Canada the featured destination in this year’s spring travel show
Exploring Canada and discovering new places to travel across the country during the 150th anniversary year was the focus of Kelowna International Airport’s spring travel event on Saturday.
“We thought it would be nice to really showcase what people can experience in Canada,” said John Devitt, coordinator of the event.
“There (are) a lot of amazing destinations people can get to and a lot of great ways they can explore their home country in this 150th anniversary year.”
Air Canada Vacations was one company showcasing Canadian vacation options at the travel event.
“Our main purpose of today is really to feature our Go Canada collection,” said Marigold Frontuna, general manager of sales for Air Canada Vacations. “With the exchange rate, it’s much more favourable to stay in Canada.”
Packages include golf and ski vacations, urban getaways and fly and drive programs.
“There’s nothing more Canadian than driving around different provinces in the summer,” said Frontuna.
Exploring Canada during the 150th anniversary is a great opportunity for people to explore their own country and see places they may never have been before, said Glenna Gillan, owner of Tri Star Travel.
“A lot of people out here have never been to the east, so here’s your opportunity to see the Maritimes,” she said. “It’s a nice time to be traveling in Canada.”
Being the 150th anniversary year, there are countless events happening all year across the country, said Claire Rottare, sales manager from Insight Vacations.
“During the 150th anniversary, there are all kinds of extra things going on in all the little towns,” she said. “With Insight, we work with people from all over the world on our tours . . . and they’re coming to Canada because they love looking at all the open spaces we have. There’s lots to see in Canada.”
The Kelowna airport’s spring travel show is the first of two travel shows that happen every year.
“We also do one in late October, which focuses more on our sunshine destinations like Mexico and Cuba and those sorts of places,” said Devitt.
Proceeds from Saturday’s travel event went to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, which sends kids with disabilities and life threatening illnesses to Disneyland for one day.
“They fly out of here quite often, so we thought it would be nice to support them this time around,” said Devitt.