Manic Monday | No Question...the world is coming ...are we ready?

This past week Rendezvous Canada took place in Montreal, Quebec.

Rendezvous is the largest International Travel Trade Show hosted in Canada bringing buyers from all over the world seeking Canadian Travel Experiences to sell to their consumers. The format is speed meetings during the day followed by social gatherings in the evenings and business happens. I referenced back to last week's Manic Monday and the importance of meeting people face to face - it is never more apparent then in this type of environment.

People from all corners of the world coming to our doorstep to meet us. They come to help understand who and what we are as a culture and a people, what our tourism products are like, determine who these might appeal to and why their customers should choose Canada for their next adventure.

What struck us most this year was the volume of new markets represented their level of interest in Canada, British Columbia and YES the Thompson Okanagan. They are hungry for our information, they know we are here and they are ready to come.

Even those that spoke broken or little English were able to provide information on tours they have or are developing within our region and Receptive Operators are seeing marked increases in requests for information from operators that were previously content to drive through barely stopping for lunch.

Between Howard Grieve our Trade and Media Specialist and myself, we had formal appointments with over 185 buyers from around the world and talked with more during the social events and the one thing we know for sure is they are coming.....so are we ready?

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO