New Season of 'Canada You Can Be A Star' Competition Launched for 2013

Sequel follows stunning success of inaugural ' Canada You Can Be A Star'

Competition in 2012 with multimedia application platforms and even more exciting travel itineraries

BEIJING, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Canadian Tourism Commission in China's 'Canada You Can Be A Star' competition is returning for a new season in 2013 – selecting Chinese adventurers to explore "Undiscovered Canada" and become a star on The Travel Channel. From now until the end of May, any pair of Chinese citizens over 21 can enter the competition. Online voting will determine finalists for a live audition to select 5 winning couples who will enjoy all-expenses-paid trips to Canada and RMB 30,000 each in travel funds. Their adventures will be broadcast in 29 weekly episodes on The Travel Channel every Thursday at 8.30pm from the end of July.

From left to right: Mr. Roy Taylor, Board of Directors of the Canadian Tourism Commission, last year’s winning couple Mr. Qianli ZHANG and his wife Mrs. Xiaomin TANG and Mr. Derek Galpin, Managing Director of the Canadian Tourism Commission in China.

Mr. Roy Taylor, Board of Directors of the Canadian Tourism Commission and Mr. Derek Galpin, Managing Director of the Canadian Tourism Commission in China.

The new season was announced at a press conference in Beijing attended by dignitaries including the Honourable Ed Fast, Canada's Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Canadian Ambassador to China H.E. Guy Saint-Jacques. Also in attendance were Rod Taylor, from the Board of Directors of the Canadian Tourism Commission and Derek Galpin, Managing Director of the Canadian Tourism Commission in China.

Details on entering are on the CTC campaign website at http://www.keepexploring.cn/, and interactive Weibo microblog feed at http://e.weibo.com/canadatravel. Applicants can also register using their mobile devices by downloading apps from papa.me and jiepang.com.

Entries continue the same format, with couples invited to introduce themselves by uploading photos and videos to the website, explaining why they wish to discover Canada – and why they should be chosen!

Continuing the stunning success of the inaugural 2012 season, winners of this year's competition will discover unique new destinations, attractions and spectacular scenery, while highlighting Canada's Signature Experiences Collection of recommended tours in regions and provinces being visited on the series for the first time.

Among the new and undiscovered destinations, the first couple will be selected to discover a wilderness teeming with wildlife in the Yukon and North West Territories, while the second will explore British Columbia's relaxing and beautiful west coast and interior region of Thompson, Okanagan and the Kootenay Rockies.

Last year's winning couple Mr. Qianli ZHANG and his wife Mrs. Xiaomin TANG will also be invited back to Canada to witness the breathtaking spectacle of beluga whales, while visiting Inuit communities in northern Manitoba.

Next up, a winning honeymoon couple will embark on a romantic journey to Canada's enchanting and bucolic Atlantic Provinces, while another lucky couple will witness the stunningly colourful autumn season in Ontario and Quebec. Finally, a pair of experienced skiers/snowboarders will be chosen to experience Alberta's ski season, including heli-skiing.

Reflecting the growing success of 'Canada You Can Be A Star', negotiations are also underway to extend TV coverage from China's Travel Channel to Canadian Chinese-language cable TV station, Kylin.

"The first season was an overwhelming success, attracting over 100,000 entrants hoping to provide first-hand TV accounts on the popular travel channel, and we are expecting the momentum to continue in 2013 with even more applicants arousing widespread interest in traveling to Canada," said Derek Galpin, Managing Director of the Canadian Tourism Commission in China.

"Response to this novel concept showing what it is like for Chinese tourists to discover Canada has been tremendous."

The episodes will also be screened in real-time via the Canadian Tourism Commission's Weibo feed at http://e.weibo.com/canadatravel - and broadcast immediately afterwards via Youku, China's version of YouTube, as well as Iqiyi and PPTV.

A well-known blogger will also be posting throughout the trip on the China's biggest online portal, Sina.com.cn, which is partnering with the campaign.

The sequel was announced as Canada is poised for another record-breaking year in visitor numbers from China, which is posting the fastest growth of all tourist markets.

The CTC anticipates sustained growth will be fuelled by 'Canada You Can Be A Star' and the country's dramatically boosted profile at online social media hub Weibo.

Increasing awareness of Canada and major growth in the China market is reflected by weekly flights between Canada and China increasing from 58 in 2012 to 75 in 2013.

Canada's appeal to the Chinese market is complemented by Approved Destination Status for Chinese travelers and 10 year visas making travel simpler.

About the Canadian Tourism Commission

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization, with a vision to inspire the world to explore Canada. Working with partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories, the CTC advertises and promotes Canada in 11 countries around the world. In China, the CTC has opened an office in the capital city, Beijing.

Issued by GHCasia Beijing on behalf of Canadian Tourism Commission

For more information or high resolution visuals, please contact: