Travel Alberta is going strength to strength with growth across both summer and winter in FIT and escorted travelling, particularly aligned with Rocky Mountaineer packages.
Lizzie Doyle from Travel Alberta told Travel Today the luxurious train experience into the heart of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains is a big drawcard for the Australian market.
Doyle adds the diversity in landscape is also a big drawcard to the Australian traveller. “The iconic Canadian Rockies, glaciers and emerald coloured lakes are the major bucket list items, and so is the Calgary Stampede held every July.”
Riding off the year on year growth is Southern Alberta which is starting to see some growth in the Badland areas of Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park as Australians who have explored the Rockies or want to stay longer go beyond the traditional paths of travel to explore new landscapes. Rich in dinosaur fossils, history and culture, this region is home to many indigenous tribes sharing stories of their ancestors.
Alberta is also seeing grown in winter with train travel, and Rocky Mountain winter wonderland activities like dogsledding, snowshoeing, horse sleigh rides, White Christmas festivities and winter wildlife tours plus not to forget the Northern Lights a key drawcard to Northern Alberta.
For those travellers familiar with Alberta, 2015 will see some new additions. Anderson Vacations has started offering coach transportation day trips from Calgary to the Badlands allowing travellers not so comfortable with driving to explore more of the province.
Calgary has introduced new food tours, and Canmore has launched new caving tours. At Cochrane on the outskirts of Calgary, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is expanding their year round facility for visitors to learn about wolves and wolfdogs in a natural environment.
Rocky Mountaineer director APAC, Robert Halfpenny, said they had seen strong growth in the Australian market this year, and over the past two years, resulting in some significant changes on board the luxurious train experience.
“We're making significant investments in our fleet of rolling stock and will upgrade our fleet of GoldLeaf domes over the next three years and also adding to our SilverLeaf fleet,” Halfpenny added.
The first GoldLeaf 2.0 dome was completed last year, interestingly enough after a deal input from the guest services team. A wooden replica of the galley was built and put through a service simulation resulting in further modifications.
“Feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive,” Halfpenny commented.
The travel industry recently enjoyed a Taste of Alberta at a culinary adventure led by Rocky Mountaineer Executive Chef, Jean Pierre Guerin.
L-R: Hubert Wat, Vice President Global Marketing, Rocky Mountaineer; Steve Farrelly, Manager, APAC Sales; Lizzie Doyle, Market Development Director, Travel Alberta; Bob Nicholas, Vice President Global Sales, Vicky Park, Head of Corporate and Niche Market Sales, Jean Pierre Guerin, Executive Chef, Rocky Mountaineer; Shannon Kidd, Senior Communications Manager, Rocky Mountaineer; Robert Halfpenny, Director- APAC Sales
