January 11, 2008
In this issue:

2010 Commerce Centre News
Are You A Chef, Cook or Culinary Student? We Want Your Input on Industry Training!
A Fabulous Opportunity at Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
What is Happening in Delta?
Market Updates from Tourism BC
Pay Per Click Finale

2010 Commerce Centre News

The BC Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat is pleased to announce the launch of the 2010 Business Summit, to be held Monday, February 11, 2008, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Registration is open now.
 
Find out how your company can help Olympic and Paralympic sponsors, national teams, sport federations, broadcasters and governments with their shopping list of goods and services for 2010.
From tourism and hospitality to merchandise and broadcasting, the list of 2010 business opportunities is a long one as the countdown begins in earnest.

The day-long 2010 Business Summit will provide an unprecedented opportunity for you to hear directly from the global leaders of these Olympic organizations as they detail their needs for 2010, and the best way for you to do business with them.

EARLY BIRD RATE: C$399.00 plus GST per person
Click here to register at www.2010BusinessSummit.com or call 1-866-646-3561. Space is limited.

A Fabulous Opportunity at Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

Are you passionate about putting together creative marketing programs and publications? Perhaps your favourite adjectives are “fun”, “dedicated” and “energetic”? If this sounds like you, we might have the perfect position at Vancouver, Coast & Mountains! We are looking for a new marketing person to promote the region with gusto – heading up our marketing co-op programs, publications (including our annual, much-anticipated Travel Guide) and any other advertising and marketing projects that come your way. If you are interested in this position, or know anyone who might be the perfect fit, please send your resume and cover letter to Kevan Ridgway (kevan@vcmbc.com).

Are You A Chef, Cook or Culinary Student? We Want Your Input on Industry Training!

go2 is currently conducting a review of the BC Cook Apprenticeship Training Program. As an active member of the industry, you are a valuable resource in the process and we are seeking your input by taking part in a brief survey on professional cook training.

As an independent, non-profit industry association with a mission to attract, recruit and retain employees to support industry growth, go2 is sanctioned by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to take on an industry training mandate for the tourism industry in British Columbia. "Cook" is one of 3 designated trades which fall under the jurisdiction of go2's Industry Training mandate.

Overall apprentice enrollment in the Cook trade is growing, while completion rates (i.e. the number of apprentices that obtain provincial and inter-provincial certifications) are declining. Industry members have identified aspects of the training program's structure and delivery model as the source of barriers to completion for both apprentices and employers.

We have been consulting with employers and training providers to identify program changes which will improve the BC Cook Apprenticeship Training Program. We are continuing this consultation process with an online survey of Professional Cook Training Programs, and would like your feedback!

The online survey consists of about a dozen questions that will help us identify the key issues and experiences people have had with Professional Cook Training Programs. It takes approximately ten minutes to complete and is available by clicking here. We would appreciate your response no later than January 18, 2008.

Thank you for taking the time to respond and for participating in the improvement of the Cook Apprenticeship Training Program in BC!

What is Happening in Delta?

Congratulations are in order to the Coast Tsawwassen Inn in Delta, as it was designated the Best Managed Hotel of the Year at the recent Coast Hotels & Resorts annual managers’ meeting. Debbie Jager, sales manager at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn placed second in sales for 2007.

If you don’t already know, the Coast Tsawwassen Inn will be the site of Vancouver, Coast & Mountains upcoming Regional Tourism Leaders Forum (RTLF) on June 11-12, 2008. We sure know how to pick ‘em! Stay tuned for news about that in the next several months, it is an event not to be missed.

Market Updates from Tourism BC

It’s that time of year again – the busy Travel Trade season. Here is a brief summary of market updates from Tourism BC to help you along in your marketing planning, do not hesitate to contact Kevan Ridgway (kevan@vcmbc.com) or Jason Knibbs (Jason@vcmbc.com) if you have questions at all!

