Where better to start than Canada, one of the world’s greatest adventure playgrounds? Canada won’t just be promoting its winter ski activities on stand NA2000. Its key ski regions – Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia – will also be pushing their year-round appeal with opportunities for cycling, rafting, camping and fishing.
While you’re here in North America, drop by to see those friendly people from Colorado. Best-known for its ski product, Colorado is boosting its sales and marketing budget for the UK and Europe and is planning a series of initiatives with tour operators and the trade to highlight its soft-adventure activities, such as canoeing and hiking. Make sure you’re part of it by calling in at stand NA3315.
You’ll find all the big names in adventure at stand GV3200. Exodus, Adventure Company, Trek America, Waymark Holidays, Trips Worldwide, and Magic of the Orient are just some of the members of the First Choice Activity and Adventure Division at WTM. They will be promoting everything from a gentle wine trail through the Loire Valley, to a Kilimanjaro climb.
For something completely different head to the Caribbean section to find Antigua. You’ll discover that this island isn’t just about sunshine and beaches. Visitors can now feed, hold and even swim with stingrays at Stingray City. Learn all about it at stand CA2020.
Staying in the sunshine, head to the Middle East and check out the Dubai stand at ME2000. Already making a major in-road as a sunshine and shopping destination, Dubai is also seeing a rise in demand for activity holidays and soft adventure. Believe it or not, it now has its own ski resort, housed in a new shopping mall, with a 270ft-high ski slope, a snowboard stunt park and a snow park – all made of real snow and ice.
Back to the real thing – find out what Italy’s Piedmont region is doing in preparation for the Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games on stand EM320, EM340 and EM360. Italy’s tourism officials are pushing Turin as a short-break destination to make sure the Games bring long-term benefits to the city.
Get some refreshments. Watch the Peruvian dancers (Wed-Thurs, 12.30pm-1pm and 3.30pm-4pm), and sample a local drink (pisco sour – Peruvian brandy – or algarrobina), at the bar at Peru’s stand LA2000. You’ll also hear how the country is protecting and preserving its most famous landmark, Machu Picchu.
Finally, where else can you be freshwater scuba diving in the morning and be viewing the ‘big five’ on safari in the afternoon?
It has to be one of Africa’s most up-and-coming destinations – Malawi. It’s a great choice of coutry for the adventure lover and its tourism office is launching a new Best of Malawi 32-page brochure at stand AF4400.
Pick one up before you leave.
