Canadian cities outrank USA, but Ottawa over T.O.? And take a holiday already!

As a Canadian, I'm happy. As a Torontonian, I'm outraged.

I got a copy of the latest Mercer Quality of Living Survey, a fascinating document that quantifies city living around the globe based on everything from economic environment to schools to recreation and climate. I'm pleased to say Canada had three cities in the top 15 in the world and five in the top 33 and that, overall, it looks as if the only country to come out smelling sweeter was Germany. Also worth noting is that while the U.S. had eight cities in the top 50, their top rated city was way down at #29, that being Honolulu.

Of course, we can't compete with the U.S. in that top 50 issue as we don't even have eight cities in Canada. Sorry, feeble joke, folks. I think we actually have 11 if you include Brampton and Barrie, but nobody would do that.

It's great that Canada scored three in the top 15. I don't mind Vancouver being fifth, even. I mean, EVERY RANKING IN HISTORY has put Vancouver ahead of the rest of Canada, notwithstanding the 11 straight months of rain they get out there and the lousy coffee and those nasty, healthy-looking people on 4th Avenue in Kitsilano who made so much money in the housing market that they're retired at 32 and have nothing better to do than walk up and down the street, power-shopping with their perfect Labrador retrievers and sipping $25 cafe lattes while dressed head-to-toe in Lulu Lemon clothes as they prepare for a morning jog up Grouse Mountain. I mean, why would that bother someone from Toronto?

No, what's got my designer Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street $85 boxers in a twist is that Toronto - OMG!!! - finished behind, wait for it .... Ottawa. I was sure it was a mistake. But, no, I just finished my first Tim Hortons homemade coffee of the day and it's right there in tiny print on my home computer - Ottawa 14, Toronto 15.

Come on, people. Ottawa??? OTTAWA????

Clean streets? Sure. Easy to get around? Yes. Theatres and cinemas? I guess. But one of the factors here is climate, folks. Climate! Not to mention crime. We know Ottawa is a hot-bed of crime. I mean, why else would Stephen Harper keep building jails surrounded by moats and razor wire and trenches filled with machine guns?

The poll suggests limitations on personal freedom is important. Can you think of any city in Canada where the most high-profile people in town, those being our Members of Parliament, have less personal freedom?

Okay, okay. It's great to see Ottawa be able to lord it over Toronto. We can get pretty stuck up down here in the banana belt, and it's good for T.O.'s massive ego to get taken down a peg. And there's no harm in finishing 15th, is there? And while we can moan about finishing behind our country cousins in Ottawa, how about us finishing so far ahead of both Montreal (22) and, um, Calgary (33). Heh, heh.

Here are a few more highlights:

- Honolulu (see photo) was, deservedly, top dog in the U.S. at #29. Next was San Francisco at 30, then Boston (36), Chicago (43), Washington D.C. (43), New York (47) and Pittsburgh (49). A surprise to me to see Seattle out of the top 50. Ditto San Diego.

- The top 10 consisted of Vienna, Zurich, Auckland, Munich, Dusseldorf, Vancouver (tied with Dusseldorf, actually, for fifth), Frankfurt, Geneva and then Bern, Switzerland tied with Copenhagen for ninth. That's three German cities in the top seven. The Germans, of course, own all of Europe, including the Greek islands, so I guess that makes some sense.

- Sydney, Australia was surprisingly down at number 11, while Melbourne was 18th. I suspect the Aussies won't be happy that Auckland, New Zealand (a very nice town, by the way, with a great climate and superb natural facilities) was way up at number three, while Wellington, N.Z. was 13th; five spots ahead of Melbourne - a city that didnt' quite grab me when I was there in 2000.

- European cities represent more than one-half of the top 25.

- London was the top UK city at 38, followed by Birmingham at 52.

- The worst cities? Of course you want to know. Those would be Khartoum, Sudan (217), Port-au-Prince, Haiti (218), N'Djamena, Chad (219), Bangui, Central African Republic (220, see photo at left) and, drum roll please, Baghdad, Iraq at the bottom with a ranking of 221. Too bad, really, I was planning on making Bangui and Baghdad two of my personal choices for top travel spots of 2012. I've heard the Courtyard Marriott in Bangui has really good in-room movies.

- On the matter of personal safety, all the Canadian cities mentioned above tied for 17th in the world rankings. The safest city on earth, in case you're interested, is Luxembourg. Tied for second were Bern, Helsinki and Zurich, another underrated city in my humble opinion.

It all makes for good conversation around the company free Champagne dispenser, if nothing else. What, you don't have a free Champagne dispenser at your office? Pity you don't work for the Star. We ran out of Dom Perignon the other day but we've still got some Spanish cava on hand, I think.

