheedaht and Ditidaht First Nations, announced Friday that the trail will open from June 4 to Sept. 30.
All three access points — Bamfield (Pachena Trailhead), Port Renfrew (Gordon River Trailhead) and Nitinaht Village — will be available.
Reservations will open at 8 a.m. on April 30 and are required for all visitors, as no spaces will be offered on stand-by. Only Canadians can access the trail this summer.
ONTARIO PARKS FILLING UP FOR SUMMER
Pandemic-imposed travel restrictions caused Ontario’s provincial park system to play host to a record number of visitors. This year looks to be even busier, with booking numbers already surpassing where they were at this time last year. Increased demand is making it harder than ever to book a site, but it is possible that the difficulty is being exacerbated by people taking advantage of a loophole in the booking system that allows them to overbook by a number of days and then cancel some.
Last year, Ontario Parks saw 11 million visits for day use and camping.
“That was the most visitation we’ve ever had,” said Natalie McMorrow, Park Superintendent for three of Ontario’s provincial parks.
NEW VIRGIN HOTEL OPENS IN VEGAS
Opening a new casino resort during a pandemic isn’t ideal, but Virgin Hotels Las Vegas may have found a sweet spot with the timing of its launch.
After delaying its opening twice, the off-Strip property opened Thursday.
Industry watchers say Las Vegas casino operators still face pandemic-related challenges, but the operating environment today is much better than where Las Vegas stood just weeks ago.
“The prospects for summer look increasingly positive — with vaccination levels increasing and plenty of pent-up demand from people looking to put the pandemic behind them,” Jonathan Day, an associate professor of hospitality and tourism management at Purdue University, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It’s a sign of optimism in the recovery that Virgin is committed to opening.”
FAIRMONT ORCHID HAWAII CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
Fairmont Orchid, a luxury resort along the pristine Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special package to honor three decades of aloha. The property’s newly debuted 30th Anniversary Package invites guests to book a three night stay and enjoy a fourth night free, receive a $300 dining credit per stay and $30 from every package booked will benefit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative to protect, promote and restore the 275-acre lowland dry forest and its native trees.
“As we reflect on Fairmont Orchid’s rich history of sharing aloha with visitors from all over the world these past thirty years, we’re also focused on taking strides to build a more sustainable future for new generations to enjoy this remarkable destination,” shares Charles Head, Fairmont Orchid’s general manager. “We’ve mobilized our team to maximize local purchasing, minimize waste and promote eco-friendly practices that reduce our carbon footprint. We aim to complete 30 acts of sustainability in honor of our property’s 30th anniversary and we’re well on our way to meeting this goal.”
Fairmont Orchid planted 30 wiliwili trees in the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative in honor of its 30th anniversary and the property has continued to partner with the non-profit organization to help promote native forest conservation through outreach, education and advocacy.
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