Air North and Travel Agencies Light Up Yukon in January
During the coolest, darkest days in January, Air North and its Yukon partners (Tourism Yukon, Yukon Hotels, Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association, MacBride Museum, Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, Yukon Brewing, Takhini Hot Pools, Yukon Wildlife Preserve, The Klondike Experience, KIAC, Lumel Studios, Parks Canada, the Klondike Visitors Association and Run Dawson) are teaming up with Vancouver’s Friends in Travel to raise money for Yukon charities in Whitehorse (Challenge Whitehorse) and Dawson City (the Dawson City Foodbank). Air North is Yukon’s favourite airline. Friends in Travel is a Vancouver-based travel industry organization that raises money for local charities through fun and active events.)
Branded the “Long Night” and promoted by Air North’s Nicole Petersen, Air North
will bring over 80 travel industry specialists from across Canada (and beyond) to a two-night, action-packed celebration in the Yukon.
“Nothing like this has been tried before,” says Petersen. “Air North has been honoured to support Vancouver-based Friends in Travel in their many previous grassroots charity initiatives. Inspired by their annual Longest Day fundraising run event, I thought ‘Wouldn’t it be brilliant to bring a group of amazing, passionate travel professionals to Air North’s base in spectacular Whitehorse, Yukon for some silly fun and raise money for worthy charities?’ The idea just ballooned into this crazy adventure from there!”
The local Yukon travel community, in true Northern spirit, are rolling out the (plaid flannel) carpet welcoming their peers from across Canada group to Whitehorse. Thanks to the generous support of the many Long Night partners, travel professionals from across the country will get to experience a side of the Yukon that’s normally reserved for locals. At the darkest time of year they will test their mettle and enjoy Canadian winter activities such as soaking in the Takhini Hot Pools, doing the Sourtoe while visiting the bar at Dawson City’s famous Downtown Hotel. They’re also in store for a “mystery activity” courtesy of Run Dawson, a local non-profit run entirely by volunteers. Finger’s crossed for Aurora Borealis.
“We’re seeing incredible community support, from participating travel agencies and tour operators, Yukon tourism operators, local business owners, municipal, regional and even territorial governments.” shared Petersen.
The event sold out quickly (with a waitlist). Demand has been almost overwhelming. Extension trips have since been added, created on the fly to fulfill requests for activities and destinations that couldn’t fit into the planned 2-day itinerary. These include a relaxed Yukon wilderness adventure and lodge retreat in Whitehorse, Yukon(courtesy Air North and Up North Adventures, at Sundog Retreat), and an incredible, instantly sold-out, 3 day Western Arctic
Inuvik, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk NWT (courtesy of Tundra North Tours, Air North, the community of Inuvik and partners). Charities in Tuktoyaktuk and Whitehorse will benefit with proceeds raised.
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