The following is distributed at the request of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership
This Sunday, tour operators from around the world and tourism providers from Atlantic Canada will gather in Fredericton, New Brunswick for Atlantic Canada Showcase (ACS) with the goal of bringing more visitors to Atlantic Canada.
Atlantic Canada Showcase is one of the biggest opportunities for Atlantic Canadian tourism providers to meet and network with tour operators from around the globe and as such over 140 providers from Atlantic Canada have registered to meet with over 70 pre qualified tour operators over the course of three day conference in Fredericton.
ACS is a biennial event designed specifically for the motorcoach, group, fully independent traveller, and speciality travel industry. The conference schedule includes business to business meetings, networking events and educational sessions that provide opportunities for business relationships to be formed, contracts to be initiated and new experiences discovered, resulting in increased visitation to Atlantic Canada.
“This beautiful part of our country has a lot to be proud of and the Atlantic Canada Showcase is a great way to help bring the world here,” said the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism. “By connecting operators with international buyers, the ACS provides fantastic opportunities to grow our industry. The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is pleased to support initiatives like the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership that support the Federal Tourism Strategy’s priority of ‘inspiring the world to explore Canada.’”
“The Atlantic Canada Showcase is an excellent opportunity for the province to highlight much of what makes Prince Edward Island a world class tourism destination,” said Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald. “It allows the province to connect directly with buyers and tour operators who may have an interest in bringing tours to the Island. We look forward to the opportunity once again in 2016.”
In addition to networking events hosted throughout Atlantic Canada Showcase, tour operators will take advantage of pre-packaged familiarization (FAM) tours in each of the four Atlantic Provinces. These FAM tours provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the world renowned hospitality, dramatic scenery, rich heritage and lively culture of this distinct Canadian region.
“Tourism is a vital industry in Prince Edward Island that provides over 7,700 full time equivalent jobs for Islanders. It accounts for over $405 million in economic activity each year and we welcomed over 1.39 million visitors to our province in 2015.” said Kevin Mouflier, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Industry Association of PEI. “We are continually seeking opportunities to create greater awareness of the wonderful cultural, historical, soft adventure and culinary experiences we have to offer, together with our warm hospitality and unspoiled scenery. Atlantic Canada Showcase is a truly unique venue which allows us to excite and entice tour operators to include PEI in their tour offerings.”
The Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) is sponsoring Atlantic Canada Showcase. ACTP is a nine member pan-Atlantic marketing initiative comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism.
BACKGROUND:
About Atlantic Canada Showcase
Since its inception in 1994, Atlantic Canada Showcase has been hosted by cities in each of the four Atlantic Provinces. The main goal of the bi-annual event is to grow Atlantic Canada’s tourism industry by increasing travel activity and integrating the region as a travel destination in more North American and European tour packages. It also encourages Atlantic Canadian tourism businesses to introduce new and unique packages in the marketplace, and provides a venue for encouraging year-round tourism in Atlantic Canada.
About the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP)
Founded in 1991, ACTP delivers fully integrated, research-driven media relations, consumer advertising, and travel trade marketing programs designed to attract leisure travellers to Atlantic Canada from key United States and United Kingdom markets.