Halifax to Host Seventh Annual Canada-New England Cruise Symposium
January 28, 2005
Halifax, NS - Halifax will be host to a major international cruise industry event in 2005. The seventh annual Canada-New England Cruise Symposium is set for June 15-17, 2005. The symposium will welcome participants in the cruise industry from both Canada and the United States including cruise lines, ports, destination marketing agencies, tour operators and suppliers ranging from attractions to companies who build cruise ships.
The symposium will be hosted by the Port of Halifax and industry partners from Destination Halifax; the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture & Heritage; Parks Canada; the Sydney Ports Corporation; and the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association ACCA.
"The cruise industry has a significant economic impact for our region and we're confident that tremendous opportunities remain for Atlantic Canada," says Cathy McGrail, Manager of Cruise Development, Halifax Port Authority, and Chair of the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association. "We are very excited to host this major cruise industry event here in Halifax."
Attracting more than a hundred industry partners and cruise line representatives, the symposium will provides networking opportunities and discussion of emerging issues and trends. The symposium will also allow Atlantic Canadian tourism stakeholders to meet cruise line executives and discuss new business.
"The cruise industry in Atlantic Canada is a growing niche market and one that has great potential for our region," says Dennis Campbell, President, Atlantic Tours Gray Line. "We are pleased to be part of an event that will attract some of the top executives from the cruise industry to showcase our destination and the many unique features that we have to offer to cruise passengers visiting our region."
The Atlantic Canada Cruise Association ACCA , in its year-end review, indicates that the cruise industry in Atlantic Canada experienced another strong performance in 2004. This past year, nearly 700,000 passengers and crew visited the region, up 33 percent from 2003.
The Port of Halifax is a marquee cruise port, with a record 122 cruise ships and 212,834 passengers. The Halifax Port Authority is a government business enterprise mandated by the Federal Ministry of Transport. The Halifax Port Authority leads in the development of the Port of Halifax, serving as a catalyst for the local, regional and national economies and has a mandate to be financially viable. The Port of Halifax has a total annual income impact of almost $700 million and an employment impact of over 9000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Atlantic Canada Cruise Association ACCA is a partnership between cruise interests in each of the four Atlantic Provinces, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ACOA and Parks Canada. The ACCA is mandated to market Atlantic Canada as a unique cruise destination and to lead and facilitate the development of the cruise industry in Atlantic Canada.
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For more information please contact:
Michele PeverilManager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Halifax Port Authority
Telephone: 902.426.1060
Cell: 902.229.3236
E-mail: mpeveril@portofhalifax.ca