TAKE YOUR VACATION ALREADY ... AND DON'T TAKE YOUR BLACKBERRY TO THE BEACH

Thanks to the folks at Expedia.ca for passing along another survey. This one shows that 62 per cent of Canadians say they regular or at least sometimes check in with the office by email or voicemail when they're on holidays. That's not actually that high, really.

In fact, Canadians ranked 14 out of 20 nations surveyed in the "I frequently check-in" with the boss category. Most likely to call the office? Folks in India (89 per cent), followed by (surprise) Italy (88 per cent) and France and Japan (87). I don't know about the French and Japanese but I suspect the Italians merely wanted to know whether former Prime Minister Berlusconi had  attended any sex parties the night before and, if so, where they could find pictures on the web.

There was a bit of a surprise within the Canadian numbers, I think. The survey found that 68 per cent of folks in B.C. regularly check-in with the office, the highest number of any province. In Quebec, it was 58 per cent.

So, we still check in with the office more than we really should if we're going to enjoy our holidays. On the other hand, the survey found that Canadians intend to take 15 of their 16 average allotted vacation days this year. Last year, the survey found that Canadians were going to leave a full FIVE vacation days unused.

Asked why they wouldn't use all their holiday time, 26 per cent of Canadians said they couldn't afford it, and 15 per cent said they didn't have enough time to plan something. Others said they didn't want to take vacation as the boss would think poorly of them, which is pretty sad. In Ontario, nine per cent of folks said that was the case, compared to six per cent across Canada.

"Canadian workers should never let time or money get in the way of a much-needed vacation," said Sean Shannon of Expedia.ca. "Would-be travellers should plan their vacation as far in advance as possible as the best rates are most often found 60 days out from the departure date; not to mention it gives employers enough advance notice to plan ahead."

A few other interesting bits:

- In Alberta, folks average 20 days of vacation a year. But they only take 15; making Alberta the region with the HIGHEST number of unused holidays.

- The beach RULES. A relaxing beach vacation is the number one choice of Canadians in every province.

- Asked about holidaying at a theme park, some seven per cent of Canadians as a whole cited that as the top vacation idea. In Atlantic Canada, it was 12 per cent. Coming soon - Disney Moncton?

- Across Canada, 26 per cent of folks said they couldn't afford a holiday. In B.C. it was 34 per cent. Must be all those cafe lattes...

Expedia posted some tips for stressed out Canadians:

- Think about your vacation as a well-earned part of your career, not a luxury.

- Plan in advance

- Set limits on your "check-in" time with the office.

- Look for winter promotions. Oddly enough, they recommend using expedia.ca to book a holiday. 

 

Name Your Favourite Places in Canada ... Hotels with supermarkets...Haiti hotel

Another day, another contest. But this one is at least all-Canadian.

Last week we read about the New Seven Wonders of the World campaign, which to me sounded a little, ahem, strange, what with Cape Town's Table Mountain defeating such grand places as the Galapagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Anywho, starting today (Tuesday, Nov. 29), folks get something closer to home with the launch of the second annual GREAT PLACES IN CANADA polling.

The event, sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Planners, allows Canadians to nominate public spaces, neighbourhoods and streets between now and Jan. 31, 2012 at www.greatplacesincanada.com. Voting will take place until Feb. 29, and judges will decide on semi-finalists in early April. The winners will be announced at the end of April, 2012.

It can be a useful exercise and it's all in good fun. They also have a Facebook page and can be followed on Twitter at @GreatPlacesCa.

Last year's winners, I gotta admit, didn't exactly blow me away, which is a problem with Internet-based voting. Commercial Street in Nanaimo was named Canada's great street, while The Forks in Winnipeg was Canada's great public space. Top neighbourhood was Le Petit Champlain in Quebec City (see photo at right).

I've been to Nanaimo and liked it plenty, but I wouldn't say Commercial Street can compete with Roncesvalles here in Toronto or Main Street in Vancouver.

I haven't been to Winnipeg but certainly know of the Forks and the status it has so I can't argue with it. And it would be pretty hard to take issue with Quebec City and the Petit Champlain area, which is photographed even more often than Lady Gaga. Or her underwear.

Me? Off the top of my fuzzy head I think I'd take Vancouver's Main Street as my top street (or maybe 4th Ave. in Kitsilano), then Mile End in Montreal as a neighbourhood and the Distillery District here in T.O. as a public space, although it might also be considered a neighbourhood.

Check it out, anyway. You can't win if you don't vote.

GREAT IDEA IN THE UK

Out of Britain comes news that Travelodge is teaming up with supermarkets to build hotels with markets on the ground floor.

It apparently helps the hotels get financing and it doesn't interfere with hotel operations. It's useful for about any hotel guest to have access to fresh fruit or coffee or milk or deodorant, but I can see how it would be particularly attractive in North America, where we have so many all-suite places with full kitchens.

