(Originally published in TOURISM)
The Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2007 (GITF) played host to 90 Canadian delegates from 45 partner organizations, including representatives from Tourism BC, Travel Alberta International, Ontario Tourism, and Tourism Montréal, as well as from airline companies, travel agencies, attractions and others from the travel trade industry.
GITF is the largest and most influential travel fair in the South China region and the CTC (which planned and arranged all activities) considers the Southern China market to be a key factor in building visitor numbers to Canada. This year, the CTC made its debut at GITF as the largest exhibitor, displaying the new brand image and visuals alongside Canada’s abundant travel products in its 470 square meter pavilion.
Following its participation in GITF, the CTC delegation continued its Chinese promotional activities with a creative tour that traveled up the Yangtze River on the Viking Century Sky cruise ship. Together with the Canadian delegates, 45 of the leading travel agencies from across China were onboard for three days of intensive business‑to‑business discussions and networking.
Activities at GITF included a sellers' briefing for all the delegates, hosted by CTC’s managing director – China, Derek Galpin, who provided an economic overview of the Chinese market, an update on some of the activities with which the CTC was involved in 2006, and plans for the coming year. Following Galpin's presentation, Albert Guo, of CYTS Beijing, gave an overview of the incentive travel market in China which has seen very fast growth since 2002. He followed with profiles of corporate clients interested in incentives, and concluded by introducing the advantages and disadvantages of Canada as a Chinese incentive destination, leaving delegates with a lot to think about.
Other activities included a lunch for VIP media, co‑sponsored by Tourism British Columbia and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC), with Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, David L. Lindsay. That evening the OTMPC co‑hosted an evening reception with the CTC to highlight the unique wonders of Ontario and Canada; over 200 guests from the travel trade and media were treated to live entertainment from a local jazz band and the Le‑La‑La dancers, and left the event with goodie bags and warm impressions of Canadian hospitality.
"We believe events like GITF and Showcase provide the perfect opportunity for our partner organizations to illustrate to the media, travel trade and Chinese public why they should want to come to Canada," concludes Galpin, "and we will certainly be taking part in similar events in the future.”
The Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2007 (GITF) played host to 90 Canadian delegates from 45 partner organizations, including representatives from Tourism BC, Travel Alberta International, Ontario Tourism, and Tourism Montréal, as well as from airline companies, travel agencies, attractions and others from the travel trade industry.
GITF is the largest and most influential travel fair in the South China region and the CTC (which planned and arranged all activities) considers the Southern China market to be a key factor in building visitor numbers to Canada. This year, the CTC made its debut at GITF as the largest exhibitor, displaying the new brand image and visuals alongside Canada’s abundant travel products in its 470 square meter pavilion.
Following its participation in GITF, the CTC delegation continued its Chinese promotional activities with a creative tour that traveled up the Yangtze River on the Viking Century Sky cruise ship. Together with the Canadian delegates, 45 of the leading travel agencies from across China were onboard for three days of intensive business‑to‑business discussions and networking.
Activities at GITF included a sellers' briefing for all the delegates, hosted by CTC’s managing director – China, Derek Galpin, who provided an economic overview of the Chinese market, an update on some of the activities with which the CTC was involved in 2006, and plans for the coming year. Following Galpin's presentation, Albert Guo, of CYTS Beijing, gave an overview of the incentive travel market in China which has seen very fast growth since 2002. He followed with profiles of corporate clients interested in incentives, and concluded by introducing the advantages and disadvantages of Canada as a Chinese incentive destination, leaving delegates with a lot to think about.
Other activities included a lunch for VIP media, co‑sponsored by Tourism British Columbia and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC), with Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, David L. Lindsay. That evening the OTMPC co‑hosted an evening reception with the CTC to highlight the unique wonders of Ontario and Canada; over 200 guests from the travel trade and media were treated to live entertainment from a local jazz band and the Le‑La‑La dancers, and left the event with goodie bags and warm impressions of Canadian hospitality.
"We believe events like GITF and Showcase provide the perfect opportunity for our partner organizations to illustrate to the media, travel trade and Chinese public why they should want to come to Canada," concludes Galpin, "and we will certainly be taking part in similar events in the future.”
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