I've travelled a lot in my life and have been fortunate to see some pretty amazing things, but one place that gets me every time is Niagara Falls. As I stand in awe of its sheer beauty and power, I have this recurring thought: Who was the first person was to stumble upon it? (My second thought is usually that I hope they weren't in a boat!)
This past weekend was a mini vacation for our family and we had three things on the agenda; see the Falls (my son Ethan's first time), take in all that is Niagara Falls (minus the gambling) and pop across the border to check out some of the back-to-school deals.
Read More »
"From Sea to Sea" is our country's official motto and it fits. At nearly ten million square kilometres in size, Canada is the second largest country on the planet. Its land stretches from the Pacific Ocean in the west across to the Atlantic Ocean in the east and all the way up north to the Arctic Circle. In between, there's certainly no shortage of interesting things to do and see.
In previous blogs, I've highlighted many of those specifics. Today, I'd like to share several fun facts about our home that you may not have known:
Read More »
Looking for a great last minute summer vacation? Just head east!
The four smallest provinces--New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island--comprise the backbone of Canada's East Coast. This region, which is also referred to as Atlantic Canada, is home to just under 2.5 million people or approximately eight percent of our country's population. In this case, however, the adage that "good things come in small packages" is definitely appropriate.
Read More »
I live in Oakville, Ontario, a town 40 kilometres from Canada's biggest and busiest airport, Lester B. Pearson International (YYZ). A gateway to every corner of the globe, Pearson has three separate terminals and is centrally located in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
Like any world-class airport though, its strengths end up being among its weaknesses. The time spent on parking, making your way through security and retrieving your bags upon arrival is unpredictable at best--and generally a frustrating and time-consuming exercise.
Read More »
For the third consecutive year, Banff National Park in Alberta has been selected as the favourite domestic attraction by travel agents across Canada. The Travel Agents Choice Awards, which began in 1999 by the Baxter Media Group via Travel Press and Travel Courier, received feedback from more than 4,000 travel professionals to come up with this year's winner.
Banff, named for the Scottish birthplace (Banffshire) of two original directors of the Canadian Pacific Railway, is a relatively small resort town population-wise with only 7,500 people who call it home. However, the park itself is massive, covering more than 6,600 square kilometres. More than four million people have visited Banff every year since 1996.
Read More »
According to a recent PhoCusWright study that looks at Canadian online travel trends, the number of trips booked online continues to rise. In fact, the penetration level for online travel bookings jumped by more than one third in 2009 amid a global recession. Although the total travel spend for Canada was down by 7 percent, the actual number of online transactions rose.
Here are three things to expect as more Canadian travelers not only look--but book--trips online:
Read More »
Well from April through November, he may just be at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario. The festival is a great Canadian story--one that demonstrates the power of an idea and an example of how local ingenuity and pride can revive a city.
Tom Patterson, a local journalist, wanted to revitalize the town's economy and so he founded the Stratford Shakespearean Festival of Canada. Tom's idea was to create a theatre festival dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare, as the town shares the name of Shakespeare's birthplace.
Read More »
Let's face it; in general we Canadians are a pretty frugal bunch! We're always looking to get the best possible deal. People regularly ask me when the best time is to book travel in order to get the best deal; it's always a difficult question to answer with so many variables to consider--including those unpredictable things like volcanic ash!
Today, though, my crystal ball seems about as clear as it's ever going to be. I'm convinced that if you're planning a trip in the next six months, especially internationally, you'd be well served to book and pay for it now.
Three major factors support my prediction:
Read More »
Have you ever stopped dead in your tracks because you realize you're becoming more like your parents? Well, it's happening to me and yes it's a bit scary. Don't get me wrong, I love my folks and they are wonderful people...but it still scares me.
Read More »
Now that the May 2 - 4 weekend is behind us, my family is ready to plan our summer road trip. As you also think about your summer travel plans, consider the following 10 steps to ensure you get the most out of your family vacation this year.
10 - Plan now. Industry experts agree that last-minute deals are not going to be as abundant this year as they were last. If you want to save costs, start planning and book now.
Read More »
Recently, Best Western orchestrated their annual Leisure Travel Summit at the University Club in Toronto. The event brought together leading executives from the travel industry to discuss the state of affairs regarding the Canadian leisure travel market.
Participating this year were Chris Jones from TIAC, Alison Hermansen from CAA and Dorothy Dowling from Best Western. Chris Robinson, the famous Canadian travel radio personality, moderated the discussion.
