June 19, 2007
In this issue:

Last Chance to Attend the RTLF 2007
House Votes to Delay Implementation of WHTI until June 2009
Tourism BC Sunshine Coast Research
Destination Canada - are we doing enough?
Travel between Canada and Other Countries – March 2007
Trade Report
BC Bike Race: A Partner's Story
Working to the Last Possible Moment

Last Chance to Attend the Regional Tourism Leaders Forum 2007

There's one final day for you to register to join your fellow tourism partners at Vancouver, Coast & Mountains' 2007 Regional Tourism Leaders Forum. Hear informative speakers share key advice on how to grow your business and develop true cooperative advantage. The Forum is hosted in beautiful Pemberton, beginning at noon on Wednesday, June 20 and ending after lunch on Thursday, June 21.

For more information, including a full list of this year's exciting speaker sessions, visit www.vcmbc.com/tourismforum . To register now visit www.vcmbc.com/page.cfm/9646

Already registered? We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday! For driving directions please click here www.vcmbc.com/tourismforum/transportation.htm

House Votes to Delay Implementation of WHTI until June 2009

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, announced that the House overwhelmingly voted to prohibit the implementation of Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) anytime before June 2009. The FY 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill passed by the House of Representatives today by a vote of 268 to 150.

In addition to delaying WHTI, the bill also included language authored by Rep. Slaughter to withhold $100 million from the funds required by the Department of Homeland Security to implement WHTI until DHS has determined if driver's licenses can be enhanced to meet the WHTI's requirements.

The Slaughter language also requires DHS to fully test its proposed passport card before making it publicly available and develop a plan for land implementation that will be shared with the public. Finally, Rep. Slaughter's provision requires that DHS submit a report to Congress on the success of the driver's license pilot program, and reveal its overall WHTI roadmap before being allowed to put the proposed WHTI documentary requirements into place.

"After over two and a half years of fighting against WHTI, I am pleased to see that Congress overwhelmingly rebuked the Administration today by delaying the implementation of the flawed program until mid-2009," said Rep. Slaughter. "We sent a clear signal that we don't trust the Administration to get WHTI done right."

"Travel and trade which cross the northern border every day between America and Canada are critical to our economy and to northern economic security, and we must never sacrifice our relationship with Canada in a misguided attempt to increase border security. I have long said that economic security and physical security are not mutually exclusive. We can, and must, have both."

Tourism BC Sunshine Coast Research

Tourism BC’s Research Services is excited to let you know about the visitor studies they are conducting around the province this summer.  They’ve hired 12 researchers through external partner agencies to gather information from tourists for four different projects, one of which is on the Sunshine Coast.

They will be conducting interviews of tourists throughout the Sunshine Coast including the Powell River Visitor Centre, Westview Ferry Terminal, Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal and the Langdale Ferry Terminal. The objective of this study is to examine the economic benefits of the Powell River Visitor Centre and to collect general trip and traveller characteristics of visitors to the entire Sunshine Coast area. 

These studies will help build their knowledge of visitors to specific communities in British Columbia which will help the Community Tourism Foundations team build research-based development plans. In addition, the Visitor Centres they are studying will add insight to the Value of the Visitor Centre program.

Tourism BC is always looking for feedback about the researchers so, if, in your summer travels you come across the researchers please let Krista Morten (Krista.Morten@tourismbc.com) or anyone else in Research Services know if they were friendly and acted in a professional manner.

Destination Canada - are we doing enough?

While tourism is big business in Canada and a key driver of economic growth, it must do more to pique the interest of its biggest source of visitors, according to a new report on American travellers’ perceptions of Canada.  The study, released as a joint effort by Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Tourism Industry Assocaiton of Canada during last week’s Tourism Week celebrations, cites many factors affecting Americans’ travel choices including, the rising value of the Canadian dollar, a slower U.S. economy, high gas prices, confusion over passport requirements and the declining interest in and awareness of Canada as a destination.

