Halifax International Airport Authority and Destination Canada Sign Partnership Agreement

Integrated Marketing Campaign to Promote Tourism from France Signed During Rendez-vous Canada Event

HALIFAX, May 15, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) and Destination Canada signed a marketing partnership agreement during the annual Rendez-vous Canada travel trade show, being held this week at the new Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The objective of this partnership is to promote visitation from France to Atlantic Canada, aligning the strategic priorities of both organizations to enhance inbound tourism and air services to the region, while helping to strengthen economic growth in Atlantic Canada.

"We are excited to partner with Destination Canada to promote Atlantic Canada in a country of mutual interest, supporting tourism growth while contributing to business and trade," says Joyce Carter, HIAA's President & CEO. "With strong ties to France, including the region's rich Acadian culture, and WestJet's new non-stop service between Halifax (YHZ) and Paris (CDG), we believe Atlantic Canada is a perfect vacation destination for visitors from France, through our air gateway at Halifax Stanfield."

As part of this partnering agreement, a fully integrated marketing and sales campaign will run in market and is designed to inspire travellers from France to Atlantic Canada through content marketing, travel trade, social media, and public relations activities. The objective is to create authentic content rooted in great storytelling that will resonate with target audiences.

"This agreement will help us capitalize on the record-breaking growth we are seeing from France," said David F. Goldstein, President & CEO, Destination Canada. "Working with HIAA on innovative marketing campaigns coupled with WestJet's new direct flight from Paris means we can bring even more French travellers to Atlantic Canada."

WestJet's non-stop service between Halifax (YHZ) - Paris (CDG) launches May 31 with the inaugural flight marking the first time the airline will land on the European mainland. Daily flights will operate on the airline's newest aircraft, the fuel-efficient and guest-friendly Boeing 737-8 MAX.

"Our role as an Airport Authority is not only to attract new air services and bring new destinations to market, but also to work with airline and industry partners to make these flights a commercial success," says Bert van der Stege, HIAA's Chief Commercial Officer. "Today's agreement will assist in promoting the new WestJet Paris flights, shortening travel time for visitors from France to our region." 

Rendez-vous Canada is Canada's signature international tourism marketplace where the international travel trade connect with Canada's tourism industry partners. Rotating across the country each year, this year's event has drawn over 2,000 tourism industry leaders from all over the world.

Halifax Stanfield is Atlantic Canada's principal full-service airport providing passengers and cargo clients with access to markets across Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean Basin, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It's the only airport in Atlantic Canada to offer Canada Customs services on a 24-hour, seven day a week basis, and U.S. preclearance. The Airport, a major economic generator valued at over $2.8 billion annually to the provincial economy, serves over 4 million passengers and processes 34,000 metric tonnes of cargo each year. A recognized innovator in the global airport industry, Halifax Stanfield is the first airport in North America to offer a self-service baggage drop system for all passengers and is consistently ranked among the best airports in the world.

Destination Canada markets Canada internationally as a premier four-season tourism destination. In collaboration with partners in the Canadian tourism industry, Destination Canada creates marketing campaigns designed to showcase the best our country has to offer. Destination Canada also provides research and industry data to our partners—equipping them to optimize their businesses. For more information, please visit: www.destinationcanada.com, follow @DestinationCAN and @ExploreCanada on Twitter.

SOURCE Destination Canada