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Home » Chinese Consumer, Chinese Government, Featured, Headline, Highlight, Industry Event, Internet Marketing, Luxury, Marketing, News, Public Relations, Social Media, Tourism

Canada officially gets ADS Status from China – Banff Lake Louise Tourism launches Chinese Website the same Day

25 June 2010 One Comment

Agreement with China a Great Opportunity for Canada’s Tourism Industry

Ottawa, June 24, 2010 – With today’s official signing of the Approved Destination Status agreement with China, Canada’s tourism industry is now presented with an excellent opportunity for growth.

“This is a great day for tourism in Canada, and a great day for travelers from China,” said David Goldstein, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). “This agreement will create a greater openness between our countries, allowing Chinese visitors greater access to all of Canada’s iconic attractions while providing our travel industry with the opportunity to market to the world’s fastest growing outbound travel market.”

The agreement, which had been announced in principle in December 2009, was formally signed in a ceremony in Ottawa by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Chinese President Hu Jintao. Approved Destination Status will allow Chinese citizens to more easily obtain tourist visas to travel to Canada for leisure purposes, and will allow Canada to actively market its tourism products in China. The ADS agreement will also authorize Chinese travel agencies to market and promote leisure group tours for travel in Canada.

Almost half a year after the announcement of ADS for Canada back in December 2009, On the day of the official signing of Approved Destination Status with China, Banff Lake Louise Tourism is right out of the gate to launch its social media ready, relevant Chinese language website portal (http://china.banfflakelouise.com/), together with social media profiles on key video sharing and social networks in China. The strategy was developed in collaboration with digital brand engagement firm Dragon Trail, and the launch of the website is the first phase of a comprehensive and innovative strategy to increase brand awareness of the entire region of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada. Please see the press releases, announcing the signing of ADS with Canada, and Banff Lake Louise welcoming Chinese tourists, below.

CTC president and CEO Michele McKenzie, the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism and CTC chair Steve Allan together with chairman Shao Qiwei and other members of the Chinese National Tourism Administration.

CTC hosts the Chairman of the Chinese National Tourism Administration and a VIP delegation in Canada.

With the ink on the agreement for Approved Destination Status (ADS) barely dry, the Canadian Tourism Commission has wasted no time in moving swiftly to make the most of this exciting new opportunity to boost tourism from the world’s fastest growing outbound tourism market.

The ADS agreement between Canada and China was officially signed June 24, meaning the CTC and partners will now begin to work together to market Canada directly to the Chinese people.

Said CTC President and CEO Michele McKenzie, “The Chinese estimate that by 2015 there will be 100 million outbound travellers from China and we have to work together as an industry to ensure Canada gets its share of visitors.”

While CTC has been active within China for several years at business to business events, and recently developing a key Meetings and Conventions program, the organization will now have the clout to do a lot more with tour operators to sell Canada directly to China’s leisure travellers and show them the extra-ordinary experiences that await them.

A whirl-wind tour for 50 leading Chinese tour operators is already underway in Canada with representatives of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and its Chairman SHAO Qi Wei.

This week, Chinese tour operators are getting to know Ottawa, Victoria, Niagara Falls, Thousand Islands, Richmond and Vancouver, familiarizing themselves with such places as Stanley Park, the Vancouver Convention Centre, Butchart Gardens, Ottawa’s Byward Market and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

“This is an important tour that will pay significant dividends in the future. Our Chinese guests will also see some of Canada’s superb facilities and infrastructure that are in place to satisfy their Meetings, Convention & Incentive Travel needs,” said McKenzie.

The tour allows the Chinese operators to personally meet with members of the Canadian travel trade and to build business relationships that will be key to promoting Canada in China.

Banff National Park Ready to Welcome Chinese Visitors as We Celebrate Our 125th Anniversary

New Chinese Website Activated to Start Holiday Planning to Banff National Park Banff, Alberta, Canada (June 24, 2010) – Canada’s iconic tourism destination Banff National Park has been visited by leisure travelers from around the world for more than a century. Today we celebrate the announcement that Canada can now receive leisure travelers from China.

