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NLIS 1 October 9, 2002 (Tourism, Culture and Recreation) Atlantic Canada hosts major tourism marketplace Atlantic Canada�s tourism industry is set to do business with key players in the North American travel trade industry at the 8th Atlantic Canada Showcase. The travel trade show is the region�s premiere tourism marketplace and takes place in Halifax from October 15 to 17, 2002. 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." Showcase is an initiative of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP), a nine-member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of ACOA, the four Atlantic Canada tourism industry associations, and the four provincial departments responsible for tourism. The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, in conjunction with the Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Caucus, is the host of Atlantic Canada Showcase 2002. "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 the 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 during pre-scheduled appointments. Along with these networking opportunities, delegates are also invited to participate in familiarization tours of all four Atlantic provinces, either prior to or immediately following the showcase. "We are proud to partner with ACTP in making Atlantic Canada Showcase a reality," said Julie Bettney, minister responsible for tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador. "I am pleased we have a delegation of 39 industry partners attending Showcase. They represent tourism associations and tourism operators from all regions and sectors of our industry. This is an opportunity for them to do business with travel trade buyers and gives them an opportunity to increase awareness of Newfoundland and Labrador in the North American market." 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. The tourism industry association of Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to be a partner in this tourism endeavour. "ACS continues to be a valuable venue for our tourism operators to showcase their products," said HNL president Sheila Kelly-Blackmore. "We are confident that the show will result in increased business for our province." NOTE TO EDITORS: Atlantic Canada Showcase 2002 is a marketplace that brings together "the Right People in the Right Place," providing North American tour planners with the best possible product solutions. Media representatives are invited to participate in a tour of the marketplace on October 16 at 11:15 a.m. in Room Halifax C, 2nd Level, Casino Nova Scotia Hotel, 1919 Upper Water Street. Look for coming releases on familiarization tours, provincial sellers and products, and results from Atlantic Canada Showcase 2002. Media contact:
2002 10 09 9:50 a.m. |
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