NEWSLETTER

Chairperson of Atlantic Canada Tourism Experience (Canada Select), Murray MacPherson, wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the program’s 25th Anniversary – 1992 – 2017.

Canada Select was the vision of the Hotel Association of Canada, regional tourism associations, as well as accommodation operators who led by example and opened their properties to be evaluated based on consumer driven standards. Without the involvement and trust of these operators; Canada Select, and its predecessor the Atlantic Canada Grading Program, would never have come into existence.

Many of the original founding members continue to participate and support Canada Select in its 25 years of providing consumers with independent quality assurance, along with a growing segment of new operators. Currently, 86% or 2,265 properties participate in the Canada Select rating program in the Atlantic Region.

What is ACTE?

The organization offers quality assurance rating programs that are industry driven, yet customer sensitive. These rating programs provide the travelling public with consistent quality standards from: cleanliness and state ofrepair, to the quality of the facility and amenities. The process involves inspecting and rating all participating properties to ensure customer expectations are met by a nationally recognized star rating from 1 – 5.

Current Structure

Activities

  • Campground Criteria Review: As a result of a study commissioned by the Lowther Group in February 2017, Atlantic Canada Tourism Experience will conduct a review of Camping Select Criteria. Your feedback is essential to the success of updating the criteria. Please send comments or concerns regarding the Camping Select program to:
  • Training: Professional Development is essential to any organization, and ACTE will continue to provide quality training and certification to all Canada Select Rating Advisors. Educational sessions will be conducted in the Spring of 2018, and representatives from each Atlantic province will attend.
  • Canada Select Website Refresh: The current version of the c.2013 Canada Select website will undergo a refresh this year. Search Engine Optimization will be enhanced to increase visibility of the site, as well as the aesthetics of the main pages. In addition, an in-house staff member will be available to develop each individual profile and help with addressing any technical issues as they arise. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

Communication with Provincial Departments of Tourism

ACTE is continually striving to increase quality assurance programs in the Atlantic Region, and ACTE will continue to push this agenda by way of presenting the findings of the latest c. 2017 Canada Select research report from the Lowther Group to regional tourism officials.

Future Presence at Saltscapes Tradeshow

The expo, located in Halifax, N.S., encourages visitation and travel within the Atlantic region and will offer ACTE the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of our programs to potential visitors, as well as showcase to other industry members. Expect to see our Canada Select booth at this event in the future.

Finally, Atlantic Canada Tourism Experience wishes all operators continued success throughout the 2017 season. Thank you for your participation and continued support.

Sincerely,

Murray MacPherson

Chair, Atlantic Canada Tourism Experience