THE YUKON territory in Canada’s far north will get its biggest exposure to the UK market this year as an alternative flydrive destination.
Operators including All Canada Travel and Holidays, 1st Class Holidays, Travelpack and Vacation Canada are either introducing or improving their activity-based self-drive options.
Travelpack and Jetsave have also added escorted coach touring packages that include the Yukon in more established Alaska and British Columbia itineraries. Thomas Cook is planning to introduce both flydrive and coach tour elements to its 2001 Signature Canada programmes.
Tourism Yukon UK representative Jill White said:”Operators are featuring different flydrive options, as well as inns and resorts for individual stays.”
There are also more dedicated Alaska/Yukon brochures on the shelves as the destinations become recognised as an ideal combination.
“We are extending this with some joint agent training and marketing, as well as initiatives with operators,” she added.
The Yukon is planning a Canada specialist agents’ fam trip in conjunction with 1st Class Holidays later in the year.
“The Yukon is a new flydrive option for people who have been to other parts of Canada, such as the Rockies, or even the American national parks,” said White.
“It is easy to drive there; it has wide highways and vast expanses of stunning scenery, without the crowds.”
Other attractions are the territory’s silver-mining and goldrush history, and soft-adventure activities – rafting, fishing and hiking and wildlife watching. The territory also plans to promote winter activities such as dog-sledding trips.
“We want people to extend their length of stay at places en route to get a real sense of the outdoor experience that the Yukon offers,” added White.
“For instance, en route from Whitehorse to historic Dawson City there is a road called the Silver Trail which highlights the silver mines and ghost towns dating back to 150 years.”
White escorted a group of UK operators to the area last year, which included a half-day rafting trip on the Yukon River from Whitehorse along Miles Canyon; some gold-panning; and a helicopter tour in Kluane National Park to view the huge glacier landscape.
She said: “This is the type of product that is now available in racked brochures but it is equally important to train staff to sell the Yukon properly.
“I want agents to feel comfortable in recommending the Yukon and will arrange training for anyone interested.”
Tourism Yukon is planning its first full sales mission to the UK after this year’s World Travel Market in November, when a team of tourism officials and suppliers will meet with selected agents and operators at venues in London, the southeast and Manchester, and possibly Leeds and Glasgow.