Spring 2008
New Air Access to Northern BC!
Starting May 1, 2008, Horizon Air will fly directly between Prince George, BC and Seattle, Washington. A long term project of the Prince George Airport Authority, the service gives US customers easier access to northern British Columbia, and provides Canadians with new connections to Horizon’s, and sister-company Alaska Airlines’, network of flights from Seattle.
The once-daily direct flight will depart from Seattle at 1:20 pm and from Prince George at 3:45 pm. Estimated flying time on the 76-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft is one hour and forty-five minutes.
Northern BC Shines at ATBC and Tourism Industry Awards
Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay was presented with the Tourism Conservation Award from the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (ATBC), March 5 in Vancouver. The award recognizes an Aboriginal business committed to preserving the natural environment and traditional lands through education, sharing and commitment to community. While the long envisioned centre opened for a preview season last summer, it is gearing up for its official Grand Opening, later this summer.
Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site took home the Cultural Authenticity Award from ATBC. The community is pursuing their vision of becoming a leading cultural tourism destination. Current facilities and programs include three longhouses and an interpretive trail, as well as educational programs for schools and tour groups. Further expansion plans are underway.
AND MORE… at this year’s Tourism Industry Conference in February, northern BC picked up three awards:
Long time Prince Rupert tourism advocate Walter Smith, now in his 90s, won the “William Van Horne Visionary Award”. The award recognizes leaders who pioneered an
Chief Darren Blaney and Jeannie Cranmer present Colin Richardson (centre) of Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay with ATBC's Tourism Conservation Award
The Exploration Place Science Centre and Museum won the “Employees First Award”, for creating a workplace that values employees, and supports them in creating work/life balance.
Finally, Initiatives Prince George took home the “Sport Tourism Community Legacy Award”, for their Train in PG program.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Strengthening Relationships and Stakeholder Programs
Northern BC Tourism Association (NBCTA) is excited to be working more closely with Tourism British Columbia to continue to grow tourism in our region. As this enhanced relationship develops, we will be presenting new programs supported by Tourism BC, to help you grow your tourism business.
In addition, NBCTA is re-vamping our stakeholder programs. Over the next few months, we will be speaking with you - our community partners - to hear your goals and challenges; and to help you access new and existing programs and services offered by NBCTA and Tourism BC.
Consumer Show update
If you've called into the office recently, and not found the NBCTA staff member you've been looking for, that's probably because, "It's show time!"
All hands were on deck in January and February, as we were talking non-stop about our region at the following shows:
Florida RV Supershow
Quartzsite RV Show
Los Angeles Times Travel Show
Vancouver Outdoor Adventure Show
Edmonton RV Show
BC Home & Garden Show
Amanda Stregger at BC Home & Garden Show, February 2008
Media, Media & More Media
NBCTA attended three highly successful media events in January and February. The Canadian Tourism Commission hosted their annual media dinners in Seattle and Denver for key travel media. Several US outdoor writers became interested in northern BC, would like to explore possible story angles.
The Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC) held their annual conference & AGM February 15 - 18 in Halifax , and a number of prolific Canadian journalists were keen to explore the hidden gems of the region.
With so much interest in northern BC so early in the year, we're looking forward to yet another successful year of media relations.
Jill Greenwood, based in Prince Rupert, will be heading up the effort. In a unique new partnership, April Moi and her team from Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association are assisting us with stakeholder relations in North East BC.
We are in the process of a tourism operator inventory, followed by a survey. Please assist us in the process by responding to requests for updated information, and by speaking to our staff and representatives .
Survey results will help us improve both our stakeholder and marketing programs. Don't miss your chance to get involved!
Trade News
Creating strong relationships with our travel trade partners continues to be a priority. Canada's West Marketplace in November 2007 was a huge success, with both Anthony Everett's and Jill Greenwood's schedules packed with qualified leads. Several new itineraries will be launched in 2008, as a result of our attendance.
In February, Jill went to the American Bus Association's Marketplace, and reported strong interest in Inside Passage circle routes and Alaska Highway trips. Inquiries about the Highway 37 route are increasing.
Anthony is attending ITB Berlin (with 108,000 trade visitors expected) and Spotlight Canada in London this month, to have face-to-face appointments with interested operators.
This summer, Travel Trade FAM tours will be happening in the region. We will be turning to you, our partners, to assist in hosting these groups. You will gain invaluable opportunities to showcase your product to a group of qualified travel professionals.
We will continue to develop our Travel Trade Program in collaboration with Tourism BC, community DMOs and tourism operators. The result will be a coordinated Travel Trade Program that delivers benefits back to all corners of northern BC.
Did you know?
Ride Guide Television was recently in the region, filming a half-hour show on Ski/Snowboard travel experiences in northern British Columbia.
Airing will begin in July 2008, and an estimated 2 million viewers will view it, on networks including Ski Channel US, Global TV, Xtreme TV channels in Canada and Europe, and Fox Fuel in Australia.
Shames Mountain, Ski and Ride Smithers, Last Frontier Heliskiing, and Troll Resort have all helped make this a great experience for the crew!
Transforming Communities Through Tourism
April 27 - May 2, 2008
This conference, facilitated by the BC Centre for Tourism Leadership & Innovation, is billed as a "must-attend professional development opportunity for local government decision-makers".
- ensure your tourism funding is invested for maximum success
- gain current knowledge on how the industry works, and opportunities presented by the 2010 games
- walk away with new tools and techniques
For more information:
Kim McLeod kmcleod@capcollege.bc.ca(604) 990-7804
Tourism Industry Conference
At this year’s annual Tourism Industry Conference in Vancouver, over 30 northern BC delegates attended, representing everywhere from Haida Gwaii to Fort Nelson.
One of the conference's most popular sessions, on air development, was presented at by Stieg Hoeg, and facilitated by Todd Doherty, both of the Prince George Airport Authority.
NBCTA hosted a Northern Reception, which was was a huge success. It was a fantastic opportunity for all the northern tourism attendees to network with colleagues from Tourism BC, the Council of Tourism Associations, the Ministry of Tourism Sport and the Arts, Aboriginal Tourism BC, BC Ferries, and others.
Upcoming Events:
Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay, Grand Opening has been postponed. Stay tuned for new dates.
Send us your events!
In this issue:
Horizon Air Comes to Northern BC
Horizon Air Magazine's March 2008 issue features a multi-page article about Prince George and area
NBCTA hosted writer Jeff Lukovich on his recent visit
Current Marketing Opportunities:
Now selling ...
Northword Magazine
British Columbia Magazine
Van Dop Art Guide
RV West
Riders West
Coming soon ...
BC Fishing Regulations
Consumer Shows:
Are NBCTA staff living in luxury - or deserving of danger pay?
You be the judge...
Port-a-potty "village" at the Quartzsite RV Show
Our Team:
Anthony Everett, CEO
Clint Fraser, Marketing Director
Jill Greenwood, Manager Industry Relations
Hilary Erasmus, Marketing Coordinator
Amanda Stregger, Visitor Information Coordinator, Reception
Shelley Malo, Stakeholder Programs Coordinator
Susan Hubbard, Operations & Accounting
Northern BC Tourism took some "Team Time" to go sledding in Mackenzie with Rocky Mountain Trench Adventures. This photo is taken atop Morfee Mountain, where we stopped for lunch.
Thank You to Clint and Warren for being great hosts!
Send your news and events to:
