“This conference highlighted valuable opportunities for Canadian retailers to attract domestic and international tourists. Educational sessions focused on proven strategies to generate tourism business through partnerships, social media, and group incentives,” said Doug Killian, director of tourism, Mall of America, and West Edmonton Mall. “All participants left the conference energized and excited about the lucrative retail tourism market,” said Killian.

Those in attendance included retail and shopping center developers, owners, leasing specialists, marketing and management professionals, travel and tourism leaders, destination marketers, hotel and tour operators, airline and transportation providers, credit card companies, publications, and travel partners.

Visa was the presenting sponsor and Canadian Travel Journal was the media partner, both helped to make this event possible.       

“The Shop the World conference effectively showcased the local tourism market’s potential economic impact by providing examples of how retailers can utilize available resources to create a big payoff through a positive shopping experience for tourists,” said Pamela Laite, director of industry relations, Toronto Tourism. “I would recommend all large scale retailers to attend in the future,” added Laite.

After the initial overwhelming response of success displayed in Canada, ICSC is excited to continue this educational series and open the doors for future business opportunities around the world hosting its next Shop The World conference series in Latin America. This event will take place January 26-27, 2012 at the Hotel Ritz Carlton Cancun in Cancun, Mexico.

City.Mobi

Also in Canada today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Montreal.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Montreal.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.