International Symposium on Destination Stewardship Inspires the Future of Global Tourism

Canada’s Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, officially opened Destination Canada’s International Symposium on Destination Stewardship during a reception last night at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.

The Symposium, which runs from November 7-8, aims to challenge participants to forge a new path towards a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous tourism sector. Leveraging and learning from previous and existing initiatives, the Symposium will explore how a regenerative approach to tourism can have a positive impact on residents, their communities, the economy, culture, and the environment.

"The Symposium comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of global tourism,” said Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada. “We’re welcoming experts and thought leaders who share our commitment to pursue a regenerative approach that can fully support people, place and prosperity. Working together, I am confident we can solidify Canada’s global reputation as a progressive, innovative leader in destination development, while also realizing our ambition to generate wealth and wellbeing for all of Canada and enrich the lives of our guests.”

“Tourism is a force for good in communities across Canada – but we must ensure that it’s a sustainable one,” said the Hon. Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism. “We know that potential visitors around the world are increasingly thinking of sustainability when deciding where to travel, and we need to be ready. By bringing together tourism leaders to focus on this important topic, this Symposium helps Canadian tourism chart a course for a more sustainable future.”

Read the full press release here

For further information, please visit the event’s website.

Destination Canada engages in destination development through Thought Leadership, and Planning & Strategy to empower Canada’s tourism industry, enable growth and expertise in destination development, and maximize collective impact for Canada. As part of this work, Destination Canada has created a Knowledge Hub which is a platform for industry to share, discover and learn about all things Destination Development.

Download Destination Canada’s latest document A Regenerative Approach to Tourism in Canada: An offering of why and how tourism can more fully support people, place and prosperity—with case stories, principles, and indicators of progress.