The panel covered many topics, but three key topics took centre stage:
Read More »
A lot of people in and around Toronto will tell you that we have two seasons here: winter and construction! This is essentially the punch line anytime we complain about traffic getting in and out and especially moving within the city.
If you are someone who can't stand delays and congestion than you need to start planning your escape from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) now for the week of June 21-28, 2010.
Read More »
It's certainly been yet another interesting period for the travel industry with the disruptions caused by Iceland's Eyjafjallajoumlkull volcano. (I can't pronounce it either.) Just when you think you've dealt with every type of scenario, a new issue seems always to be just around the corner. This isn't the first time, however, that volcanoes have wreaked havoc: in 1902, a much worse volcanic cloud hit Martinique, killing 29,000 people. Two more recent examples occurred in 1982 over Indonesia and in Alaska just seven years later, and both of these resulted in airline engine seizure.. Fortunately, the two jumbo jets affected by these volcanoes were able to restart their engines, but not before losing 25,000 feet of altitude at a frightening rate.
Read More »
Saskatchewan is a province in the heart of Canada that's traditionally been known for being really flat and for producing two of our country's key resources: wheat and hockey players (most notably, Haley Wickenheiser, Wendel Clark and some guy named Gordie Howe!)
The name (try saying it ten times quickly) gets its origin from the Plains Indian word, "kisiskatchewan", which means "the river that flows swiftly". For most of its history, more people left Saskatchewan then stayed. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, between 2001 and 2006, more than 10,000 people left the province for their oil-rich neighbour every year. But that's all changed recently. The Saskatchewan business community is experiencing a significant boom, as their natural resources are being tapped like never before to meet international demands for gas, potash and nuclear energy. These days, everyone wants what Saskatchewan's got!
Read More »
The Canadian Automobile Association (or CAA as many of us fondly refer to it) was founded in 1913 as a non-profit federation. Today it remains relevant and continues to thrive with more than five million members, nine clubs and 148 offices throughout Canada.
But how has it remained so strong?
The answer is simple. It achieves its mandate of providing exceptional value to members every day.
Here are 10 things you might not know about CAA:
Read More »
It's not easy to have the discipline to stay in shape if you're an on-the-go business traveller. For a lot of us, eating well and working out are part of our routine, and traveling challenges that routine at every turn.
Here are a few pitfalls to avoid so you can in shape while on the road.
Read More »
Last Thursday, March 18th I was fortunate to have moderated an engaging and informative panel discussion on the state of the Canadian business travel. Best Western, the brain child of this event, pulled together marquee expert panellists with a full house of Canadian media including reporters from the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star and Toronto Sun. The travel trade were well-represented with both Travel Press and Travelweek in attendance, as well. The stunning venue, on the 4th floor of the Toronto Board of Trade, allowed everyone to enjoy the day's bright sunshine which was more indicative of May than March.
Read More »
This year's list of my top five travel must-haves is the best one yet. An overarching theme is tough to determine but hopefully there's something for everyone.
- For the couch potato .who's away from his or her stead, I give you Slingbox This little gem allows you to basically bring your TV on the road with you. All you need is internet access and you can literally watch your TV and your local channels--including the ability to watch and record PVR! They've also recently launched Sling Player for your iPhone! I remember travelling through the U.S. during the NHL playoffs and it was easier to find coverage of the Horseshoe Championship of the World. Could have really used Slingbox!
Read More »
I woke up this morning to an official Olympic hangover. Symptoms included a raspy voice from chanting "Crosby, Crosby..." for hours (his mother's maiden is Forbes, btw..) and, for us on the east side of country, fatigue from lack of sleep. I also can still hear Brian Williams' voice if I try hard enough. Anyway, the hangover will soon pass and only thing left will be the enormous surge of patriotism and pride. Well done, Canada!
Aside from the hangover, the most troubling part of my morning was the realization that it is March. February was a blur and we're now scrambling to coordinate schedules for March Break, which for us starts at 3 p.m. next Friday the 12th and concludes on Monday the 22nd when life will go back to "normal".
Read More »
This is the second part of a two part series inspired by a great pop-up book called A is for Animals by David Pelham. This blog takes letters N through Z and matches words that can help families pick the right hotel to meet their needs. Check out Part 1 for A through M.
N is for nickel. As in nickel and dime...I hate being surprised at check out by a list of items you didn't expect to be paying extra for. I include parking, Internet and local calls on this list.
