More than 200 travel agents will visit Saint John onboard the MSC Poesia during the ship’s call on October 25, 2011. 

The travel agents are part of the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA), an association which represents the interests of home-based travel entrepreneurs, a growing sector of the travel industry and important distribution channel for cruise lines.

The Bay of Fundy Partnership (Saint John Port Authority, Discover Saint John and the Province of New Brunswick) together with MSC Cruises will host a reception onboard the vessel to showcase Saint John, the Bay of Fundy and the 7 Wonders of Nature Competition. The agents will also be offered the opportunity to ride the Big Pink Sightseeing Buses to explore Saint John.

“Showcasing the magnificent tourism product in Saint John and the Bay of Fundy to these travel agents, who not only represent this line but also many of the worlds’ other leading lines, is an opportunity that we could not miss,” enthused Jim Quinn, President & CEO of Saint John Port Authority.  “We are especially pleased to host these special guests together with our tourism partners who have been integral in growing the cruise industry here.”

“We are proud of what New Brunswick has to offer visitors. The Bay of Fundy region is certainly an exceptional site to visit and explore and so we are pleased to see such a great number of travel agents coming into the greater Saint John region. This will give these agents the opportunity to see what the region has to offer, first-hand,” said Tourism and Parks Minister Trevor Holder.

Ross Jefferson, Executive Director of Discover Saint John, is delighted to have this unique opportunity to highlight the city. “Saint John, New Brunswick, as the only city on the Bay of Fundy, has the advantage of being able to deliver Bay of Fundy experiences in the heart of the city.  We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with these travel agents to raise their awareness of this amazing city.”