The Prince Edward Island Department of Economic Development and Tourism once again offered a free electronic Christmas card service through the Internet.
"We are very pleased with the exposure that this Christmas card service provides our province," said Wes MacAleer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. As of last week, Internet users from 83 different countries used the service to send electronic Christmas messages to family and friends around the world. Thousands of cards have been sent.
"The Christmas card service also brings us exposure both nationally and internationally," added MacAleer. "On December 22, I participated in an open line radio show from Edmonton. Last year, I did an interview with the same radio station on Christmas Eve and during the show, 600 people from Edmonton used our electronic Christmas card service. The Internet offers us a means of promoting PEI in our secondary markets, such as Western Canada."
This year, the province has again enjoyed some international exposure as a result of the service. On Saturday, December 13, Prince Edward Island's Christmas card service made the front page of the Tampa Tribune. The article recommended the PEI Government's web site as a place to visit. As a result, many Internet users from Tampa utilized the Christmas card service and learned more about Prince Edward Island.
Tom Nadeau, a Florida visitor to the website, said, "A friend called to my attention your beautiful Web Site. Since I'm almost 80 years of age, if my health holds out I want to see Prince Edward Island next summer. What a nice thing to do at Christmas time, send Prince Edward Island cards to my friends."
"We are delighted that Internet users throughout the world can use our service to bring some Christmas cheer into the lives of their family and friends. Most of the Christmas cards are sent with images of Prince Edward Island so it is a great way for us to promote PEI," said MacAleer.
The Christmas card service is a part of the Prince Edward Island website, accessible to Internet users at http://www.gov.pe.ca/
"While you are visiting the site, be sure to check out the Christmas page which has lots of exciting features about Christmas on PEI. You can read the recipes from the Guardian and articles from the Voices of Island Seniors, create a calendar or download a screen saver," said MacAleer. "Merry Christmas to you all."