Minister of State Moore Promotes Canada as a Premier Chinese Tourism Destination

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2011) - The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), has launched "Say Hello to Canada," the first major direct-to-consumer marketing campaign in China.

"Our government's top priority is the economy, and we see a tremendous growth opportunity in our tourism and hospitality sector by developing the Chinese market," said Minister of State Moore. "The Chinese people have long held Canada in high regard, and our tourism and hospitality industry is eager to welcome them." 

The government has invested significant funds in tourism initiatives, including an additional $8 million through Canada's Economic Action Plan, in part to promote Canada as a premier destination for tourists from China and other priority international markets. It has negotiated Approved Destination Status (ADS) with China and led a tourism mission to the country. Now, through the CTC, it is following through by investing in major marketing initiatives.

"We anticipate a strong return on investment with the launch of the CTC's new marketing campaign," said Minister of State Moore. "It will further promote our country's many unique attractions to Chinese travellers and continue to build a strong tourism economy in the years to come."

China forecasts that 100 million people will travel abroad by 2020. The CTC estimates that growth of this magnitude could potentially generate an additional $300 million a year in tourism and hospitality industry revenues for Canada by 2015.

For more information on the "Say Hello to Canada" campaign, please visit the CTC's website (en-corporate.canada.travel).