When I was at the Vancouver Olympics for the Star almost two years ago (wow, hard to believe it's been two years), I was at the Carmana Plaza Hotel downtown. It had a full kitchen, and there was an Urban Fare restaurant right across the street. It was great to go late at night on the way home from the media centre and pick up a snack or a chicken or something else that I could heat up in the oven or the microwave, and I saved a fortune by making my own breakfast each day. Having a supermarket practically inside the hotel is a lot better than having to rely on a coffee machine and a small shop selling magazines and Advil.

The Carmana, by the way, makes a great place to stay in Vancouver, particularly if you want some space to spread out. It's quite convenient, right on Alberni St. a mere block and a bit west of Burrard.

NEW HOTEL IN HAITI

Word this morning that Marriott is building a new hotel in Haiti; the first such announcement since the earthquake and the first-ever international hotel.

The note I received said that Harbor Beach Marriott hotel folks from Fort Lauderdale, Florida sent a team to join the relief efforts after the quake. It was quite grim and there wasn't any place for them to stay or eat. They apparently worked with the Clinton Foundation and then Marriott International sent a team to do some exploring. They hooked up with Digicel, the large telecommunications firm, which recently had entered the market in Haiti and needed hotel rooms.

Voila, a partnership was born. The hotel will be in Port-au-Prince and will have 173 rooms and operate with the Marriott name. Officials said it will generate hundreds of (obviously) badly-needed jobs in the country.

It's clearly a business opportunity, but kudos to Marriott for investing in a place that badly needs the help.

 

The

Toronto's Ritz Carlton lives up to its billing ... New Dream hotel for Hollywood?

It took a while, but I finally had a chance to check out Toronto's Ritz-Carlton this weekend. And I can see how the Canadian Automobile Association gave it that coveted five-diamond rating.

It's a first-class hotel, with all the amenities you possibly could want. Here's a brief rundown.

LOCATION: A great spot. We had tickets for Rain, the wonderful Beatles tribute band, at the Royal Alex on Saturday night. The commute from the hotel, located on Wellington adjacent to the CBC building, was all of 48.3 seconds (it might've been 48.7, now that I think of it). The Entertainment District is right at your door, and it's a three-minute walk to Union Station and close to the ACC and Queen West and the Eaton Centre, even, if that's your thing.

PUBLIC SPACES: The lobby is quite open and airy; perhaps a touch on the cool side. But lovely browns and light blues and modern paintings and gorgeous lighting. I love the way the TOCA (as in Toronto, Canada) bar (see photo) opens up right onto the lobby and gives the place an immediate jolt. The bar at the back, a nice room with a small, circular bar called DEQ, has a great patio that's perfect when the weather cooperates as it opens up onto that small, green park that's across from the Convention Centre, just east of the CBC.

THE SPA: Ooh. And la. And la. I had my first-ever facial and manicure (you oughta see my nails; they look smashing). Very relaxing and thorough. The rooms are wonderful, and there's a eucalyptus steam room and a hot tub for relaxing, and big TV's in the men's locker area. The Sanctuary,a mixed men's and women's area for relaxing after your treatment, has a glass ceiling and terrific lighting, plus water with local berries and nice snacks. My treat was a "Blokes and Beer" bit, so named to add a touch of testosterone to the experience. The "Man-E-Cure" included a nice but messy rub with hops. It usually comes with a full massage but I didn't have time so just did the manicure and facial. They bring in a cold bottle of Mill St. Organic Lager to sip on after your treatment; a nice, manly touch on Grey Cup day!

THE ROOMS: Again, nice and bright. There's a lot of creme and brown, as many hotels do these days, but also some nice splashes of colour and art work. Huge windows, and some rooms have smashing views down over the Convention Centre to the Roundhouse and Lake Ontario. Very pleasurable, even in the rain on Sunday morning. The bathroom was great, with a rainshower-style apparatus but not quite enough water pressure for my tastes.

THE SERVICE: Exceptional, just fabulous. Friendly folks, but not in your face. Very helpful and quick. And not just because they know I'm a travel guy. I stopped at the TOCA bar after the Rain show and chatted a bit with the bartender/mixologist, who showed me some barrels where he's making his own, oak-aged vermouth and bitters and vodka. Quite cool. He was chatting with some guys next to me and was explaining how bitters are made and how they're quite strong - about 70 per cent alcohol level, etc... Quite interesting. He told them to try a dash of bitters served in a glass of ginger ale for a hangover. When they said it sounded intriguing, he quickly opened up a couple cans and served them a sample, no charge. That's good service. And it's a cool, sleek room with a nice, curvy bar and interesting lighting.

THE FOOD: I didn't eat here on the weekend, except for breakfast on the club level, which was great. But I've been to TOCA before and had a fabulous meal with incredibly good service. The Toca bar serves a great cocktail called the Good Date, with Canadian Club, date and black pepper liquor and orange zest. A touch sweet but nice on a winter's evening. Also tasty - and pungent - is the Bitter Bombay Bee with Bombay Sapphire Gin, honey, bitters and lemon peel.  I've tried the flatbread with northern wood mushrooms, which is on the bar menu at both DEQ and TOCA, and thought it was great. But pricey, at $20.

