Canadian Tourism video makes mark in UK (it's quite good, as you can see here)

Nice to see some good news for Canada's sliding tourism industry. This country has slipped - badly - in terms of incoming tourism numbers over the years.

But maybe a cool, new video put out by the Canadian Tourism Commission that displays both urban cool and country culture, not to mention a fair bit of adventure, will help.

Canadian Press filed a story on Wednesday that said the video "has been an online hit around the world, generating about 1.6 million views since its Nov. 20 launch on YouTube.

"The video, produced in 30-second and two-minute versions, was pieced together from some of the 8,000-plus submissions the commission received this past summer in response to a contest calling for visuals that 'captured the essence' of Canada."

The video features lots of lakes but also a "rapid-fire sequence" of roller coasters and ice cream cones and bears and fish tacos and dolphins and northern lights and moose sniffing into a car and pods of dolphins, not to mention cityscapes and native dancers and wolves and surfers and skidding mountain bikes and such, all put together with a screaming-good song by a Vancouver band called Yukon Blonde and shot in that herky-jerky style so popular with car commercials today.

The video is "an anthem for Canada to inspire visitors from around the world to come visit here," said commission CEO Michele McKenzie.

The 30-second version currently is being screened in U.K. movie theatres, said Greg Klassen, the commission's senior vice-president of marketing strategy. He added there are plans to roll it out to other international markets over the next few months.

The commission has recently shifted some of its marketing efforts toward Asia, particularly China, and wants to get the video seen on that country's versions of Facebook and Twitter.

"We will dribble it out in China, test it to see how well it performs, and if it performs well we'll unleash it a bit more and spend a little bit more money pushing it out," said Klassen.

I'm biased as a Canadian, but I think it's quite good. Edgy, fun and, best of all, perhaps a bit surprising for folks overseas. Nice job, guys, and nice work by all the Canadians who sent in all the video to begin with.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, is offering up a 4.5 star all-inclusive hotel in Holguin, Cuba (the Riu Playa Turquesa) for early 2013 for a pretty fair price. The seven-night deal goes for $549, plus $290 in taxes, for a total of $839. Not incredibly cheap by Cuba standards but it looks like a very nice property. a definite cut above the cut-rate spots often advertised for Cuba.

Here are some highlights of the deal, according to jaunt.ca:

- Savings up to $512 per couple

- The first child from 2 to 12 stays free and the second child only pays for the flight

- Includes return airfare from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnpieg, Quebec City or Halifax to Cuba

- Accommodations in a Standard Hotel Room,  featuring 2 twin beds and a balcony or terrace. (Maximum occupancy: 3 adults, 1 child)

- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The property is said to feature "an impressive open air lobby with a bar and impressive grounds" that include "a slew of pools and waterfalls."

The resort is close to Roca Azul Bio-Parc, offering a wealth of hiking opportunies and wildlife experience.

The deal is valid for travel on certain dates in January and February, so check jaunt.ca for details on this and other packages.

WIZARD OF OZ THEATRE DEAL IN TORONTO

Toronto's Pantages, a Skyline Hotel, has a nice Wizard of Oz theatre package. Available until Feb. 28, 20913, the package starts at $399/night and includes accomodation at the "boutique, all-suite Pantages Hotel" (just steps from the theatre) and two tickets to the Wizard of Oz production at the Ed Mirivish Theatre.

For information, go to www.pantageshotel.com or call 1-888-889-0068.