Table of Contents:
- Marketing Department Update - Think Snow!
- Travel Trade Update
- Asia Pacific Seminar Results
- Advertising Banner Opportunities on the TOTA Home Page
- 8th Annual TOTA Golf Tournament
- TOTA Staff Familiarization Tour a Hit!
- 2008 is British Columbia's 150th Anniversary!
- TOTA's Latest Members
- Great Estates Okanagan Wine Tour Program Popular in "Costco Bulk Sales"
- Export Readiness
- BC Tourism Releases Its Long-Term Plan for Sustainability
- Canada-e-Connect Tourism Conference comes to Vancouver in October
- "Life is Good" Summer Recipe
- Reasons Why Green Tourism is Here to Stay
- Poll Says There's an Upward Trend in "Girl's Getaways"
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Think Snow!
SnoRiders and SnoWest Canada magazines are now booking space. Snowmobiling is a rapidly growing family sport, an increasingly popular extreme experience for many others, and they all love the Thompson Okanagan for its diversity of riding areas.
Deadline to book space in the special Consumer Show edition of SnoRiders is July 31. Salesperson is Robin Bell, 250-426-7259 or email: robin@kipmedia.com
SnoWest Canada publishes with four TOTA sections (September to December) and the Salesperson is Dean Cowley, 208-542-7000, dean@snowest.com
An exceptional advertising opportunity this year for our RV sector! The BC RV Guide will feature an 8-page TOTA section and the guide will be placed in 8,000 RV’s rented in Calgary and Vancouver in the spring and fall of 2008. The guide offers incentives for shoulder season travel and an overrun of the TOTA section will supply the consumer RV shows in Canada and the U.S. plus the Travel/Trade sector in Europe. Space deadline is August 3. For sales contact: Neil Rachynski, 250-377-0188, nrachynski@pulsegroup.ca
Consumer Show Business....It’s time to reserve your space for upcoming Consumer exhibitions including three new shows: Calgary Boat & Sportsmen’s Show, Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show and the Chicago Adventures in Travel Expo. Deadline to book through TOTA is August 8. Please contact Alison Steward at TOTA at 250-860-5999 or asteward@totabc.com for the show notification form and to reserve your space.
Book now for 2008 guides… TOTA 2008 Golf and Travel Guides are selling Now! And both guides sell out quickly. The Golf Guide offers enhanced space for Hotels and Resorts and the Travel Guide offers a variety of space for Accommodations. Salesperson is George Tinling at 250-860-5999 or gtinling@totabc.com.
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| Travel Trade Update
TOTA on the road: July - September 2007
July – BC Downunder sales mission- bi-yearly
August – European sales calls
September – Vancouver sales calls
TOTA attended the annual Rendez-vous Canada Marketplace (RVC) that was held in Quebec City April 28-May 2. This year, it attracted one of the largest crowds in its 31-year history, drawing 1,605 total delegates from nine key international markets for a total of nearly 21,430 appointments. RVC gathers top tourism "product" buyers and sellers and matches them in one-on-one business-to-business appointments that TOTA participated in. The show generated an estimated $350 million in Canadian tourism product sales.
Summer Fam Season
The summer is the only time of the year TOTA does not attend trade shows. However roles are reversed as this is time of the year when we host many familiarizations tours (fams) from around the world. Traditionally, this is the time of year where we get to show off the region. Promoting the region on sales trips, attending trade shows and talking to hundreds of tour operators in person or by e-mail at other times of the year results in TOTA hosting buyers in the summer so they can “kick some tires” around the region. It’s our chance to work with members to showcase the region and show our fam guests why they should be selling the Thompson Okanagan to their clients. As an example, we hosted two Dutch tour operators through the Thompson in the month of June. We also hosted Tourism B.C. and several of their Asia Pacific key account receptive tour operators from the lower mainland for three days of touring in the Okanagan. In addition, July also saw us host the largest Japanese receptive tour operator from Vancouver for two days of touring in the Okanagan. Coming up in August and September, we expect to host at least 8 more fams.
Japan Kanata Tradeshow News Bulletin*
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is wishing to identify unique experiences and attractions such as wildlife viewing, soft adventures, educational aspects and generally unique products in our region. If you are interested in attending this show in Tokyo, Japan, please contact us.