THE COST: There's a Bed and Breakfast deal on now for $375, including breakfast for two and valet parking. That's a helluva deal for what could be Canada's top hotel. There are several other packages, including a Spa Package that costs $505 but includes a $200 spa credit and breakfast for two. Definitely worth a try.

HOLLYWOOD GOES HOTEL CRAZY

Toronto is certainly a focal point for hotel building in North America, what with the new Ritz and the coming Shangri-La and Trump hotel and the new Four Seasons up in Yorkville. Hollywood, too, is on the rise. USA Today is talking about a new Dream hotel at the intersection of Cahuenga Blvd. and Selma Ave., near the W Hollywood. The West Hollywood strip, meanwhile, has The Andaz, The Standard and The Mondrian.

Definitely a happening spot these days, with rooftop pools and cool bars and movie-star glamour and just slightly better January weather than we have in Toronto....

 

 

West Jet takes it to Air Canada with news of service to New York LaGuardia

Poor Air Canada is getting it from both sides. Canada's biggest airline has a few slots down at the Toronto Island/Billy Bishop Airport, but Porter Airlines is far and away the king downtown.

And Porter also is steadily expanding, with news seemingly every couple weeks of another destination or added flights to places such as Burlington, Vermont or Myrtle Beach. Bad enough that Porter is kicking them in the shins, but now comes a heavy blow to the stomach from rivals WestJet.

In case you missed it, WestJet on Wednesday was awarded eight "slots" at New York's LaGuardia airport, a short cab ride from the pleasures of marvellous Manhattan. That means up to eight landings and eight takeoffs per day for the Alberta-based airline. And that's a fair number of butts in seats to a popular destination.

They haven't announced details but you can bet most of those flights will be from Toronto, clearly the economic capital of the country and a hugely growing market for tourism and business. I'm suspecting that, being Calgary based and all they'll want perhaps one round trip, non-stop from Calgary to New York, versus forcing folks to change plans in the Big Smoke. They might want a Montreal-New York daily as well.

But Star biz reporter Vanessa Lu was telling me Wednesday that airlines usually find it more efficient to have a variety of flights out of one centre, versus spreading them all over. So it would make sense for most of the New York flights to use Toronto.

There are a lot of flights between Toronto and New York already, of course, what with Air Canada and Porter and others, including American Airlines. At some point you might hit the saturation point, but I'd have to think Toronto-LaGuardia would be more lucrative for WestJet than many intra-Canada flights.

Either way, giving WestJet fliers direct access to LaGuardia eight times a day is a huge step towards WestJet's goal of rivalling Air Canada and Porter in the eastern market. They now fly into Newark International but it's a long way into Manhattan from there, even with rail access directly to Penn Station. LaGuardia is much more convenient for most folks.

I'm not dismissing Air Canada in any way here. They weren't allowed to bid for the slots at LaGuardia because airport officials in New York only allowed bids from airlines that don't currently use their facility. Air Canada, of course, is huge at LaGuardia.

Porter wasn't allowed to bid, either, because LaGuardia requires pre-clearance of US customs on Canadian soil. The Island Airport in Toronto doesn't have that, although there are plans to have such clearance by 2013 sometime. Which would technically allow Porter to fly into LaGuardia, as well.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said a jubilant Gregg Saretsky, WestJet's chief executive officer. "LaGuardia is slot controlled and therefore access is otherwise strictly limited. Our ability to now serve New York demonstrates we are focused on delivering on our business traveler strategy."

It's not QUITE once-in-a-lifetime, actually. Saretsky understands, of course,that WestJet briefly flew out of LaGuardia a few years ago but couldn't make a go of it.

Still, it's a big deal. It allows WestJet a little more swagger and it demonstrates to us eastern folks that they mean business when they talk about doing more work in our neck of the airline woods.

"It's a coup for WestJet," airline consultant Robert Kokonis told the Globe and Mail. "It boosts their efforts to increase the penetration of the Central Canadian corporate marketplace."

Whether it means better fares for customers is hard to say. But I'd think WestJet will want to launch its service with a splash, so stay tuned for details on when flights will start. It might make for a good time to wake up in the city that never sleeps.

If you guys need anyone on that inaugural flight, by the way, just let me know.

 

 

From Canada to the Caribbean and beyond - where to go for New Years

I know. We haven't even seen American Thanksgiving yet, let alone Christmas. But you gotta plan things in advance, so here's a quick look at a few personal faves where you might want to spend New Year's Eve.

