Resolving to be resolute in promoting interesting but lesser-known aspects of destinations
Ian Stalker
A number of people in the tourism industry have made New Year’s resolutions that have them promising themselves to be even more resolute about promoting particularly interesting sides of their destinations.
Travel Courier contacted a number of people about what their tourism promotion plans include for the coming year.
Here are their thoughts:
Discover the story behind The Old Man and the Sea in Cuba
Lessner Gomez, Cuba Tourist Board
Lessner Gomez is using the written word here to update Canadians on the many ties between his homeland and a man who became famous because of his command of the written word.
Gomez, who heads the Cuba Tourist Board’s Toronto office, notes author Ernest Hemingway loved Cuba, spending much of his life in the country that was the setting for his classic novel The Old Man and the Sea.
“Hemingway is one of the giants of American literature and every place he visited claimed him as a son but he stayed in Cuba longer than any other place and he called Cuba ‘home,’” Gomez says. “Jardines del Rey is particularly interesting because he came in contact with this area during the Second World War, where he would patrol Cuban waters, chasing German submarines; as typical Hemingway, his service was not ordinary, nor was his behaviour, and though his intentions might been serious, he was mocked by many who would say that the blue marlins look like torpedoes under the water.
Gomez suggests Canadians are more familiar with the Hemingway-Havana connection, although his book Islands in the Stream offers a window into Hemingway’s adventures around the islands of Jardines del Rey.
“No one can deny the impact of his books on travel, his books inspire people to travel and experience places and cultures from a local perspective,” Gomez states.
Gomez says Hemingway was truly in his element when in Cuba.
“Hemingway loved Cuba’s climate, its fishing and its daiquiris,” he says. “Hemingway had many Cuban friends and saw himself as an average Cuban. Cubans in turn loved him back, they would called him ‘Papa’ Hemingway. “A testament of his love for Cuba and the Cuban people is that when he won the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature for his book The Old Man and the Sea (which was inspired by fishing excursions off Havana’s coast with his friend Gregorio Fuentes, captain of Hemingway’s fishing boat Pilar), he donated his gold medal to the Cuban people and The Virgin of Charity, patron saint of Cuba.”
Wellness is natural in Korea
Randy Snape, Korea Tourism Organization
Randy Snape believes the travel agent community would be well-served in 2021 by learning that Korea is a great destination for those wanting to be well.
Snape, with the Korea Tourism Organization’s Toronto office, says Korea is a great part of the world for those interested in good health, something he and his colleagues are looking forward to updating people on.
“Wellness is a growing trend in not only Korea but also in travel,” he says. “The Korean take on wellness is a mix of relaxation, connecting, re-energizing and reflecting. These key points are evident in all areas of wellness travel in Korea and I think this fits well with the needs of international travellers. We have spas, saunas, retreats but also unique opportunities in beauty, temple stays and much, much more.
“There is a growing demand for wellness travel in Canada and I believe that Korea is the perfect fit for what Canadians are looking for. Korea has so many wellness attractions that I think are often overlooked.
Snape is quick to add that wellness opportunities are only some of many great reasons for visiting Korea.
“Korea has a lot to offer travellers,” he states. “We are a destination with something for everyone. Of things that I find are particularly of interest to Canadians that are not often talked about or that Canadians are not often aware of is the healthfulness of food. The effort that goes into cuisine is not just the presentation and this is one of the first things that is taught in Korean cuisine classes that are being taught on tours in Korea now.
“Additionally, the traditional markets and its UNESCO World Heritage sites are like no other.”
The KTO is eager to update Canadians on what awaits them in Korea.
“We plan on promoting more specific cities within the country and one highlight city that we hope Canadians will see more of is Busan,” he says. “This beautiful coastal city has a lot of similarities with Vancouver all the while maintaining a unique culture, dialect and plenty of new attractions for visitors that have already seen other cities of Korea. Of particular interest to Canadians would be the Jagalchi Seafood market, the UN Cemetery and the Gamcheon Culture Village are not to missed.”
Step back in time
Sally Mikhail, GMTours
Sally Mikhail is looking to the new year as a time to promote some countries that have tourism attributes that are anything but new.
Mikhail, head of GMTours, notes some of her destinations are steeped in history, history she expects many will want to view in 2021.
“I view 2021 to be a robust year for the travel and tourism sector,” she says. “People are longing for a well-deserved vacation after almost a year in home prison. Once the vaccine takes hold of the pandemic along with forced consumer saving, I see 2021 as a year of travel. GMTours is positioning itself to take advantage of the foreseeable boom by offering all-time favourite tourist destinations, namely Egypt, Greece and Portugal.
“Egypt has a lot to offer — history and culture, pilgrimage, beaches for sun-seekers, activities for adventurers, golfing, snorkelling, sightseeing, desert adventures only to name a few.
“The official opening of the largest archaeological museum in the world, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is slated to happen during 2021. Located close to the Great Pyramids, it will be filled with rare antiquities and artifacts, including one showcasing every artifact found in the tomb of King Tutankhamen.
“Greece is definitely a bucket-list country for most North American travellers for its history, beaches, culinary and climate. From Athens to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos on the Aegean Sea, there is something for everyone in this country. Start in Athens, in 3 days visit the famous Acropolis, then you hit the islands — mixing it up with the gorgeous and scenic Santorini with amazing beaches, clubs and restaurants, followed by visiting the live and fun island of Mykonos that is popularly known for its summer party atmosphere with massive dance clubs that attract world-renowned DJs.”
This year will see GM Tours add a Greece mainland tour that features Athens-Olympus-Meteora- Zagori for 8 days and operates with a minimum of 4 people and runs from May to October. It’s also adding more hopping island to Naxos from Santorini or Mykonos.
Meanwhile, Mikhail praises Portugal as another great destination.
“It’s a land of great natural beauty and unique landscapes,” she says. “Sunny beaches and sophisticated resorts of the Algarve and Estremadura are places adored by first-time visitors or repeat ones. The Azores are the most-kept secret paradise in North Atlantic Ocean. The scenic beauty of the islands draws visitors in increasing numbers. One of the prime tourist activities is whale-watching but natural pools built into volcanic rock along the shoreline are popular and numerous, with many pools containing jets of hot water, as if an organic spa.
“The Alentejo is the beautiful rural interior of Portugal, and is characterized by gently rolling hills, farm land, cork trees, olive and vineyards and magnificent historic fortified towns and intense summer heat.
“For sure your visit to Portugal will include a visit to Lisbon with bustling mix of the old and new city. A place to see elegant architecture in Belem district, all and more including in GMTours customized programs to Portugal.
New this year from GMTours this year is the Camino de Santiago from Porto or from Lisbon, with self- full-guided tours for 7 nights upon request.
Also new in 2021 are Malta, Slovenia and Croatia.
