The tourism trade is dreaming of a white Christmas
Ian Stalker
Marco Frank
Visit Flanders
Marco Frank can truly state that those who enjoy Christmas will be in their element in Flanders in December.
Frank, with Visit Flanders, says that part of Belgium embraces the Christmas season in a major way.
“Christmas still plays an important role,” he says. “It is a time to slow down and reflect on a past year. You can see the cities and villages change. Beautiful Christmas decorations are installed to celebrate the season. Of course, as a Christian holiday, it is also important to remember that other believes and religions do exist. Some of them, like the Jewish faith, also celebrate holidays around the same time as Christmas.
“You will see many (Christmas) reminders now that the holiday season is upon us. Streets are nicely decorated with street ornaments and lights. Market squares are filled with Christmas markets and smells of waffles, chocolate and mulled wine. Christmas trees are put up across town and might also hear the occasional carol singing or choir. Holiday concerts in churches, historic buildings or on a market square are also common. You might also come across seasonal reminders of the winter season, like an ice skating rink created just for the winter season in the middle of a market square, or some hand carved ice sculptures. Several cities have stunning light installations or light shows, that make this season even more special.”
Tourism in Flanders slows down in fall but sees a little uptake before the Christmas holidays, with Christmas markets and festive events popular. Guests can enjoy mulled wine, gingerbread cookies and buy hand crafted ornaments and Christmas decorations.
“And since the Belgian beer culture has UNESCO World Heritage (recognition), we also enjoy Christmas beer during the festive season,” Frank adds. “Christmas beers… There is even a Christmas beer festival. O.B.E.R. (Objective Beer tasters Essen Region) organizes its Christmas Beer Festival every year. For two days visitors can taste about 170 Belgian Christmas and winter beers in 15 cl tasting glasses. Their beer list is regarded as one of the best in the world, with several scoops and interesting gems combined with world classics. Did you know that Christmas Beer is not the latest marketing gimmick of a brewery, but actually dates back to Viking times?”
Meanwhile, Frank reports that Christmas festivities will closely be followed by others.
“New Year’s celebration are similar to those in other parts of the world,” he says. “People gather for a final farewell to the old year and to celebrate the beginning of a new year. Streets are full with people eagerly awaiting midnight. In many larger cities, professional fireworks shows are held, attended by tens of thousands of people. Many municipalities also allow private fireworks. A uniquely Belgian tradition is the New Year’s letter. Children in Belgium write a New Year’s letter. The letters are traditionally written to the godmother/godfather but can include parents and grandparents. Typically, the letters rhyme and tell the recipient how much they are loved and offer best wishes for the upcoming year. On New Year’s Day, the children visit their family or friends and read the letter aloud in front of the congregate audience. They are then rewarded with small amounts of money or a small gift (to compensate for the daring adventure of speaking in front of a big audience).”
Grenada
Grenada Tourism Authority
Those who needed convincing that those in Grenada’s tourism industry celebrate Christmas enthusiastically needed only to look at what those promoting the Christmas season in their destination were wearing on their heads during a mid-December webinar.
Members of the Grenada Tourism Authority sported the likes of Santa and elf hats and reindeer antlers as they suggested their island is a particularly festive place to be in December.
Viewers were told Grenada sees the likes of carolling, special drinks and food, and widespread Christmas decorations.
“In a nutshell, Christmas is quite the experience here,” said Shirma Wells, who’s with a local cultural foundation, and who noted people can view Christmas trees while quenching their thirst with the likes of rum punches and ginger beer.
Grenada’s island of Carriacou sees strolling musicians performing in different venues, including the yards of local residents. The webinar featured a group of Santa hat-clad guitarists and other musicians playing Angels We have Heard on High with a local twist and other music, demonstrating what those on Carriacou can expect to enjoy on Dec. 25. Musicians may suddenly appear at homes to entertain people, who may later share rum with them.
“Christmas in Grenada is very, very special,” said Shanai St. Bernard of the tourism authority. “It’s all about music and food and drinks and friends.”
Taylor Spellman
Virginia's Blue Ridge
Virginia’s Blue Ridge has long been celebrating Christmas on a scale that in one way is absolutely unrivalled.