Read More »
My son and I pulled out one of his favourite books last night that we haven't read in more than a year. It's a great pop-up book called A is for Animals by David Pelham and it goes through different creatures from A to Z. The amazing thing is how my son can remember the most obscure animals, see "Quetzel or Narwhal". It inspired this week's (and next week's) blog - the ABC's of choosing a great hotel for families with kids. (You'll have to imagine the pop ups!)
A is for activities. Hotels that cater to families often have activities for kids. This can be as simple as child menus and crayons in the restaurant to playrooms.
Read More »
If you said Chinese New Year you're correct! However, if you're in a relationship and plan to stay in it, Sunday is also Valentine's Day. This holiday dates all the way back to 496 AD and was named after that famous Christian martyr Saint Valentine, although I believe back then it was simply "Valentine" (kind of like Patrick Roy, the Montreal Canadians' famous goalie before winning the Stanley Cup, now affectionately known as Saint Patrick).
More than one billion cards or "Valentines" are sent every year, making it the second busiest for the postal service only behind Christmas. Regardless, whether you're a hopeless romantic or a sceptical cynic it doesn't really matter, your loved one is expecting something.
Read More »
Minutes after submitting my last blog about how mild the winter has been throughout Canada, Mother Nature smirked and changed her tune. Although we've still had very little snow, the temperature has dropped significantly and it feels much more like winter than it did last week.
As I initially pondered this week's topic about Winterlude in Ottawa, I assumed I'd be discussing what organizers were planning without "skateable" ice. Au contraire! In the last week, conditions have become perfect to build a rink! I mean perfectly imperfect--bitterly cold with very little snow.
Every February since 1979, Canada's Capital Region has gotten ready to host Winterlude, Canada's winter celebration. For three weeks, the region transforms to a winter playground. With these ideal conditions, it's expected that the current attendance record of 1.6 million visitors (set in 2007) may be exceeded.
Having grown up in the area, I can attest first-hand to just how much fun you can have outside when it's -10 degrees at Winterlude. Here are a few tips:
Read More »
Earlier this week, the senior climatologist for Environment Canada, David Phillips, went on record to say that most of Canada can expect this season's mild winter weather to continue. Already in the dead of winter, most of us have been left scratching our heads and asking, "What winter?" Toronto, as an example, has only had 24 cm. of snow to date this season versus 110 cm. at the same time last year! With these balmy conditions, what does it mean for travel?
In previous assignments, where I was focused predominantly on leisure travel, I relied heavily on outbound travel by disgruntled sun-seeking Canucks escaping winter from November to April. At that time, cold and miserable weather meant (or at least we thought) more last-minute money.
Although my focus has shifted more recently to corporate travel, my perspective has been more dramatically altered by an interesting argument:
The hypothesis is a complete 180-degree shift and argues that a milder winter actually increases the likelihood that Canadians will travel both for leisure and for business. The supporting evidence comes from three assumptions.
Read More »
January can be a tough month in Canada. Let's face it, for the most part it's cold, it's dark at 4:30 p.m. and winter has really settled in. There are two options: mope around for the next few months or accept reality and find things to do to actually enjoy yourself.
Here is a fantastic option that really embraces winter: the Niagara Icewine Festival 2010. Back for its 15th year, the entire Niagara region transforms into a wintry wonderland to host a celebration of one of Canada's most beloved products, Ontario icewines.
Much more concentrated than regular wine, icewine is a dessert wine whose name comes from the process that goes into harvesting the grapes. The Niagara region in January is when the grapes freeze while still on the vine. Wineries harvest the grapes delicately at night when they know they're frozen. It's a very labour-intensive process that results in small quantities which makes the wine relatively expensive. The first Canadian icewine has been traced to the Okanagan Valley in B.C., but the Inniskillin Winery is believed to have started the process in Ontario after launching its first icewine in 1984.
Read More »
My wife Ruth and I sat down last weekend in attempt to come up with five travel-related resolutions for 2010. The process itself was really enjoyable and an excellent catalyst to create a wish list for the year. Here are the results:
1. Take more pictures.
We love to sit around and reminisce about some of the trips we've taken. Two years ago, we got really motivated and took lots of pictures and even created and printed photobooks as keepsakes. There are many online services to choose from; we've used www.photoworks.com and have been delighted each time. Unfortunately, we didn't do so well last year and it's a shame. In 2010, we vow to make sure we get back to it because it's so easy with digital. The process is fun and the memories last a lifetime.
Read More »
On July 2, 2003 (nearly 24,000 days ago!) the International Olympic Committee chose Vancouver as the host city for the XXI (21st) Winter Olympics. Since then, countless hours of blood, sweat and tears from more than 25,000 volunteers have gone into preparation for the world's biggest winter sporting event.
