The Harper Government is creating more opportunities for Canadian tourism operators and Canadian producers. Opening today in Osaka, Japan, Showcase Canada-Asia 2012 brings nearly 200 travel buyers from China, India, Korea, and Japan together with Canadian industry for this important week-long trading event.
"This event is an opportunity to profile Canada's diverse and high-quality agri-food products to tourism buyers and media from some of our key markets," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "Our government knows that market development leads to trade, which creates jobs and overall economic growth for Canadians."
Showcase Canada-Asia, produced by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), has become a must-attend event for many Canadian tourism businesses looking to increase their sales. Thousands of buyer-seller meetings will take place during this key business-to-business event.
"Showcase Canada-Asia is another example of our government's commitment to building partnerships and strengthening Canada's tourism sector," said Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism). "This event gives Canadian vendors the opportunity to showcase the best our country has to offer, demonstrating to our Asian partners that we are a top destination for first-rate tourism experiences."
Influential media and travel buyers at the event will have the opportunity to savour a variety of tasty, locally-available Canadian food and beverages from menus featuring fish, seafood, pork, beef, duck, bread, lentils, cranberries, mustard, and maple products.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the CTC share the common goal of promoting Canada to consumers in key markets like Japan. Canada's culinary excellence is an important part of positioning Canada as a premier travel destination.
In addition to Showcase Canada-Asia, a number of other AAFC "Canada Brand" promotional events are taking place in Japan throughout October. These include restaurant and retail promotions, media relations activities, and special events for buyers, importers, and consumers.
Canadian agri-food and seafood exports to Japan were valued at $4 billion in 2011. Market development is a priority for the Harper Government under the recently announced Growing Forward 2 policy framework, and these food promotion events are another example of what is being done to enhance competitiveness and to drive innovation and long-term growth in Canadian agriculture.
Funded through the Agricultural Flexibility Fund, the Canada Brand initiative is designed to complement industry efforts in markets where challenges or opportunities exist. It includes a variety of marketing activities, such as retail and restaurant promotions.