“1949 the local merchants association decided to build an 80-foot neon star on the top of Mill Mountain, in the middle of Roanoke, as a Christmas decoration; they never took it down!” reports tourist board spokeswoman Taylor Spellman. “Today, the Roanoke Star is the largest man-made illuminated star in the world and lights up daily from dusk until dawn. Visitors can hike, bike or drive up to the star to stand beneath this popular, must-see attraction (free to visit) or admire it from miles away. “Today, the region continues to collectively celebrate with classic holiday flavours, decorations and beautiful light displays, tree lightings, parades, holiday tours, local markets, and so much more,” she continues. “One of our signature attractions sets up a dazzling display of over 500,000 lights. This year in particular there seems to be even more decorations, particularly on shops throughout small towns to bring shoppers and some much needed cheer.”
Photo courtesy: Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism – Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge
Emerging Destinations
Latin America
New Year's
Riviera Nayarit
Meanwhile, New Year’s is looming and travellers seeking a last-minute escape to welcome the new year can consider the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
“From a traditional Huichol shamanic energy cleansing ritual to start the year off fresh to fantastic beachside firework displays that will surely bring back a magical spark into everyone’s lives, Riviera Nayarit is ideal for those wanting to celebrate the holiday abroad,” tourism authorities say. “As if the New Year wasn’t reason enough to celebrate, thanks to the destination’s improved COVID-19 conditions, the limited capacity for businesses and hotels recently increased from 30% to 50%.”
“Riviera Nayarit has been working hard to assure it is in the most optimal conditions to welcome travellers, and celebrating the New Year is the perfect time to enjoy it,” adds Marc Murphy, managing director for the Riviera Nayarit CVB. “Due to its rigorous standards, Riviera Nayarit was most recently given the green light to increase capacities at businesses, hotels and tours to 50%, of course always with the proper safety precautions in place.” Riviera Nayarit has been rigorous when it comes to health and safety; it was one of the first destinations to earn the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travel Stamp.
For this holiday last-minute escape, here are some enticing options to consider in Riviera Nayarit:
- Conrad Punta de Mita is one of the destination’s newest resorts located right along the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific on a two-mile long beach. The 324-key resort delivers an “inspired beach vacation for those seeking to celebrate this holiday season in paradise.” Conrad Punta de Mita’s ‘Hola Holidays’ package is perfect to escape this holiday, offering the 4th night free, a US$200 resort credit, and early check-in/late check-out, and continues through New Year’s Day with a special afternoon ceremony led by a shaman who will bless and release the resort’s collective New Years Resolution board, for a renewed step into 2021. Among other activity highlights is a pre-hispanic Mexican show and unveiling of the New Years Resolution board where guests will be encouraged to attach their resolutions to the board, a local chocolate tasting and tequila pairing experience, a Beach lawn New Year’s Eve party and fireworks, and more.
- At the W Punta de Mita, travellers can ring in the New Year in true W fashion with W Punta de Mita’s ‘New Waves Eve’ celebration, which symbolizes the ups and downs this year has brought inviting guests ‘ride the wave’ into a 2021 with positive blessings ahead. With a colour scheme inspired by Pantone’s colours of the year — classic blue for 2020 and aqua for 2021 — the event will feature a “decadent dinner, a chic dessert bar served inside a Tuk Tuk decked out in authentic Mexican designs, and access to the private NYE beach party equipped with flamethrowers, fireworks, a beachside show and a DJ spinning this year’s hottest beats. W Punta de Mita, a chic beach resort that pays homage to Nayarit’s indigenous influences and bohemian local surf culture, channels tribal-inspired vibes with decor touches that include beds with headboards made of old surfboards, colourful murals made by Mexican graffiti artist Nacho Bernal, and patterns designed to replicate the mosaic artwork traditionally crafted by Huichol artisans. The property is situated on one of the area’s best surf breaks, with an incredible onsite surfing program, two oceanfront pools with private cabanas, a 4,500 square foot AWAY spa edged with lush jungle, and an array of dining options including Jean Georges’ renowned Spice Market.”
- Enjoying spectacular views of Banderas Bay, all-inclusive Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will ring in 2021 with a lively gala for its guests. Included in the nightly rate, guests will enjoy a welcome cocktail, live performances and music, dinner, and fireworks with a toast at midnight. The AAA Five Diamond all-inclusive resort presents the very best for its guests, with 267 ocean-view suites, some with private plunge pools, L’Occitane amenities, Nespresso machines and more. Additional amenities for guests’ enjoyment include five restaurants, three of which have received the AAA Four Diamond awards for distinguished cuisine and presentation; the Leading Spa of the World, offering many treatments inspired by the native traditions of Mexico, a fully-equipped fitness center, water sports, Kids Club, and teen lounge during holidays.