To see a copy of this report, click here or visit our website at www.tiac.travel and from the home page click on the Deloitte logo on the right hand side of your screen.

For further information regarding this report, please contact Chris Jones, VP of Public Affairs at (613) 238-7557 or cjones@tiac.travel.

Travel between Canada and Other Countries – March 2007

 INBOUND TRIPS TO CANADA

1. In March, the total number of trips to Canada continued to decline, reaching just 1.8 million trips, a 12.3% decline compared to 2006.
2. Total overnight travel to Canada decreased 32.9% to 925,000 trips in March 2007 compared to the same month one year earlier.

From the United States:

1. The total number of trips to Canada from the U.S. continued to decline in March 2006, reaching 1.56 million trips, a 15.1% year-over-year decrease.
2. Compared to March 2006, total automobile travel from the U.S. recorded a 17.1% decrease in March 2007, with same-day auto travel declining 20.7% and overnight auto travel declining 8.3%.
3. The total volume of overnight travel from the U.S. decreased 6.9% in March 2007 compared to the same month last year. Both non-auto overnight travel (-4.8%) and overnight auto travel recorded declines (–8.3%).
4. Travel modes other than automobile also registered significant declines in March compared to the same month last year with plane travel down 4.1%, bus travel dropping 13.0% and train, boat and other methods declining 12.4%.

From all other countries:

1. Compared to March 2006, the total number of trips from overseas destinations increased in March 2007 to reach 257,000 trips, a 9.2% year-over-year increase.
2. Trips from all of the major overseas regions posted increases in March 2007: Central America, including Mexico and the Caribbean (32.8%); Africa (13.6%); South America (10.7%), Europe (10.1%); Oceania (5.4%); and Asia (2.3%). 
3. Malaysia (+61.7%) and Mexico (+52.7%) posted the largest individual increases, however three countries within Europe; Greece, Portugal and Spain also posted significant growth compared to March 2006 (39.3%, 38.9% and 38.3% respectively).

OUTBOUND TRIPS BY CANADIANS

1. In March 2007, total outbound travel by Canadians reached almost 4.4 million trips, representing 2.6% growth over March 2006.
2. Overnight outbound travel by Canadians recorded a 7.1% increase compared to March 2006, reaching almost 2.5 million trips. 

To the United States:

1. In March 2007, the total number of trips to the U.S. remained fairly equal to March 2006, posting a minimal 0.6% increase to reach 3.5 million trips.  During this time, the Canadian dollar averaged 85.6 US cents, a slightly reduced value than the average experienced in March 2006 (86.4 US cents). 
2. The number of Canadian tourists returning from overnight trips to the U.S. increased 4.8% in March 2007 compared to 2005, reaching almost 1.57 million trips.
3. Compared to the same month last year, total automobile travel to the U.S. remained stagnant at 2.7 million trips.  Overnight auto travel increased 6.7% to reach 853,000 trips, same-day auto travel declined 2.7%.
4. The number of Canadians travelling to the U.S. by air increased 3.1% in March 2007, however, Canadians travelling by bus to the U.S. decreased 0.2%, and travel by train, boat and other methods declined 7.9%.

To Overseas Countries:

1. Continuing the growth trend, Canadians registered more than 880,000 trips to other countries as travel to overseas destinations registered an 11.5% gain in March 2007 compared to March 2006.

Source: Travel Industry Association of Canada (TIAC)

BC Bike Race: A Partner's Story

July 1 – 7 welcomes the first ever BC Bike Race- an event that links tourism and sports recreation, and has been months in the making. Dean Payne, President of BC Bike Race – The Pacific Traverse recently shared his experiences as a new tourism operator, and we’d like to share them with other aspiring businesses.

“Since we launched our website and business in November I have learned a lot about the Tourism Industry. In the business plan the first line in the document is along the lines that we are a Tourism / Adventure Travel Business... "not just a race". I knew that much. But after that, I was eyes wide open, and learning quickly about this dynamic tourism industry in BC.

