CTC says Winter Olympics generated CAN$10m meetings business for country

CANADA – The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) says the concept and marketing efforts behind the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver generated more than CAN$10m (US$10.17m) worth of conference and incentive business leads for Canada for the coming years.
 
Not only did the Games bring an increase in business, they also brought a redeveloped infrastructure, including a sustainable new wing to the Vancouver Convention Centre, a newly designed highway from Vancouver to Whistler and an airport transporter allowing visitors easy access to downtown.
 
Michele McKenzie, CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission said: “We are thrilled with the legacy that the Winter Olympics has brought to Canada for the conference and incentive market.
 
“We worked hard to promote all aspects and corners of Canada as a nation in the afterglow to this important event, by hosting key buyers and media to join us ‘behind the scenes’ at other large events and festivals that we hosted in that year, such as the G8/G20 summit, the Toronto Film Festival and the Quebec City Winter Wonderland.”
 
In addition, the new infrastructure that the Games brought has enabled us to attract larger international associations and groups along with an increase in sporting events.”
 
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