WHISTLER - The village is awesome almost any time of year. But the streets will be filled with revellers and the restaurants will be popping the bubbly on Dec. 31. The snow looks to be quite solid this year, and there's still some buzz from the Winter Olympics a couple years back. The Four Seasons gets incredible reviews and the Fairmont is lovely. I stayed at the Westin a few years ago and quite enjoyed it. And the Hilton room I stayed in one time was enormous. Or you can save money by staying in a condo or even down the road in Squamish. Don't miss the Peak to Peak gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains - a treat even if you don't ski.

SANTA BARBARA - L.A.'s great, but if you're looking for something a tad quieter this is an awesome town. I was there a couple weeks ago and had great food and incredible local wine (especially Pinot Noir and Syrah, plus Chardonnay if that's your thing). There's only one freeway, but there's plenty to do and the beaches are wonderful. Check out, again, the Four Seasons (see photo at left of the A-1 Coral Casino pool area and Butterfly Beach). Or try any number of smaller hotels along the seaside strip. There's a nice-looking Holiday Inn Express right downtown, just off State Street in an historic building.

MAUI - I haven't spent New Year's Eve in Lahaina, but I was there for Halloween a couple years back and it was a huge treat. The beaches are awesome, and it's whale-watching time, so that's a bonus. Great golf and fabulous food. Save money at the Mauian Hotel or the Napili Sunset on Napili Beach, or splurge at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. Down at Ka'anapali, the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel is right on the water and is one of the most Hawaiian properties in the islands. Pop open some California sparkling wine, toast the new year, then go jump in the Pacific to celebrate. Just don't drink too much.

ST. JOHN'S - George Street has been known to attract all sorts of celebrities, including Blue Rodeo singer Jim Cuddy. It's a wild place with great music and incredibly friendly locals. New Year's in Canada's party capital would be even better than normal. There are plenty of options, from the Delta to smaller chains. I quite enjoyed the Murray Premises when I was there a few years ago. Be sure to wander up to Signal Hill for the views (see photo, albeit in summer and sorry about that!), and check out the galleries and museums while you're in town. This is a city with a lot going for it.

KEY WEST - You can't talk about parties and leave out Key West, where hundreds if not thousands of folks gather each night to salute the sunset with a frosty beverage - or six. Awesome bars, of course, but also plenty of history and culture, including the former home of Ernest Hemingway and the Florida White House of Harry Truman. Great food either indoors or out under the trees and stars at Blue Heaven. Again, plenty of chain hotels such as Marriott, etc.. Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria property, has smallish rooms but awesome grounds and is a quiet, romantic spot just a few blocks from the action.

ST. LUCIA - Eager for some Hawaii-South Pacific scenery but can't afford the air fare or dont' want to spend the time flying? Stay in the south end of St. Lucia, where the twin mountains called the Pitons look a lot like the ancient peaks of Tahiti or north Kauai. Super-friendly locals. Splurge at the Jalousie Plantation, which has a wonderful restaurant and bar and is nestled right between the Pitons on one of the best beaches (see photo at left) for swimming and snorkeling. Or stay the night further north in a condo or an all-inclusive and wander down for the day. Check the Friday night fish fry on the island, or even drop in for some country and western dancing in downtown Castries.

 

Parasailing death sparks cancellation by cruise lines ... Ft. Lauderdale in Toronto

Terrible news out of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where a 60-year-old cruise ship passenger was killed while on a parasailing excursion.

Laura Bly at USA Today reports that Celebrity Cruises passenger Bernice Kraftcheck was killed and her 34-year-old daughter Danielle Haase hospitalized after last Tuesday's fall. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the accident, which prompted Celebrity, sister company Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian to suspend all parasailing excursions in the Caribbean. Carnival has also temporarily dropped parasailing during port calls in St. Thomas.

We all go on vacation and somehow assume that zip lines and parasailing trips and canoe/kayak adventures are . Travel and tourism people, however, are no better than the rest of us and mistakes are made. Often deadly mistakes. Witness not only the incident in the Virgin Islands but also two other parasailing deaths this year. Bly reports that "in June a California newlywed was killed and her husband seriously injured off Grand Bahama Island, and a South Carolina man died off Florida's Longboat Key after the tow boat's propeller failed and the parachute lost buoyancy, plunging him into the water."

There is apparently very little government control of parasailing operators, which ought to send a shiver down the spines of all of us.

Hey, it's a wonderful activity. I did it many years ago on Maui and had the time of my life, soaring up above Ka'anapali Beach in quiet, wonderful solitude as the waves danced below me and the golden beach sparkled in the sun. Absolutely glorious.

Last year, I went on a helicopter ride over the island of Molokai, taking off from Maui and getting close-ups of the incredible Molokai cliffs and the rain-forest mountains of Maui. Earlier this month came news that an Ontario couple, a pair of newlyweds from Pennsylvania and a pilot with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters had died in a chopper crash on Molokai.

It's the same line I took for my tour last year, which, quite honestly, scared the bejeezus out of me. I don't like heights a lot and the ride was more than a little bumpy as we careered along Molokai's towering sea cliffs and rose up into mist-shrouded valleys. Unforgettable, sure, but I was very, very happy to get back on the ground.

