The Canadian government has renewed funding for the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) for an additional three-year period it was announced recently by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The ACTP will…
The Canadian government has renewed funding for the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) for an additional three-year period it was announced recently by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The ACTP will invest $19.95 million Canadian (US $17.8 million) to support integrated consumer and trade marketing campaigns to attract more Americans as well as overseas visitors.
Atlantic Canada’s tourism industry accounts for $3 billion annually for the region’s economy and employs over 100,000 people. Founded in 1991, the ACTP is a joint federal/provincial/industry partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the four provincial departments of tourism for New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and their provincial tourism industry associations.
In 2005 more than 743,300 Americans visited the four provinces. Post- 9-11, Canada gained some share of the American market as the destination was seen as a safe alternative for travel. Since 2002, overall tourism from the U.S. to Canada has been experiencing some growing pains. But in the second quarter of 2006, the number of overnight visits by Americans jumped by 2.5 percent.
Thanks to the ACTP’s efforts, more visitors from the U.S. are discovering Atlantic Canada’s charms. They come for the breathtaking scenery, accessible wildlife welcoming people and the tremendous variety of things to see and do: everything from hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing to skiing, surfing and of course, golf. The four provinces have a fascinating history and a mix of cultures – Irish, Scottish and Acadian – reflected in the festivals and events that take place throughout the year.
“Our campaign is research driven and our studies show that Americans in New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions represent our top-producing markets,” said Don Cudmore, ACTP Secretariat. “For these potential visitors – and there are 12 million in New England alone – Atlantic Canada is easily accessible by car, air and cruise ship. And they are becoming aware of our burgeoning cosmopolitan food scene – our lobster, mussels and organic produce are more sought after than ever – and they’re learning about our charming one-of-a-kind accommodations – everything from cabins and cottages to country inns and light houses,” said Cudmore.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
