Welcome Messages from The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and
Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Welcome to Rendez-vous Canada 2026!

I am pleased to welcome tourism leaders, buyers, sellers, and partners from around the world to Toronto for Canada’s premier international tourism marketplace.

Rendez-vous Canada is an incredible opportunity to showcase the people, experiences, and communities that make our country such a special destination. It also highlights the important role tourism plays in supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening communities across Canada.

With delegates representing 24 international markets this year—the highest number ever represented at Rendez-vous Canada—this event reflects the growing global interest in Canada and the strength of our tourism sector.

As Canada prepares to welcome the world this year, including for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, partnerships and connections like the ones built at Rendez-vous Canada will help drive growth and create new opportunities for businesses and communities from coast to coast to coast.

Thank you for being a part of this important event that is sure to highlight Canadians’ pride in who we are and where we come from.

Welcome Message from Marsha Walden,
President & CEO of Destination Canada

Rendez-vous Canada brings together the people, partnerships, and opportunities that continue to drive Canada’s tourism industry forward. Destination Canada is proud to produce this year’s event alongside the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, with the support of our wonderful hosts, Destination Toronto and Destination Ontario.

This year marks record attendance, with tourism businesses, international buyers, industry partners, and investors gathering in Toronto at a time of strong global interest in Canada. Over the next three days, more than 60,000 appointments will take place, creating new opportunities for communities and businesses across the country.

As one of Canada’s leading service exports, tourism has an important role to play in diversifying trade and growing Canada’s economy. That work begins here on the tradeshow floor, where Canadian sellers are building relationships with international travel buyers and turning global interest in Canada into real business growth.

Thank you to our partners, sponsors, buyers, sellers, and organizers whose collaboration and commitment make Rendez-vous Canada possible each year.

We look forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary next year.

Welcome to Rendez-vous Canada 2026.

Message from Sébastien Benedict, President & CEO,
Tourism Industry Association of Canada

Rendez-vous Canada brings out the best in our industry: our ambition, our relationships, and our shared commitment to bringing the world to Canada.

As co-producers alongside Destination Canada, TIAC is proud to help deliver Canada’s premier tourism business event, a marketplace where conversations become partnerships and ideas become itineraries.

Tourism is one of Canada’s most important economic sectors, supporting businesses in more than 5,000 communities, bringing new spending into the country, and helping advance Canada’s ambitions for growth, trade, and competitiveness. As the national voice of the industry, TIAC champions the people and businesses behind the experiences that make Canada unforgettable.

Thank you to our hosts, Destination Toronto and Travel Ontario, and to our sponsors, Canadian sellers, international buyers, and everyone who makes this event possible.

Message from Andrew Weir, President & CEO of Destination Toronto, and Vincenza Ronaldi,
President & CEO of Destination Ontario

Welcome to Toronto, Ontario, for Rendez-vous Canada 2026. We’re proud to host buyers and tourism leaders from around the world as we showcase Toronto and destinations across Ontario, while supporting a resilient tourism sector that continues to drive economic growth, support communities, and connect people through shared experiences. We hope you make the most of your time here by exploring Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods, enjoying our globally inspired food scene, hitting a patio, or taking in the scenery from one of our many parks and waterfront spaces. It’s a great time to visit, with excitement building ahead of the FIFA World Cup, alongside Blue Jays games, Toronto Tempo basketball, concerts, festivals, and experiences happening across the province. Beyond Toronto, the pre- and post-familiarization tours offer a chance to discover the iconic attractions, vibrant communities, and unique local experiences found throughout Ontario. Thank you for being here and for taking the time to experience Toronto and Ontario firsthand.

Getting to the city

As part of Rendez-vous Canada 2026, we are pleased to share convenient transportation options between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and downtown Toronto via the Union Pearson Express (UP Express).

Watch this video on the official Rendez-vous Canada website to learn how easy it is to travel between either airport (Pearson or Billy Bishop) and Union Station, which is just steps away from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Getting to/from Rendez-vous Canada

Those staying at the Chelsea Hotel will have available to them shuttle service, which will take them to/from the convention centre and the CN Tower. Please note: All host hotels are located within walking distance of both sites.

