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TIAC Endorses COTA BC Insurance Program

A wide range of activities are eligible for coverage under the Tourism Industry Risk Management and Insurance Program, developed by COTA BC, administered by the Adventure Insurance Agency in conjunction with Pinnacle Risk Management Consultants, and backed by reputable insurers. The program offers low minimum premiums and deductibles, up to $5 million in commercial general liability coverage, up $5 million in property coverage and full protection across North America, including suits brought in the United States.

Based on its work over the past two years on insurance issues affecting Canada’s outdoor and adventure tourism operators, TIAC wholeheartedly endorses the Tourism Industry Risk Management and Insurance Program. The association conducted a detailed survey of the industry’s insurance situation and needs that helped raise awareness among insurance carriers and brokers of the sector’s risk profile, and extensively researched various insurance options and solutions. TIAC also participated on the steering committee whose work led to the program’s development.

While the insurance market has softened somewhat in the past year, the industry must prepare now for the next, inevitable hard-market cycle. Enrolling in this new program is an important step in establishing the industry’s reputation for good risk management and ensuring the eligibility of individual operators for favourable insurance rates and coverage.

We encourage all tourism businesses offering outdoor or adventure activities to look into how the Tourism Industry Risk Management and Insurance Program can help meet their current and future insurance needs. COTA BC has developed excellent materials that can help you apply online for a risk management review and assessment. In as little as three business days, the Adventure Insurance Agency will contact you with a quote. Downloadable guides and online applications are available at www.adventureinsurance.ca.

-featured in the April edition of the Tourism Industry of Canada newsletter

Save the Date!

Hold your breath - June 21st and 22nd are coming, and with them – the hottest tourism event of the summer! Mark your calendars, and don’t miss the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains 2006 Regional Tourism Leaders Forum, where you will have the opportunity to listen to informative speakers offering key advice to the growth of your business, mingle and network with prominent tourism partners and attend Vancouver, Coast & Mountains’ AGM.

Stay tuned for more information on this exciting event!

Latest Trade Report

TBC Asia Sales Mission – March 8 – 14th

Seoul, South Korea – March 8-10
On your behalf, Jason Knibbs- Sales Manager, Tour & Travel participated in Tourism BC’s inaugural sales mission to South Korea. Korea is BC’s fastest growing international market and you may be aware that Tourism BC has recently opened a representative office in Seoul. This Mission focused on expansion of products available in the Korean Market, especially in the FIT (fully independent travel) segment. Korean consumers are avid internet users, and travel independently to a greater extent than any other Asian population. The travel trade in Korea is eagerly addressing the FIT opportunity and receptive to new products and suppliers.

During the three day mission to Seoul, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains met with “key accounts” determined by Tourism BC & TBC Korea office. The format consisted of individual 15 minute meetings with sales managers from 19 Korean Travel Agencies + travel writers from various publications as well as group presentations to reservation agents from the various “key accounts”.

The Tourism BC – Korea office has created a Market Overview of Korea as well as the latest consumer research for Vancouver, Coast & Mountains. Click here for a powerpoint presentation.

Taipei Taiwan - March 13 & 14
The second half of the Sales Mission consisted of a visit to Taipei, Taiwan to mark Tourism BC’s representative office in Taiwan celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2006. The Taiwanese tourism market is undergoing considerable change. Taiwanese consumers are increasingly traveling independently, in smaller groups and looking for unique, “higher-end” experiences.

During the two day mission, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains had briefings with the TBC Taiwan office, Air Canada Taiwan & Canadian Trade Office (Taiwan) as well as 20 minute “roundtable” appointments with representatives from 15 travel agencies + various media.

Of particular note with the Taiwanese market is that their peak departure season are May & June and Sep-October as airlines are not providing confirmed seats to operators during the peak season. As well, the Taiwanese operators are always on the lookout for something new – tour packages only seem to last 1-2 years before being overhauled. This is a major difference from Japan and Korea.

