Churchill makes New York Times’ 2020 list of ‘Places to Go’

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This article was published 10/01/2020 (2095 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The wilderness, landscape and culture of northern Manitoba is once again on the radar for international travel enthusiasts.

The New York Times has included Churchill as the 29th destination on its annual list of “52 Places to Go”, published Friday.

The small village with a population of about 900 people is listed with far-flung tourist draws Tokyo, which plays host to the Summer Olympics this year, and Egypt, home to one of the seven wonders of the world and a new billion-dollar Grand Egyptian Museum.

Vanessa Desorcy, marketing manager with Churchill Wild, said the recognition is well-deserved.

“It’s very exciting for us and all the other operators in Churchill to get that recognition and be in the company of so many very well-known destinations that are on that list,” Desorcy said. “Churchill is a very magical and unique place.”

Churchill Wild offers walking tours through polar bear country, Arctic safaris and remote lodges on the coast of Hudson Bay, and hosts 700 tourists over the course of its five-month season. The company was mentioned as one operator travellers ought to consider when looking North.

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre, which offers citizen-scientist outings, the Churchill Marine Observatory scheduled to open in the fall, and Polar Bears International’s new interpretive centre also got nods.

In an editorial prefacing the article, New York Times travel editor Amy Virshup said the destinations were selected through a poll of its staff travel writers and in consultation with the publication’s regular contributors and foreign and domestic correspondents.

Churchill is one of two Canadian destinations on the 2020 list. At No. 26 is Haida Gwaii, B.C., selected for its natural and cultural resources, sustainable small-group tourism, and Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.

Within the Travel Manitoba portfolio of destinations and attractions, Churchill is considered to be a “boulder” for its ability to pull in tourists from across the globe, said vice-president of marketing and communications Linda Whitfield. As travellers’ attitudes have changed over the years, Churchill has earned prominence for what it alone can offer, she said.

“Luxury or bucket-list travel no longer has to mean five-star dining or the top-name hotel. It’s more about what’s unique and what have very few people done. And that’s really a lot the cache of Churchill,” Whitfield said, referencing beluga whale tours, vibrant northern lights, and of course polar bears.

“Too few Manitobans realize how Churchill is perceived outside of Manitoba,” she said. “The number of Manitobans that go up to Churchill, I’d love to see that increase.”

The community was hit hard in the spring of 2017, when flooding washed out parts of its rail line (its lone land link) and choked off its primary supply and passenger transportation route. Service was restored in late 2018.

“I think this will help bring some more attention to this community that’s suffered some set backs over the last few years, and, hopefully, we can bring some more tourists from around the world to Churchill,” Desorcy said.

“I think it will be great for people to be aware of it as a destination that is full of culture and wildlife and great scenery.”

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca