Do you Bollywood? Do you Bhangra? You've never seen Ottawa like this.

Wilbur is back!

Bhangra in the Capital from Ottawa Tourism on Vimeo.

Canada’s Travel and Tourism Industry Welcomes Introduction of Ten-Year Visas

Ottawa, July 20, 2011 — The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) enthusiastically welcomed today’s announcement of a new, ten-year multiple-entry visa for international travelers wishing to visit Canada.

Internationally, tourism is the world’s fastest growing export sector, and much of the growth is being fuelled by a newly-mobile middle class in emerging markets such as Brazil, India, China, and Mexico. Enhancing Canada’s ability to welcome these potential visitors has the potential to mean millions of new customers and billions of dollars in foreign currency injected into the Canadian economy.

“A ten-year visa will help to put Canada back on an even footing with other destinations in the competitive international travel market,” said TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein. “This is a common sense solution that will make the visa process more efficient for our government, and more convenient for our valued international visitors.”

TIAC recognizes the work of Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney on identifying the need to facilitate legitimate travel from our key allies and trading partners where there is no threat. Increasing access to Canada is one of the tourism sector’s key priorities, and the need for modernization of our visa system has been articulated as a vital aspect of enhancing access and to help Canada’s tourism sector grow and thrive.

This simple solution will help to bring Canada in line with other destinations, and will provide both travelers and the department with the means to facilitate trade in the tourism sector. It is also a further demonstration of the Harper government’s commitment to promote growth in the tourism sector, and will help to support the interdepartmental initiatives in the forthcoming Federal Tourism Strategy.

Source: press release Tourism Industry Association of Canada

Had enough of Will and Kate? Watch them as they stroll through Ottawa (courtesy Tourism Ottawa)

Cordon Bleu Mexican Chef in Ottawa this week - great French Mexican fusion cusine.

Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa is pleased to announce that Chef Miguel Ángel Quezada, Executive Chef at Casa de Francia five diamond Le Cordon Bleu restaurant in Mexico is visiting Le Cordon Bleu Bistro at Signatures restaurant this week.

Chef Quezada  has created a fantastic Mexican French Fusion menu which will be served at our Ottawa restaurant this Thursday and Friday night only

Pulled pork tortilla, roasted pineapple garnish, achiote sauce

Coconut soup, mango and jicama dice, mint and plantain chips

Sautéed Tilapia chorizo crust, guacamole with guajillo pepper oil

Chocolate fondant from Oaxaca, vanilla ice cream, orange and cherry tomato compote

I don't know about you, but if I was in Ottawa this week, I'd definitely go to the Cordon Bleu. The soup alone looks like it's definitely worth it.

Bon apetit,

Jaime

D

Ontario reaches out to the kids to stimulate domestic tourism

Good idea.

A few days ago, on the last day of school, kids in Ontario received a booklet called the Fun Pass courtesy of the Ontario Government. Good idea to encourage staycations and vacations in the province. Every child in Ontario schools got one. Kids 14 and under get coupons included in the booklet that gives them free admission to several provincial attractions like The Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara; Ontario Place, the Ontario Science Centre and The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto; the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons among many others.  So the kids get in for free, but they will have to take at least one (paying) adult with them, right? 

Cheers and happy travels,

Jaime

www.cactusrock.com