Greetings!

Read about the Canada-China Year of Tourism, Tourism Calgary's new website, upcoming events and our featured Calgary White Hat Award winners.
2018 Canada - China Year of Tourism
As you may have heard, 2018 has been named the Canada-China Year of Tourism. This initiative is intended to create closer ties between Chinese and Canadian citizens.

In 2016, more than 610,000 Chinese tourists visited Canada contributing $1.4 billion in spending. Visitation from Chinese travellers was up 11 per cent in 2017.

In partnership with Travel Alberta and Destination Canada, Tourism Calgary collaborates with multiple stakeholders to create China-ready products and create awareness and demand for Calgary experiences.

The combination of direct flights from Beijing to Calgary and seven new visa application centers opening in China increases business potential from the Chinese market. 

To ensure you're China-ready, check out Travel Alberta's free online courses on customer service and the expectations of Chinese travellers. To promote the Canada-China year of tourism in your communications, access the logo here .
Coming Soon: New VisitCalgary.com
In order to showcase the best of our city to potential visitors from around the world, Tourism Calgary will be launching a new website at visitcalgary.com on Jan. 29. 

The new site features an extensive and updated calendar of events, an interactive map of Calgary, enhanced video and image-centric storytelling and specially-themed lists of unique and popular experiences throughout the city. Enhanced social media connections on the new site will help to facilitate interactions between consumers and Calgary businesses. Additional features will be incorporated throughout the year, including tailored itineraries and the ability for users to like and save preferences.   

Check out the new site at visitcalgary.com at the end of the month!
Upcoming Events
On now until Jan. 28: High Performance Rodeo : Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts: An annual festival that animates the city in January with an array of live performances from around the world. Featuring theatre, music, dance, and multidisciplinary art, 'The Rodeo' is a showcase of the best in contemporary performance.

Jan. 19 - 20: Alberta Ballet   Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound: After the Curtain: Under the artistic direction of Emmy Award Winner Travis Wall from ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, Shaping Sound is an electrifying mash-up of dance styles and musical genres brought to-life by a dynamic company of dancers.

Jan. 20 – June 20: TELUS Spark  Whales|Tohorā: An interactive experience housing one of the world's largest whale collections from the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Learn about the biology and evolution of whales and their significance to Māori culture.

Jan. 21: Team Canada vs. Calgary Royals : As a lead up to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, the Canadian Women’s Olympic Hockey Team is training in Calgary and will be playing a series of games to prepare for international competition.

Feb. 16 – 17: Block Heater at Studio Bell & The King Eddy: The Calgary Folk Music Festival presents the third edition of Block Heater, a winter music festival where 24 local, national and international artists perform in concerts and collaborative sessions.

Have you reviewed your 2018/2019
Visitor Guide listing?
Tourism Calgary is pleased to partner with Where Calgary Magazine, a division of St. Joseph Media, to produce Calgary's official 2018 Visitor Guide. This annual publication is available online and in-print and is used by travellers, staff and industry partners.

If you are a Tourism Calgary marketing partner or partner plus you receive a 30 word listing in the Visitor Guide, which has a circulation of 160,000 print plus online viewers. To ensure the accuracy of your company information in the 2018 guide, please proof the information that has been emailed to you and respond according to the email instructions.

Not a Tourism Calgary partner? Join here.
Featured Calgary White Hat Award Winners:

We're happy to recognize Alley Tunney and Jackielyn Cabacungan, Calgary White Hat Award Winners, for creating memorable visitor experiences.
Alley Tunney,
Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel
Exceptional Service: Accommodation Reception

Alley knows that front desk staff make the first and last impression on visitors and she regularly goes out of her way to make these impressions extraordinary for her guests. When one young family who frequents her hotel returned with a new baby, Alley and her colleagues left a teddy bear and fleece blanket in their room. In another instance, a guest from Europe was coming to see his first Flames game and Alley arranged for the hotel to buy him a Flames Attic gift card along with a toque and mitts sporting the Canadian maple leaf.

Congratulations on your White Hat, Alley. We know you’ll wear it well. 
Category sponsor:
Jackielyn Cabacungan,
Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Airport
Exceptional Server: North

A great server can anticipate the needs of her guest. That’s the case for Jackielyn, who not only provides service with a smile and supports her co-workers, but goes out her way to give a great experience. When serving a conference group, one guest really wanted a Coca Cola. Her hotel only serves Pepsi products, so on her break, Jackielyn went out and bought a Coke for the surprised – and delighted – guest. At another event, a harried bridesmaid in charge of dressing the chairs for the wedding was running late -- very late. Jackielyn urged her to go and get ready for the ceremony, and completed the room set-up with the help of a co-worker. Above and beyond is all part of a normal day for Jackielyn.

Congratulations on your win!
Category sponsor:
 
Read more industry news, event information and see offer details and job postings at:

Tourism Calgary is pleased to partner with Where Calgary magazine to bring you the latest events and restaurant specials each week.
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