Rendez-vous Canada 2022 Summary

Canadian tourism suppliers and international/domestic tour operators descended on Toronto, May 24 -27, 2022 for the first in-person Rendez-vous Canada since 2019.  RVC 2022+ was a hybrid event where both in-person and virtual appointments were conducted.

More than 1,250 delegates participated including over 500 buyers (tour operators) from Destination Canada’s (DC) key markets, 450 seller organizations (Canadian tourism suppliers) and more than 750 seller delegates.

BC had a strong presence with more than 105 organizations participating, with 187 delegates. Destination BC delegates conducted more than 311 pre-scheduled appointments with buyers, BC sellers, media and DC with many more added on-site. Read on for the positive feedback and insights from tour operators in our key markets about travel to Canada and BC.

• There is enthusiasm and strong interest/demand for outbound travel from Australia, Mexico, UK, Germany, Netherlands and France. Traditionally the Netherlands, and France focus on Eastern Canada, but based on enquiries, they are developing product in Western Canada.
• Many are still booking for 2022, and 2023 bookings are picking up. Some are already talking about itinerary development and business for 2024.
• Pre-bookings for winter are pacing well in Europe and Australia.
• Many markets are looking for product development opportunities to expand their offerings in BC.
• Slow travel and longer stays are a trend moving forward.
• Inbound travel from China is still a challenge, but many Chinese RTOs are shifting to North American affluent Chinese domestic markets.
• Leisure business from Japan and Korea is slow to start, but the student business is coming back for Japan and incentive business is coming back for Korea.

Destination BC reinforced BC messaging with a BC Networking Zone and by hosting a luncheon, along with Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC). The theme was “The BC Effect” and delegates experienced that, through décor, videos, entertainment and a BC based menu. Cohen Isberg, ITBC started the luncheon off with an inspiring and entertaining song encouraging participation from the audience.  Maya Lange, Vice President, Global Marketing at DBC introduced the BC Effect and the video, which was authored by Cohen Isberg. ITBC’s new video “Everything is Connected” was also introduced.