Helicopters, at least, are subject to government control; especially in developed countries. But parasailing and scuba and such? I don't know. I think it all comes down to common sense. If you want to try something dangerous, you have to accept there are risks. You can minimize them a bit by doing some homework and, I would think, sticking to developed countries for things like helicopter flights.

Even then, as we have witnessed, accidents happen. Not a lot. But enough to make you think.

FLORIDA BEACH BUMS IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Sadly, I was stuck in the office on Sunday and missed the Santa Claus Parade AND the Ft. Lauderdale "Defrost Your Swimsuit" bash at Yonge-Dundas Square.

The Fort Lauderdale tourism folks brought in bikinis encased in ice and had a glass trailer with nice-looking girls - and guys - in bathing suits. They also had beach balls and sand and palm trees, and they dished out free ice scrapers and such to remind all of us how much nicer it is to spend February in south Florida than here in Ontario.

Alfred Gonzalez of Fort Lauderdale's tourism office told me the cruise biz out of his city is going gangbusters and the city overall is in good financial shape. There are new hotel projects in the works, including a Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville hotel slated for 2014. They're also adding a new runway at the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport that will be able to accomodate superliners, and they're building a new terminal that will increase the number of international gates from five to 14.

A town that used to be known as a party spot for college kids on Spring Break has morphed into a fun, relaxing and vibrant alternative to the hectic pace of Miami. The beach is wonderful, of course, but there also are great restaurants and night spots and great family opportunities. Not to mention shopping and golf and noodling around on the gorgeous inland waterways and too many other activities to mention.

This being Christmas time and all, they're firing up the holiday lights down in Fort Lauderdale today. Some 10,000 bulbs will be lit as part of "Light Up the Beach" event at Highway A1A and Las Olas Blvd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prince Harry's favourite Vegas spots unveiled ... Europe travel holding up well

Okay, let's get to the juicy stuff first. Reports suggest Prince Harry, the younger, irascible brother of the wife of the Duchess of Cambridge, has been partying quite solidly in Las Vegas.

For those who've been watching the Parliamentary Channel to see what colour tie the Prime Minister might be wearing during Question Period, let me explain that Harry is temporarily stationed in the southern California-Arizona border region as he undergoes military helicopter training. Why they couldn't have found him a safe place in, I don't know, Oklahoma or Arkansas I can't quite explain. I mean, his base isn't anywhere near Hollywood or anything but he's obviously close enough to LA and to Vegas that he can get away. And the guy IS a chopper pilot, so I assume he can bypass highway traffic easily enough.

Prince William found a military station in the quiet of north Wales. Harry? He goes on military assignment within spitting distance of Las Vegas and L.A.. Hmm.....a coincidence?

Anyway, it seems Harry was doing his best on the weekend to invigorate the Vegas economy. Writing in USA Today, Kitty Bean Yancey (isn't that a great name for a reporter?) quotes People magazine as saing the prince "took in Cirque du Soleil's O aquatic extravaganza at the Bellagio resort" before "partying at the hot XS nightclub at Steve Wynn's Encore resort."

People claims he lost $300 gaming and was amazed that he got free drinks while at the tables. I remember being 21 in Reno once and I went into a casino with my Mom and Dad for a few minutes. After a half hour or so, my Dad came over and asked how I was doing at the slots. "Pretty good," I said. "Some lady came by with drinks but I didn't want to get ripped off so I didn't get one." I was feeling pretty proud of myself until my Dad replied, "Uh, Jim, the drinks are FREE if you're gambling." Doh.

As for Harry, apparently he also twisted the night away at Tryst nightclub, drinking Grey Goose vodka with tonic and dancing with, wait for it, "a young mystery woman." Of course.

EUROPE HOLDING UP WELL?

A report from Germany suggests European tourism is holding up well under the economic strains of the Euro these days.

The ITB World Travel Trends Report says international trips to Europe rose to 671 million from January to August of this year, a 4.5 per cent increasefrom the previous year. That's pretty impressive given the European troubles and the general health (or lack thereof) of the world economy.

It also appears European residents aren't afraid to come out of the house. A September survey of travellers from 13 European countries found that 43 per cent of folks plan to travel as much in 2012 as they did this year. 27 per cent said they would travel more, and only 20 per cent said they'd be on the road less.

That's excellent news for the European economy, and most certainly for airlines and hotels. I keep reading about growth in Asia, and there's no doubt it's a huge market. But one should never discount the enduring appeal of Europe.

I remember a couple years ago my oldest son was chatting with my daughter about her plans to travel to Europe after graduating from university. He'd been to Europe twice and also had recently travelled throughout Southeast Asia. He was telling his sister about how wonderful it was in Thailand and Laos and how cheap it was and that she consider that instead of Europe.

