The puck is about to drop on another National Hockey League season, and both the NHL and its teams are cashing in.
The NHL says it has signed Norwegian Cruise Line to a multiyear sponsorship agreement in the U.S, marking Norwegian’s first tie-up with a professional sports league and the NHL’s first with a cruise line. The deal begins tonight when the league drops the puck on its season in North America following two games in Prague between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres over the weekend.
Norwegian will be the first NHL sponsor to receive exposure via the league’s digitally enhanced dasherboard technology at a designated point in each nationally televised game since the league introduced DEDs for the 2022-23 season. When the first goal is scored during ESPN and TNT telecasts, Norwegian-branded creative will appear virtually on the boards surrounding the rink. The cruise line will also receive virtual in-ice advertising inventory.
Norwegian will also be the presenting sponsor of the league’s weekly top goals content series, which will culminate with the goal of the year. Fans who vote will have the chance to win a Norwegian vacation. The brand will also have opportunities to activate at tentpole events such as All-Star Weekend (when it is next held in 2026), Stadium Series games and the Winter Classic.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS ENDORSE NAYARIT, MEXICO
Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero of the state of Nayarit in Mexico has announced that the state is now the official Mexican Tourism Destination of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and their home game venue, Rogers Arena.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner with such an integral part of the Vancouver world,” said Quintero. “We invite Vancouverites to visit the state of Nayarit to embark on a journey filled with rugged, pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant cultural experiences.
“We are home to breathtaking scenery, rich culture, and warm hospitality,” the governor added. “Nayarit is always an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking relaxation, adventure, and exploration.”
Nayarit includes Riviera Nayarit, an area just north of downtown Puerto Vallarta that’s quite popular with Western Canadian visitors.
“One of the great things about the game of hockey is its ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds, which makes this new partnership with the state of Nayarit so meaningful,” said Michael Doyle, President, Canucks Sports &Entertainment, Business Operations. “Our fans enjoy unforgettable experiences at Rogers Arena, and I’m sure they’ll also be eager to visit Mexico and immerse themselves in the stunning scenery and rich culture of Nayarit.”
As the “Official Mexican Tourism Destination of the Canucks,” the state of Nayarit will benefit from a comprehensive, multi-platform marketing campaign that will feature its world-class tourism offerings. The partnership with Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CSE) includes onsite events, signage across Rogers Arena, and social media promotions for VIP experiences with the team, among other elements of the campaign.
The partnership with CSE marks the second sports such alliance for Nayarit following its alliance with National Football League team the Dallas Cowboys, announced in late August. Both efforts comprise the initial part of the state’s historic entrance to the world of professional sports and tourism partnerships.
The campaign aims to benefit from the visibility these sports alliances will create and expose more potential visitors interested in exploring the varied tourism offerings found in Nayarit.
It’s also a testament to the growing world of sports tourism, and it’s only a matter of time, I think, before other teams (hello, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens) make similar deals with destinations. I can see the Leafs joining with, say, Jamaica, and perhaps the Canadiens with a French-speaking Caribbean country such as Martinique or Guadeloupe.
AIR CANADA EXPANDS FLIGHT PASSES
As we approach the holiday season, the Air Canada Home Away from Home Flight Pass provides an excellent opportunity to lock in flight prices and reconnect with family and friends. With the flexibility to adjust travel plans as needed, it’s easier than ever to celebrate cherished traditions or simply spend quality time with loved ones. They’re now available for India and South Korea, among other countries.
Here are some key highlights of what the Home Away from Home Flight Pass offers:
- Availability: On sale now until October 25, 2024
- Eligibility: Aeroplan Members residing in Canada can purchase credits for flights to destinations in key cities such as India, South Korea, France, Ireland, the UK, North Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, China, and Mexico.
- Credit Validity: Credits are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, allowing you to plan your reunions with ease.
Flight Pass Options:
- Choose between Economy Standard or Economy Flex
- Available in wallet sizes for various family sizes:
o 6 credits for 2 travelers
o 10 credits for up to 4 travelers
o 12 credits for up to 5 travelers
o 14 credits for up to 6 travelers
NEW A.I. TOOLS FOR TORONTO VISITORS
Travelers planning a trip to Toronto or exploring the city can now rely on 6ix, an AI travel genius that can provide instant answers to any and all travel or tourism questions about the city. Destination Toronto recently launched the new feature at DestinationToronto.com as well as on Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook using GuideGeek artificial intelligence technology from Matador Network.
Named in a nod to the city’s nickname, “The Six” – a reference to the six boroughs of Toronto popularized by Toronto-born musician Drake – the AI can instantly plan an entire itinerary, or answer specific questions about museums, activities, historical sites, restaurants, hotels and more. The personalized, real-time responses are generated by AI trained on extensive data from Destination Toronto and enhanced by over 1,000 integrations for travel information from GuideGeek’s award-winning technology.
To access 6ix, travelers simply visit DestinationToronto.com and click the chat box in the bottom right corner of the site. This opens a chat window with the AI, which gives tailored responses based on the information users share, such as their interests, preferences, size of their group, ages and more.
Travelers can also message with 6ix on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger and take the AI with them as they explore the city. By sending a message to the Destination Toronto account of their choice, users can start planning a trip to the city or get quick answers while already in the city, dining at one of the city’s many diverse restaurants, enjoying the sun in an urban park or riding the TTC to a cultural festival or sporting event.
“In just the first two months, 6ix received over 7,500 messages from more than 2,700 users, indicating that users continued to engage with the AI after their initial response.”,” says Paula Port, VP of Global Marketing at Destination Toronto. “6ix users can fine-tune their itineraries to incorporate preferences, like ‘please include art galleries within walking distance of the subway’ or ‘please share restaurants that will appeal to both adults and children’. The ability to engage in conversation and add personalization is where the real power of GenAI for travel reveals itself.”
Toronto is the fourth-largest city in North America and the first major city in the world to leverage GuideGeek technology. Destination marketing organizations (DMOs or tourism boards) representing countries such as Greece and Aruba or regions such as Illinois and Reno/Lake Tahoe have already seen success with the technology.
“GuideGeek is incredibly powerful technology for any kind of trip, but I find it particularly excels in major cities,” says Michael Motamedi, a content creator who competed on MasterChef Canada and has relied on AI extensively while traveling nonstop for more than a year. “Whether you’re looking for history, nightlife, family fun, romantic outings or all of the above, natural language AI from GuideGeek is the ideal tool to shape the perfect trip to Toronto for you and your group.”
