Carry On Travel Notes: New Jasper Hotel, Italy Re-Opening, Yukon Dancing and Blue Jays

May 7, 2021 Jim Byers

Pursuit, an Alberta-based tourism and hospitality company, this week announced the development of a new wilderness-inspired hotel located in the renowned Canadian mountain town of Jasper.  

The hotel’s location at the edge of town, surrounded by stunning mountains, will provide the ideal basecamp for visitors looking to immerse themselves in nature while staying close to the town’s vibrant downtown shopping and culinary offerings.  

The design of this new property will feature a fresh and modern palette integrating natural wood and stone accents throughout the space. 

Each of the hotel’s 88 guest rooms will feature kitchenettes and expanded patios that seamlessly bring the outdoors in. The property will also feature a vaulted pavilion, complete with a show-stopping fireplace that enhances the cozy ambiance of the mountain hotel experience.  

Once completed, the new hotel will complement Pursuit’s current portfolio of eight hotels and iconic experiences in Jasper National Park, which include the Columbia Icefield Adventure, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Glacier View Lodge at the Columbia Icefield, dining and boat tour adventures at Maligne Lake and the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen near Jasper.  

Securing Parks Canada and community support following an extensive public approvals process, the new hotel is anticipated to open in June of 2022.  

For more information on Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection, visit banffjaspercollection.com  

MEANWHILE, BANFF SAYS “STAY AWAY” FOR NOW

The Town of Banff is asking visitors to stay away from Banff National Park until after the May long weekend as the community and the rest of the province battle to get the COVID-19 spike under control.

According to Airdrie Today, the town council stopped short of setting up checkpoints to turn tourists away, but unanimously decided to actively discourage visitation, while also asking residents to stay home.

Council also hopes Parks Canada and Banff and Lake Louise Tourism will do the same.

ITALY OPENING IN A WEEK

Italy is aiming to open the country to tourists in mid-May, pledging a range of measures to protect visitors from the coronavirus as it scrambles to rescue a sector devastated by lockdowns and restrictions on movement.

As part of the race to get the industry back on its feet, the Rome-based government will introduce so-called vaccine passports earlier than the rest of the European Union, Tourism Minister Massimo Garavaglia said in an interview. “Conditions are right to start the summer season on May 15,” said Garavaglia, a 53-year-old lawmaker from the rightist League, Italy’s most popular party.

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY: NO ROOM AT THE INN

Located about two hours east of Toronto, Prince Edward County has emerged as a tourism hotspot for Canadians in the past few years. Now, the CBC reports that businesses in what some call “The County” are having trouble finding places for their staff to live.

“We’ve actually had someone living in a bunkie, we built a bunkie,” said Samantha Parsons of Parsons Brewing Company. “We’ve also considered purchasing a place for our staff members to live.” 

One staff member lived in the small building for about five months. This year, the solution for Parsons has involved her co-signing a lease on a house for three employees.

Other small business owners are now routinely arranging or offering housing to try to secure summer staff who would otherwise be priced out of Prince Edward County’s red-hot housing market, the CBC noted.

DELIGHTFUL DUNEDIN, FLORIDA AND THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The folks from Visit Florida and Visit St. Pete Clearwater put on a great virtual event promoting the city of Dunedin on Thursday. Along with Shelby Nelson from the Toronto Blue Jays, they went over some of the wonderful things to see and do in Dunedin, which is where the Jays traditionally hold their spring training programs and where they’ve been playing their major league games for April and May.

It’s a wonderful town I fell in love with back in the 1990’s, when I covered the Blue Jays for the Toronto Star and would be in Dunedin for two or three weeks every spring.

Thursday’s event covered many of the highlights, including the small city’s walkable, vibrant downtown, its craft beer scene (there are eight craft breweries in a town of less than 40,000 people), its marvellous nature (Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island, which has one of the best beaches in the U.S.) and much more. They also had a nice cooking demonstration from the owner of Casa Tina, a terrific Mexican restaurant on Main Street that I’ve been going to for 30 years. And there was a lot of love for the Fenway Hotel, a fantastic property that’s part of the Marriott Autograph Collection and has an outstanding rooftop bar that’s perfect for sunsets.

The Blue Jays new minor league complex looks truly stunning, and the renovated TD Ballpark, which fans can see for the rest of this month for Jays’ home games, is a beauty.

CALIFORNIA SEEKS STAYCATIONS

California tourism leaders are urging residents to spend their pent-up travel dollars exploring their home state, as coronavirus case numbers stay low and the industry reels from a 55% decline in revenue.

The state of nearly 40 million people has been among the most conservative in the U.S. with tight restrictions in place to curb the pandemic. Now, California has the lowest infection rate in the country and on Tuesday, Los Angeles and San Francisco received permission from the state to reopen bars, restaurants, museums and businesses more broadly.

NEW YUKON ENTRY RULES AND JOYOUS BHANGRA DANCING

Beginning Tuesday, May 25, people arriving in Yukon from anywhere in Canada will not have to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated, provided their vaccination status can be confirmed. More information can be found here: https://yukon.ca/en/news/yukon-lifting-restrictions-vaccine-uptake-increases

Yukon Travel put on a fantastic virtual show on Thursday that featured the wonderful Gurdeep Pandher, a Yukon resident who’s become an Internet darling for his lively Bhangra dancing, which he performs outdoors in beautiful Yukon settings. It’s a dance that began from farmers long ago in the Punjab region and involves a series of intricate steps and arm movements. It’s not only a joy to watch but great exercise, and it provides a solid mental boost.

