Travel Manitoba is rolling out three new tourism commercials as it continues its “Manitoba: Canada’s Heart Beats” campaign.
The ads focus on Churchill’s summer polar bear viewing experience and the northern lights, along with Winnipeg as a winter city.
“Manitoba offers so much to its visitors, whether it’s fishing, hunting, or other unique wildlife experiences,” said Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen. “We are excited about the opportunities Manitoba presents.”
Cullen said funding for tourism has increased by $3.4 million.
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All three commercials will be be launched at Rendez-vous Canada in Calgary on Friday to a crowd of 1,500 including some 500 international travel trade wholesalers, said Colin Ferguson, president and CEO of Travel Manitoba.
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They will also soon be seen on all domestic and international flights with Air Canada and on television in Winnipeg, Montreal and Toronto, along with the U.S., including California and the upper Midwest.
“These commercials are either intended to extend our selling season in the north or introduce Winnipeg in winter as a destination filled with innovation, festivals and life,” Cullen explained.
Travel Manitoba said the tourism industry brings in $1.5 billion to the province’s economy.
Ferguson said the response to the “Canada’s Heart Beats,” that was launched in 2013 has been overwhelming.
“International markets are starting to recognize Manitoba as a travel destination, where before – we weren’t on the map” he said. “We have world class assets that are unique to Manitoba.”
Ferguson admitted that a trip up to Churchill can be a pricey expense, but he said the experience and cost is on par with other world class attractions.
“Capacity is an issue and we are looking at those issues,” he said. “It would be great if we could find ways to make it less expensive, particularly the air travel and we continue to work on those opportunities.”
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