OTTAWA, July 3, 2009 — The Government of Canada has made an investment of almost $180 000 to support the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights as part of the Marquee Tourism Events Program.
"This is exciting news to all involved in the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights," said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry. "The funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program highlights our government's recognition of the real impact that the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights has on our local economy."
"We are thrilled to have received this funding for the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights," said Doug Newson, President of Tourism Charlottetown and the Prince Edward Island Convention Partnership. "Funding such as this provides us with the opportunity to really market Charlottetown as the place to be on Canada Day and also offer the variety in programming that the Festival of Lights has become known for over the past 14 years."
Each year over 70,000 people flock to the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront to celebrate in the Birthplace of Confederation, enjoying multicultural events and family fun.
Funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program will enhance marketing and promotional efforts to include new advertising, as well as traditional and social media campaigns — aimed at drawing visitors from the U.S. and abroad. Enhancements to festival programming made possible by the MTEP will include an improved fireworks display, buskers, extreme sporting shows and "The Children's Village," developed to draw families and new audience members.
The Government of Canada, through the Marquee Tourism Events Program, is investing $100 million over two years to assist marquee events across the country. This budget funding will help event organizers expand their reach and promote Canada as a must-see tourist destination to visitors from around the globe. Additional projects are now being reviewed, and successful applicants are expected to be announced at a future date.
Funding is provided through the Marquee Tourism Events Program, which is one of several tourism-related programs announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan. These programs provide measures to support Canada's economy, stimulate the growth of tourism and contribute to the development of Canada's visitor economy over the long term. They include the following:
- $150 million over two years for national parks and historic sites; and
- $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission for domestic and international marketing.
For more information, please visit the Marquee Tourism Events Program website. For additional information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $100 million in funding over two years for marquee tourism events that draw a significant number of tourists to Canada.
Marquee tourism events provide significant cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities for Canadians and attract national and international audiences to all parts of the country. Support for these events contributes to Canada's visitor economy by sustaining or increasing the level of tourism and tourism-related spending that benefits hotels, restaurants and a variety of small and medium-sized businesses.
As a result, the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) will provide funding to support annually recurring, world-class events that generate significant levels of tourism and that aim to attract a significant amount of international media attention to Canada as a tourism destination. Events must be well-established and have a tradition of programming excellence.
The Government of Canada recognizes that tourism is an important driver of economic activity in all regions of Canada and that further expansion of Canada's tourism industry can increase tourism export revenues and provide stimulus to the economy at a critical time.
The program requirements are strict and targeted. All interested applicants for the MTEP must demonstrate how their event will contribute to the objectives of the program to help events deliver enhanced world-class programs and experiences, thereby increasing or sustaining the number of tourists from within and outside Canada. If funding is provided, all applicants will be required to provide annual audited financial statements for the years in which funding is received and the two years following the completion of the proposed project. An independent study examining the economic impact of the funding is also required. Applicants will also be subject to monitoring and independent audits for the funds received.
The economic impact of the tourism industry is significant, representing 2 percent of Canada's gross domestic product, over 662 900 jobs in all regions across the country and $20 billion in government revenues.
Canada's Economic Action Plan is intended to stimulate the economy and invest in our long-term growth. The tourism initiatives in this plan lay out a framework for branding Canada as a tourism destination of choice for domestic and international visitors.
