Time magazine names Churchill one of ‘world’s greatest places’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/03/2023 (929 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The northern Manitoba community known for polar bears, beluga whales and northern lights is now rubbing shoulders with the pyramids of Giza, temples in Kyoto, and elephants and wildlife in Kenya.

Churchill — already known as the polar bear capital of the world — has been named one of Time magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places of 2023.”

It joins 49 other global destinations, including Jerusalem and Mexico City, on the list. (Vancouver is the only other Canadian destination.)

Colin Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of Travel Manitoba, said it is an honour for Churchill to make the cut, only two years after Winnipeg was named one of 50 extraordinary destinations to explore.

“It’s no surprise to see Churchill on a list of spectacular locations from around the globe,” Ferguson said in a statement Thursday. “Anyone who has been to Churchill knows this is a world-class place to visit.”

Jessica Burtnick, director of marketing and sales with Frontiers North Adventures, a travel company which helps tourists view polar bears from tundra buggies and belugas from zodiac boats or kayaks, said: “It is excellent news for the community. It’s nice there was a focus on the northern lights, as well, in the winter… They’ve listed Churchill next to the pyramids — it may open Churchill up to a whole new audience.”

Churchill resident Doug Thidrickson said the Time list is the talk of the town.

“It’s getting some traction here,” said Thidrickson, a pharmacist who moved to the northern town in June. “My wife and I feel very lucky to be here. I don’t have to worry about a vehicle — my commute is 100 steps. Everything I need is walking distance.

“It is an amazing place. It is different from a small town. Everyone is used to tourists and new people coming in, so everyone is open to people coming from the outside to live here.”

Under the headline, “Northern wonders,” Time writer Nicholas DeRenzo wrote if anyone wants to see the aurora borealis, now is the time to go to Churchill.

“You’re in luck this year, as solar activity heads toward a peak in its roughly 11-year cycle,” DeRenzo wrote, noting the natural wonder can see them more than 300 nights a year.

“Winter aurora-hunting has opened up a whole new tourist season in a town that has traditionally attracted the vast majority of its visitors during the fall polar bear migration.”

The article makes mention Frontiers North now has a new electric-powered tundra buggy, while Lazy Bear Expeditions is about to unveil a catamaran which features 12 underwater windows to get face-to-face with belugas.

Linda Whitfield, Travel Manitoba vice-president communications and shareholder engagement, said it helps bring journalists to Manitoba locations but never knows how an article will appear before it shows up in print.

“I know (the writer) was enthralled with Churchill,” Whitfield said. “Churchill made such a big impression on him… We hope any type of publicity or awareness building is helpful for us.”

Whitfield said the majority of tourists on their way to Churchill also spend a few days in Winnipeg, so the provincial capital benefits as well.

“They may go to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights or something else — it helps the province overall.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca