Canada and Alaska are both booming, attracting more and more Australians to visit each year. travelBulletin asked Travellers Choice travel specialist Michael Pound from Unique Destination Travel how agents can cash in on this market.
Is there much interest among Australians for travel to Canada and Alaska?
Canada and Alaska are both alive and well and there is plenty of interest in both destinations as more and more Australians realise the vast variety of destinations and attractions that are on offer in “the Great White North”. The majority of travellers tend to combine an Alaska and Inside Passage cruise with British Columbia, Alberta and The Rockies on their first visit, while repeat travellers tend to explore beyond by visiting the largely unexplored Yukon Territory and Alaska by land or a trip to the Eastern Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Alaska in general is very popular with cruise enthusiasts.
Is there any particular time of year that is best to travel to Canada & Alaska?
Being the second largest country in the world, Canada is a panoply of geoclimatic regions. The interior offers everything from boreal forest, Arctic regions, dramatic coastlines, the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies, the Great Lakes and the Appalachian Mountains. With this comes a myriad of wildlife, culture and activities which cater to different seasons, making it an all year-round destination.
What do you love about Canada & Alaska?
There’s really not enough space for me to describe what I love about Canada and Alaska. In a nutshell, it’s the expansive and diverse landscapes, the superb wildlife, and the contrast in size and culture between each city.
Are FIT or tour groups more popular?
Here at Unique Destination Travel, FIT options are more popular than group travel. Whilst tour groups include the main attractions of Canada and Alaska with peace of mind knowing that most things are included, in my opinion, FIT offers the opportunity to take the road less travelled, possibly meet more locals and uncover some of the hidden secrets on offer.
What are your top tips for selling Canada and Alaska?
Source as much training and do as much research on Canada and Alaska as possible. I belong to the Canada Specialist Program, have visited Canada and Alaska countless times and have years of experience in selling the destinations. They’re not difficult destinations to sell if you have the knowledge and passion. I believe my success in selling Canada and Alaska comes from my ability to promote the hidden secrets and unique experiences that both destinations offer.