My Dad and I dropped in on Vancouver eager to see what changes have been made and how things are progressing to get ready for the Games. We checked into the Best Western Downtown Vancouver, a beautiful 143-room property which is one of five Best Westerns in the Vancouver area. After a quick workout in a panoramic fitness centre with a great view, we set out on foot to hit trendy "Yaletown" (only a five minute walk away) and both noticed two things immediately. For starters, the number of cranes that have been a staple on the Vancouver skyline have disappeared. It definitely gave us a sense of being in a more established city. Secondly, the city is clean. The streets, sidewalks and buildings all seemed very tidy and well kept.
During our stay, we informally polled a number of locals about all things Olympics and here are the top three things we learned:
Read More »
The second leg of "Bob & Bryson's Excellent Western Adventure" took my Dad and I to Whistler to preview one of the marquee sites for the 2010 Winter Olympics. During this visit, I was stunned to learn it was actually my Dad's first trip to Whistler. For me, it was my third and, having been in April 2008, I was most interested to see if I noticed any major changes.
The first big change was the trip from Vancouver to Whistler. Highway 99, known as the "Sea-to-Sky Highway", has been given a major facelift. The 125-kilometer drive has historically been a challenging one, with twists and turns, major elevation changes and a steady stream of big trucks. Travellers needed to be alert at all times and budget two hours to travel this stretch of beautiful roadway. Four lanes now make up most of Route 99, turning this scenic drive into a quicker and safer journey. We cruised up to Whistler in about ninety minutes--including a quick pit stop for coffee.
Read More »
Last Thursday, my Dad and I started our "rock star" tour of Western Canada with three stops in three nights - Kelowna, Whistler and Vancouver. Minutes after landing in Kelowna, we were immediately struck by the remarkable landscape. From the Okanagan mountain range to the shores of Okanagan Lake, this place was truly breathtaking.
For a relatively small Canadian city (population of about 115,000), the region has lots to offer. It's truly become a four-season vacation hotspot. In the winter, the main attraction (as we highlighted in last week's blog) is the skiing and snowboarding, with Big White only minutes away and the snow affectionately called "champagne powder".
The region is very dry, with less than twelve inches of rain accumulating each year. This makes conditions ideal for another one of Kelowna's big industries - wine-making. The Okanagan Valley produces award-winning wines in many varieties including ice wines. We spent a couple of hours later in the day at Summerhill Pyramid Winery, a truly remarkable and unique place. With more than 80 acres of organic vineyards, Summerhill takes on the character and personality its proprietor, Stephen Cipes. Every wine spends time in the pyramid, a replica of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, allowing the energy of this unique cellar to enhance each bottle. They offer wine tours and tastings, and have a bistro with one of the best views out over the lake you'll ever see.
Read More »
Last month marked the first time in recorded history, (which apparently goes back 165 years) that Toronto had no snow in the month of November. Not a single flurry! Great news for drivers and bad news for skiers. The reality is any skier/snowboarder who's serious about the sport needs to get a long way from the Greater Toronto Area if they want to enjoy the best mountains in the country.
Narrowing the following list of ski areas down to five was a challenge and truthfully I could have found five great ones within the province of British Columbia alone. My methodology for ranking the resorts took into account a number of factors including:
- Size of the mountain
- Number and diversity of the runs
- Average annual snowfall
- Tourism infrastructure (accessibility, # of hotels, restaurants and activities)
Read More »
Last Sunday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes squared off in the 97th Grey Cup in Calgary, Alberta. Canada's version of the Superbowl is held in late November each year and unless it's being played in Vancouver or Toronto (which have dome stadiums--weather usually plays a key role. Surprisingly, this year's weather was tame and quite boring, making it a non issue. In fact, at kick-off the sun was shining and a balmy eight degrees Celsius.
In contrast, the football game was exciting and full of intrigue, making it one of the best I can remember. It came down to the final play, where the heavily favoured Alouettes kicked a field goal with no time left on the clock to win by a single point. Heartbreak for Saskatchewan fans and the thousands who made the trip to Calgary to cheer on their provincial heroes. The game was the icing on the cake for a fantastic week of events and activities that make the Grey Cup a truly must-attend Canadian event. If you've never been, do yourself a favour and mark your calendar for the 98th game next year. It will be contested on November 28th, just three hours north of Calgary in Edmonton - "The City of Champions!" Edmonton has hosted three of the most memorable Grey Cup games in recent history and will sell out their 60,000-seat stadium. Chances are the weather will be nasty, which perhaps surprisingly will add even more fun and festivity.
