Take Part In Canadian Tourism Week

June 21, 2004

Take Part In Canadian Tourism Week
June 21, 2004 – Coordinated by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Canadian Tourism Week – June 20-26 – is a celebration that aims to raise public awareness of the tremendous economic and social impacts of this $51 billion industry. Organized around the theme, "Tourism Makes Canada Smile", the week’s events will provide a focal point for activities planned across the country by individual businesses, provincial, territorial and regional tourism industry associations, destination marketing organizations and others.

"Canadians and their governments need to understand and appreciate the importance of tourism on an ongoing basis, not just during times of crisis, " said Randy Williams, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. "Tourism should be a priority for focused and productive investment under normal business conditions as well."

‘Times of crisis’ have definitely battered the Canadian tourism industry, particularly in regards to SARS and other world events. However, there are now plenty of reasons for Canadians to smile as tourism is beginning to pick back up. In NTA’s most recent Member Survey, Niagara Falls tied for third place among the top selling North American summer destinations and TIAC reports that Canada ranks 9th among the world’s most popular destinations.

Background information and Canadian tourism facts are available at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Web site, http://www.tiac-aitc.ca/ .