2017 was a major year for Canada tourism. In addition to celebrating its 150th anniversary, it welcomed over 20.85 million tourists-a new all-time high, surpassing the previous record of 20.06 million set in 2002. Visitors from the United States made up the majority of tourists last year, followed by the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America.
For those looking to learn more about Destination Canada, the annual Canada Media Marketplace is taking place in San Francisco, California at The Fairmont San Francisco from April 9-11. This two-day showcase brings together US travel media and content producers with provincial, territorial and regional Canada tourism organizations, major hotel properties, attractions and adventure companies under one roof.
Monday evening is designated for networking with Canadian partners during the welcome reception. Tuesday is the most important day, the Media Marketplace, which gives media the opportunity to meet with a massive group of over 100 Canadian partners during an eight-hour marketplace to discuss tourism initiatives, destination news, inside scoops and story and publication ideas.
Complete with one-on-one meetings, interactive networking events, professional development sessions and Canadian food and wine, the Canada Media Marketplace is a key event for making industry contacts and brainstorming Canadian destination stories.
Destinations in attendance include Ontario, Banff and Lake Louise, Montreal, Quebec, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Kamloops, New Brunswick, Revelstoke, Saskatoon, Vernon, Whistler, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Yukon, Niagara Falls and more. Transportation partners at the event range from the epic rail companies VIA Rail Canada and Rocky Mountaineer to Air Canada and Harbour Air Seaplanes.
Major hotel groups such as Fairmont, Intercontinental and Marriott will be present, as well as boutique hotels, inns and lodges that include the Banff Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Great Bear Lodge, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and the Wickaninnish Inn.
As we are all well aware, Canada is home to a great deal of natural beauty. Outdoor tourism groups including Nunavik Tourism Quebec's Far North Inuit Adventures, One Ocean Expeditions Inc., Parks Canada, Niagara Parks, SkiBig3 and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures will be at the media marketplace showcasing the best Canada has to offer when it comes to adventure.
Canada is also a hotbed for attractions that range from the wild Calgary Stampede and high flying Montreal Cirque Festival to the major music events Festival d'été de Québec and the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. These organizations will be at this event as well.
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