The Japanese FIT market seeking experiential travel is growing. The CTC is interested in identifying new sellers that may be interested in meeting with Japanese buyers during this show in October. The CTC is offering a $500 discount to CTC accepted sellers at the Kanata show in October.
Please contact Gary Aldus at galdus@totabc.com or 250-377-4383 for more information.
R.V. and Campground Members
As an added note of interest to our RV and Campground members, in the spring and fall of 2008 it’s estimated that the combined number of RV Visitors to BC will travel 85,000 days. TOTA has teamed up with the RV Rental Association of Canada to attract more of those RV visitors to the Thompson Okanagan during the shoulder seasons. Building on the success of the inaugural 2007 spring issue, TOTA will have an 8-Page Regional Co-op Section in the 2008 BC RV Campground Specials Guide. Extras of these sections will be taken to Europe by TOTA to distribute to our key RV accounts there. For more information, please go to…..
http://www.totabc.com/trellis/bulletin_rv
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 Osoyoos Desert Society Centre
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Asia Pacific Seminar Results
On June 1st, 27 members gathered at Manteo Resort in Kelowna to hear updates on the Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Australian tourism markets to B.C. Representatives from several large tour operators in Vancouver provided an interesting look into past visitation figures, current projections and emerging niche markets or strengths emerging from these areas of the world. An opportunity to host tour operators along with regional, provincial and federal tourism representatives in one room was a rare experience. We’d like to thank Manteo Resort for working with us to host these important stakeholders in the interior. Perhaps one of the more fascinating aspects of this seminar was the cultural notes from each of the countries. To view these notes along with trends, air capacities, opportunities and how to work with an inbound tour operator, please go to: http://tourismbc.com/marketing_sales.asp?id=1237 Scroll down the page to Asia Pacific tourism opportunities seminar.
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Advertising Banner Opportunities on the TOTA Home Page
If you haven’t checked out our website recently, we encourage you to do so!
Our re-designed home page, along with easier navigation, make this site the preeminent location for Thompson Okanagan tourism information.
For sales and information, contact mprodan@totabc.com.
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8th Annual TOTA Golf Tournament
TOTA’s 8th annual golf tournament is only a month away! This is a great occasion to network and a good excuse to get out for an afternoon of golfing followed by a wonderful dinner. They’ll be plenty of prizes and good times to go around so we encourage you to register before it’s too late! For more information and to register, go to…
www.totabc.com/invitation_golf
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TOTA Staff Familiarization Tour a Hit!
Our 7th annual staff fam was once again very successful in terms of members/attractions visited and feedback gathered. Five teams of two staff members each fanned out around the region during three days in June. On the fourth day, we then convened at Therapy Vineyards and Guesthouse to report and analyze our findings. The opportunity to visit over 60 businesses in a short time period provided us an informative snapshot of the industry. Much like other businesses, we can get tied to our desks leaving us with less time to get out and experience the remarkable products in our region. Since many of us talk to industry stakeholders outside our region on a regular basis while some directly to consumers, information we share from each other is critical in terms of keeping abreast of the ever changing tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan. If you would like us to come out and discuss your business and see your product on our staff fam next year or perhaps sooner, please call us. We’re all ears!! To the right are just a few of the members we visited:
- Sorrento VIC
- The Cove Lakeside Resort
- Corbett Lake Country Inn
- The Rise Golf Resort
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| 2008 is British Columbia's 150th Anniversary!
In search of celebrations…….
If you know of any attraction, town, city, region or organization in the Thompson Okanagan planning a celebration to mark our 150th anniversary in 2008 as a British crown colony, we’d like to hear about it. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. Please contact Gary Aldus at TOTA if you know of an event being formed: galdus@totabc.com or 250-377-4383.
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TOTA's Latest Members
We’d like to welcome our latest members!
