Canada's minister of small business and tourism is calling on Canadians to celebrate the Canada-China Year of Tourism and submit pictures of their favourite destinations.

The tourism minister, Bardish Chagger, joined John Geiger, CEO of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, at the start of Tourism Week to launch the "Show Us Your Canada" photo contest at the end of May.

The photo categories for the contest are: parks, cities, active outdoors, Indigenous Canada and youth.

"2017 was the best year ever for Canadian tourism. As we celebrate the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism, we invite all Canadians to show the world our home and native land through their eyes and to become digital ambassadors to the millions of international tourists who yearn to visit our beautiful country," said Chagger. "This is a great opportunity for Canadians to share our breathtaking nature, vibrant cities and fun activities - and for Indigenous culture to be showcased - from coast to coast to coast. Your picture could be the one that sparks the curiosity of a family to come and visit Canada."

Geiger said "the mandate of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is to make Canada better known to Canadians and to the world. What better way to forge closer ties between Canada and China than by engaging Canadians to share their favourite shots of our country's people and iconic places in the contest."

In collaboration with Canadian Geographic, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, along with sponsors Air Canada, VIA Rail and Parks Canada, winners in each of the categories will win prizes.

A grand-prize package for one winner includes a trip for two to China.

The contest started on May 28 and will run until Aug 24, with winners to be announced in September. A number of the photo submissions will be featured at the Canada-China Year of Tourism closing ceremony to be hosted by Canada later this year in China.

Canada's tourism industry employs 1 in 10 Canadians. Revenue from domestic and international travelers to Canada in 2017 reached $97.4 billion.

renali@chinadailyusa.com