Melissa Pace, our Tourism Director, a long time friend and an adventure athlete from some of the past events I have directed, introduced me officially to this amazing industry. Melissa was invited to the Business Plan Presentation with some of my prospective investors and advisors to bring a Tourism Perspective to the meeting.
  
I can tell you that I am glad that I sought her advice as a Tourism Professional. 

The first thing she did was drag me by the ear to an ungodly hour breakfast meeting to see the Honourable Stan Hagen speak. I got inspired. But mostly I realized "holy smokes, I have a lot to learn".

She then introduced me to Kevan Ridgway, and that spurred a meeting with Dave Petryk, Rod Harris, Bobbi-Jean, and Shawna Leung. 

Looking back at these meetings, I am not sure what I was actually asking of the "Tourism Groups".  It was different than a typical sponsorship pitch. 

So on the eve of our time to actually execute this event on July 1 - 7, I want to say thanks for all your support. Getting "official endorsement" from your organizations was an enormous show of support. To be able to put your logo on our collateral material and website gave us a lot of credibility. Equally important was that in all of my meetings that you took the time for, I learned a tonne! So thanks for taking the time.”    

The BC Bike Race is set to begin on July 1. We would like to wish a warm welcome and good luck to all of the athletes competing and have fun!

For more information on BC Bike Race, please contact Dean Payne at dean@bcbikerace.com.

Trade Report

National Tour Association (NTA) Spring Meet - Kelowna BC April 26- 29
For only the second time in the NTA's history, the annual Spring Meet was held in Canada. It occurred this past April with Kelowna as the host to the event. Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism came onboard as a Sponsor with Jason Knibbs attending. Unlike the NTA Annual Convention, the Spring Meet is held as a Meet and Greet event for Tour Operators only with Seminars and round-table events to discuss the issues of the day. As a Sponsor, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains was able to participate in most functions and develop new relationships with operators who had never been to BC.
  
Rendezvous Canada 2007 - Quebec City April 28 - May 2nd
The annual Rendezvous Canada Marketplace was held in Quebec this past spring with record number of Tour Operators from around the globe attending. Represented by Jason Knibbs and Kevan Ridgway, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains had a record number of appointments throughout the three day meeting schedules. This year, operators were increasingly interested in unique off the beaten track experiences with inquires ranged from soft adventure packages to motorcoach touring and everything in between. In particular, our Dutch, German and Swiss contacts were keen on the upcoming BC 2008 Rivermania and look forward to more information to build packages around.

Sunshine Coast Familiarization (FAM) Tour - Tourism BC North American Trade staff - June 12-15
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains recently had the opportunity to showcase the Sunshine Coast to 6 members of Tourism BC's Sales & Marketing team who are responsible for the North American markets. This was the first comprehensive tour of the area for all participants and everyone was more than pleased with the variety of activity and quality of the properties we visited. In terms of knowledge gained and outperforming their expectations, it was a very successful (and busy!) 3 days. Thank you to all who assisted in this tour.

Next Up:
European Sales Mission - BC 2008 Rivermania: June 25-29, 2007
BC Downunder Sales Mission - with Tourism BC: June 25 - 29th, 2007
National Tour Association Annual Convention - Kansas City, MO: November

For more information on travel trade activities, contact Jason Knibbs at jason@vcmbc.com.

Working to the Last Possible Moment 

As many of you know (and for some that don’t), VCM’s director of Visual Media, Mary Ann Bell, finished her last day at the office on Tuesday, June 12 before embarking on a one-year maternity leave. The timing couldn’t have been better, as Mary Ann went into labour on her
first day off, and little Jacob Mark Bell officially entered the world on June 14.While she has griped that she still has some things left to do (Jacob had other ideas!),the Bell’s are doing wonderfully and we congratulate them on the newest addition to the family!