IN PERSON Trade Support


Need help or advice on making a booking to Canada? We’ve found just the man who can help! Roger Harris is Information Manager at the Canadian Tourism Commission. We ask him about his role and experiences of the destination


Roger Harris


Tell us about your role at the CTC: I’m here to help answer questions from the travel trade and consumers and to guide them towards information they need to plan or sell a holiday to Canada.


INFORMATION MANAGER Travel Trade & Consumers Canadian Tourism Commission Tel: 0870 161 5151 visitcanada@dial.pipex.com


How did you come to be doing this job? I started visiting relatives in British Columbia in the mid-eighties; I was a yacht builder at the time. I fell in love with Canada and when I came back after one trip I decided I wanted a career change and took myself back to college to train in travel and tourism. During my second year I sought a work placement with ‘Tourism Canada’ as it was known then (now Canadian Tourism Commission), at Canada House in London. They promptly offered me the job when I finished my course. That was 19 years ago! I'm in my ideal job, I love being able to talk about Canada every day.


How do you help agents in the UK? I’ve collected an extensive knowledge of Canada over the years and can help answer questions that agents or their clients may have. In most cases I can arrange for brochure material and maps to be forwarded to the travel trade from


"Sometimes it can take quite a lot of work and


research to fi nd the answers and I do like to respond rapidly, preferably within the hour, certainly within 24 hours, when I’m in the offi ce."


the relevant province or territory. We also have a Canada Specialist


Programme which has been running since 1991, that I’m heavily involved with. It was recently re-launched online at www.canadaspecialist.co.uk. It’s a great way to increase your knowledge (and sales) for Canada and I would strongly encourage any agents who haven’t signed up yet to do so! Once they have qualified they become eligible for fam trips too for first-hand experience.


What's your hardest challenge? Making sure that everyone who asks a question gets the answer they need and in a timely fashion. Sometimes it can take quite a lot of work and research to find the answers and I do like to respond rapidly, preferably within the hour, but certainly within 24 hours, when I’m in the office.


Most rewarding aspect of the job: Helping solve people’s problems, whether it is how to find a particular timetable for a journey, answering a question they have just not been able to find the answer to or just pointing them in the right direction if they are looking for something beyond my jurisdiction. It’s always satisfying to help resolve a question.


What was your own first experience of Canada? It was a two-week visit to Creston in British Columbia to visit relatives. We had a camper van and travelled across to Saskatchewan via the Crowsnest Pass and all over southern Alberta; it was a life-changing holiday.


Which is your favourite place/ experience in Canada? My heart is in the west, British Columbia and Alberta, because of the family ties but I am also extremely fond of the Yukon. It’s such a


wild and remote region. You really feel like you’ve had a break from the rigours of life when you go there. Also Québec is a favourite; Montréal in the spring and summer is just charming. My most memorable experience was


seeing my first wild black bear. It was in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario and I remember being so excited to finally see one and in such a great place.


Any parts of Canada you have never seen but would love to? I haven’t been to Northwest Territories or Nunavut and would love to take a look at them both one day. I’m really into photography and would love to take some shots of the wildlife and the mountains up there, it looks stunning.


Fur trapped!


Q What is the weirdest question you’ve had? There have been quite a few but one of my favourites was a lady, many years ago, who asked if her fur coat would have to be put in quarantine upon arrival in Canada. Obviously - in case you are wondering - the answer is no!


SELLING CANADA • SPRING 2011 21


CTC


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