Canadian Tourism Commission roadshows provide training and networking opportunities for Brit travel agents

2013-07-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hit the road, Jack: The UK office of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has been out and about in English cities, bringing Canada into the offices of travel agents and tour operators.

Working alongside Canadian destination partners and suppliers, the roadshows trained, educated and entertained 115 UK agents in Bournemouth and Bristol. The events also acted as a confidence booster for agents keen to sell Canada to UK travellers.

The format was simple. Each evening event kicked off with 90 minutes of networking, while at the same time collecting stamps from each exhibitor for entry into a prize draw. After that came a “family style” Canadian-themed dinner and quiz, during which tables created Canadian-based team names and answer 30 questions about Canada.

Partnering CTC at the roadshows were Destination British Columbia, Travel Alberta, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Tourism Yukon, Travel Manitoba and Tourisme Québec. Suppliers were also out in force: Rocky Mountaineer, Air Canada, British Airways, WestJet, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Cruise Canada, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and tour operator Prestige Holidays.

Up next: CTC’s Global Superfam trip in September for agents from its key international markets. Stay tuned to CTC News for a post-trip report.

• Trumpet, blown: CTC’s work in its Core Markets gained more recognition in Germany. The upgrade promotion, which took place in France and Germany in 2012, claimed third prize in the MairDumont awards for Best Travel and Tourism Campaign. The promotion intercepted couples at airports who already had tickets to other exotic destinations and changed their plans into a trip to Canada. Their ecstatic reactions were caught on camera, and each couple enjoyed extraordinary adventures in our country that left them as life-long advocates. Tourism New Zealand claimed first prize, followed by Color Line.

by CTC News Staff

###