Minister of State Bernier Highlights Signature Experiences Collection During Visit to Stratford Shakespeare Festival

STRATFORD, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 6, 2011) - Today, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), toured the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, one of the 48 inaugural enterprises in the Canadian Tourism Commission's (CTC) Signature Experiences Collection.

"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is known globally for its world-class theatre performances, which provide visitors with a unique and memorable experience," said Minister of State Bernier. "The inclusion of the Festival in the Signature Experiences Collection will raise its profile in international markets and help the local economy in the long term."

Last month, Minister of State Bernier launched the CTC's Signature Experiences Collection. Through the Collection, the CTC profiles uniquely Canadian tourism experiences to potential visitors in international markets. It encourages small and medium-sized tourism businesses to offer innovative and unique tourism experiences to help build the Canadian tourism brand abroad and continue to increase Canada's global competitiveness.

"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival gives artists the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their finest work," said the Festival's Artistic Director, Des McAnuff.

"We are delighted to be included in the CTC's Signature Experience Collection, which will bring this unique theatregoing experience to a larger international audience," added Antoni Cimolino, the Festival's General Director.

Founded in 1952, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival received stimulus funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan to enhance its programming and broaden its reach through new and traditional marketing initiatives. In turn, these investments have contributed significantly to thousands of businesses that provide services to tourists and helped support close to 3,000 jobs in Ontario in 2010.

The Canadian Tourism Commission continues to accept applications for the Signature Experiences Collection from all provinces and territories. Canadian tourism businesses that deliver an engaging and uniquely Canadian experience are invited to apply to be a part of the Collection.

For more information about the Signature Experiences Collection and the application process, please visit the Canadian Tourism Commission website (http://en-corporate.canada.travel/SEC).