Here’s a link to his website. I’ve never met the man, but I’ve been to the Yukon three times and absolutely love the place. The physical beauty is astounding, and the people are warm and welcoming.

AEROPLAN IMPROVEMENTS

Aeroplan is beginning the rollout of Everyday Status Qualification, which is billed as a “market-leading, unique way for members to reach Aeroplan Elite status without leaving the ground.”

The Aeroplan points members earn every day through spending with Aeroplan co-brand credit cards, flying with Air Canada and eligible partner airlines, and with any of their travel and retail partners (including shopping online via the Aeroplan eStore), get members closer to status. 

If a member earns 100,000 points through eligible transactions during a calendar year, they’ll earn Aeroplan 25K Status through the following year.  Most partner earning activities will count towards Everyday Status Qualification. However, as announced last year, and similar to Aeroplan silver, black and diamond status in the past, certain Aeroplan points are ineligible for Everyday Status Qualification. This includes sign up / welcome bonuses for Aeroplan credit cards, contest bonusing, and points purchased, gifted, or transferred.  Click here for more information. 

For members who do not already hold Aeroplan Elite Status, a new tracker will be available on their member dashboard at aircanada.com, or via the Air Canada App.

AMAZING DIVERSITY IN NORTH CAROLINA

Visit North Carolina put on a great virtual show for the media on Thursday, showing off everything from quiet, secluded beaches to mountain waterfalls and city museums. It’s a remarkably diverse state with towering mountains, rolling hills and mile after mile of Atlantic Ocean waterfront. The Outer Banks are particularly popular with beach lovers and for anyone who loves fresh seafood. Ditto for the Brunswick Islands, which also boast 30 terrific golf courses. Raleigh is famous for its museums and foodie scene, while nearby Johnston County offers a taste of quiet, rural life just off Highway 95. Winston-Salem has fascinating history, a plethora of craft beer places and a Moravian food trail that features thin Moravian cookies and something called sugar bread, which they say is a cross between cinnamon buns and fried dough. Down in the southeast corner of the state. Brevard is home to fabulous waterfalls, great hiking and both classical and bluegrass music. Tough to beat a combination like that, and it’s less than two hours flying time from Toronto or Montreal. There’s even a section of their website set aside specifically for Canadians: https://media.visitnc.com/canada.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL BACK IN ACTION IN VEGAS

After more than a year off stage, Canadian-founded Cirque du Soleil has set dates to reopen “Mystere” at Treasure Island (TI) and “O” at the Bellagio this summer in Las Vegas. Travel Weekly reports that “Mystere,” Cirque’s original Vegas production, will return on June 28 with shows at 7 p.m. Fridays through Tuesdays with additional 9:30 p.m. shows Fridays and Saturdays. “O” will resume July 1, with the curtain going up at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays with additional 9:30 p.m. shows Fridays and Saturdays. Although no reopening dates have been announced for other Cirque shows in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group said that it anticipates those will resume later this year, with ticket demand determining which shows will return first.

EXPEDIA AND JOE JONAS

As Canadians look to brighter days ahead and continue to dream about future travel, today, Expedia launches its Travel Companions Report in collaboration with singer, songwriter and actor, Joe Jonas. The report uncovers more than 60 per cent of Canadian adults feel stressed at the thought of booking international trips and 28 per cent state they need a helping hand when travelling. Expedia and Joe Jonas are teaming up to offer travellers an actual Helping Hand to help reduce stress for when they are ready and it’s possible to travel again.

Available today in extremely limited quantities are 150 exact replicas of Joe Jonas’ right hand, created to symbolize the support and reassurance Expedia aims to bring to travellers. Recognizing that for many, the idea of booking their first trip since the start of the pandemic may come with feelings of hesitation and uncertainty, Expedia’s Helping Hand is a symbol of the travel company’s new commitment to being the ultimate travel companion.

HILTON: HOTEL BOOKINGS ON THE RISE

Leisure demand continues south of the border. Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta said Hilton’s April bookings for the summer [in the U.S.] are exceeding 2019 peak levels by nearly 10%, which is remarkable.

Nassetta told Hotel News Now that Hilton is seeing “a slow shift back to a more normal mix of business.”

NEW CAMPAIGN FOR DOMINICA

In light of increasing consumer confidence and positive traveller intent, Dominica has launched “In Our Nature,” an initiative signaling Dominica’s readiness to welcome global travellers.

The new global campaign, “In Our Nature,” embodies the island’s rejuvenating and transformative natural experiences including geothermal rainforest spas, farm- and sea-to-table cuisine, and one-of-a-kind adventures on land and underwater. The country of Dominica, located in the Caribbean, is renowned for its natural beauty, friendly people, unique experiences and laid-back vibe.

Dominica’s COVID cases have been low and well-controlled and at a minimum. Currently, 39% of the eligible population have received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The country’s successful Safe in Nature managed experience program safeguards travellers from high-risk destinations for the first 5-7 days of arrival and offers unique and certified land and water-based experiences. The Safe in Nature commitment includes certified accommodations, transport providers, attractions, spas, and restaurants. In addition, the island has been awarded the Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council which reassures that the destination’s health and safety protocols meet globally accepted standards.

I was there a few years ago and had a truly fantastic visit. The hiking and nature were particularly amazing.

For more information on Dominica, visit Dominica’s official website: www.DiscoverDominica.com.

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