Destination Canada names new UK managing director

An experienced tourism manager is to join Destination Canada as UK managing director in the new year.

Kate Bifield-Haraldsson will take up the new role on January 5.

She is moving from representation firm SLC, where she has been head of destination marketing.

Bifield-Haraldsson is taking over from Rachel McQueen, who held the role at the Canadian tourism board for a year and a half from November 2023 before departing in April this year.

Bifield-Haradsson brings experience across the travel and tourism sector, having worked with a range of international destinations and tourism boards, including Visit Dubai, Visit Maldives, Visit Jordan, Visit Kenya and Tourism Western Australia. 

Before moving into tourism, she held marketing and content roles at NBC Universal where she developed expertise in partnership marketing and brand development, blending creative vision with strategic insight. 

She also has a strong connection to Canada, having been raised in Ottawa, where her family still live.

A Destination Canada spokesperson said: “Kate will lead the strategic vision and long-term market direction in line with our 2030 strategy and our growth ambitions for the UK market.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming her in January and to seeing the impact we know she will drive in the UK and to DC’s wider work.”