On May 13th, a tourism contingent of 65 Atlantic Canada-based companies and organizations began their sales promotions to over 410 travel buyers from all over the world. The occasion is the 25th Rendez-Vous Canada -- a five-day international marketplace event was held in the Toronto Metro Convention Centre from May 12-16.
Rendez-Vous Canada takes place in a different Canadian city each year, allowing regions from coast to coast to showcase their unique sights and sounds. It is organized by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, in cooperation with the Canadian tourism industry and a local "host" committee. In Toronto, Atlantic Canadian companies will join another 597 companies from across Canada in the introduction, promotion and sales of Canadian tourism products and services to tour wholesalers and tour operators from 27 countries.
"It is an excellent opportunity to greet a high volume of tourism trade companies and an event that our province cannot afford to miss," noted Greg Deighan, Minister of Tourism for PEI. "We get a chance to meet one on one with interested parties, and we get a lot of business completed at this marketplace as a region and on behalf of our respective provinces."
It is estimated that total tourism business conducted for Canada at each Rendez-Vous is now in excess of $350 million annually, and it continues to grow.
"Rendez-Vous Canada is an essential marketplace for Tourism PEI and PEI tourism operators that wish to increase visitation to their establishments from international markets," noted Kim Green, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island. "Key decision makers from around the world come to Canada seeking Canadian Product for their tour programs, and the subsequent business that is written and the contacts made during these appointments is impressive."
Rendez-Vous will take place in Halifax next year.