Canada tourism welcomes first group of Chinese tourists

Canada, 19th August: A red carpet welcome awaits Vancouver International Airport for Chinese leisure tourists coming to Canada.

The group of tourists coming to Canada is the first group from China after Canada got “Approved Destination Status.”

Around 350 people will be coming to Canada this week on tours being organized by nearly 13 Chinese tour companies. The Chinese tourists to Canada are from Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

An official kickoff will be hosted by Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) for these Chinese travelers. The Chinese tourists will split into different groups for visiting Ontario, Alberta, B.C. and Quebec.

The first Chinese tourist group will see and discover various facets of Canada during their nine-day stay in this nation. The group is accompanied by a delegation of CNTA (China National Tourism Administration) headed by Du Jiang, the Vice-Chairman of CNTA.

Meanwhile, the CNTA delegation will go on a separate tour to Canada.

The grant of the status of approved destination for Canada is opening new avenues for marketing products of Canadian tourism in China by Canada destination marketing organizations and Canada tourism businesses. Also, it also provides opportunities to Chinese tour organizers to organize, popularize and advertise travelling in groups to Canada.

In June, the agreement was signed in Canada after Canada PM Stephen Harper’s visit to China in December 2009.

According to general manager of Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Dave Cowen, prior to the arrival of the first Chinese leisure travelers, Canada only had business or government travelers from China.

Canadian Tourism Commission is seeing a vast potential for growth and development of tourism between both these nations. In the year 2009, $260.6 million was ushered into Canada economy by Chinese travelers and this is almost double the revenue brought in since the year 2000.

Michele McKenzie, CEO and President of CTC said that leisure group travel in Canada will lead growth and development in China market. And to derive maximum benefits in China market, Canada needs to focus on strong brand of Canada tourism and work collaboratively with various partners in China, added McKenzie.

The Canada government is providing CTC with an additional boost of $8 million for various marketing program to help promote Canada as a preferred choice for visitors in international markets.