Atlantic Canada Showcase a tourism marketing opportunity

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Sandra Kelly is encouraging as many provincial tourism businesses as possible to take part in the Atlantic Canada Tourism Showcase which will be held at Corner Brook's Canada Games Centre from October 7 to 10.

"The Atlantic Canada Showcase is an initiative of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP)," the minister told a news conference in Corner Brook Monday. "From its inception in St. John's in 1994, the marketplace has rapidly evolved into Atlantic Canada's largest annual tourism business event, and one of the premier tourism marketing venues in the entire country."

Kelly says Showcase highlights the rich variety of experiences to be found in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and its influence, especially within the motorcoach sector, is significant.

"Showcase is more than a trade show. It's a high-quality venue that gives delegates a taste of Atlantic tourism offerings, literally and figuratively," the minister says. "Delegates are treated to a host of special events, including the best of the region's food, attractions and entertainment."

Showcase encourages leading travel buyers to add Atlantic Canada tourism experiences to their product line, and it has a proven track record of increasing interest in the region, Kelly noted. "The timing of Atlantic Canada Showcase being held in Newfoundland and Labrador in the fall of 1998 is excellent for our province," she said. "It will be an occasion to further highlight major celebrations on our provincial horizon such as the 1999 Canada Winter Games, Soiree '99 - the province's 50th anniversary celebration of Confederation with Canada, and the Viking Millennium in the year 2000."

Tour operators in attendance will have the chance to participate in familiarization tours of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Maritime provinces in order to visit tourism attractions and experiences which can be included in future tour company itineraries.

Kelly strongly encourages tourism operators in Newfoundland and Labrador to get involved with Atlantic Canada Showcase 1998, as it will give Newfoundland and Labrador tourism businesses extraordinary accessibility to a huge marketplace.

"It is often cost prohibitive for many of our smaller tourism businesses to attend some of the major tourism marketing events throughout Canada and the United States," she said. "It is a rare opportunity when a leading tourism marketplace comes to our neck of the woods, bringing along key tourism buyers, and it's an opportunity not to be overlooked."

While the event promotes the entire Atlantic region, the revolving showcase serves to greatly highlight the host province while benefiting the host city in particular. It is anticipated that over 350 national and international delegates will come to Corner Brook this fall for Showcase 98, resulting in an infusion of well over $400,000 into the local economy.

"The Atlantic Canada Showcase, and ACTP in particular, is a partnership endeavour that has proven to be very beneficial for the Atlantic region," Kelly added. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is a major sponsor of Showcase, and the provincial tourism departments and tourism industry associations of all four provinces are all partners in the event.

Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL) is leading the fifth annual Showcase, with members of HNL throughout the province are serving on the 1998 Showcase host committee.

All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement