September 28 2004 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island A group of tourism operators from Atlantic Canada are traveling to Edmonton, Alberta today to participate in a four-day Best Practices Mission called "Watchable Wildlife", thanks to the assistance of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The Watchable Wildlife Best Practices Mission to Edmonton offers Atlantic Canadian businesses a detailed itinerary of seminars, tours and hands-on experiences in parks and sites chosen for their success in offering quality tourism experiences. Participants will learn how to better interpret wildlife, and will discuss topics such as responsible wildlife viewing with experts at sites in and around Edmonton. The mission will also include marketing sessions on how to promote wildlife and nature-based tourism businesses. This mission - the first of five planned for the Fall of 2004 - is part of the Best Practices Missions Program, supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and managed by the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick. The other four mission themes for Fall 2004, chosen on the basis of demand for tourism product development in Atlantic Canada, will focus on agri-tourism, multi-use trail systems, arts & entertainment in the shoulder season, and four season tourism. "ACOA is pleased to support our tourism operators through the Best Practices Missions Program. Our primary goal is helping these business owners gather new insights that will help them contribute to improving and growing the tourism industry here at home," said the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "Feedback from past participants continues to be very positive, and the lessons learned are already being applied to local tourism businesses." This week's mission is the 35th Best Practices Mission - which have involved over 300 industry participants - led by the Tourism Atlantic branch of ACOA since 2000. The missions are designed to provide tourism operators in Atlantic Canada with an opportunity to interact with leading-edge operators who offer products, destinations and experiences similar to the mission's participants. For more information about the Atlantic Canada Tourism Best Practices Missions Program, please visit the web site at www.tourismbestpractices.com. ACOA is committed to playing a leadership role in growing tourism in the region by bringing a pan-Atlantic approach to research, marketing and product development. Its initiatives are designed to enhance and extend tourism- related efforts throughout the region. - 30 - Ron Crozier Office of the Minister for ACOA (902) 888-4150 Wes Harrison ACOA PEI & Tourism (902) 368-0842
