NCC diversifies Winterlude, making it less dependent on cold weather
Mark Brownlee, The Ottawa Citizen
Photo courtesy Ottawa Citizen, by Pat McGrath
Unpredictable February weather will force Winterlude to focus less on its winter theme in the years to come, organizers say of the festival that has traditionally drawn tourists by celebrating Canada’s cold climate.
Fluctuating temperatures have wreaked havoc on the event in the past few years. Temperatures went as high as 10 C on the Friday before the last weekend of the 2011 edition, forcing organizers to change some marquee events such as the ice sculpture competition and to temporarily close the Rideau Canal to skating.
The event’s organizer, the federally-funded National Capital Commission, has already moved to diversify its lineup from such traditional winter-themed activities to those not dependent on weather. This year’s events include a jazz festival in Confederation Park and a beer and ice wine festival in Gatineau.
Full story on the Ottawa Citizen Website: NCC diversifies Winterlude, making it less dependent on cold weather
Finalists for the 2011 Stars of the City Recognition Evening!
[Source: Ottawa Tourism press release]
Between September 1st, 2010 and August 31st 2011, 1052 nominations were submitted to Ottawa Tourism, citing real-life examples of excellence in customer service. From these nominations finalists have been chosen in several categories. The complete list of finalists is attached and can also be found at http://www.starsofthecity.ca/recognition.htm or http://www.starsofthecity.ca/recognition_f.htm
Join the tourism industry in celebrating all the nominees, finalists and award winners at this year’s Recognition Evening on Wednesday, October 26th at Algonquin College.
STARS RECOGNITION EVENING TICKETS will go on sale early next week.
Thank you to all of the front-line staff for making sure that Ottawa and Canada’s Capital Region shines as a destination.
Students’ Art to Fly High in Canada’s Capital
NCC invites young Canadians to express their views in their own inspiring way
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ─ The National Capital Commission (NCC), in partnership with Classroom Connections, is kicking off the third year of a cross-Canada classroom banner contest and public art project.
Students in Grades 5 through 8 (Elementary 5 through Secondary 2 in Quebec) are being asked to create and submit a one-of-a-kind banner design to the “Raise Your Voices!” National Student Banner Contest 2012. Designs should represent an issue or topic of importance to Canadian youth. The deadline for entries is February 17, 2012. The seven winning banners will be professionally produced by the NCC and seen by thousands as they fly in Major’s Hill Park from May to October 2012.
“Through this contest, our youth can share the events, people and symbols that they identify with,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing at the NCC. “We look forward to reflecting their ideas and values in Canada’s Capital Region for all residents and visitors to enjoy.”
DISCOVER MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
Photo courtesy Lee Dunbar
DISCOVER MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
- Visit the restored cottages.
- View films on Mackenzie King’s life and times.
- Take a guided tour through the museums and property.
- Stroll through the gardens.
- Photograph the collection of ruins.
- Enjoy a light meal at the Mackenzie King Tearoom.
- Discover King’s favourite trail: the Bridal Veil Falls.
- Join costumed volunteer guides for a visit to the gardens at Moorside on weekend and holiday afternoons,
- between Canada Day and Labour Day.
- Join in the activities organized by the NCC at the Estate.
Canada Day in the Capital: Bringing Canadians Together in Celebration
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ An original and breathtaking fireworks display brought to a resounding close Canada’s 144th birthday in the Capital. The largest Canada Day celebration in the country was larger than ever this year due in part to Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William and Catherine, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who attended the noon and evening events on Parliament Hill.
“The National Capital Commission thanks the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who gathered in the heart of capital,” says Marie Lemay, NCC Chief Executive Officer. “Today the world has seen Canadians coming together in celebration of the 144th birthday of our nation.”
Crowd estimate
The National Capital Commission (NCC), along with its partners and sponsors, is proud to confirm that a crowd estimated at 300 000 participated in the noon celebration in the downtown core.
The evening show on Parliament Hill attracted a crowd estimated at about 100 000 residents and visitors in the same area.
Canadians vacationing in-country boosts tourism
Below is an excerpt from a story by the The Canadian Press that appeared on the CBC.ca website. There is lots to see and do here in Canada and we need to get out and explore more of our own country — and of course a great place to start is right here in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital Region.
Statistics Canada reports it was the seventh straight quarterly increase in tourism spending, which has risen 6.5 per cent since the second quarter of 2009.
