Canada jumps up 'country brand' rankings

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has celebrated the fact that Canada has made another jump up this year's rankings of the world's leading 'country brands'.

In 2006, FutureBrand of New York placed Canada at number 12 in its international Country Brand Index, followed by a sixth-place ranking in 2007.

This year, Canada has been named the world's second most respected country brand, behind Australia.

Michele McKenzie, president and chief executive of the CTC, said: "It's proof the 'Canada. Keep exploring' tourism brand, developed four years ago in collaboration with Canada's tourism sector, is sound, solid and working."

The CTC is one of the many national tourism organisations currently present at the 2008 World Travel Market in London, where it is rolling out its 2009 marketing strategy and showing video clips of real visitor experiences in Canada.

One recording shows a daredevil holidaymaker zip-lining above a creek in Whistler, a popular ski holiday destination in British Columbia that is most easily reached by taking flights to Vancouver.

• 'Spectacular events' in Italy
• US connecting flights proving popular at Bristol Airport
• Record year for London City Airport
• Virgin Atlantic to celebrate 25th year
• Celebrate St Patrick's Day in Dublin
• Long haul trips 'offer best value this year'
• Record passenger growth for Etihad in 2008
• Hotel offers to boost Dubai Shopping Festival tourism
• KLM to turn 90 this year
• Spain top for Scots in 2009