This Sales Mission provided Vancouver, Coast & Mountains with not only invaluable knowledge of how these markets operate, but specific actionable items to follow up on in the coming weeks and beyond.

Addison Travel Market Shows – Manitoba & Saskatchewan – March 21-23th
The last of the spring Addison Travel Market Shows, targeting travel agents throughout the country, occurred last month with Vancouver, Coast & Mountains attending the Winnipeg, Regina & Saskatoon shows.

With “Great Getaways” as the main sales piece, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains met with over 150 agents during the three days of shows. “Great Getaways” was a hit as travel agents appreciated having a specific sales piece targeting their needs. As the only BC DMO attending, our Region received much attention and interest.

Next Travel Trade event:
Rendez-Vous Canada –Toronto ON - April 22 – 27

Please contact Jason Knibbs at Jason@vcmbc.com if you have any trade questions.

Update on Shows

Le Salon des Generations, Montreal
Kevan Ridgway attended this show where Vancouver was the centre of attention for seniors and families. Consumers were greeted at the entrance with a large Vancouver sign, inviting them to our booth to enter to win a trip for two to Vancouver. Partners in this prize were CAA Quebec, Westjet and Voyage Canada en Francais. Montréalers have always demonstrated a huge interest in coming to the Rockies and Vancouver. With our booth partner, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, Quebecers interest in train travel was well served in both ways.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is the only DMO that targets the Quebec market at consumer shows, and we believe that our presence is warranted and rewarded with good visitation from Quebec, Montreal in particular.

This is the largest consumer show of all that we do, with about 70,000 attendees over three days. Considerable trip planning for individuals and senior group leaders is always a major satisfaction for time spent at these events.

Toronto Travel and Leisure Show
This past month Doleen Dean and Rebecca Vossepoel attended the Toronto Travel & Leisure Show. It included a Travel Agent information evening and 3 show days. Attendance was lower on Friday than in previous years because the Toronto Home Show was also on the same weekend. However, many people were interested in travelling to Vancouver and many commented that they planned to do a driving trip from Calgary to Vancouver over the summer months.

Vancouver International Auto Show
The first week of April saw Vancouver, Coast & Mountains take the Vancouver Auto Show by storm! In a preferred arrangement with the show organizers, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains was the only travel business invited to exhibit at the show and as such the Vacation Highways display was born. The display focused on introducing booth visitors to the Coast Mountain Circle Tour, and invited them to enter a draw for a 1 week Adventure Travel Vacation package on the Coast Mountain Circle Tour including a vehicle provided by GM and a $250 gas card from Chevron. Staff and volunteers were on hand to answer questions and assist with trip planning. Enthusiasm for the region was high, and most attendees who stopped at the booth left with new ideas for their vacations and getaways.

We'd like to send out a HUGE thank you to the tireless volunteers who helped us to staff the display over the 10 days of the show. And a special thank you to our prize contributors - The Harrison Beach Resort, REO Rafting Resort, Tyax Mountain Lake Resort, Pemberton Valley Lodge, Westin Whistler Resort & Spa, Xenia Sanctuary Bed & Breakfast, Fraser River JetBoat Adventures, Ziptrek Eco Tours, BC Ferries and the See Vancouver & Beyond SmartVisit™ Card.

Vacation Highways will be resurrected for the 2007 Vancouver Auto Show when we feature the Coastal Circle Tour!

Edmonton Women's Show
Kristi Wilson attended this relatively new show (and first time show for VCM). The overall traffic was fairly good, with a great start to Saturday morning, as 200 women stood outside of the hall, anxiously waiting to get in.

As with other shows in the Alberta market, attendees were familiar with our destination. There were many women who had either lived in our region in the past, or traveled to VCM periodically. Those who were interested were keen to take brochures, however many women were much more focused on the shopping and merchandise aspect of the show, as opposed to obtaining travel information for possible summer vacations. Overall, a fair show.

Click for more images of the Vancouver Auto Show display