US destinations in the spotlight in Canada
IAN STALKER
Travel from this country to the United States is clearly back in vogue, with Canadians heading over our southern border in large numbers as memories of the darkest days of the travel-grounding pandemic fade somewhat.
Staci Mellman, senior vice president of integrated marketing at Brand USA, told an Oct. 25 Toronto gathering of Discover America Canada – which promotes travel to the United States – that there were 12.2 million Canadian visitations to the United States in the first 7 months of this year.
“Canadian travel to the United States is coming back strongly,” said Mellman, adding she expects 2024’s numbers to surpass 2019’s, with that pre-pandemic year being a strong one for travel to the U.S.
Air travel to the United States is doing particularly well, while car travel is lagging, she continued. Brand USA and Air Canada are together planning an April “mega-fam” for “60 qualified agents.”
The event also saw Chris Moyer of Visit Detroit tell the audience that travel is a force for good. “What we do in travel is… inspire people… Travel is inspiring and travel brings the world together.”
He said his own city was once a powerhouse in the American economy, later saw its fortunes slump but has since rebounded.
Detroit has played a major role in the development of American culture, being the home of Motown and techno music and has the oldest jazz club found anywhere, Moyer continued.
The histories of Detroit and the car manufacturing industry are intertwined, he noted. “Our story is about movement.”
Meanwhile, the event enabled other American locations to update people on their destinations, among them Miami, with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Suzie Sponder welcoming Air Canada Vancouver-Miami service.
“That direct link is a game-changer in opening up the West Coast,” she said, adding travel time between the 2 cities matches the travel time between Vancouver and Hawaii.
Miami is also a major cruise port and Sponder suggested those sailing from it extend their vacations by adding a few days in Miami before or after they sail. “There’s so much to do.”
Michael Hogan of Visit Central Florida – which promotes an area between Orlando and Tampa Bay – praised its flourishing culinary scene, including “farm-to-fork” opportunities.
Hogan added that his region has a “very good” restaurant scene, citing the likes of Nineteen61, found in the community of Lakeland. “I’ll put Nineteen61 up against any other restaurant.”
“You’ll get as good food (in his jurisdiction) as you’ll get in any other destination,” he continued.
Winter Haven chef and restaurant owner Steven Rojas is Michelin-starred rated, Hogan continued.
Hannah Lajara, carrying the flag for Orlando, said that city can easily provide visitors with an economical destination, adding those tourists can find theme parks where daily admission is under US$30.
Lajara also dispelled any suggestion that her destination is suited for youngsters alone. “It’s a playground for adults (as well),” she stated.
Visitors will also find plenty of fine dining opportunities, Lajara continued.
Another represented Florida destination was Bradenton, with Kolby Gayson of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promoting its natural side, in part showcased by Anna Maria Island, the attractions of which include a volunteer-run museum that tells of local history.
Gayson said dolphins can be spotted in her part of the world and manatee sightings are also possible, with the large, aquatic, harmless herbivores sometimes following kayakers, behaviour that reflects their curiosity. It’s forbidden to touch the endangered mammals.
Area tourists can also see manatees at the Natural Science Museum, which has a manatee rehab center that nurses sick or injured manatees back to health before releasing them back into the wild.
Keri Woody of Experience Kissimmee said of interior Florida’s Kissimmee that its close proximity to Orlando and its famed theme parks is a major selling point.
“We’re on the doorstep of Orlando,” she said. But she added Kissimmee has other pluses.
“We have the thrill and chill,” she said. “We have the theme parks and we have the outdoor adventures.”
Outdoor adventures include the likes of kayaking.
Mary Haban of Visit Tampa Bay said downtown Tampa Bay has seen dramatic revitalization – funded in part by technology mogul Bill Gates – in recent years and is now a great place to “work, live and play.”
Water taxis are available for those visiting the Gulf of Mexico-fronting city, she reported.
Coastal Florida’s Fort Myers Islands, Beaches, and Neighborhood’s Andrew Ricketts reported it is on the verge of gaining a Margaritaville resort. The resort’s opening was set back by Hurricane Ian, which battered much of Florida.
Fort Myers was hit by Ian as well and some smaller area hotels remain closed and some beaches haven’t yet reopened but most of the destination is up and running, Ricketts said.
“We’re welcoming tourists,” Ricketts said.
Local attractions include estates that once belonged to industrialist Henry Ford and inventor Thomas Edison. The properties can be visited by tourists.
The day also saw Baxter Media’s Bob Mowat named one of Discover USA’s media award winners for a story about the United States. Mowat won in the travel trade category for a story about Florida and received Air Canada travel to the United States as his prize.
