Halifax will act as the gateway to Atlantic Canada for more than 1500 delegates at Rendez-vous Canada 2002, Canada's premier tourism marketplace hosted by the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) from May 18 to 22. In addition to bringing tourism buyers and media from around the world to meet with Canada's tourism sellers in Halifax, Rendez-vous Canada 2002 offers delegates the opportunity to participate in familiarization tours before or after the event. Eight tours will take place in the region to encourage delegates to experience the magic of Atlantic Canada first-hand.
"Each of the four provinces in Atlantic Canada is naturally, historically and culturally unique, and together, they offer vacations packages with virtually endless possibilities," said the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "As delegates explore this region by participating in the marketplace and tours, they will gain memorable experiences and knowledge to share with clients back at home. Through our involvement with Rendez-vous Canada 2002, the ACTP is proud to support tourism operators in Atlantic Canada as we work together to build a stronger economy in the region."
"Rendez-vous Canada 2002 brings with it a great opportunity to promote ourselves to the world marketplace of tourism," said Greg Deighan, Minister of Tourism for Prince Edward Island. "The event itself offers the one-on-one sell to tourism buyers from around the world, and the added bonus of attaching familiarization tours to PEI to the event allows participants to experience our great Island for themselves. No doubt it will bring great economic benefit to our province."
Kim Green, President of the Tourism Industry Association of PEI added, "Buyers and media from around the world will be exposed to the lure of a Prince Edward Island vacation through this event. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to increase awareness, spur interest and increase business to the Prince Edward Island tourism economy."
Some of the expected 250 tourism buyers and media representatives from around the world have chosen to visit Prince Edward Island on one of three different familiarization tours. The first pre-event tour, "A Taste of the Maritimes," brings participants across the Confederation Bridge to the Cavendish area on May 16, then on to Charlottetown, the Birthplace of Confederation, for an overnight stay. The second pre-event tour, "Prince Edward Island…Come Play on Our Island," brings delegates to the Island by ferry on May 16, giving them a choice between seal watching, golfing, sea kayaking or cycling the Confederation Trail. Delegates will spend the night in Charlottetown, followed by a morning tour of Founders' Hall and an afternoon at Green Gables House and a visit to a potato farm in the Cavendish area. Delegates will spend the second night in Summerside.
The post-event tour begins on May 23. "Canada's Island" is a tour built around traditional music, dining and hospitality on Prince Edward Island. Tour stops include Charlottetown, the sparkling beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada, and North Rustico.
This project has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP). ACTP is 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.