Reasons to shop in downtown Merritt

AUSTRALIAN FLAVOUR AT MERRITT MOUNTAINFEST

Canada’s premier country music festival features something a little different in 2009: a taste of Australia.

One of kangaroo country’s best exporting acts, Jetty Road, will be featured on the Mountainfest Main Stage on Sunday, July 12th at 1:15 p.m. Jetty Road (www.jettyroad.com) is a major force in the Aussie country scene.

Along with strong chart success, Jetty Road have twice taken home the TIARA Award for Best Group (2008 / 2009) and the Victorian Album of the Year at the 2008 Victorian and National Country Music Awards. Jetty Road also won Best Live Act honours at Tamworth Country Music Festival in year’s past.

The Mountainfest Activity Tent will be decked out Aussie style, giving festival goers a unique taste of Australia From July 9-11, the Activity Tent will host Aussie Hour from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. Featuring: Jetty Road, Tori Darke (Australia’s 2008 Gympie Muster Festival Talent Champion), and Candice Long (2008 Gympie Muster Talent runner up)

Australia tourism officials and world class festivals like Tamworth and the National Country Music Muster in Gympie, Australia have donated flags, decorations and paraphernalia for the Activity Tent – making it a true cultural experience.

Get a taste of Australia at Merritt Mountainfest! July 9-12 in Merritt, B.C. www.mountainfest.com

For more info, or interviews with Jetty Road, contact: Lisa Saunders Sound Strategy Music 204.237.9120 204.799.4641 lisa@soundstrategy.ca This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.soundstrategymusic.ca

Fears of a potential flu pandemic could deal tourism industry another body blow.

CTC Tourism Intelligence Bulletin examines the impact of the H1N1 virus, a rise in Canadian domestic travel intentions and signs of international optimism.

It’s been another tough period for the industry. If the global recession wasn’t bad enough, fears of a flu pandemic evoked memories of the SARS crisis in 2003 and its harsh impact on travel.

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) Tourism Intelligence Bulletin monitors the tourism industry around the world. This May issue features tourism intelligence gathered in March and April 2009.

Other bulletin highlights include:

• A survey before the flu outbreak suggested a significant rise in Canadians who plan to vacation at home, while US vacation intentions dropped to a new low.
• Global business volumes continue to plummet, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The number of premium-class passengers fell 21% in February 2009.
• Americans see travel as more affordable now, but still plan to cut spending.
• The UK’s two biggest travel companies, Thomas Cook and TUI, were more upbeat about the UK market in their latest trading updates.
• The Chinese government forecasts a solid rise in Chinese outbound trips this year.

Read the complete Tourism Intelligence Bulletin for March to April 2009.