Caribbean Tourism Organization to Host Shows in Canada

Canadians will find a taste of the Caribbean in Toronto and Montreal this fall when Caribbean Week in Canada returns for its third year, Oct. 23 to Nov. 1. Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean Week in Canada brings together the most influential policy makers, financial leaders, marketing professionals and tourism industry officials to interact and discuss both tourism and investment opportunities in the region. It also serves to provide a taste of the region to inspire travel and showcase its diversity.

“This year’s program will engage consumers, the Diaspora community, trade professionals, meeting planners and media by providing valuable destination information through a number of events in Toronto and Montreal,” said Hugh Riley, secretary general of the CTO.

From Oct. 23 to 25, 2009, the SITV Show will be in Montreal at the Place Bonaventure. In 2008, the show attracted over 35,000 visitors. For the first time ever, the CTO will coordinate a Caribbean Pavilion for the Show to highlight the vacation experiences available throughout the Region.

On Oct. 30, in Toronto, CTO representatives will brief the media on initiatives the region is taking to attract tourism from Canada and provide an update on the state of the Caribbean tourism industry.

The Caribbean Media Marketplace will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., immediately following the press conference. A Rum & Rhythm Festival will run from 6 to 9 p.m., also at the Fermenting Room.

From Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, the Zoomer Show will run as Toronto’s first consumer show dedicated to Zoomers, the demographic traditionally known as the 50-plus group. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Direct Energy Centre, more than 200 exhibitors will offer travel and product information.

Also a first for the event will be an on-site Caribbean Pavilion, coordinated on behalf of the CTO. Attendance for this event is expected to be over 20,000 visitors.