The process of Approved Destination Status, a travel agreement between China and Canada, began in December 2009. With ADS, Chinese nationals are now permitted to travel to Canada for leisure purposes in addition to business, study, or to visit friends and relatives. Effective immediately, travel to Canada has become easier and Chinese travel agents can begin promoting and organizing group tours to Canada.

“Banff Lake Louise Tourism has been preparing for the emergence of the Chinese travel market for several years and even more so as ADS discussions advanced last December” says Julie Canning, president and CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. “Today’s announcement officially opens the doors of Canada to leisure travelers and Banff National Park is ready to welcome Chinese visitors.” Banff Lake Louise Tourism and its members have been actively engaged in laying groundwork for this market by conducting educational China workshops, attending in-market events and developing

key relationships with Chinese travel trade and Chinese tour operators. Furthermore, in partnership with Dragon Trail Social Media & Digital Marketing Services, Banff Lake Louise Tourism today launched a Chinese consumer website http://china.banfflakelouise.com. This is part of an innovative and comprehensive e-strategy program in China to engage consumers by leveraging digital campaigns, influencer marketing, and social media to increase brand awareness. Banff Lake Louise offers all of the comforts and amenities expected by the international traveler

from Castles in the Rockies to Lakeside Chateaus while surrounded by pristine National Park. We are ready to extend a warm welcome to those who wish to travel to our unique destination as Banff National Park celebrates its 125th anniversary.

About Banff Lake Louise Tourism

Banff Lake Louise Tourism is a destination marketing organization for the Town of Banff, Community of Lake

Louise and Banff National Park. Supporting over 800 businesses, our mission is to engage visitors in unrivalled,

remarkable experiences with our membership. For travel media inquiries, please contact Tulene Steiestol at

tulene@banfflakelouise.com, www.banfflakelouise.com and http://china.banfflakelouise.com

Banff National Park Ready to Welcome Chinese Visitorsas We Celebrate Our 125th AnniversaryNew Chinese Website Activated to Start Holiday Planning to Banff National ParkBanff, Alberta, Canada (June 24, 2010) – Canada’s iconic tourism destination Banff National Parkhas been visited by leisure travelers from around the world for more than a century. Today wecelebrate the announcement that Canada can now receive leisure travelers from China.The process of Approved Destination Status, a travel agreement between China and Canada, beganin December 2009. With ADS, Chinese nationals are now permitted to travel to Canada for leisurepurposes in addition to business, study, or to visit friends and relatives. Effective immediately,travel to Canada has become easier and Chinese travel agents can begin promoting and organizinggroup tours to Canada.“Banff Lake Louise Tourism has been preparing for the emergence of the Chinese travel market forseveral years and even more so as ADS discussions advanced last December” says Julie Canning,president and CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. “Today’s announcement officially opens thedoors of Canada to leisure travelers and Banff National Park is ready to welcome Chinese visitors.”Banff Lake Louise Tourism and its members have been actively engaged in laying groundwork forthis market by conducting educational China workshops, attending in-market events and developingkey relationships with Chinese travel trade and Chinese tour operators. Furthermore, in partnershipwith Dragon Trail Social Media & Digital Marketing Services, Banff Lake Louise Tourism todaylaunched a Chinese consumer website http://china.banfflakelouise.com. This is part of aninnovative and comprehensive e-strategy program in China to engage consumers by leveragingdigital campaigns, influencer marketing, and social media to increase brand awareness.Banff Lake Louise offers all of the comforts and amenities expected by the international travelerfrom Castles in the Rockies to Lakeside Chateaus while surrounded by pristine National Park. Weare ready to extend a warm welcome to those who wish to travel to our unique destination as BanffNational Park celebrates its 125th anniversary.-30-About Banff Lake Louise TourismBanff Lake Louise Tourism is a destination marketing organization for the Town of Banff, Community of LakeLouise and Banff National Park. Supporting over 800 businesses, our mission is to engage visitors in unrivalled,remarkable experiences with our membership. Visit www.banfflakelouise.com and http://china.banfflakelouise.com for more information.

Please also view the special announcement about the ADS announcement at http://china.banfflakelouise.com/page/zh-CN/welcome