Nothing wrong with Asia, she felt, but she'd grown up reading books about London and Paris and seeing photos of Greece and Rome, and there was no way she was going to miss it. And that's pretty common for most North Americans who are lucky enough to travel. We don't care how many people have done it before, almost all of us want to see the Eiffel Tower for ourselves and sit on the Spanish Steps and gaze up at Big Ben or the Swiss Alps.

As long as that's the case, Europe should do just fine.

Forget Santa, check out Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday at Dundas Square instead

No offence to Mr. Claus or Sunday's annual Santa Claus Parade. But if you're in Toronto this coming Sabbath and are looking for a reminder of warmer climes, look no further than Yonge and Dundas, where you'll find a welcoming reception from the good folks at Fort Lauderdale tourism.

They love their Canadians down in Florida, of course, where we're a huge part of the travel market. They're expressing their appreciation on Sunday with ten large ice blocks encasing colorful swimwear will surround a sandy palm tree-lined “island” in a promotion staged to attract Toronto residents to Fort Lauderdale’s sunny shores.

There also will be an appearance by the bureau’s Beach Mobile decked out with models wearing bathing suits (gee, you hate to see that). Street teams will distribute free ice scrapers (thanks for the reminder of what's to come, guys), lip balm and opportunities to win Fort Lauderdale beach getaways with airline partner Sunwing Airlines. For four hours Greater Fort Lauderdale will own four of the large digital screens and broadcast live streaming footage of Torontonians having fun at the beach as well as feature a live Tweet Board.  
 
“The image of bikinis frozen in big blocks of ice should get the message across that Greater Fort Lauderdale is where you can thaw out and defrost your swimsuit, your nose, fingers and toes this winter,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “Canada is our number one international source market and we never take that for granted.  In fact, we are rolling out the “Defrost Your Swimsuit” campaign in Toronto even before it’s launched in the U.S.”

The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

AMERICAN ARROGANCE ON THE WANE?

Don't tell Mitt Romney, but an international study group says U.S. citizens are thinking more like Europeans these days. It also found that French citizens are FAR less ego-centric about their culture than you might have thought.

A fascinating study by the Pew Research Center finds that 49 per cent of U.S. respondents feel their culture is tops in the world. That's a lot, but back in 2002 you would've found that 60 per cent of Americans felt that way. By 2007, it was down to 55 per cent. And now it's just less than one-half.

As a born-and-raised American, I find that hugely refreshing. The U.S. is a hugely mixed bag with lots to offer, but I don't know how anyone in ANY country can say their culture is the best on the planet.

What's perhaps even more interesting than the U.S. number is the results for France. The study found that only 27 per cent of French folks feel their culture is better than anyone's, and isn't that a poke inthe eye to all those tourists who complain about French waiters?

The study found that 47 per cent of Germans think their culture is best (almost as bad as Americans, and probably not something that would surprise the Greeks). For Spain, the number was 44, and in Britain it was way down at 32.

Also fascinating were results on what people think about government. Asked what was more important,  the freedom to pursue life's goals without government interference OR having the state guarantee no one is in need, 58 per cent of Americans cited the need to avoid government interference, compared to 35 per cent for the other side. No surprise there, I'd say. Actually, I might have expected a tally higher than 58 per cent on the no-interference side of the equation.

In Britain, 55 per cent of folks said having the state be sure nobody is in need was more important, with 38 per cent taking the non-interference side. In Spain, it was even more extreme, with 67 per cent opting for the state's role and only 30 per cent citing the need for government to stay out.

Asked about the importance of religion, 50 per cent of Americans said it was important, compared to 22 per cent in Spain, 21 per cent in Germany, 17 per cent in Great Britain and just 13 per cent in France.

There's tons more in the report, too. Great reading.

 

Customers forced to pay surcharge on board, Thomas Cook Canada launches

I can just see the flight attendant. "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, does anyone on board happen to have an ATM in their pocket?"

It sounds like theatre of the absurd times 100, but reports out of Britain and Austria say passengers on a chartered Austrian Comtel Air (never heard of it) flight from Amritsar, India to Birmingham, England were forced to pay out more than $30,000 in cash to pay for fuel.

According to the BBC, more than 180 passengers were stranded on the tarmac in Vienna during a refuelling stop after being told the airline "ran out of cash to fund the last leg of the trip".

Passengers (thanks to the Mail online for the photo) said the airline then threatened to remove their luggage from the plane if they did not pay up. There was a six-hour standoff (bet they didnt' serve food) before Austrian police arrived and escorted passengers to ATMs to get cash.

Bhunpinder Kandra, director of passenger services for Comtel Air, reportedly said: "I have heard what happened, it shouldn't have happened, and I will investigate why it happened.

"The people who had to pay the money will receive a refund."

Gee, what a guy. And you thought Ryanair's idea of paying for on-board toilets was tough.

