Atlantic Canada Hosts Major Tourism Marketplace
Atlantic Canada's tourism industry is set to do business next week with key players in the North American travel trade industry at the eighth Atlantic Canada Showcase.
The travel trade show, the region's premiere tourism marketplace, takes place in Halifax Oct. 15-17. Almost 130 Atlantic tourism businesses will meet companies from across North America to sell the region's tourism products and build relationships with key tour operators.
"Atlantic Canada has a world-class tourism product -- and it just makes sense to bring tour companies here to experience its beauty, history, culture and hospitality first-hand," said Gerry Byrne, Minister of State responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "The government of Canada is proud to be a partner in an event which has consistently attracted new tourism business for the region and heightened the market profile of Atlantic Canada around the world."
The showcase is an initiative of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP), a nine-member pan-Atlantic partnership that comprises ACOA, the four Atlantic Canada tourism industry associations and the four provincial departments responsible for tourism.
"Nova Scotia is proud to host this year's ACS," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "Tourism affects every community in Atlantic Canada, that's why investing in its growth is so important. This is also another great opportunity for our region to boast its beauty to the world."
The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Caucus are also hosting this year's Atlantic Canada Showcase.
"The industry in Atlantic Canada welcomes this biannual opportunity to interact with potential buyers, introducing them to new product offerings and cultural experiences," said Judith Cabrita, co-chair of Atlantic Canada Showcase 2002 and executive director of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. "The event encourages new partnerships and networking on ways to do business better together."
During the two-day marketplace housed in the Casino Nova Scotia Hotel, motorcoach tour operators and travel professionals will meet with representatives of the Atlantic Canada travel industry. Delegates are also invited to participate in familiarization tours of all four Atlantic provinces before or after the showcase.
Since its inception in 1994, Atlantic Canada Showcase has been hosted by cities in each of the four Atlantic provinces. The event's main goal is to grow Atlantic Canada's tourism industry by increasing motorcoach activity and integrating the region as a travel destination in more North American tour packages. It also encourages Atlantic tourism businesses to introduce new and unique packages in the marketplace, and provides a venue to encourage year-round tourism to Atlantic Canada.
"Events like ACS give our tourism operators a chance to highlight Nova Scotia as a destination of choice and a province for all seasons," said Karl Webb, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. "They have the unique advantage of immersing potential buyers in the product Nova Scotia has to offer."
NOTE: A tour of Atlantic Canada Showcase 2002 will take place Oct. 16 at 11:15 a.m. in Room Halifax C, 2nd Level, Casino Nova Scotia Hotel, 1919 Upper Water St.