Joint news release with the Government of Canada and Air North
Three Yukon businesses will join a Government of Yukon contingent on a delegation to China as part of the Canada-China Year of Tourism.
Representatives from Air North, Yukon’s Airline, Northern Vision Development and Arctic Colour Tours will accompany a delegation of over 60 participants from across Canada, led by Canada’s Minister of Small Business and Tourism, the Honourable Bardish Chagger. The delegates will travel to Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. They will participate in business-to-business meetings to form connections and explore partnership opportunities with Chinese tour operators and tourism officials, as well as their Canadian colleagues.
Each year as part of Tourism and Culture’s marketing programming, department officials and industry partners meet with approximately 100 tour companies at the annual Showcase Canada tradeshow held in Beijing. This mission expands on that opportunity, providing the delegates with a venue to build business relationships directly to sell Yukon products in the Chinese market.
Minister Mostyn will be representing the Government of Yukon on behalf of Minister Dendys on this delegation.
As we celebrate the Canada-China Year of Tourism, I am honoured to lead this delegation of Canadian tourism industry leaders to China, which includes strong representation from the Yukon. Canada's north is bursting with year-round beauty and one-of-a-kind tourism experiences. This is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate why tourists from China should make places like the Yukon a top destination of choice.
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Chinese visitors to Yukon represent an emerging market in our territory. Capitalizing on economically diverse, sustainable markets such as tourism is a priority for our government. It is fantastic to see Yukon interests represented internationally as part of this Canada wide delegation.
The Honourable Jeanie Dendys, Minister of Tourism and Culture
During this key period of growth, it is vital for Yukon to be involved in conversations about how our local businesses can benefit. I look forward to participating in this mission alongside some of Yukon’s tourism businesses and Tourism and Culture staff. I believe this venture is an opportunity for us to work together to strengthen Yukon’s presence as a world-class destination.
The Honourable Richard Mostyn, Minister of Highways and Public Works
Air North, Yukon’s Airline is committed to supporting tourism in the Yukon by providing air access that specifically caters to what inbound tourists value. By creating better inbound tourism opportunities with the rapidly growing China market, Air North can strengthen its scheduled air service, to the benefit of all passengers traveling in-and-out of the Yukon.
Air North, Yukon’s Airline chief commercial operator Benjamin Ryan
The 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism was announced in September 2016 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. It is a year to celebrate the cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
Over 740,000 visitors are estimated to have visited Canada from China in 2017.
China is currently Canada’s second-largest trading partner, after the United States.
More than 1.8 million Canadian jobs are related to the tourism sector. Tourism accounted for 3,500 jobs in Yukon in 2015, making up 13.5 per cent of all jobs in the territory and the highest of all the provinces and territories.
Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca
Linnea Blum
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-332-2625
linnea.blum@gov.yk.ca