Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) formally launched its unique travel experience, ‘Canadian Signature Experiences’ (CSE) in India recently. The Experience was launched more than a year ago in the world tourism market. “Our objective is to create awareness about ‘Canada Signature Experiences’ among Indian travel trade. The launch of Signature Experiences will further equip Indian agents to sell Canada better. Of the 164 Experiences, we are introducing 20 Experiences in India at present. Over a period of time, we will be introducing the remaining Experiences,” Siobhan Chretien, Regional Managing Director-Emerging Markets, CTC, said.
Elaborating more on the ‘Experiences’, Chretien said that these unique experiences are excellent examples of the kind of world-class offerings on which our tourism brand, “Canada. Keep Exploring”, is being built. “CSE is a collection of products and experiences which have been selected through the help of Canadian industry consultants. The Experiences are aimed to tap the burgeoning Indian middle class who are exploring unique holidays,” she added.
Canada continues to attract a large number of Indian travelers. As per the latest figures available, CTC has registered a growth of 7.1 per cent in Indian arrivals for the month of August, 2013 over the same period last year. “Indian consumers spent $173 million on their Canada travels last year, a 6.4 per cent increase. Looking ahead to 2014, the growing Indian middle class means CTC-India is now targeting cities such as Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru in marketing and sales activities, in addition to Mumbai and New Delhi,” said a release issued by CTC.
Commenting on the profile of Indian travellers, she said that Indians have better understanding of where they want to go. “We are establishing ourselves in India and trying to understand what Indian travellers need. Apart from leisure, we are also looking at Indian outbound MICE market. We have a huge Amway group coming from India in 2014,” she revealed.
CTC’s promotional strategy is more directed towards B2B segment of the industry. “India is an emerging market for us and our goal is to strengthen our ties with the Indian travel trade. Almost 80 per cent of our India budget is dedicated to the B2B segment,” she informed.
CTC launched products such as Niagara Parks Commission; Northern Tales Travel Services; The Butchart Gardens; Capilano Suspension Bridge Park; Calgary Stampede; Ice Hotel Canada; Niagara Helicopters; Brewster Travel Canada; Frontiers North Adventures; CN Tower; Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; VIA Rail Canada, Grouse Mountain; BC Ferries Vacations; Icefield & Kananaskis Heli-tours; Canadian Museum of Civilization; Rocky Mountaineer; Whistler Blackcomb; and Harbour Air Seaplanes from its collection of CSE.
