Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for a major new tourism campaign to attract more American visitors to destinations across Canada. The Prime Minister also announced further support for the Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site, the tourist destination where he launched the new tourism campaign. He was joined by Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism, and Agriculture), and Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose.
The Connecting America campaign, which will be undertaken from 2015 to 2018, will use new technologies and innovative approaches to reach out to travellers from the United States (U.S.). The initiative will enable the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) to collaborate with partners in the private sector, international travel trade (e.g., travel agents, tour operators) and the provinces and territories to promote Canada as a premier tourism destination, creating exciting new opportunities for the sector. It will also help promote economic growth by creating or maintaining an estimated 2,900 jobs across Canada.
The support being provided for the Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site will help create jobs and opportunities by ensuring the integrity of the site is maintained for Canadians and international tourists to enjoy for years to come.
Today’s announcements are some of many measures undertaken by the Government of Canada to strengthen Canada’s tourism sector. Other notable examples include a campaign to increase awareness for the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede, efforts to boost Japanese visitors to Prince Edward Island, a campaign promoting Ontario to British tourists, as well as funding for tourism promotion activities such as the Québec City Summer Festival and support for the restoration of the historic walls around Old Québec City. The recently announced Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will also provide significant support for existing community and cultural infrastructure across the country that tourists visit.
