VANCOUVER — The Phoenix delegation visiting here in the last week of September brought new representatives who were marketing to Western Canada for the first time.
Glendale, which borders on Phoenix, visited the city for the first time and was represented by marketing and communications manager Jennifer Stein. “The message we want to get out,” said Stein, “is that we are a family friendly destination.”
She said travel agents who have Canadian customers with families concerned about the cost of a winter vacation south, should point those clients towards Glendale. It is still close to Phoenix, but facilities and attractions have cultivated a family friendly culture.
“There are a lot of affordable hotels and a lot of free activities,” she said, adding that agents should ensure those clients, though, do rent a vehicle. Some of the free attractions include the local aquarium, a historic homes tour, a candy factory tour and during the holidays there are festivals with many more free events.
Starting Nov. 29, the city will kick off its Glitter and Glow festivals, which will run through to Jan. 12. The events include the Glitter festival, which will see 1.5 million lights decorating the city, horse-drawn carriage rides, food events plus Christmas activities and a Glow festival that will begin after Christmas with some 30 hot air balloons tethered in the downtown area. The Glow festival, named for the fire’s glow in the balloons, draws 150,000.
The city’s Chocolate festival in February draws 50,000 as it features 40-50 venues that offer chocolate attractions ranging from specialty foods through to chocolate clothing creations, said Stein.
“We really have a lot of kid oriented activities,” she said. “They are either free or there is a nominal charge.”
The city is known for its sports. “We are also home to the NHL Coyotes,” she said, as this year will see 40 games played in Glendale with many of them involving Canadian teams. Many of the local hotels cater to Canadian hockey fans, she said, adding that the cost of game in the city is less than the price of hockey tickets in Canada.
“We also have a new Tanger Factory Outlet Centre which features 80 upscale stores,” she said, as shopping still remains one of the main attractions in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. For information, visit visitglendale.com where travel agents can also pick up itineraries for clients.
