Online Travel Vietnam: Calgary's hotels are reporting higher than normal occupancy, while Prince Edward Island's profile has been raised around the globe as William and Kate's royal tour helps to boost Canada's tourism industry.
The global media attention surrounding the first official tour of the royal newlyweds is proving a golden marketing opportunity for Canada, with pictures of the country being beamed to millions of households worldwide.
"To have Prince Edward Island showcased by the international media has been fantastic for us," said Kathy Hambly, executive director of the greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce. "I think the legacy will be amazing."
She added, "There are people from all over North America here."
The royal couple, who arrived in Canada on June 30 for their nine-day tour, along with 1,300 accredited local and international journalists, left Charlottetown Monday evening for Yellowknife and will continue to Calgary on Wednesday for the annual stampede.
"Traditionally the first week of the stampede is the slower of the two, but our hotels are reporting higher than usual occupancy, with many of them full," said Randy Williams, president and chief executive of Tourism Calgary. He said he thinks much of that can be attributed to the royals.
"Our No. 1 overseas market is the U.K., so when you have that level of media attention going back to the U.K., it's huge for Calgary," he said. "It's a level of awareness we could never buy."
Canada's $29.7-billion tourism industry showed signs of improvement in 2010, though the recovery from the recession is still fragile. International travellers made 15.9 million trips to Canada, up 2% from the previous year, with the pace accelerating towards the end of the year.
Travellers from the U.S. made up the lion's share of the market, accounting for 63% of inbound trips, according to Canada Tourism Commission.
The first four months of 2011 have seen a 3% drop, though numbers in same period last year got a boost from the Vancouver Olympics.
Although tourism officials agree there is short-term benefit, it remains to be seen how long the royal glow will last.
Williams said he expected Calgary to feel the benefits at least into the next booking year.
Source: canoe/Oratrip.
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