Outstanding Prairie Hospitality, Powerful Storytelling Launches New GoMedia Canada Format

GoMedia Canada 2023 rode into Saskatoon, Saskatchewan September 25 - 27, with 78 media representing 10 countries and 70 partner provinces, territories, and destinations gathering to share stories and build enduring relationships.  

Completely re-imagined since it was last held in 2019, and hosted at the Remai Modern, GoMedia Canada 2023 saw a focus less on one-on-one appointments and more on creative networking opportunities and two dynamic ‘quick fire’ stage presentations where partners shared their most compelling stories over six minutes.  All attendees enjoyed professional development panel discussions on Indigenous and regenerative tourism, as both are important topics driving storytelling across Canada. Partners also had an intimate session with exclusive access to editors from Conde Nast Traveler, Food & Wine and Wanderlust magazines to better understand the global media landscape. Produced by Destination Canada in partnership with Discover Saskatoon and Tourism Saskatchewan, everyone was able to explore the city and region with 20 local tours, a spectacular visit at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, and a closing night event that celebrated the province’s different regions and growing culinary movement, as showcased by Saskatchewan's top chefs. 

Media and global in-market representatives were also offered pre and post tours across the country to cap off an extraordinary few weeks of celebrating Canada and the prairies.

20 Canadian Destinations on the 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Index 

This year’s annual Global Destination Sustainability-Index (GDS-Index) has been released with 20 Canadian destinations now participating in the Index, representing the highest national concentration of destinations in the world. Montreal placed 33rd; the only North American city to make the Top 40.

Achieved in collaboration with the 16 Canadian cities already participating in Destination Canada’s Canadian Business Event Sustainability Plan, this milestone speaks to their commitment to be sustainable hosts for international events and create an environment of change within their destinations. 

Destination Canada Launches “Try Canada” US Winter Campaign

Northern Lights Campaign

Our American high value guests love the northern lights. An always-trending topic amongst travellers looking for that life changing vacation, DC and Team Canada partners Northwest Territories Tourism, Travel Yukon, and Travel Manitoba have joined forces to place Canada on the map as the best destination to experience the northern lights

The campaign aims to raise awareness of Canada as a Northern Lights destination and differentiate Canada from the competition. “Life changing lights” leans into the fact that when people experience something life-changingly beautiful, they often say the experience spoke to them. If the Northern Lights could talk, what would they say to travellers?

Last Chance to Register | International Symposium on Destination Stewardship

Registration for Destination Canada’s International Symposium on Destination Stewardship is closing this week on October 14, secure your spot and register today.

HAC and AHLA Announce Expansion of Green Key Global in Canada and the U.S. Through Joint Venture Partnership

On September 19, 2023, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced the expansion of the Green Key Global sustainability certification program in Canada and the U.S. through joint venture partnership. 

The announcement, made at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix, represents a pivotal moment for environmental action in the hotel industry.  

Destination British Columbia Launches #exploreBC Recovery Campaign

Destination British Columbia has launched a new marketing campaign urging travellers to #exploreBC now to help the province recover. 

BC tourism businesses impacted by wildfires and highway closures want people to know their doors are open and their communities are safe for visitors. 

To spread the word, Destination BC has launched a marketing campaign aimed at British Columbians and travellers from Alberta and Washington State urging people to explore the province, especially in affected regions, through inspirational messages and stories of resilience. 

AFAR Magazine Inspired by Stories from TED@DestinationCanada 

The stories worth spreading from TED@DestinationCanada are inspiring publications to feature and share the stories even more widely.

For five days this past August, speaker Cohen Bradley along with Samantha Bradley from ITAC and Kathy James, Director of Haida Tourism, welcomed AFAR co-founder and CEO Greg Sullivan to Haida Gwaii. The result is an in-depth story on why their readers should visit Haida Gwaii.  

Later this fall, the stories of two speakers will feature on AFAR’s podcast Travel Tales. 

Alysa McCall who dedicates her time to preserving polar bears, and Kevin Smith, who spearheaded an ocean cleanup, will be interviewed.  

More TED@DestinationCanada speakers are participating in upcoming events. 
To date, the talks have received more than 12.6 million views.

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