Read More »
Last Sunday, with Grandma in town from Calgary, we packed up the family for a visit to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) in Toronto. The annual event is held at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) grounds in the core of Canada's largest city.
Since the very first fair in November, 1922 the RAWF has grown to become the world's largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian competition.
The RAWF attracts more than 300,000 visitors to the greater Toronto area every November to see thousands of unique entries from elite Canadian and international breeders, growers and exhibitors, more than 4,500 large and small animals, shows, activities, shopping, dining and, of course, the Royal Horse Show.
Read More »
This week, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, concluded their cross-Canada, 11-city tour. The red carpet was rolled out for the couple who certainly got the `royal treatment` (excuse the pun) and were greeted by large crowds at every stop. It was the 15th trip to Canada for Charles and the inaugural visit for his wife. It was very interesting to see the media attention which surrounded the visit and the rock star-like following the couple generated. As much debate rages on about whether the monarchy should be abolished, the brand seems strong and relevant with many Canadians.
If you are one of those "Royalty Wannabees," how about replicating the trip? You might not get the same attention, but let's face it...that would be stressful anyway. I warn you it's a busy 11 days but we can make it a lot more conducive for a non-royalty budget with locally-owned and operated Best Western accommodations along the way.
First stop: Newfoundland.
Day 1 - Morning visit to Cupids, N.L., to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2010; afternoon visit to Brigus, N.L., including the home of Arctic explorer Capt. Bob Bartlett; opening of new housing project in St. John's; late afternoon visit to Marine Institute at Memorial University; evening reception at The Rooms (Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum). Grab a quick private jet to St. Margaret's Bay and end a busy first day, but get a great night's sleep at the Best Western Chocolate Lake Hotel.
Read More »
With just more than100 days left until the start of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, why are people talking about Quebec City and the Olympics? And why is travel and tourism at the forefront of the discussion?
The issue centres on Quebec City's desire to have a new $400 million arena erected to replace the relic known as Le Colisee. The story has become a national one with two very compelling angles already taking shape. The first is the potential to have NHL hockey back in Quebec City after it left town in 1995. The second buzz surrounds the opportunity to bid for the Olympics yet again (Quebec City was eliminated from the running for the 2010 Winter Olympics) in either 2022 or 2026.
Quebec's timing is very opportunistic with both of these story lines very front-and-centre with Canadians. The hockey angle has been very top-of-mind as Jim Balisle's bid to bring a 7th team to Canada stole the headlines all summer and Olympic excitement really heating up with only three months left until the Games.
It all sounds good, but with a $400 million price tag, who is going to pony up the cash?
Read More »
With just more than two months left in 2009, its time to look ahead to 2010 and make some predictions about the future. Will the Leafs win their first Stanley Cup in more than 40 years? Will we see a federal election in Canada? Will our economy turn the corner quickly and recover from a tough 2009? Aside from the Leafs winning the cup, the other two are a great source for debate, but here are a few personal predictions for the travel industry:
- The Olympic Effect. The Vancouver Olympics will be a resounding success and accomplish a number of wonderful things; it will serve as the perfect excuse to transition economically from bad times to good. It will act as a catalyst to improve consumer confidence and boost spending. The Olympics also will highlight the beauty of Canada and its west coast, helping tourism in the second half of 2010.
Read More »
If you are like me, then Thanksgiving is second to only Christmas on your list of top notch holidays. I always enjoyed the start of a new school year, a new hockey season and the majestic colour changes that have all started by the second Monday in October. For all of these reasons and many more fall is without question my favourite season.
In speaking with a friend last week about plans for Thanksgiving he told me that a few years ago his family started "outsourcing" the holiday. After my initial chuckle, which was not reciprocated, I started to listen more intently. The more he spoke the more sense he started to make. A mere five minutes later, thirty seven years of traditional Thanksgiving celebrations had come squarely into question. It seemed so plausible; could you keep all the benefits of this splendid holiday and outsource the bad? Let me see if I can replicate his sales pitch.
Read More »
According to a market forecast from American Express, a sharp spike is expected in the amount Canadian businesses spend on travel next year. After what has been characterized as the "worst recessionary period in our history" travel and tourism in Canada is starting to see positive signs of recovery. The market forecast projects corporate Canada to increase its spend by 15 percent in 2010, far outpacing a miniscule 1 percent increase from the US and an expected further decline in Europe.
