News

Looking for a cut-rate getaway in Niagara-on-the-Lake? Deals at upscale Canadian hotels? Maybe a gas coupon to cover the drive? They're all on offer this summer.

This is usually Canada's busiest and priciest travel season. But this summer, the country's tourism industry is rolling out a stunning array of discounts, incentives and packages aimed at luring Americans north and keeping Canadians closer to home.

Why the flood of deals? The strong loonie, high gas prices and stricter border rules have combined to push the number of visitors to Canada (mainly Americans) to a record low, according to a March report from Statistics Canada. Meanwhile, overnight plane trips from Canada to the U.S. set a record high for the fourth straight month. All of which is adding up to a gloomy outlook for the Canadian tourism market.

But it's a sunny situation for Canadians, who can now play both sides of the discount-travel trend: as “Americans” looking for reasons to visit or as locals looking for reasons to stick around. Here, then, are tips for finding great holiday values amid the absence of U.S. tourists.

Border bargains

Destinations that are a day trip away from the U.S. border – such as Vancouver and Stratford, Ont. – are offering a disproportionate number of deals.

Discounted tickets and packages are being offered for Stratford's renowned Shakespeare festival. These include a Dine & Play promotion available on Tuesday nights until July 29. These packages start at $68 and include two-for-one entrees at one of 10 restaurants and a pair of tickets to shows such as All's Well That Ends Well, The Music Man and There Reigns Love. For more information, visit www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com/ dineplay or call 519-273-1600.

The Vancouver-Whistler pairing will probably become the world's top travel destination when the Winter Olympics kick off Feb. 12, 2010. But there are deals to be had in the calm before the storm: The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver's Family Getaway package provides a second room for the brood at 50 per cent off (starting at $155 a night). Kids under 12 eat for free in the new YEW restaurant, and child-sized bathrobes are even available around the heated indoor-outdoor pool. Up in Whistler, meanwhile, the Four Seasons resort's B.C. Drive to Luxury package starts at $260 a night and includes free parking and a $100 food and beverage credit. Or visitors can book two nights and receive a third free. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/vancouver and www.fourseasons.com/whistler.

Red, white and blue news

In gateway cities such as Seattle and Buffalo, local newspapers carry many ads for Canadian travel deals.

A Seattle Times Rate is being offered by the Westin Grand Vancouver, starting at $199 a night for July and August. (Quote the “Seattle” code to book.) For more information, call 604-602-1999 or e-mail reservations@westingrandvancouver.com.

Vancouver's Hotel Le Soleil is also getting into the act, with a limited-time promotion in the Seattle Times called Two Times the Deal. A rate of $235 a night includes suite accommodations, a full American breakfast (of course), valet parking and late checkout. For more information, visit www.lesoleilhotel.com.

Chain sales

Several large hotel chains are rolling out a range of Canada-only packages, special offers and discounts.

Through Chicago-based United Vacations, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a free night when booking a two-, three- or four-night stay at one of eight Canadian properties. For more information, visit www.unitedvacations.com or call 1-888-328-6877.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has launched a Canada Day sale at 33 of its Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, W, aloft and Le Méridien hotels across the country. Available for stays through Dec. 30, bookings must be made by 11:59 p.m. on July 1. Rates start at just $99 a night. For

more information, visit www.spg.com/ canadaday or call 1-866-716-8101 and ask for code “CDA.”

Holiday timing

Can't take this Monday off? With Canada Day falling on a Tuesday this year, Friday, July 4, may be a better long weekend option.

The White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., is offering a discounted three-night package for the Independence Day long weekend (and certain other weekends) this summer. It includes one dinner and two breakfasts at the resort's award-winning LIV restaurant, as well as all gratuities, for $723 a couple. For more information, call 1-800-263-5766.

In Ontario's cottage country, meanwhile, the upscale Inn at Manitou has an active 4th of July Special available from July 3 to 6 starting at $1,155 a person (based on double occupancy). It combines a guided bicycle tour of Muskoka's country roads with three nights' accommodations, all meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea), and morning health walks and yoga classes. For more information, visit www.manitou-

online.com or call 1-800-571-8818.

Book with Americans

If you're looking for an American deal, it may make sense to book with a U.S.-based travel agent.

Tourism Quebec, for one, has added a new link to “American tour operator offers” on its website, bonjourquebec.com. Among the dozens of packages, the “city breaks” stand out: The three-night Marvellous Montreal package from Boston-based Yankee Holidays starts at $485 a person and includes accommodations, two restaurant dinners, a six-hour sightseeing tour, a 90-minute St. Lawrence River cruise and $20 in gift certificates for the Casino de Montreal, as well as all taxes and meal gratuities. For more information, visit www.yankeeholidays.com.

If you want an airfare deal, United Vacations is also offering two-for-one United Airlines flights to various Canadian destinations when a vacation of three nights or more is booked at a Fairmont hotel. (This can even be combined with Fairmont's aforementioned free-night offer.) Of course, this means flying out of the U.S., but the $500 in savings may make it worthwhile to drive to airports in Buffalo, Seattle or Burlington, Vt. For more information, visit www.unitedvacations.com or call 1-888-328-6877.

Gas and go

To lure road-trippers over the border, gasoline credits are popping up across Canada.

The Re-energize Yourself in the Outaouais package from the Quebec region's tourism board starts at $182 a person and includes a $25 gas credit, two, three or four nights at a choice of local hotels, and free admission to a wide array of local attractions, including the Omega wildlife park in Montebello and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. For more information, call 1-800-265-7822 or visit www.outaouaisgetaways.com.

In Vancouver, meanwhile, the Cars Eat Free promotion at the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel includes free overnight parking and a $25 gas card starting at $169 a night, while the Metropolitan Hotel's Fuel for Inspiration deal includes a one-night stay, a $25 gas card and valet parking starting at $209. For more information, visit vancouvermarriott.com and www.metropolitan.com/vanc.