Japan

• Overnight customs entries to BC down 11.3%, Canada down 14.6%
• Air capacity down 10%
• Consumer spending is increasing
• Weak Yen and fuel surcharge are big issues for outbound
• Canada is suffering from a stale, outdated image
• Package tour market is slow; FIT, student market, and Special Interest Tours are growing

South Korea

• Overnight customs entries to BC down 1.6%, Canada up 4.1%
• Air Canada has daily flights to Seoul, Korean and Singapore Airlines are 3X weekly
• Koreans need a visa for entry to US but not Canada – huge advantage to Canada, US Visa Waiver program to be implemented in 2009
• Looking for customized tour products, exotic experience and activity
• Market is dividing into high-end product or low budget, not much middle
• Air capacity is a significant factor hindering Korean market

Taiwan

• Overnight customs entries to BC down 12.2%, Canada down 11.3%
• Taiwanese economy weak for past 4 years
• Improved quality of life is a definite trend for Taiwanese citizens, an opportunity for BC’s tourism sector
• FIT and self driving tours are opportunities for BC

China

• Overnight customs entries to BC level at 0.0%, Canada up 6.5%
• Fastest growing economy in the world, currently 4th largest after US, Japan and Germany
• No progress on Approved Destination Status, cannot advertise tour packages in China
• Main travellers are still students, business trips, government related
• High visa rejection rate is discouraging travellers in all sectors
• Consumer awareness is low, Canadian Rockies not a major icon. Preference is for Niagara, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver
• Most popular product is 13-15 days US and Canada tour
• Need to work on media and agent fam tours to increase awareness, offer resources in Mandarin (ie. guides, customer service staff)

Australia/New Zealand

• Australia is the 3rd largest overseas market behind UK and Japan
• BC has an overnight customs entries increase of 10.4% from Australia and 2% from New Zealand
• Canada has an overnight customs entries increase of 8.5% from Australia and 2.9% from New Zealand
• Canadian working holiday visas are now more flexible
• Canada remains desirable for Australians, outbound travel growing
• Since 2002, the number of Australian cruisers has climbed 90%
• Escorted coach tour market remains strong, starting to incorporate more niche product into programs in addition to luxury lodge and wilderness product
• FIT expanding, self drive continuing to grow

Germany, Switzerland, Austria

• These countries represent 22% of all European entries to BC
• Up 3.3% for Germany, down 4.6% Austria, up 6.7% Switzerland for BC
• Up 2.4% for Germany, down 3.3% Austria, up 1.5% Switzerland for all of Canada
• Germans are price sensitive
• Air prices to Canada still high compared to competitors
• GST rebate not being used in Germany anymore

Pan Euro (Netherlands and France)

• Represents 11.9% of Europe custom entries
• BC is up 12.3% over 2006
• Air Transat is offering a new inaugural flight to Vancouver from Paris in summer 2008

United Kingdom

• UK is BC’s largest overseas destination – represents 48% of Europe custom entries to BC
• BC up 6% over 2006, Canada is up 4.4%
• New for summer 2008 is the launch of direct service from Dublin to Vancouver with Fly Globespan
• Nature, resort lodges and FIT touring showing growth
• Growing interest in eco-experiences, cultural tourism and community led projects
• Competition from the US is expected to be huge in 2008

North America

• US represents 70.0% of overnight customs entries to BC in 2006
• BC down 2.4%, Canada down 3.5%
• Lack of low-cost air carriers to Canada
• Exchange rate impacting consumers
• By 2025 there may be more than 70 million Americans over the age of 65
• Interest in cruise holidays continues to grow
• Mexicans travelling to Canada expected to increase 10% annually
• Canada ranks as 3rd place behind Europe and US for places Mexicans would like to visit

Pay Per Click Finale

Our first ever (and extremely successful!) Pay Per Click Campaign has reached its end. For those partners who advertised with us, your tracking reports will be sent out shortly. For those partners who did not advertise, do not fret, there will be another Pay Per Click Campaign coming soon. If you have any questions about e-marketing, upcoming projects, or Pay Per Clicks please email Kelly Miller at kellym@vcmbc.com or phone 604-484-5366. For a little sample of some of our campaign feedback, click here.