Rendez-vous Canada (RVC), Canada’s largest tourism tradeshow, kicks off today (May 27) in Winnipeg, bringing together 500 Canadian tourism businesses and more than 400 buyers from 22 international markets – including Destination Canada’s nine key markets – to showcase Canada to the world for the rest of the week. The event is expected to generate tens of millions in sales.
In 2024, tourism contributed $130 billion to the Canadian economy – over $350 million a day in revenue, powered by 265,000 businesses in 5,000 communities coast to coast to coast. Destination Canada says $65 million of that was generated at last year’s Rendez-vous event in Edmonton.
Meanwhile, DC says this year’s RVC has already exceeded target buyer attendance, and the event has registered more than 1,400 attendees in Winnipeg, including:
- 400+ international and domestic buyers representing all target markets seeking to purchase Canadian tourism products, experiences and accommodations
- 800+ sellers representing 500 Canadian tourism organizations and businesses of all sizes, including Indigenous entrepreneurs
- 50,000+ pre-scheduled appointments between buyers and sellers
Hosting RVC in Winnipeg also brings significant benefits to city, including an estimated total economic impact of $4.6 million and at least 4,000 secured hotel rooms.
In addition to attending RVC, nearly 200 buyers and travel trade media will take part in pre- or post-familiarization tours through Manitoba and other provinces – journeys designed to showcase the region’s hidden gems, such as polar bear capital Churchill, Man.
“Canada stands out as a destination on the world stage. With our long-standing reputation as friendly, open, and welcoming, we’re well positioned to win the hearts of even more international travellers this year,” said Marsha Walden, President and CEO, Destination Canada. “Rendez-vous Canada is our moment to secure a larger share of the $2.9 trillion in global travel spending projected for 2025 – driving prosperity in communities from coast to coast to coast,”
“Rendez-vous Canada showcases how strong, vibrant, and globally in demand our tourism industry truly is. When buyers from across the world come here to do business, they’re not just purchasing travel packages – they’re investing in Canada’s story,” added Nina Kessler, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
“They’re choosing our landscapes, our cultures, our communities, and most importantly, our people. That kind of trust and enthusiasm speaks to the extraordinary standard of excellence our industry has worked so hard to build. RVC is proof that Canada continues to set the bar and raise it year over year.”
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