10 MAR 2010: Discover America Canada held its AGM recently in Toronto. It was an interesting event and some of the statistics and projections that were revealed are certainly worthy of note for those in the industry. “Despite a really tough year, I think Canada held its own,” said President Charmaine Singh.
Singh said Discover America’s goals in 2009 were to increase national outreach across Canada and this is beginning to happen both in Quebec and in Western Canada.
The organization is targeting the meeting and incentives sector and will partner with Ignite magazine to promote the US as the meetings and incentive destination of choice.
Despite the general economic woes 2009, Canada continues to provide the top inbound market to the US. It is therefore, not surprising that American destinations, including San Francisco, Orlando, Miami and Myrtle Beach opened Canadian offices and now offer local representation.
This year’s Pow Wow will be hosted by Orlando from May 15-19, and Orlando’s Canadian representative Anita Walker gave delegates fair warning, “expect the unexpected.”
The Excellence in Travel Writing Award was won by Jo Matyas for her article “High Adventure in Big Bend, Texas”, for Dreamscapes Magazine.
Matyas made a heartfelt plea to destinations and travel suppliers to continue working with legitimate travel writers. Writers, she said, who understand and appreciate the expense and effort expended by suppliers and destinations and who are conscientiousness and reliable in accepting the responsibility that goes along with accepting a trip. “We must work together” said Matyas, noting that her visit to Big Bend in 2002, Texas has resulted in at least eight subsequent stories.
Past Discover America president Susan Melnyk, was recognized with a gift and a special thank you for her contributions over the years to Discover America.
Melnyk summed it up eloquently, “You can’t do this as long as I have - unless you are truly passionate about the travel industry and truly passionate about the United States.”
The last order of the day was the election of a new executive team for Discover America Canada.
Re-elected to two-year terms were Sana Keller and Chris Robinson, while Adam Wilcox and Ann Fairley were newly elected. Charmaine Singh, as Acting Past President, will remain on the board.
Check the numbers:
International visitors to the US & projections:
Short Term Forecast: Inbound travel to the US
Faces at the AGM
