BRUSSELS — Familiar names from two of Europe’s biggest tourism boards have been appointed top positions at the Canadian chapter of the European Travel Commission (ETC).
ETC has announced the appointment of Dana Welch, Manager for Canada at Tourism Ireland, and Antje Splettstoesser, Director of the German National Tourist Office, as the new Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.
Dana has over ten-year’s experience in strategic marketing. Since 2014, she has been responsible for leading Tourism Ireland’s marketing operations in the Canadian market, in particular the implementation of the ‘Strategy for Growth’ which lured a record of 220,000 Canadians to the Emerald Isle last year. Prior to joining Tourism Ireland, Dana was a Senior Marketing Manager at Cineplex Entertainment, the largest motion picture exhibitor in Canada. She takes over the position from Laura Pena, Director of the Spain Tourist Office, who has led the association’s operations in the market for the past three years.
Welch previously held the role of Vice-Chair for ETC, which is filled by Antje Splettstoesser. As Director of the German National Tourist Board’s representation in Canada, Antje is responsible for all aspects of marketing and promotion of tourism to Germany and for raising the brand awareness of Destination Germany in Canada. She joined the GNTO in 2014 after 8 years of working both in Germany and Canada as Marketing Professional, specializing in Market Research, Strategy, Project Management and Sales.
Together Welch and Splettstoesser will consolidate the activities of the ETC in Canada, whose role is to leverage European destinations’ promotional activities by setting up effective platforms for cooperative marketing, access to market intelligence, exchange of best practices, cooperation and relationships between the Canadian and the European travel and tourism industry.
Canada ranks third among all out-of-region outbound travel markets to European destinations. 4.9 million travelers from Canada arrived in Europe last year, accounting for a market share of 15% of all Canadian outbound travel. Tourist arrivals from Canada to Europe are expected to grow an average of 2.6% per year through to 2021 awed by Europe’s easy access, a great transportation infrastructure, short distances, value for money, a great diversity of landscapes, history, culture and lots of culinary experiences to look forward to.
