Why an Interview,,,

Over the years we have been able to meet and talk with some very interesting people. They have shared with us their knowledge and have provided us with a great deal of insight as to how and why festivals and events work and why they are so important to our communities and to the Province of Ontario. With this in mind, we decided that we wanted you to meet and hear from some of the wonderful people who work so hard to provide us all with such wonderful Ontario Festivals and Events! We are pleased and proud to present "THE INSIDE SCOOP"!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tourism in Small Communities throughout Canada … “Keep Exploring”! ~ Interview Minister Bernier

Tourism in Small Communities throughout Canada “Keep Exploring”!
“THE INSIDE SCOOP” ~ Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) focus on Canadian Tourism continues …

Ontario Festivals Visited
Judi "Scoop" McWilliams
On way to Interview Minister Bernier
Considering the importance of Tourism in Canada, we wanted to discuss with Minister Bernier what smaller communities across the country could do to encourage development of this increasingly important aspect of our economic development and future?
Social media and marketing methods have changed. Our audience and potential visitors are becoming savvier as technology has created a desire to “see the experience”. If they can visualize the experience in a quick moment, they are more apt to come.
We are in competition with other Countries to attract visitors. To keep that in mind, Canada is very aware and is concentrating on marketing to Tourists “Seasonally”, attracting visitors year round to our rich and diverse Country.
As with our Ontario Visited coverage, one of our goals in promoting Tourism in Canada is to engage Canadian youth and Canadian seniors to travel in Canada. Why travel abroad, when your own Country has so much to offer.
Ontario Festivals Visited now offers and Canada Visited will be offering a Canada Visited Youth & Senior Correspondent Program during our Tour, where we will be encouraging Canadian’s, young and old, to submit their contributions to share in their experiences of Canada for all Canadians and visitors from around the world.
Minister Bernier agrees with us that it is important to engage New Canadians to contribute their stories and share with the world the diversity that Canada is comprised of. Minister Bernier tells us that we need to “listen to them”. Their connection to their New Country and their contributions will enhance the Canadian experience. Again, we encourage you to check out the Canadian Tourism Commission (http://en-corporate.canada.travel) to see a host of information you might find helpful and interesting at the same time.
"Keep Exploring"
Canada Visited
Ontario Festivals Visited
thank you to
Minister Bernier 
for his time and sharing!
The make-up of Canada is very fortunate to have such a diversity of history, landscape, natural wonders of the world, culture, and most importantly its people. The volunteers of our country contribute an enormous part of the success of Tourism in Canada. Be proud … Keep exploring your Country and welcome others to explore along with you

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Rendez-vous Canada … Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier

Rendez-vous Canada
“THE INSIDE SCOOP” ~ Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) focus on Canadian Tourism continues …
Judi "Scoop" McWilliams ~ Ontario Visited with
Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier

Rendez-vous Canada
was recently held in Vancouver where Minister Bernier was in attendance. This was a four day conference where over 1,500 tourism professionals shared their unique Canadian experiences, and create awareness to potentially draw some of the hundreds of millions of Tourism dollars towards their experiences.
Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) is Canada’s premier international tourism marketplace lead by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), connecting international buyers with Canadian sellers of tourism products.

To describe the types of Tourism agencies that attend Rendez-vous Canada, I will break it down as they have defined the categories.

Buyers are qualified and nominated by the CTC in consultation with provincial government organizations and industry partners. Seller Organizations are qualified and selected by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in consultation with CTC, provinces, territories and the private sector. Destination Marketing Organizations include the provincial and territorial governments, and regional tourist associations, along with visitor and convention bureaus. Finally, Tourism Mall Organizations include other government departments, industry associations, airport authorities, internet service providers and travel trade media who provide information and services related to the tourism industry.
The event, held annually in a different Canadian city, reunites tourism industry leaders gathered for a series of speed-dating-style appointments. International buyers seek the best-matched Canadian tourism sellers. The end result: travelers get to choose from the best selection of Canadian experiences. 2014 is a year of “momentum” in the Canadian tourism industry to get on the Inside Track.
Rendez-vous Canada offers interactive and dynamic session that provide attendees current and insightful information on each of CTC’s ten leisure markets by combining consumer perspective, market trends and research, as well as key travel trade account and receptive tour operator insights. 
Ontario Visited ~ Canada Visited
Exploring Canada!
As an aside, when speaking of Canadian Tourism, Bernier cautions, we as Canadian’s, must be sure when we share our Canadian Tourism Commission signature experiences” to our visitors, including fellow Canadians  and visitors from Abroad, we do so with respect and pride. We need to keep working together; collaboratively in communities across the Country to benefit everyone. Collaborative marketing programs may also enhance the ease of the experience for both organizers and visitors alike. Tourism Packaging, such as “eat drink, play, stay, experiences” is common already in the industry. Be sure to check out the Canadian Tourism Commission (http://en-corporate.canada.travel) to see a host of information you might find helpful and interesting at the same time.

Stay tuned to “THE INSIDE SCOOP” Series of Interview Blog articles with the Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) … “Tourism in Small Communities throughout Canada”