Spending by international visitors in Canada declined 3.5 per cent in the first quarter, following five consecutive quarterly increases.
Full story on the CBC.ca website: Canadians vacationing in-country boosts tourism
The NCC Invites the Public to Discover Parliament Hill this Summer
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region – Every visit to Canada’s Capital Region must include a stop on Parliament Hill. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is offering this year the award-winning sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people and the popular Discover the Hill outdoor interpretation program. The program allows residents and visitors to the Capital to explore the grounds of Parliament Hill during the summer.
INFO-TENT
Until September 5 (daily) – 9 am to 5 pm
Located on Parliament Hill to the right of the Centre Block and behind the East Block.
The Info-Tent should be the first stop for visitors to Parliament Hill. NCC staff of this seasonal visitor service facility will inform visitors of the full menu of summer activities that are available. At this location, visitors can obtain same-day tickets for the free Centre Block, East Block (starting July 2) and outdoor guided tours (starting June 25).
DISCOVER THE HILL
During the hours of operation of the Info-Tent
NCC Discover the Hill interpreters will be on site to invite visitors to explore the buildings, monuments and landscapes that surround Canada’s Parliament. Visitors will have the opportunity to further their discovery of Parliament Hill by chatting with the friendly, knowledgeable staff.
The different facets of Parliament Hill can also be discovered through a free 45-minute outdoor guided walking tour entitled “In the Footsteps of Great Canadians” (starting June 25).
Give your Ottawa trip a royal flair during Kate and William’s visit
Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press
The newlyweds picked Canada as their first official trip as a couple, arriving in time for the Canada Day festivities in the nation’s capital. Kate Middleton has never visited Canada, so Ottawa at its party-hardiest will be her first taste of Canadian hospitality.
William’s parents, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, visited Canada for the first time in 1983 while the young prince celebrated his first birthday back home. Diana dazzled the massive crowds — she in a blue-and-white striped dress and feathery white hat, they in their Loverboy-era sun visors and T-shirts.
For those who want to be part of the welcoming party for Will and Kate in the national capital region, there are many ways to give the trip a royal twist and many of the activities are free.
Read the rest of the article: Give your Ottawa trip a royal flair during Kate and William’s visit
Mark of success advice offered to tourism operators
Gregg Chamberlain, Édition Andre Paquette
Calypso’s market branding strategy fits in well with the efforts of Ottawa Tourism to create more concrete images in the minds of potential visitors that will encourage them to consider Eastern Ontario in general and the National Capital Region (NCR) in particular for their next vacation destination. Building a strong tourism sector as part of the regional economy, noted Noel Buckley, Ottawa Tourism president, demands more than just building hotels and restaurants.
“Development isn’t only bricks-and-mortar,” Buckley said. “It’s also ‘soft development’, with events and programs.”
Acting on recommendations in a recent report, the provincial tourism ministry decided to create 13 primary “tourism regional organizations” (TRO) in Ontario. Ottawa and Prescott-Russell were amalgamated into TRO 10 and since then Ottawa Tourism has made an effort to involve the PRTA in its strategic planning for the rural tourism sector of the region. Buckley noted that Ottawa Tourism’s own studies indicate that arts, culture, and heritage are bigger economic drivers for the NCR than even major-league organized sports.
Full article: Mark of success advice offered to tourism operators
NCC chief proclaims Winterlude a success despite thaw
Tony Lofaro, Ottawa Citizen
Photograph by: Jean Levac, The Ottawa Citizen
Winterlude enjoyed a successful run despite the closing of the Rideau Canal for a few days and a top Canadian chef’s pulling out of one of its high-profile events, the NCC’s chief executive officer said Monday.
She said the NCC is moving toward partnerships with more government department and private sponsors to help with programming costs for Winterlude. On board this year were the Museum of Science and Technology, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, National Research Council and the Canadian Space Agency, she said.
“The shift to the new delivery model of Winterlude has started and we’re excited about the results of these partnerships. We hope to add more public and private partners next year,” said Lemay.
In an interview after the press conference, Lemay said that, based on past years, attendance at the 2011 Winterlude was expected to top 600,000 visitors. Final figures were not yet available, she added.
Read the full story on the Ottawa Citizen website: NCC chief proclaims Winterlude a success despite thaw
