Fishing trips to Canada are a tradition for Jeffrey Hardy and his three friends from Vermont. They have, since 2001, been anglers loyal to Quebec’s northern wilderness, where the walleye are plentiful and the cellphone service is not.
This summer, the crisp forest air coveted by recreationists visiting Canada was instead polluted with smoke as wildfires have torn through millions of acres, blocking roads, destroying campgrounds and forcing tourism operators to scramble during peak season. The men’s mid-June fishing trip was canceled.
“It was a big letdown,” said Mr. Hardy, who is from St. Albans, Vt., but has been living and working remotely from Bermuda since the pandemic began. “Everybody was excited to go because Canada had been shut down for all of Covid.”
The country’s worst wildfire season on record is straining the outdoor segments of Canada’s tourism industry at a crucial time in its rebound from years of pandemic travel restrictions. Of the 28.6 million acres that have burned across the country so far, more than 11.6 million acres were in Quebec, the most of any province, according to data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Fire season typically runs from April to September in Canada, and had an intense start this year with mass evacuations in Alberta and Nova Scotia in May, followed by Quebec, and parts of northern Ontario. In central British Columbia, where the wildfires are picking up intensity, the coroner’s office is investigating the death of a 9-year-old from an asthma attack that it said was “aggravated by wildfire smoke.” Three firefighters have died in separate provinces.
Other than some days of reduced air quality, major Canadian cities remain largely unaffected by wildfires. The fires are in the country’s northern and more remote regions — regions that, in years past, have drawn travelers who are interested in outdoor experiences.
Federal data compiled by the Tourism Industry Association Canada shows that tourism represented, in 2019, a two percent share of Canada’s gross domestic product, or 44 billion Canadian dollars. Because of rigid international border restrictions, that figure was halved by the pandemic, but has since rebounded to 37.8 billion dollars.
Last year, close to 9.5 million Americans traveled to Canada, and another 3.3 million came mainly from Britain, Mexico, India, France and China. American travelers are the most important demographic for Canada’s tourism industry, with international visitation rates forecast to recover by 2026, and tourism spending by 2024, according to Destination Canada, a government-owned marketing organization.
In a recent report, the organization said visitors spent 1.9 billion Canadian dollars from 2018 to 2019 — half of
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Rare is the traveler who looks forward to spending a night in an airport hotel. With an emphasis on convenience and utilitarian style, airport hotels tend to be a necessity rather than an indulgence. Luckily, there are those hidden gems that manage to pleasantly surprise even the most discerning traveler. In a bid to transcend their less-than-ideal locations, these hotels spare no effort in providing all the amenities you'd desire, including restaurants serving delectable dishes, cozy, comfort-focused rooms, and tranquil spas that ease post-flight stress. Check out six of Canada’s best airport hotels.
One of the most visited national parks in the US is the Grand Canyon National Park, with nearly five million visitors per year. Of those millions of tourists, only about five percent dip below the rim and broaden their exploration. Further, of the five percent that hike below the rim, only about ten percent actually make it to the Colorado River. This is the magic of a backpacking trip to one of the most beloved national parks in the country. You don’t have to go far to have the place to yourself.
It’s a culinary celebration no foodie will want to miss! The Elora Mill, one of Canada’s most coveted accommodations, is set to host the much-anticipated 20th Anniversary of Food Day Canada on August, 3, 2023. The event promises to be an extravaganza that will energize taste buds and show off the nation's incredible gastronomic heritage. During the event, the historic town of Elora, renowned for its scenic beauty and charm, will transform into a culinary haven, attracting food enthusiasts from across the province.
The outdoor industry, and all of the wild and thrilling careers within it, is an exciting arena to be a part of. As a seasoned travel and adventure writer, who has journeyed all over the planet to experience and write about exciting locales, I’ve been lucky enough to connect with folks who love to play in the outdoors: wilderness experts, naturalists from diverse destinations, and even surfing guides.
Now that we’re collectively becoming more and more aware of how commuting by way of airplane is not exactly a sustainable travel option to be indulging in all the time, a trip via train is becoming much more appealing—and honestly, so many of us are quick to jump on an international flight to far-flung destinations, sometimes it’s nice to get to know our neighbors.
As a seasoned travel and adventure writer, who has been all over the planet in search of not only indelible nature and wildlife experiences, but also, insights into diverse communities, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to connect with wilderness guides, flora and fauna enthusiasts, and environmental stewards who have made brilliant careers in the outdoor industry.
It happened at an indoor wall for the sport of “bouldering”. I was standing watching some athletic young men conquer a tricky route that was beyond my abilities, half-listening to their banter, when I suddenly understood what they were discussing. A proposal to climb outdoors. They had never done it. They dreamed of it, but were uncertain how to go about it.
This year our national neighbors to the north celebrate their 150th anniversary and we’ll be celebrating with them as they do. Each month we’ll focus on one part of their magnificent country and share it with you. From the sky-high trees and brown bears in British Columbia to the kitchen parties and codfish-kissing in the Maritimes, our toast to Canada will give you well over 150 reasons to make this the year you take the trip. This month we’re exploring ocean floors and maritime friendships in New Brunswick.
Canadian border officials have had their hands full with American gun owners lately, and now our neighbors to the north are launching a U.S.-geared “firearms awareness campaign” in response.
This coming August, all eyes will turn to the beaches and stadiums of Rio de Janeiro, where the 2016 Summer Olympics will be in full swing. The Games are expected to bring athletes and tourists from across the globe to Brazil, and now for Americans, a huge hurdle has been removed. In a move to stimulate the Brazilian economy, the Brazilian government announced that it will waive visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
This year our national neighbors to the north celebrate their 150th anniversary and we’ll be celebrating with them as they do. Each month we’ll focus on one part of their magnificent country and share it with you. From sky-high trees and brown bears in British Columbia to kitchen parties and codfish-kissing in the Maritimes, our toast to Canada will give you well over 150 reasons to make this the year you take the trip. This month, we’re kicking things off in Manitoba, home of the Churchill polar bears and northern lights, plus fun winter festivals in Winnipeg.