An Expedia Canada study finds Canadians are definitely staying home this summer. I also have a look at a free $50 offer for restaurants, attractions and other places that the Explorers’ Edge tourism area (including Muskoka) is offering to locals and seasonal residents, plus a new celebrity chef for Air Canada and a new, apartment-style hotel in Montreal that sounds perfect for social distancing. My Future of Travel blog for July 20.
Canadians Staying Close to Home This Summer
This comes as no surprise. But it’s quite telling.
An Expedia Canada study released today (July 20) finds that Canadians are definitely looking to stay home this summer and explore this wonderful country.
Their report on traffic for the month of June at Expedia.ca finds that searches for domestic properties were up 30% from last year, and that a whopping 85% of all searches were for Canadian hotels.
Close to 60% of June bookings were for stays within the province, an increase of almost 20% compared to last year.
A quiet beach at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka, Ontario. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Almost 40% of respondents in an Expedia Canada survey said they’re opting for a road trip this summer because it feels safer than flying, and more people listed health and safety (38%) and avoiding crowds (24%) as top concerns over budget (21%). In response to these concerns, the industry is rolling out new sanitation measures to help minimize risks. Expedia displays these hygiene amenities on the site so travellers can feel comfortable leaving home; they’ll know whether a hotel property has enhanced cleaning processes or if an airline requires passengers to wear face masks.
Popular spots for booking include the Okanagan Valley, Banff, Collingwood, Vancouver, Niagara Falls, Whistler, Georgian Bay, Jasper, Muskoka and The Laurentians.
If you’re looking for great ideas in Ontario, you should check out my new book, which is called Ontario Escapes: 19 Great Places to Visit Right Now. It’s just $4.99 at Apple Books.)
Muskoka/Explorer’s Edge Region: An Offer You Can’t Refuse
Safe, social distancing at Sawdust City Brewing Co. in Gravenhurst, Ontario. JIM BYERS PHOTO
One of cottage country’s regional tourism organizations is offering permanent and seasonal residents $50 in cash vouchers to spend at participating accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shops and events throughout Algonquin Park, the Almaguin Highlands, Port-Loring Restoule, Muskoka, Parry Sound and South Algonquin from now until Oct. 12, 2020.
Called the “Cottage Country Spirit” campaign, the organization hopes to bring some unity to an area where challenges during the COVID-19 crisis sometimes arose between traditional neighbours over best practices for physical distancing, said James Murphy, executive director of Explorers’ Edge.
“One thing we know is that, now that we have entered Phase 3 of the provincial re-opening strategy, we need both our permanent and seasonal residents to support the local tourism industry, which has been devasted by the impact of COVID-19 closures over the last few months,” said Murphy. “We want folks to show their ‘cottage country spirit’ and support small tourism businesses in this region and their staff on the long road to recovery.”
More than 150 tourism businesses are participating in the promotion, and 3,000 packages are available to residents of one of Ontario’s most popular vacation destinations. There’s no catch involved, said Murphy, except that you need to be a resident of one of the municipalities considered to be in the Explorers’ Edge region, and only one package per household will be offered.
The package is available for a number of places I’ve enjoyed over the years, including the marvellous Muskoka Steamships, Sawdust City Brewing in Gravenhurst, Yummies in a Jar in Baysville and Teca Simply Italian; a lovely restaurant at the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa.
“Our area relies on tourism as an economic driver more than any other region in the province,” Murphy said. “The negative effects of the pandemic can’t be understated for small businesses and their staff. We hope this local travel package will induce goodwill in all our neighbours, and encourage registrants to get out and discover great adventures in their own back yard.”
For more information on the Cottage Country Spirit Local Travel Package from Explorers’ Edge, visit www.explorersedge.ca/cottagecountryspirit.
Air Canada Unveils New Celebrity Chef
Air Canada announced today a new partnership with prestigious Montreal-based Chef Jérôme Ferrer, who will design meals for the airline’s Premium Economy and Economy Class customers on all flights departing Canada for Europe and Asia, as well as Australia and South America once these flights resume. Chef Ferrer will join celebrated Canadian Chefs David Hawksworth, Antonio Park and Vikram Vij, whose meals will be offered once more on Air Canada flights beginning later this month as the airline begins to restore its award-winning onboard service program.
“Chef Ferrer is known for his sustainable, imaginative, global yet Canadian approach to food, and he becomes the fourth member of Air Canada’s panel of distinguished Canadian culinary talent,” said Andrew Yiu, Vice-President – Product at Air Canada. “We look forward to presenting his unique, innovative creations to customers travelling in Premium Economy and Economy Class on our international flights departing Canada. We are the first North American airline to partner with a celebrated chef to curate complimentary meals in Economy Class, affirming our ongoing commitment to customer service excellence and continuous investment in all of our products and services.”
“This is a very exciting moment for me!” said Chef Ferrer. “As an international chef, it’s a great privilege to become a culinary ambassador and share my cuisine with Air Canada’s customers, but also to be part of their journey. I can’t wait to share my savoir-faire, my creativity and transport you on my culinary odyssey. Who knows, we may have the opportunity to meet onboard somewhere around the world on Air Canada’s wings.”
A Chef Jerome Ferrer meal on Air Canada. PHOTO COURTESY AIR CANADA
I tried one of his salads and his cold eggplant parmesan last Thursday on a flight from Montreal to Toronto (see photo above) and thought they were both quite good.
As one of its initial responses to COVID-19, Air Canada in March suspended most of its onboard service. Beginning late July, Air Canada will resume an enhanced meal service planned by its panel of celebrated Canadian chefs in Signature Class. For the first time, chef-designed meals by Chef Park will also be introduced in Business Class – North America:
- Chef David Hawksworth’s Canadian-themed dishes will be showcased in Signature Class on flights to Europe and Israel, as well as to Australia when those flights resume. His food is sensational
- Chef Antonio Park’s meals will be featured in Signature Class on flights to Asia and South America, once those flights resume, and in Signature Class and Business Class within North America. I had a nice lunch that Park helped create on my flight from Toronto to Montreal last week.
- Chef Jerome Ferrer’s meals will be presented in Premium Economy and Economy Class on international flights departing Canada
- Chef Vikram Vij’s creations will be featured on flights to India when those flights are able to resume.
Limited inflight food options in Economy Class onboard North American flights greater than two hours will be re-introduced on a pre-order basis.
All meals onboard Air Canada’s flights will be presented in a custom paper box in accordance with current service protocols streamlining interactions. Air Canada is working closely with suppliers to ensure the most environmentally friendly packaging is used whenever possible. Customers will also be offered an expanded selection of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks adapted by cabin and route.
New Apartment Style Hotel in Montreal: Perfect For Today’s Environment
Griffintown Hotel is a new hotel in Montreal that offers its guests not simply rooms, but complete one- and two-bedroom condo-style apartments (395 to 845 square feet), a concept that has proven itself internationally. Each apartment is designed and equipped to make guests feel at home. From doing laundry to preparing a good meal – all these activities are possible in the comfort of a Griffintown Hotel apartment.
Griffintown is a hip part of Montreal just a little southwest of downtown, with terrific restaurants and unique shops.