THOMAS COOK CANADA

Thomas Cook, a global travel company with more than 170 years experience in the biz, this week announced its new Canadian website - thomascook.ca. The site was launched in conjunction with the rebranding of 150 Thomas Cook retail shops across Canada, from B.C. to Newfoundland.

"Consumers now have more choice when booking travel with Thomas Cook by giving them a call, clicking to book online or coming in to any of the Thomas Cook branded retailers," officials said.

Stuart Morris, Senior Vice President of Ecommerce, said the site was developed with Canadian travelers in mind and includes a full offering of online travel tools and options at exceptional prices. In addition, he said, Thomas Cook Affiliate Agencies have customized versions of the Thomascook.ca site with deals selected for their local market.

And that can't help but be good news for Canadian consumers.

 

You think Toronto is going crazy with hotels? Check out New York City

Yeah, we've got a new Ritz-Carlton up on Wellington. And a new Shangri-La coming soon. And a Trump tower. And the new Four Seasons. And the Thompson and the latest Le Germain down at Maple Leaf Square.

But we don't hold a proverbial candle to the Big Apple. Word this week from irascible Mayor Michael Bloomberg is that New York will reach a remarkable 90,000 hotel rooms by the end of the year. And that's a lot of flat-screen TV's and tiny bottles of shampoo.

The city that never sleeps (in which case, why do they need hotels?) is set for a whopping 24 per cent increase in hotel rooms since 2006. Toronto has its so-called five-star faceoff from the big boys but NYC has more than 7,000 rooms in the pipeline.

One interesting trend is that 40 per cent of the rooms are outside Manhattan, in boroughs such as Brooklyn, and in Long Island City in the borough of Queens. Long Island City has the Museum of the Moving Image and quick subway service to Manhattan. There also are several TV and film studios in the area.

According to Barb De Lollis in USA Today, brands that have built in Queens include the Four Points by Sheraton, Fairfield Inn, Country Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn. Next month, the Wyndham Garden Long Island City will open. Some independent hotels have also made the leap across the river including the Ravel and the Verve Hotel. The 100-room Z NYC, where Bloomberg made his remarks, opened in July with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.

"Another 40 or so new projects will open citywide in the next 30 months, about 13 of them outside of Manhattan, bringing 1,865 rooms to the outer boroughs, according to NYC & Co.," De Lollis wrote. "Despite the lull in the economy, the New York City tourism industry appears to be healthy, with 48.8 million visitors last year and a record number of visitors expected this year. Hotel occupancy is close to 85 percent, according to NYC & Co."

De Lollis quotes an October 2011 U.S. construction report as stating there are 310,387 hotel rooms slated to be built nationwide, a 9-percent decrease compared to October 2010.

"New room supply growth will remain muted for the overall industry in the coming years," Vail Brown, vice president of global sales and marketing at the research firm STR, said in a statement. "An exception is the New York City market; they are in the middle of a new hotel construction explosion."

Nashville reported the largest increase in rooms. Both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., also reported healthy increases, De Lollis reports. For the first time in years, Las Vegas was not in the top five for new construction. Chicago had the largest decrease.

STARWOOD AND FAIRMONT EXPANDING IN ASIA

As strong as New York is going, things might even be hotter over in Asia right now.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. this week announced it has surpassed the 200^th hotel milestone with a flurry of recent openings in China (see photo below of the Qiandao Lake Resort in China), India, Thailand and Malaysia. Starwood continues to widen its lead as the largest operator of four and five star hotels in Asia Pacific with plans to reach over 320 hotels by 2014, the company said in a statement.

“The opening of our 200^th hotel in Asia Pacific underscores the vitality of this market and its importance to our future growth,” said Frits van Paasschen, President & CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Demand for our high-caliber brands continues to soar across Asia’s many dynamic markets, driven by phenomenal economic growth and significant increases in outbound travel, particularly from China and India.”

There were only 80 Starwood hotels in Asia Pacific in 2001.

Starwood now has 86 hotels open in China and nearly 100 more in development and expects to open one hotel in China every two weeks through the end of 2011, officials said. Nearly half of Starwood’s future hotels in China will fly the Sheraton flag.

India is now Starwood’s fourth largest market and a close second to China in terms of future hotel development. Starwood now has more four and five star hotels than any other hotel company in India, where it expects to open its 50^th hotel in 2013 and have 100 hotels either open or in development by 2015.

Fairmont is a much smaller, more tightly focussed brand than the multi-tiered Starwood. But they're also expanding in China, with word this week of a new Fairmont in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

Chengdu is a centre for technology, business, finance and communications in Western China and the airport is said to be moving into the top five in China, so it makes sense for a luxury brand like Fairmont.

The note I got says the hotel "is situated within the Palm Springs International Centre in Tianfu New Town." No word if they'll have shows by Sammy Davis Jr or Frank Sinatra...