October 4, 2016
October 4, 2016 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership
Tourism continues to be one of the world’s fastest-growing economic sectors, and it is of strategic importance to Atlantic Canada. It supports 9,600 businesses and provides full-time equivalent employment to 57,000 Atlantic Canadians. Statistics Canada’s International Travel Survey indicates ACTP marketing efforts are paying dividends. Between 2012 and 2014 overnight international arrivals to Atlantic Canada increased by 8.9% and revenues grew by 15.8%, and preliminary estimates indicate positive growth from U.S. and overseas visits to the Atlantic Provinces in 2015 and 2016.
Through the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP), the federal and provincial governments and the tourism industry pool their advertising resources to promote Atlantic Canada to markets in the northeastern United States and overseas that would be largely inaccessible individually. In 2016, the ACTP will invest almost $4.8 million in US marketing initiatives, and an additional $587,000 overseas. The ACTP also recently decided to increase spending in the US market by $62,000 to take advantage of positive currency exchange rates there.
The ACTP markets the Atlantic Canadian provinces through consumer advertising, travel trade programs and media relations activities. The US direct-to-consumer campaign is the largest component of the ACTP marketing program, promoting the many unexpected experiences awaiting travelers to Atlantic Canada through video, social media, and print media. In 2016, the ACTP leveraged Destination Canada’s national marketing and research efforts in New York, Boston and Philadelphia through a $500,000 investment in the Connecting America initiative. The US campaign emphasizes the great value that Atlantic Canada offers to American visitors, as well as its close proximity to experience culinary, adventure, world-class attractions, festivals and events.
The ACTP’s ongoing collaborative effort will continue to focus on: increasing reach and frequency of provincial brand marketing in targeted international markets; sharing knowledge and learning opportunities; maximizing marketing efficiencies and financial prudence; and increasing access to information, market intelligence and market knowledge.
In early July, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic Provinces launched the Atlantic Growth Strategy that will direct targeted actions to stimulate the Atlantic Canadian economy, including supporting key projects that support long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities. The ACTP is an example of the kind of collaboration that will help create jobs and re-invigorate the region’s growth.
Quick Facts
Quotes
“The Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership is an important element of the Federal Tourism Strategy, directly supporting the strategic priority of inspiring the world to explore Canada. The collaboration between federal and provincial governments and industry also demonstrates the spirit of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a shared approach to building a vibrant economic future for Atlantic Canada.”
- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
“Nova Scotia is having a strong tourism year and businesses throughout the province are benefiting. Joint marketing initiatives with our Atlantic Canadian partners will continue to be important to Nova Scotia as the industry works to double Nova Scotia’s tourism revenues to $4 billion by 2024.”
- The Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia
“Coming together under the ACTP, we are able to work as a team with shared knowledge and learnings. ACTP’s continued presence in key markets is essential to achieving long-term gains for our industry in Atlantic Canada. Without ACTP, many of the opportunities gained through the partnership would simply be unattainable.”
- Ms. Kathy Weir, Industry Co-chair of the ACTP Management Committee
Associated Links
Contacts
Kevin Mouflier
Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership Secretariat
902-566-5008
Chris Brooks
Director of Communications
ACOA PEI & Tourism
902-566-7569
Shayla Steeves
Communications
Tourism Nova Scotia
902.790.6583