I can attest to the business travel market starting to turn. For the corporate agency I work at, September was the first month in 2009 we were back to pre-recessionary levels. I am cautious though about declaring the trouble completely over just yet. There are three things I am waiting to see before I ink my declaration:
Read More »
It's that time of year again where the Niagara region welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to celebrate this year's wine harvest. The festival has been happening annually dating back to the 1950's and has been, like their award winning wine region, growing every year by leaps and bounds.
As a Brock University alumni (located in St. Catharines), I can attest to the celebratory atmosphere that engulfs the area, as hundreds of activities and events are put on over the 10 day festival. Residents and visitors are entertained, fed, and of course, able to sample an array of award-winning wines.
The Niagara region now boasts 29 wineries, all of which can be toured - check out a complete list here http://www.niagarawinefestival.com/page/winefest_wineries.
The marquee event is the parade that takes place this Saturday, September 26th in St. Catharines. More than 200,000 people are expected and the theme this year is "Embrace your Olympic Spirit".
Read More »
With Labour Day behind us now and the kids all back in school, you should start thinking about your travel plans for holiday break. I know it seems ridiculously early, but I am recommending people make their plans now. Here's why:
- If you want to travel when everyone else does then you are going to have to act early, pay more, or compromise on exactly what you want to do. I am all for acting early above the other two options.
- Last November things really started to get ugly in Canada (and everywhere, for that matter). Investments started to drop and job security became very uncertain for a number of people. I know a lot of people put travel plans on hold. This year, although things are not perfect, people in general are feeling much better and have more certainty financially. That means more people on the road and less supply for last minute travellers.
- In addition, our summer in Canada was terrible. With the exception of two weeks in August, some would argue that we transitioned from spring right to fall. This coupled with no trips last winter will create a surge in demand this year.
- Although travel companies hope I am right, they are not leaving it to chance. Early booking bonuses, loyalty point bonuses and other incentives are in full swing. These will begin to taper off if the demand is there.
- The last reason is less practical and more emotional, but I love having something to look forward to. I am sucker for the countdown. I certainly don't wish time away but it can serve as a great cure for a stressful day to escape for a moment and daydream about that upcoming trip.
Enjoy your September, but don't wait too long to start thinking about your winter travel.
Let me know your plans.
I knew this statement was true, but I didn't quite now how true until I started digging for some facts. According to Colloquy Research, a whopping 93.6 percent of Canadians belong to at least one loyalty program. That number has jumped almost 9 percent since their last study in 2007, which is shocking for an already very saturated market.
Why do we like them so much? Optimists will tell you that we are smart! Why not be rewarded for spending our hard earned cash and for our loyalty - that's worth something you know. The cynics say we're cheap! "Those Canucks always looking for the best deal" they say. In my opinion, both are somewhat accurate.
Although neither cheap nor smart came to mind last week when I witnessed the lady in front of me at the grocery store express line reach back to grab seemingly anything that would take her to the total to the purchase minimum to get a point. I did think to myself, "wow, talk about engaged" and I came to the conclusion the most Canadian generally think of collecting rewards as a game and have fun with it.
Read More »
Dog ownership is on the rise--one-third of all Canadian households have a dog and, according to Ipsos Reid, we spend a whopping $2 billion a year in dog-related pet expenses.
With the number of short domestic excursions on the rise as well, it makes perfect sense that I have had a number of questions lately about people hitting the road with their dogs.
I am a dog lover currently between canines. My last cocker spaniel/poodle Buster--I just can't bring myself to call him a cockapoo--and I had a number of travelling experiences together. So to help out my fellow canine lovers, here is the skinny on travelling with your dog:
Read More »
We just got back from a week in South Carolina and the trip was fantastic. The weather, the beach and yes, even the drive went famously. With two kids ages six and five, we were certainly a little nervous about driving across the United States.
Here are my top 10 tips to make a long car ride a good experience:
10. Pack a small cooler, some ice and pick up some healthy snacks. Juices, yogurt (don't forget plastic spoons) and fruit. Without the snacks you'll end up stopping more and likely eating exclusively fast food.
9. Make sure you pack some treats. We found Skittles to be a great currency to bribe our children. It sounds cruel as I write it, but trust me; it works and makes everyone's trip a lot better.
8. Pre-plan your route and make hotel reservations. Try to stay with the same hotel group throughout the trip and make sure you are a member of their loyalty program. For instance, if you stayed with Best Western twice over the summer and are a member of Best Western Rewards (like me!), you got a free night voucher!
7. Plan to stop every two to three hours to stretch, use the facilities and fill up on gas. No need to have the gas gauge under a quarter tank, especially on long Interstate highways in the evening. Make sure you encourage the kids to use the facilities. If you don't, invariably ten minutes later they'll magically need to go.
Read More »
I have noticed a brilliant trend in marketing and advertising in Canada lately that I think is really resonating with Canadians. In the face of a challenging economic environment, increasing competition, and perhaps the influence of Canada hosting the upcoming Winter Olympic Games, Canadians are being encouraged to get out and explore their own backyards when travelling. Supporting businesses that are "locally owned and operated" has never been more important.
That being said, here are some tips for vacationers looking to support Canadians by travelling domestically:
- Look for hotel properties owned and operated locally - bed and breakfasts, small inns and locally-owned chain properties are a great place to start. Best Western is a great example of large chain where properties are owned by independent hoteliers across Canada.
- Eat at smaller, independent diners and restaurants in addition to visiting the larger chain restaurants. These establishments are often cheaper and may serve local favorites too!
- Visit community-based festivals that offer goods and activities from local artists, bakers and entertainers. A great Web site to find these types of events is www.canada.travel.
Read More »
You may have caught my recent blog about the five most important things to pack for any getaway. I am writing now to correct myself and add one thing to the list that any good husband and father should never forget.
That item is whatever the last thing your significant other tells you to pack. No matter how trivial or seemingly unimportant you may feel it is as you try to configure the space in your car trunk. Learn from my mistake and just make the room.
Read More »
People ask me all the time, what should I pack when travelling?
Here are my top five must haves that will make your life a lot easier just about anywhere.
1) Your credit card. Ten years ago, traveller's cheques were the best form of payment internationally outside of cold hard cash, but not anymore. These days you'll have an easier time with a debit card than travellers cheques, but the best and safest method is by far a credit card. It can get you access to cash, is insured if someone swipes it and is accepted just about everywhere - even in some areas you probably think it won't be.
Read More »
With the kids out of school, summer is officially here! This means it's time to look for some fun family things to do. Here are my picks for the top three family festivals happening in July across Canada.
The Calgary Stampede which is underway and runs until July 12, 2009 is known as "the greatest outdoor show on earth". Every year more than one million people attend the Stampede as the city of Calgary shuts down to host this authentic cowboy party. Even my parents host a Stampede party and break out the cowboy and cowgirl apparel for 10 days each July.
Read More »
July 1st marks the 142nd birthday of our great nation and for you a great chance for a short, fun getaway. This year Canada Day falls on Wednesday, at first blush this seems kind of disappointing, but if you reframe it, it provides a perfect chance to get a five-day mini-holiday and only cost you two days vacation.
Read More »
I was very fortunate to have been able to participate in Canada's Leisure Travel Summit, hosted by Best Western on June the 9th in Toronto. The event brought together some leading executives from the travel industry to discuss current issues and trends.
Read More »
As a golfer and someone who has been closely associated with travel industry for more than a decade, I have organized, attended and read about lots of golf getaways. But last week, I attended the best mini-golf trip ever, bar none. If you are a golfer you need to rally the troops and pull one of these together.
Read More »
Get ready - another acronym is hitting the travel industry. This time it's WHTI, which stands for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After much debate and delay, June 1, 2009 marks the introduction of this new U.S. law requiring every Canadian above the age of sixteen who enters the U.S., via land or water, to present a valid passport.
Read More »
Victoria Day, more affectionately named May Two Four weekend, is upon us already! The holiday officially recognizes the birthday of Queen Victoria (May 24, 1819) and has been a holiday and cause for celebration in Canada dating back to 1854, her 35th. It is celebrated the Monday prior to May 24th and this year is as early as it can ever be, with the holiday falling on May 18th.
Unofficially however, this weekend signifies the end of winter in Canada and that warmer weather is ahead. "May Two Four" is a double entendre used to indicate the date, or the case of beer (24 beers total) that many enjoy to help celebrate the weekend.
Read More »
The first week in August you will find the Forbes family in Fripp Island, South Carolina for a little beach time with friends. Three families are all making the 1,600 kilometre drive from Oakville over the civic holiday weekend.
I asked my wife whether she thought we should rent a car. She gave that look like I just sprung antlers. So now I feel obligated to demonstrate the logic of the question and stubbornly build a case for why it makes sense. So here goes...
Read More »
If you are a parent like me you likely had this experience when your kids were toddlers. You research the best, must-have gift, only to realize your child invariably plays and enjoys the colourful box it came in, while the actual toy remains untouched. We had a similar experience while traveling on a quick getaway this past weekend.
Saturday morning we packed up the SUV and hit the road for a quick one-nighter in London, Ontario. It's less than 150 kilometres from home and a very easy straight forward drive, especially when you have a GPS (dads - this is a great investment and you'll only ever have to stop at a gas stations for gas)! Our original plan was to check in to The Best Western Lamplighter Inn by lunch, hit a local theme park for the afternoon, have an early dinner and then go see Monster and Aliens, a movie we been eyeing for weeks.
Read More »
As the weather north of the 49th parallel begins to heat up, hockey nets have taken up their permanent fixture and the kids have officially declared the start of road hockey season. Shouts of "car!"and "game on!" are echoing around neighbourhoods.
Although I still participate weekly in a men's ice hockey league, I have to admit I haven't played road hockey in years. But that is about to change.
I just heard about a great event that "Hockey Night in Canada" has organized nationally called "Play On" - The Official Canadian Road Hockey Championship and outdoor hockey festival. The event is happening between May 23 and the end of August in a dozen cities across the country, where downtown urban areas will be converted into a series of outdoor street rinks. You can register as a team of five and prices ranges from $30 - $50 per player. Check it out.
Read More »
IValue can be defined as a function of price and quality. In Canada, I am suggesting that we have a rare situation, caused by the economic downturn, where both factors are working positively together to produce an enhanced value equation.
My crystal ball indicates that this will last until September 9, 2009. Although this date seems random, it is six months from the date that it appears the Toronto Stock Exchange hit bottom. Experts seem to agree that markets are six months ahead, telling me the world will be right again around September 9th.
So the clock is ticking for you to get a great deal, exceptional service and in turn, the best value for your trip. But there's an interesting phenomenon happening out there, where people who have money to spend are trying to hide it. Coined "stealth wealth", it is affecting the travel industry too, as a growing faction of would be travellers are feeling guilty about the notion of vacationing during this economic downturn.
Read More »
Earlier this week, I was in my car listening to the radio and an ad came on referencing the $1,350 tax credit available to Canadians against the cost of anything related to "home improvement." The Home Renovation Tax Credit is a key part of our economic stimulus plan to get Canadians spending in industries hurt during the downturn.
A few minutes later, I had one of those "a-ha" moments. Why not give taxpayers (both individual and corporate) a break against the cost of travel? This may seem a bit selfish coming from the guy who is a part owner of a travel agency group, but seriously, what would help kick-start the economy like people getting out flying, driving, eating in restaurants and staying in hotels?
Read More »
This weekend, the best college basketball event and arguably the greatest tournament in sports will crown a champion at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. That's right; the final games of March Madness have arrived.
For those Canadians like me who are NCAA college basketball fans (and there are plenty of us out there), the four hour drive means the final event has never been so close! It's the perfect opportunity for this sports fan to scratch off another of "the events I must see before dying" list.
Read More »
You may not understand the reference unless you too are a fellow Canuck and remember the now famous 2001 Molson Canadian Beer Commercial titled "the rant". Hilarious and award-winning; it reminded us all why we are proud to be Canadian.
Read More »
Despite what Chicken Little and every newscaster, radio host and journalist would have you believe, the sky is not actually falling!
Personally, I don't think I can take much more of the doom and gloom and am looking at things from a different angle. This challenge has created some of the best travel opportunities seen in decades. The reason is simple; you stand to get the greatest value for your vacation if you plan and go during the current recession.
To take advantage of the great offers available, my wife, Ruth, along with our two kids, my daughter Caira, six going on 16, and son Ethan, who is four, just returned from a 10- day escape to Arizona. The deals were great for every facet of the trip. Hotels, car rental companies, restaurants and even airlines are fighting hard to win your business, which means great value for Canadians looking to travel.
Read More »
Sam Lowe
Cesar Millan
Chris McGinnis
Jason Fogelson
Bryson Forbes
Amy Graff
Karla Henriquez
I've travelled a lot in my life and have been fortunate to see some pretty amazing things, but one place that gets me every time is Niagara Falls. As I stand in awe of its sheer beauty and power, I have this recurring thought: Who was the first person was to stumble upon it? (My second thought is usually that I hope they weren't in a boat!)
As the World's Largest Hotel Chain, we know it is a big world out there
with lots of places to see and experience. Best Western's You Must Be
Trippin' travel blog offers travel tips, ideas and feature destinations
to make your next trip a success. We are also interested in where
you've been trippin' and invite you to share your travel ideas, tips
and destinations with us.
Please wait while my tweets load 
