It’s time to step up to show the ways Manitoba's tourism industry stands out with Tourism Week, May 14-20.

Tourism Week is a national celebration highlighting the economic impact and social benefits of tourism in Canada led by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, or TIAC. You can learn more about it at www.tiac.travel/tourismweek.

Globally, tourism has become increasingly competitive and is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. In Manitoba, tourism increased by 5.8% from 2009 to 2010 to a record $1.26 billion, accounting for 2.92% of Manitoba’s GDP and $492 million in export revenue.

According to The Conference Board of Canada, tourism growth will continue to be strong in 2012 and is projected to increase by 3.7%

In 2010 the total number of tourism and hospitality-related businesses in Manitoba was more than 5,200, equalling jobs and investment in local communities. In Manitoba, the tourism sector sustains in excess of 24,800 direct, indirect and induced jobs, across all economic levels.

“Visitors bring new dollars to our communities and province, generating business, jobs and taxes,” said Travel Manitoba President and CEO, Colin Ferguson.

You can use Tourism Week to show how tourism contributes to the economy and the quality of life of all Manitobans.

Tourism Week also serves as a kickoff to the peak summer season, allowing you to leverage heightened awareness of the tourism industry to promote your hottest tourism products and services.

To join the celebration and become a Tourism Champion in your community, visit the TIAC website at www.tiac.travel/tourismweek

With your help, we can affirm:

• That our industry is a key economic contributor, a major employer, and a vital source of government revenue; and
• That smarter public policy in several key areas would help Canada’s tourism industry compete more equitably on the global stage, allowing us to garner a greater share of the lucrative international travel market

We have some terrific tourism ambassadors at work in Manitoba. Travel Manitoba's Tourism Ambassador Program  seeks to highlight individuals behind our successful tourism businesses that play a key role in their development, execution and continued success. Click through to see their videos and watch them in action. 

Travel Manitoba centres include the The Forks, Emerson, Whiteshell, Kirkella and Russell. The hours for all the centres are 9-6, except for Russell, open from 9-5. Travel Manitoba also participates in a partnered location at the Irvin Goodon Museum in Boissevain. This summer we are also pleased to announce that we currently have five Visitor Services Network affiliate locations in Dauphin, Morden, Selkirk, Gimli, and Thompson.

First impressions are critical. The atmosphere that the visitor experiences in the centres or the experience on the phone is critical, as it sets the stage for visitors' vacation experience. To prepare the travel counsellors for their roles, Travel Manitoba administers an intense three-day training program covering Travel Counselling 101 and the Manitoba Best Customer Service Training, delivered by the Manitoba Tourism Education Council. Every day, counsellors provide expertise on what attractions, accommodations, activities, and entertainment may suit the visitors' expectations and needs.

With the new season comes new brochures and literature for our visitors across the province. Lyall Wilson (927-7822) and Nadine Tremblay (927-7848) are your literature and distribution contacts.  We invite you to contact them regarding questions, concerns or general information regarding brochure distribution. Click here to learn more about the brochure policy for the visitor centres.

The Travel Manitoba Conference, Manitoba Tourism Awards, Annual General Meeting and Partnership Rollout have been brought together in one exciting event! Save the dates - September 10th and 11th, 2012 at the Radisson Downtown Winnipeg.

Travel Currents is an e-newsletter published for our partners with up-to-date information about Manitoba’s tourism industry.

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