Minister Chagger launches "Show Us Your Canada" photo contest

28/05/2018 08:47

Canadians are invited to showcase their favourite places in any season to mark 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism

OTTAWA, May 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada offers a wealth of tourist destinations, and its vibrant tourism industry employs one in ten Canadians who eagerly welcomed a record 20.8 million international visitors to our shores in 2017. Canada is on the radar of travellers and adventure seekers the world over, and tourism creates well-paying middle-class jobs at home and prosperity for Canadians well beyond the hospitality industry.

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, joined John Geiger, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, at the outset of Tourism Week to launch the "Show Us Your Canada" photo contest. The Minister called on Canadians to join in celebrating the Canada-China Year of Tourism and submit their best pictures of their favourite Canadian destinations under any or all of the contest categories: Parks, Cities, Active Outdoors, Indigenous Canada and Youth.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is administering the contest in collaboration with Canadian Geographic. Along with sponsors Air Canada, VIA Rail and Parks Canada, they are offering prizes for the winners in each of the categories. A grand prize package for one lucky winner includes a trip for two to China as 2018 is the Canada-China Year of Tourism, which is part of Canada's Tourism Vision that was unveiled last year.

The contest starts May 28 and runs until August 24, with winners to be announced in September. A number of the photo submissions will be featured at the Canada-China Year of Tourism closing ceremony to be hosted by Canada later this year in China.

For more information on the contest, visit https://tourism.canadiangeographic.ca/home.

Quotes

"2017 was the best year ever for Canadian tourism. As we celebrate the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism, we invite all Canadians to show the world our home and native land through their eyes and to become digital ambassadors to the millions of international tourists who yearn to visit our beautiful country. This is a great opportunity for Canadians to share our breathtaking nature, vibrant cities and fun activities—and for Indigenous culture to be showcased—from coast to coast to coast. Your picture could be the one that sparks the curiosity of a family to come and visit Canada."
– The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

"The mandate of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is to make Canada better known to Canadians and to the world. What better way to forge closer ties between Canada and China than by engaging Canadians to share their favourite shots of our country's people and iconic places in the 'Show Us Your Canada' photo contest."
– John Geiger, Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Quick facts

Canada experienced a record-breaking year for tourism in 2017, welcoming 20.8 million international visitors.
In 2017, tourism directly generated 735,300 Canadian jobs, an increase of 1.9% over 2016.
Total tourism revenues from domestic and international travellers topped $97.4 billion in 2017—an all-time record.
Tourism directly accounted for $41.2 billion of Canada's gross domestic product in 2017, an increase of 6.3% over 2016.
Support for tourism in Budget 2018 includes $11 million for the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism.
Budget 2018 also includes investments in parks, Indigenous heritage and culture, and Canada's regional development agencies.