BC Guest Ranchers’ Association: www.bcgra.com
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites: www.marriott.com
The Pulse Advertising Group: www.pulsegroup.ca
Sharon A Williams Consulting
(Ok Golf Alliance Marketing Coordinator): www.spectaculargolf.com
Twin Lakes Golf Resort: www.twinlakesgolfresort.com
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Great Estates Okanagan Wine Tour Program Popular in "Costco Bulk Sales"
This unique new program allows you to not only buy your groceries and household items at Costco but also provides you with bulk vacations. On store shelves this summer, the package contains a voucher for two night’s accommodation, five exclusive wine samplings at top wineries in the south Okanagan as well a gourmet dinner, discounts and touring in a vintage car. The package for two is retailing at Costco stores in British Columbia, Alberta and Washington State.
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Export Readiness
Interested in moving your product onto the international stage?….Do you want to become export ready?
There’s certain criteria you may already fit. Check out the requirements here.
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BC Tourism Industry Releases Its Long Term Plan for Sustainability
Vancouver, June 29, 2007. Today the Council of Tourism Associations released its highly anticipated long-term strategy for industry sustainability.
The report, entitled Foresight: Shaping a Sustainable Vision for Tourism in British Columbia, is the product of more than a year and half of intensive consultation, research and analysis. The report describes the industry’s most desired scenario for the year 2020, and outlines the many trends and issues that will influence its trajectory toward that scenario. The Foresight Action Plan articulates the industry’s high level goals and key actions for realizing its future vision in ten different areas.
An important aspect of the plan is the industry’s Sustainability Policy and Code of Conduct. Created by the industry, itself, the policy has a high degree of industry ownership and commitment to action.
COTA would like to thank the BC Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts and Western Economic Diversification Canada for their support and participation in the project. COTA would also like to extend a special thank you to the 30-member Foresight Task Force and its two Chairpersons, Petrus Rykes and Dave Butler for their leadership and commitment to the sustainable future of the BC tourism industry.
To view the Foresight Summary Report, click here. (900Kb PDF)
Website: http://www.cotabc.com/news/#News777
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Canada-e-Connect Tourism Conference comes to Vancouver in October
Are you an innovative, creative, smart and savvy tourism professional, or just interested in the new wave of digital marketing? Perhaps you want to boost your knowledge of the latest online tourism marketing trends, issues and technologies. A cool, three-day conference is coming to Vancouver in October! For more information and registration, go to http://www.canadaeconnect.com/
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“Life is Good” Summer Recipe
Lavender is a common plant in the Thompson Okanagan and one that is currently in bloom. You may want to snip some off next time in the garden to marinate in this meat dish.
Lavender Pork Chops
4 pork chops about 2 centimeters thick.
For the marinade:
• ½ cup of fresh mint chopped
• ¼ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup low salt soy sauce
• Fresh buds of English lavender from 2 heads (about 2 teaspoons)
• Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Combine the marinade ingredients in a medium sized bowl, add the pork chops and marinate in the fridge for at least two hours or preferably overnight. Drain the marinade and discard. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper to taste. Grill 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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Reasons Why Green Tourism is Here to Stay
Joel Makover, a US-based strategist on corporate environmental practices, recently came up with 10 reasons why the current focus on the greening of business in tourism and other industries is more than merely a fad.
Read the Reasons
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Poll Says There’s an Upward Trend in "Girl’s Getaways"
The poll, which found an increase in "girls-getaways" according to two-thirds of agents, also found that women traveling together are seeking more active and luxurious vacations. Three in four agents said that "girls-getaways" - including vacations with girlfriends or female relatives - are a significant trend.
According to a press release on PRNewswire (June 27, 2007), while spa, beach and shopping vacations still dominate as favorites for "girls-getaways," agents say women are increasingly taking cruise, culinary, city and active vacations that include golf (36%), skiing (33%), scuba diving and biking (20%). More than two-thirds (68%) of agents polled reported that when traveling together, women are indulging in more luxurious vacations than in years past. The majority of agents (56%) say these getaways are not merely weekend retreats, rather they are between 4-7 days long. While away, women are splurging on ultra-customized tours and experiences (42%), traveling first or business class (36%), and staying in private villas (20%). More than one- third (35%) of agents said women are spending between $2,600 to $5,000 per person when traveling with a group of girlfriends or female relatives. Even bachelorette getaways are going more upscale, say 57% of agents polled.
Reprinted from Canadian Tourism Commission Newsletter
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