Canada prepares to welcome a record number of visitors from China next year.
BEIJING, CHINA – Canada and China enjoy strong people-to-people ties. More than 1.8 million Canadians have some Chinese ancestry, and Mandarin and Cantonese are the most spoken languages in Canada after English and French. Next year, Canada will have a unique opportunity to showcase all of its amazing and exciting attractions to Chinese visitors, while helping to create well-paying middle-class jobs in communities across Canada.
As both countries gear up for the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism (CCYT), the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, and Li Jinzao, Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, unveiled the official CCYT logo during an event at the headquarters of Weibo, one of China’s largest online media companies.
The logo, which will be used throughout the year to raise awareness of the Year of Tourism, is based on circle designs found in both Canadian and Chinese cultures, representing unity and collaboration while reinforcing the strong people-to-people ties that link our countries. The logo includes images of a panda and a polar bear, animals of national significance for both countries.
Canadian tourism and hospitality businesses interested in promoting the Canada-China Year of Tourism are encouraged to download the logo from Canada.ca/ccyt2018. Additional information on how businesses can prepare to welcome more Chinese tourists is also available on the site.
“I am happy to join Prime Minister Trudeau and my colleagues on this important trip to China. Canada’s relationship with China is built on strong family and people-to-people ties. Diversity is our strength, and the Canada-China Year of Tourism is a fabulous opportunity to build on these ties and showcase the many amazing events and attractions for which Canada is world-renowned. I am looking forward to welcoming a record number of Chinese visitors in 2018, which means more middle-class jobs for Canadians“, said the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Toronto wins bid to host the largest travel delegation from China to visit Canada
Toronto has won the bid to host the largest Chinese travel delegation to visit Canada, bringing an estimated 10,000 visitors and $80 million (CAD) in spending to the city. Amway China and their top distributors will be in Toronto for their Leadership Seminar in 2020.
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and Tourism Toronto meet with Amway China announcing Toronto as the winning bid for Amway China’s Leadership Seminar in 2020 (CNW Group/Tourism Toronto)
Tourism Toronto has been actively developing the bid over the past five years, with strong support from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada. The announcement was made shortly after the Amway leadership team met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Beijing.
“Toronto was competing with some of the biggest destinations in the world for the Amway China bid, and we’re thrilled to have been selected,” said Johanne Belanger, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “Toronto’s tourism industry is thriving, especially from overseas markets like China – and that benefits the city, the province and all of the businesses in the visitor economy.”
More than 321,000 Chinese travellers are projected to visit Toronto in 2017 – a 77 per cent increase over a five-year span. In 2017, Chinese visitors are forecast to spend $306 million, the first time the total spend has topped $300 million – the highest total from an overseas market.
“Our government’s business mission to China is focused on bringing our people and our businesses closer together to support long-term economic growth, investment opportunities and increased trade potential,” said the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade. “Hosting marquee international conferences like Amway’s 25th Anniversary Seminar in Toronto demonstrates our ability to build significant trade and business partnerships, while showcasing our province as a prime destination to live, work and invest.”
“2020 will mark the 25thAnniversary Year for Amway China, and we’re thrilled to celebrate that milestone in Toronto,” said Angela Keung, Vice President of Sales, Amway Greater China Region. “Not only is Toronto an exceptional destination that is situated close to the Amway headquarters, this is also the first time a destination is working with us on our incentive plan – an exciting collaboration for both Toronto and Amway China.”
“National and international conventions are major economic drivers, and we look forward to welcoming Amway China in 2020. In 2015, convention delegates in Ontario generated $1.4 billion in spending and tourism generated over $32 billion in economic activity,” said the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “By choosing us to host their 25th Anniversary Leadership Seminar, Amway China is giving a nod to Toronto as a world-class city and demonstrating that Ontario is a competitive destination for significant conferences.”
“Attracting large travel groups like Amway China in 2020, showcases the long-term sustainability of Toronto as a top destination, and speaks volumes about Toronto’s strength as a global force in the tourism industry,” said Belanger.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
