FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 20, 2004

YOUTH TRAVEL GIVEN AN ADVENTUROUS BOOST!

Youth travel, one of the few sectors of the tourism industry that has been growing in the past few years, has an exciting new product for intrepid backpackers – the Algonquin Adventure Pass.

The Algonquin Adventure Pass is a unique package designed to provide an “all round” experience of Ontario by combining some of the best tourist elements the province has to offer. It combines a guided wilderness canoe trip in Algonquin Park with a stay at hostels in Ottawa, Toronto, and Maynooth, known as HI Algonquin. Transportation between the 3 hostels can be arranged.

The Adventure Pass is a result of 4 key players forming a synergistic partnership for the benefit of the youth travel market. Hostelling International Hostels in Toronto, Ottawa, and Maynooth saw a need to provide clients with a more complete experience of Ontario by getting the best of nature, city and small town. Call Of The Wild is the natural choice to fulfill this desire. Now, tourists can visit any of the 3 world class destinations of Ottawa, Toronto, or Maynooth, stay at an Hostelling International youth hostel, and participate in a 3 to 5 day wilderness canoe trip. Afterwards, they can continue on to one of the partner hostels, secure in the knowledge that their reservations have already been made for them.

“The beauty of this package”, says Robin Banerjee, Head Guide for Call Of The Wild, “is that many people want to visit cities like Ottawa and Toronto to experience our culture and see the sights such as the CN Tower. But up till now, they missed out on another aspect of Ontario, one that many people actually come here for – our wilderness”.

The HI hostel in Ottawa is located in the old City Jail, which makes for a very unique accommodation. And with Parliament Hill, Sparks Street pedestrian area, the canals, a visit to the capitol of Canada is always enjoyable.

Toronto offers many unique sights and experiences also. It is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, so there is something for everyone. The CN Tower, the nightlife, the theatres, and close proximity to Niagara Falls guarantee that a visit to this vibrant city will be remembered.

The hostel in Maynooth, a century-old frontier hotel now called HI Algonquin Backpackers, is the newest hostel in the Hostelling International family. On the edge of Algonquin Park, the tiny village of Maynooth is still very much ‘off the beaten path’, and is well situated for activities such as hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, and even ATV rides.

Call Of The Wild is an award winning adventure company that specializes in wilderness canoe trips and dog sledding expeditions. They have been in operation since 1993, and have been featured in newspapers and TV shows worldwide.

For more information contact:

Call Of The Wild
Maureen Malone – Vice President – 905-471-9453
[email protected]
www.CallOfTheWild.ca/hiadventurepass.html

HI Toronto
Mr. Desmond Tibby – Manager – 416-971-4440
[email protected]
www.hihostels.ca/Toronto

HI Ottawa
Ms. Robin Webster – Manager – 613-569-1400
[email protected]
www.hihostels.ca/Ottawa

Hi Algonquin Backpackers
[email protected]
www.AlgonquinBackpackers.com