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”