Exploring Indigenous culture and tourism
A new space at The Forks is shining a light on Indigenous culture and tourism.
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CTV News
7 hours ago
- CTV News
‘A real Canadian experience' says Tourism Calgary as Shania Twain leads parade, PM Carney attends
Watch Tourism Calgary's Alisha Reynolds on the high-energy kickoff to the Stampede and expected crowds over 10 days.
National Post
11 hours ago
- National Post
'STEP BACKWARDS': World Cup will have 'ravine strategy,' but not free transit
It's not easy being green. Article content A not-yet-released City of Toronto environmental plan, mandated by FIFA and received by the Toronto Sun after a freedom-of-information request, shows the soccer federation and the municipal government will use an array of topics, including several tied to diversity and labour matters, to sell the soccer celebration as being as earth-friendly as it can be. Article content Article content Article content That comes despite the tournament taking 'a huge step backwards' by not offering free transit for ticket holders. Article content In a brief statement, Sharon Bollenbach, executive director of the city's World Cup secretariat, confirmed the Sun has the most recent edition of the environmental document, Version 5, dated September 2024. Updates to the plan and 'other components of the city's legacy framework' should be released late this year or early in 2026, she said. Article content 'The current plan is for accredited volunteers to receive complimentary transit access during the tournament,' Bollenbach added. Article content A TTC spokesperson confirmed to the Sun that World Cup host cities are required to offer free transit for volunteers, but said no other fare concessions are currently in the plans. Article content Just last year, news reports said World Cup ticket holders would get free access to the TTC. Article content Included in the freedom-of-information disclosure were notes from a January 2024 meeting that was attended by two city bureaucrats and representatives from FIFA and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which operates BMO Field. Article content Article content However, 'since 2014, free transit has been offered for all ticket holders, so not offering this would be a huge step backwards in 2026,' the notes add. Article content Article content A section of the environmental plan, headlined 'low carbon transportation,' says one of Toronto's objectives is to 'enhance active and public transportation accessibility and efficiency' for the tournament. It says other 'potential initiatives' are being considered, such as free parking at TTC lots, increased service from GO Transit stations, and more bike racks and bike share stations at BMO Field. Article content Free transit wasn't the only thing that was dropped. Later versions of the environmental plan omit a section that references what is required by FIFA, such as 'The City of Toronto shall inform what recycling and composting services for waste will be provided at all tournament sites.'
National Post
14 hours ago
- National Post
China's first Legoland opens to tourists in Shanghai
Thousands of local tourists poured into China's first-ever Legoland as it opened its gates in Shanghai on Saturday, the latest theme park hoping to capitalise on a domestic tourism boom. Article content The Chinese branch of the British-owned theme park franchise is the biggest Legoland in the world. Article content Article content It drew in early customers who flocked to attractions including a miniature train ride and a dragon-themed rollercoaster. Article content 'I personally love to play with Lego blocks and we have many sets at home… so I wanted to come to Legoland at the earliest opportunity,' said Shi, a 35-year-old resident of nearby city Hangzhou, who was visiting the park with his wife and child. Article content Article content Despite the Chinese economy's sluggish growth in recent years, domestic tourist spending grew 18.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous year, according to statistics. Article content 'Ever since the pandemic, I've made very few trips abroad,' said Shi, adding his family now travels to theme parks around China 'many times a year'. Article content Eager Lego fans rushed into the park as soon as it opened, wearing themed shirts and waving branded flags as they enjoyed the 318,000-square-metre (78.5-acre) compound in scorching temperatures. Article content Beijing has announced subsidies intended to make travelling within the country more affordable for Chinese citizens, and is pushing local governments to heavily market their attractions on social media. Article content Article content Companies have taken note of the wider local tourism boom and stepped up their plans in China. Article content Article content A new 'Spider-Man' attraction at Shanghai Disneyland broke ground in May, while Warner Brothers is set to open a Harry Potter experience in Shanghai by 2027. Article content Toy giant Hasbro said this week its giant Peppa Pig park in the city was now 'in the phase of creative design.' Article content Chinese collectable toy maker Pop Mart has also opened an attraction in Beijing featuring life-sized versions of its popular Labubu toys. Article content 'The various provinces are putting a lot of effort into expanding their tourism industries, and all of them have special attractions,' said Xu, a 34-year-old parent visiting Legoland on Saturday with his children. Article content But profitability remains a problem, especially for local companies with less brand recognition. Article content As of late 2024, around 40 percent of parks were still failing to turn a profit, according to state media reports. Article content
