Armando Mendosa, VoX; Lani van Duinen, GOGO Vacations; Paul Cripps, Destination Plymouth;
Punam Pathak, GOGO Vacations; Rosalyn Hunter
Stacy Shreffler, Greater Boston CVB and Lesly White
When it comes to hockey, a good ol’ fashioned rivalry may always exist between Canada and the U.S. At heart, however, relations with our neighbours to the south are mutually congenial. A recent luncheon at Toronto’s SoHo Metropolitan Hotel hosted by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, and partners, along with its Canadian representatives VoX International, was testament that the U.S. has open arms for Canadians, and Canadians are pleased to accept.
Nearly 3 million Canadians visit Massachussetts each year, most of whom hail from Quebec, followed by Ontario and Nova Scotia. And, we don’t just go to watch the big sports games. “When most people think about Massachusetts they think Boston, Red Sox, Bruins, Cape Cod, but we have so much more to offer,” said Leslie White, Manager, International Marketing, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
“With vibrant cultural cities steeped in history, more than 15,000 miles of stunning shoreline, maritime heritage, outdoor adventure, family fun, natural beauty, incredible shopping and a diverse cuisine scene, Massachusetts is an exciting 4 seasons vacation destination to explore, ideal for weekend getaways and multi-day vacations,” said Rosalyn Hunter, Director, Public Relations & Communications at Vox. And, on the always popular subject of shopping, visitors would be interested to know that there is no tax for purchases under $175 (and only 6.25% on spends above that amount), making the activity even more appealing.
Another appeal is accessibility. “There are more than 20 departures daily from Canadian cities into Boston Logan International airport serviced by Air Canada and Porter,” added Hunter. Interesting to note is that Logan is the only airport in the country to offer free transportation into the city, which makes for a pleasant welcome.
Once settled in, visitors will find it well worth the money to pick up a Go Boston Card from Smart Destinations. It is an all-inclusive attraction pass that offers free admission to 51 attractions for one low price.
There are many new happenings throughout the state to enjoy this year. To mention a couple - there is the completed expansion of the Harvard Arts Museum (which will hold new collections including a beautiful glass flowers exhibit) and the Charles W Morgan, the last surviving whaling ship in the world (built and launched in 1841), will be on the move this year offering sailing tours between the Cape and Conneticut.
Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the Nashoba Valley Winery in central Massachusetts, which is a unique facility that makes product not only from grapes, but from local fruits and berries. Those who prefer beer may want to participate in tasting tours offered by the Abandoned Building Brewery or Fort Hill Brewery, 2 new breweries that have opened in Western Massachusetts.
In the far western part of state are the Berkshires, a lush geological area which, according to White, “doesn’t get enough praise. It is absolutely beautiful.” The location offers festivals, special events, world-class attractions and art museums. Of note is the Eric Carle Museum which is devoted to the art of children’s picture books.
When planning a visit for yourself or your clients, be sure to browse to www. Massvacation.com. This newly launched award winning interactive site offers much information and allows users to plan and save a travel itinerary. It’s a valuable tool worth trying out.
