When the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) hosts Rendez-vous Canada 2002 in Halifax from May 18 to 22, tourism sellers in the region will benefit from a rare opportunity to offer first-hand experiences of Atlantic Canada to tourism buyers and media from around the world.
"When it comes to marketing Atlantic Canada to the rest of the world, Rendez-vous Canada 2002 provides an unparalleled opportunity for local tourism operators to showcase the sights, sounds and tastes of our region," said the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "As host of Rendez-vous Canada 2002, the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership has made a strategic commitment in our tourism sellers, one that will deliver solid economic returns for all Atlantic Canadians."
Rendez-vous Canada, this country's most prestigious tourism marketplace, attracts over 250 major buyers from more than 50 countries. More than 200 of the 800 Canadian suppliers at the event will be educating tourism buyers and media about Atlantic Canada, as well as showcasing the diversity of the four Atlantic Provinces through familiarization tours focussed on local culture, geography and cuisine.
"We're proud to give our professionals the chance to market Atlantic Canada to the world," said Prince Edward Island Tourism Minister, Greg Deighan. "Rendez-vous Canada 2002 will create economic spin-offs throughout the region for years to come."
Eight familiarization tours scheduled around Rendez-vous Canada 2002 will be offered by Atlantic Canadian operators to delegates at the event, reflecting the depth of vacation experiences available throughout the region. Several tours wind their way through New Brunswick in order to highlight the marine wonders of the Fundy Coast and the region's dynamic Acadian heritage. Others explore the vibrant culture and hospitality of Prince Edward Island and the picturesque seacoast and fertile Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Still others offer a spectacular look at the rugged beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador or explore the idyllic beach-combing possibilities along the region's coastlines.
"Rendez-vous Canada 2002 is a great base from which we can promote Atlantic Canada as a whole," said James Tingley, General Manager of the Delta Prince Edward. "With so many qualified buyers in one place, we can package the region to show how it offers variety to suit all tastes, while having its own unique identity."
"Tourism in Atlantic Canada benefits from this event, as many buyers are looking for vacation experiences that complement one another," said Minister Deighan. "Our ability to give them real experiences through familiarization tours and events will certainly help us to increase visitation numbers from the rest of the world."
"The value of this event for operators in the four Atlantic Provinces could reach $35 million in long-term revenues," agreed Kim Green, President of the Tourism Industry Association of PEI, "but the benefits will extend to businesses and services throughout the region as worldwide visitation increases."
This project has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP), a nine member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism. The current $19.5 million ACTP project has a three-year term, which began on April 1, 2000, and ends on March 31, 2003. It is dedicated to promoting Atlantic Canada as a tourism destination in international markets.