Tuesday, May 26

For more shuttle listings, please visit the Rendez-vous Canada website or consult the Rendez-vous Canada app.

First thing’s first: Collect your badge!

One of the first things you must do is collect your badge. Doing so will grant you access to the marketplace and all official Rendez-vous Canada events.

You may collect your badge at the Registration desk, on level 200 of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) North Building, off Front st.

By now you should have received your registration QR code via email. Use it at the Express Check-In Station provided by our registration sponsor, Avolta, and you’ll be good to go!

Our team will be available at the registration desk during these times to answer any questions you may have:

Please remember, your badge is required for access to all official Rendez-vous Canada events.

Happening today…

Here’s what you need to know ahead of today’s action.

Coat Check
7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
201 EF | Metro Toronto Convention Centre - North Building
We want you to be comfortable for your productive day, so please take advantage of this coat-check service during your time at Rendez-vous Canada.

City Tours

For those of you who registered for one of our many exciting City Tours, be sure to show up 45 minutes ahead of the tours’ departure times at the north side (Front St. level) of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. If you were unable to find time to register, you are welcome to show up at this time and check for last-minute availability. We’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Destination Canada’s Inside Track (Sellers Only)
2 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Room 206 - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - North Building

Join us on Tuesday, May 26 for updates on Destination Canada’s marketing strategy and tactics, followed by open mic Q&A discussions with each of Destination Canada’s key markets who will share overviews and insights into their market. The session is designed to help Sellers get the most out of their time at Rendez-vous Canada.

Destination Canada has also developed regional market insights for North America, Asia, and Europe & Australia, featuring traveller data, market-specific trends, and profiles of key traveller segments. These market overviews can be accessed on the Rendez-vous Canada website.

During Inside Track, Destination Canada will also introduce Aurora AI, a suite of AI-powered tools layered into the Canadian Tourism Data Collective, making tourism insights accessible, practical and easy to use. Through a simple, intuitive experience, Aurora AI helps tourism businesses and destinations answer real business questions, from understanding travellers to sharpening marketing and preparing for changing demand, enabling smarter decisions.

Welcome to Canada Opening Reception
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
CN Tower | 301 Front Street West

Raise a glass, sample some hors d’oeuvres, and meet your fellow Rendez-vous Canada 2026 attendees atop the iconic CN Tower. While shuttles will be available (please see above for schedules) from the Chelsea Hotel, the CN Tower is within walking distance of the MTCC and all other hotels, providing delegates an opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the city on a summer evening.

Guest elevator access to the Welcome to Canada reception at the CN Tower will begin at 6:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive prior to that time to support a smooth and seamless arrival experience. We look forward to welcoming you to an unforgettable evening inspired by the spirit of Canada, Naturally.

And tomorrow...

Wednesday, May 27 | Indigenous Welcome Ceremony
8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Destination Ontario Networking Zone, Marketplace Floor

Prior to the first appointments, join us at the Destination Ontario Networking Zone on the marketplace floor for a special welcome at 8:30 a.m. from Indigenous Tourism Ontario and the local Indigenous community.

This special ceremony is meant to be interactive, so we encourage you to join us and acknowledge the land upon which Rendez-vous Canada takes place, as well as the places you are here to promote and learn more about.

*NEW* Spotlight Sessions
Canada Hub, Marketplace Floor

Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada are excited to introduce our new Spotlight Sessions. These 10-minute presentations, taking place at the Canada Hub on the marketplace floor throughout Rendez-vous Canada, will help Sellers make the most of their time between appointments. So, if you have a vacant time slot, head to the Hub!

To learn more about these sessions, please visit the Rendez-vous Canada website or consult the Rendez-vous Canada app.

Sharing on Social Media

Join the conversation and showcase your #RendezvousCanada2026 experience by following along on social media. Use one of our official graphics and the event hashtag to share your moments, highlight your meetings, and introduce your networks to the colleagues you’ve met. To help you do this, we’ve created a toolkit with graphics, hashtags and a list of accounts to tag!
Click here to access the social media kit!

Our Sponsors

Check out our back catalogue of Rendez-vous Canada newsletters and catch up on all the news you may have missed.