Southampton, May 23rd - 24th, 2013

Canada's ties with the Cruise Industry date back to the very founding of the Cunard Line, by Canadian born Samuel Cunard. The Canadian Tourism Commisison is proud to be a sponsor at the 2013 Selling Cruise Convention for the second year in a row, highlighting our historic roots with the Cruise Industry.

An increasing number of Cruise companies are including Canada on their itineraries. With Vancouver long known for being the starting point for the cruises that head up to Alaska via the waterway known as the Inside Passage, it is increasingly being joined by gateway cities such as Quebec City, Halifax, St. Johns and Charlottetown as passengers look to explore North America's eastern seaboard too. 

However, aside from the better known large ship cruises offered by; Saga, Royal Norwegian Cruise Lines, Silver Seas, Holland America Line, who all operate cruises to Canadian ports there are several other lesser known but equally rewarding options to explore Canada's magnificent waterways.

For passengers looking for new experiences , look north. Canada's Arctic  offers small ship expedition cruises , often on ice breakers to take guests up to the Northwest Passage, or to view polar wildlife (www.artickingdom.com and www.oneoceanexpeditions.com). For those interested in travel under the power of steam www.stlawrencerivercruise.com takes guests on a 64 passenger remodelled steamship along the Mighty St. Lawrence River. Moving inland and for the engineering minded , Ontario Waterway Cruises (www.ontariowaterwaycruises.com) has five day cruises on the Trent Severn Waterway in Southern Ontario, which stretches 240 miles from Trenton to Port Severn through 36 conventional locks, two sets of flight locks, two hydraulic lift locks and the Big Chute Marine railway. 

Clients can also sail on luxury private yacht charters such as Pacific Yellowfin Charters (www.pacificyellowfin.com) housing 12 passengers being served by 5 crew on the ocean playground on the west coast of British COlumbia.  Or they can experience a  top rated National Geographic Cruise to see bears and the Haida Gwaii culture with Maple Leaf Adventures (www.mapleleafadventures.com)

Think of Canada as offering the experiences and luxury for some of your most discerning clients. From whales to Inuit culture, Bears and First Nation culture, or combing luxury rail tours with Rocky Mountaineer Railtours with cruises up to Alaska, Canada can cater for the Cruise Client seeking an authentic journey with goosebump moments.

As the bronze statue of Samuel Cunard ,situated  on the Halifax Waterfront in Nova Scotia beside the Ocean Terminal Wharves long used by Cunard  Lines, looks out to sea he could certainly be proud of all that Canada continues to offer the cruise industry.

"The Canadian Tourism Commissions participation in the Selling Cruise Convention reflects the growth in interest in Canada as a pre or post destination to a cruise holiday to the contintent. We are keen to ensure that travel agents who promote and sell Cruise holidays are aware of the variety of  experiences Canada has to offer once passengers are off the ship as well as what they can see whilst on board", said Nicolas Founier, Travel Trade Manager, Canadian Tourism Commission. "We do hope that some attendees will be inspired to sign up to our award winning Canada Specialist Agency Training Programme as a result of attending this event so they can better sell our destination", he added.

To find out more during the conference in Southampton, join Nicolas Founier on May 23rd at 11.00 at Speakers Corner.

For more media information please contact : Nim Singh, PR and Media Manager, Canadian Tourism Commission on 0207 389 9983 singh.nim@ctc-cct. @canadanim (Not for Publication)