WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE ZOO

San Francisco Travel Association along with 13 partners hosted a group of 125 tour operators and travel specialists at the Calgary Zoo recently. The group took part in a “speed dating-style” workshop where each partner provided a five-minute update on their product or region. The event was followed by a draw for an iPad and other prizes plus the Grand Prize of a trip to San Francisco with flights courtesy of WestJet. Tom Kiely, executive vice-president of tourism at the San Francisco Travel Association, said that the group was “thrilled to be in Calgary to update so many great travel professionals on all of the exciting things to see and do in San Francisco.” He also noted that: “The Canadian market remains very important to the tourism industry in the city and 2013 specifically is a great year to make a trip with the opening of the new SFJAZZ Center this past January, the Exploratorium relocation to Piers 15 and 17 in April, and the 34th America’s Cup coming this September.” Participating partners included California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet, Hard Rock Cafe, Ride the Ducks & Classic Cable Car, the Napa Valley Wine Train, Pier 39, Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, Visit Mendocino County, Inc., the Urban Safari, the Red and White Fleet, the Wax Museum at Fishermanãs Wharf, Air Canada and WestJet. Go to http://www.sanfrancisco.travel for more.