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Air
Highways to Atlantic Canada- 2005
Updates
by Jerry W. Bird
 by
Jerry W. Bird
I enjoy
being in the company of Atlantic
Canadians, a tendency which has remained
with me since my airforce days, when many
of my best pals were from those
easternmost parts. While in South Africa
last January, riding the Rovos Rail train
from Cape Town to Pretoria, two of the
most delightful guests on board were a
couple from Newfoundland (more about them
later) -- which confirms my long held
opinion that Atlantic Canadians are the
salt of the earth. How can I forget our
glorious week long stay at the Hotel
Newfoundland in St. Johns during the TCAAN
Convention. Newfoundlanders know how to
throw a party. Last summer, I was pleased
to meet with
Sandra
Kelly,
whom Air Highways interviewed in 1993 at
an Airports Conference when she was Mayor
of Gander. This lady of our times is now
the Hon. Sandra Kelly, Provincial Minister
of Industry. A well deserved position. I
promised to return and write a feature on
Newfoundland Tourism, and am eager to
return. Speaking of Atlantic Canada, we
received several news releases that may be
of interest to you.
SPA
OPENINGS AT TWO NOVA SCOTIA SIGNATURE
RESORTS
Halifax, NS: The
oohs and aahs usually evoked by the
stunning vistas of Nova Scotia Signature
Resorts will have a whole new origin this
summer with the grand opening of Aveda
Spas at both the Keltic Lodge in Ingonish
and The Pines Resort in
Digby.
"Construction is
well underway at both properties,"
according to Sandie Currie, Director of
Sales and Marketing for Nova Scotia
Signature Resorts. "Both spas
are scheduled to open early this summer
and will offer a wide range of services
for resort guests and local
residents."
"Aveda has a
powerful reputation for quality service
and respect for the environment, which
makes them a natural fit for our
properties and the clientele we
serve."
The Aveda Spa
at Keltic Lodge
One of just three free-standing resort
spas in Atlantic Canada, the Spa at Keltic
will feature a uniquely-designed seaweed
body treatment to reflect Keltic's close
proximity to the Atlantic
Ocean.
Built on the edge
of the spectacular cliffs of Middle Head
Peninsula, the 5,000 square foot spa
includes a lounge with fireplace, and an
outdoor deck with a dazzling view
overlooking Ingonish Beach. The
facility will include four treatment
rooms, sauna, steam and regular showers,
hair salon and pilates workout
area. Other treatments to be
offered include facials, massage,
manicures, pedicures, and hair
care.
"This addition
truly enhances our overall product and
allows us to compete with other upscale
resorts," says Walther Lauffer, General
Manager of Keltic Lodge. "We've
always offered an exceptional guest
experience and the Spa at Keltic is an
exciting addition."
The Aveda Spa
at The Pines Resort
Utilizing apples as the main
ingredient to reflect the Annapolis Valley
region where the spa is located, the Aveda
Spa at The Pines Resort will also feature
stunning views. The 2,500 square
foot spa is being built next to the
Gothic-style outdoor pool overlooking the
Bay of Fundy. It will include
3 treatment rooms, steam and regular
showers, hair care, pedicure and manicure
services.
"Spas and golf
courses tend to lure a lot of travellers
so being able to offer both is great news
for our guests," said Rene Leblanc,
General Manager of The Pines Resort.
"It's also a big boost for the local
community, creating jobs and offering new
services."
Spas are among
the fastest-growing businesses in Canada
and are top draws for leisure dollars
according to a 2002 study by Price
Waterhouse Coopers and the International
Spa Association. Canada has
approximately 600 spas, generating an
estimated $345-500 million a
year.
The Keltic Lodge
and The Pines Resort are part of Nova
Scotia's Signature Resorts, which are
proudly managed by New Castle Hotels and
Resorts. For more information about
the Signature Resorts, visit the website
at www.signatureresorts.com.
For additional
info, contact:
Sandie Currie, Director of
Sales/Marketing,
Nova Scotia Signature Resorts
(902) 496-7415, scurrie@westin.ns.ca
INGONISH,
NOVA SCOTIA TARGETING WINTER
TOURISTS
Ingonish, NS: The drive is on to
draw more tourists to Ingonish, Nova
Scotia on a year-round basis. The
cluster of small communities, which border
the Cape Breton Highlands National Park,
continues to be a popular summer
destination and now is reaching out to
winter travellers as well.
Central to those efforts is the
re-opening of Ski Cape Smokey, which has
been closed for the past three
years. A recent injection of
federal and provincial government funding
has allowed the facility to purchase
much-needed snowmaking and grooming
equipment.
"This new equipment is critical to our
viability as a winter tourist
destination," said Marie Cummings,
spokesperson for Ski Cape
Smokey. "Not only will it
allow us to expand our season, it provides
skiers with much greater assurance that
their trip will be worthwhile."
Ski Cape Smokey is a premier Canadian
alpine ski resort located at Ingonish
Harbour. The ski hill features a
1,000-foot vertical drop with 16 runs
overlooking a spectacular view of the
Atlantic Ocean.
Just minutes from the ski hill is The
Keltic Lodge, the provincially-owned
property that's part of Nova Scotia's
Signature Resorts. Normally closed
through the winter, the Lodge has
joined in the effort by opening its doors
at The Inn at Keltic from March 11 - 19 to
accommodate the March Break
crowd.
"The entire region is taking steps
toward establishing itself as a place to
visit all year and we're delighted to do
our part," said Walther Lauffer, General
Manager of the Keltic Lodge. "We've
put together a ski package that includes
one night accommodation for two, breakfast
and two lift tickets for just $75 per
person."
The Lodge will employ an additional
15-20 staff during the March Break and
local officials are hoping the winter
revitalization will spur further job
opportunities.
The Northeast Highlands Chamber of the
Commerce has taken a lead role in
coordination of the marketing plan through
the Cape Breton Highlands
Project. Along with an
aggressive winter advertising campaign,
they've also established a website,
www.capebretonhighlands.com, and toll free
phone number, (888) 897-4094, to provide
information about winter travel packages
and community events.
The Cape Breton Highlands Project is a
three-year pilot project, with an office
in Ingonish. A Project Management
Committee consisting of members of Ski
Cape Smokey, Victoria County, Northeast
Highlands Chamber of Commerce, the
Ingonish Development Society, St. Ann's
Bay and Area Development Association and
Snow Belt Marketing Coop oversees the Cape
Breton Highlands Project and the area
covered is from St. Ann's and Englishtown
to Meat Cove.
Some of the goals of the project
include increasing visitation to the area,
particularly during the spring, fall and
winter seasons and to increase overnight
stays as well as promoting The Cape Breton
Highlands as a four-season
destination.
Walther Lauffer
General Manager
Keltic Lodge
(902) 285-2365
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