CEO of Destination Canada, David Goldstein says one of the biggest challenges with Australian travellers in Canada is moving them beyond the west coast to uncover more of what the vast country has to offer.
He spoke of the challenge today at Canada’s major travel trade show Rendez Vous which is taking place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
“We’ve had difficulty in taking the excitement that Australians have for western Canada and moving that around the rest of the country,” he said.
David Goldstein, Destination Canada
He said while there is a component of travellers that will find themselves in Toronto’s downtown and exploring Niagra Falls, Australians are still predominantly a western based traveller.
“While Australians are a high yield traveller and a long staying traveller, finding a way to convince them that there is a lot more of Canada for them to see, it has been a historic challenge but I don’t think it’s insurmountable.”
President and CEO of Destination Canada David Goldstein
Rendez Vous 2019
Rendez Vous 2019
He said once Australian Travellers make the extra effort to explore more of Canada, they are rewarded with “absolutely fascinating” experiences.
“I think convincing Australians to make one more hop (beyond Vancouver) is always difficult. In any market, anything beyond the direct flight becomes another challenge,” he said.
“But those Australians who have come one stop further have seen the diversity of this country and have been really overwhelmed by it”.
Rendez Vous 2019
He said Australian Travel Agents played an important role in encouraging Australian travellers to see more of the country such as Quebec and the Maritimes and the country’s “breathtaking” north.
“Travel Agents are a very essential part of decision making in Australia as the character of Australian travellers tends to be long haul and long stays. So Agents building itineraries is a very important part of the experience for Australia travellers,” he said.
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