Representatives of more than 30 tourism industry operators from Newfoundland and Labrador will be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 17-19, to participate in the 2010 Atlantic Canada Showcase, a biennial trade show designed to highlight Atlantic Canada as a world-class travel destination.

"We are pleased once again to support our local tourism operators at this event, and to take the opportunity to further educate national and international tour operators as to the extraordinary visitor experiences available in Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "Our involvement in select trade shows such as this is an important component of our multi-faceted tourism marketing campaign, which continues to strategically target new markets, and new opportunities to further develop our growing tourism industry."

Hosted every two years on a rotational basis throughout Atlantic Canada, this three-day event allows the region's tourism businesses to meet key players in the North American and European travel industries, promote their tourism products and build new relationships with tour operators during a series of scheduled meetings.

This year's showcase will see a total of 140 Atlantic Canadian industry delegates, representing 105 companies, marketing their products to approximately 50 buyers.

"Newfoundland and Labrador embodies all that is special about Atlantic Canada," said John Dicks, Chair of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.　"Our unspoiled natural beauty and unique cultural identity offer travellers an abundance of experiences that really touch their hearts and souls.　The slate of tourism companies which are participating in this year's event will no doubt help us achieve our objective of demonstrating to the key players of the travel trade industry that Newfoundland and Labrador is not simply a "must-see" destination; we are a "must-do" destination."

Atlantic Canada Showcase is supported through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP), which is composed of the four provincial departments responsible for tourism, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations.

Since 2003, the Provincial Government has more than doubled its investment in tourism marketing, from $6 million to $13 million. The tourism industry contributes approximately $850 million to the provincial economy, and employs about 13,000 people.

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