The Tourism Advisory Council of Prince Edward Island recently welcomed a new chairman and five new members to the council.
“I am very pleased to welcome John-Anthony Langdale as the new chair of the Tourism Advisory Council,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey. “I am confident that Mr. Langdale’s leadership and knowledge of the industry will enable a smooth transition into the implementation phase of the council’s new five-year strategy. We are working together towards our common goal and objectives to grow and heighten the stature of the tourism industry on Prince Edward Island.”
Mr. Langdale has been involved in the tourism industry in Prince Edward Island for more than 10 years through his award-winning family business Rustico Resort Golf & Tennis Club, as well as playing a pivotal role in the evolution of Golf PEI from awareness into sales-driven activities. He led the marketing committee and later took on the role as president of the association. He has served on the Tourism Advisory Council since early 2010.
The Tourism Advisory Council provides industry advice to the Department of Tourism and Culture on research, product development and marketing with respect to positioning Prince Edward Island as a premier tourism destination. On the heels of the recent launch of Strategy 2015; Momentum-Invention-Mobilization, the council completed its annual member selection process.
Mr. Langdale commended the work of past chair, Kevin Murphy.
“The vision and groundwork for a successful tourism future for this province has been laid out for us in Strategy 2015 by the existing council, with the leadership of Mr. Murphy. I am taking on the 2015 challenge and hope to encourage many other tourism operators to do the same,” he said. “I intend to build on the momentum that has been created through this shared agenda of industry and government and I look forward to working with the council and our partners to invent, re-invent and mobilize for growth to reach that target of $500 million in tourism revenue. We have exceptional assets, opportunities and partnerships that will be strengthened and enhanced in the years to come.”
Joining Mr. Langdale, five new members have been appointed to the council from a variety of backgrounds, sectors and regions of the Island tourism industry based on their expertise and ability to contribute to the provincial-scope perspective and mandate. They are:
• Duke Cormier, Duke Foods, Summerside
• Karen Hatcher, The College of Piping, Summerside
• Brian Howatt, Results Marketing, Charlottetown
• Shawn MacKenzie, KwikKopy Printing & Design Centre, Charlottetown
• Zubair Siddiqi, Delta Prince Edward, Charlottetown
In addition to Mr. Murphy, some other long-standing members are completing their terms, including Thom MacMillan, Joan Perrin and Sarah Jane Bell. These members played an integral role in the development of Strategy 2015.
BACKGROUNDER:
The Tourism Advisory Council of PEI (TAC) is an industry-led organization with a mandate to advise the Minister of Tourism and Culture on tourism research, tourism product development and tourism marketing strategies to promote and enhance Prince Edward Island’s reputation as a premier tourism destination. TAC is comprised of 14 industry operators or stakeholders and five ex-officio partners including federal and provincial government and the Tourism Industry Association of PEI.
For more information, visit www.peitac.com/2015