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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Celebrates 34th Anniversary in Style

For those of you who were unable to make it, we thought we would give you a little summary of this year’s terrific Regional Tourism Leaders Forum. Read on:

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains celebrated our 34th anniversary by playing host to more than one hundred tourism industry representatives at the RTLF June 21st and 22nd at The Club in Gibsons. Prolific keynote speakers included Tourism BC President & CEO Rod Harris, Director of Tourism Development in the Ministry of Tourism, Sport & Arts John Willow and Powell River & Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons. The speakers facilitated discussion on important industry issues ranging from the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to Premier Gordon Campbell’s challenge to double tourism revenues by 2015. “The challenge is profound, but it also has its upsides,” said Willow. “A vibrant and sustainable tourism industry will deliver impressive benefits to government, communities and businesses.”

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Tourism BC Releases Consumer Show Report

Tourism BC has released its top line report for regional consumer shows. Researchers attended 8 consumer shows with the regions last year, and have found that on average, 67% of consumers who took information spent at least one night in BC. Top performing show was the Vancouver Travel & Vacation Show at 82% conversion.

"Recreation & activities" (57%) were the primary motivation for their trips, followed by "Relaxation & escape" (21%), with sightseeing/touring (15%) the third trip motivator. These results differ significantly from our general inquiries, where sightseeing is 46%, activities 27% and relaxation 19%.

Average length of stay for consumer show attendees follows our normal pattern at 6.2 nights. Of those consumers who did not visit BC in 2005, 72% said they would come in 2006.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains will continue its consumer show programs in 2007. In most cases, we will take our full 10 x 20 booth, and offer pre-packaged brochures from our partners, with more details to follow. As an add-on to some consumer shows, we will also arrange pre- and/or post-show media and trade activities.

For more information on consumer shows, please contact Kevan at 604-638-6930, or kevan@vcmbc.com

Accounting Tips for the Tourism Industry

Accounting in the tourism industry is similar to other business sectors; businesses must report accurately in order to be in good standing with creditors and communicate the status of the business to shareholders. The major hurdles that small businesses have in any sector is fraud by related parties, and bankruptcy or hardship due to lack of positive cash flows. By instituting internal controls and monitoring cash flows, businesses of any size can significantly reduce these difficulties.

Read on for more valuable accounting tips ...

Conquering the world of e-business

A new guide from the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), Learning About Computers, the Internet and E-business: Guide to Federal Government Courses and Services for SMEs, provides small- and medium-size business enterprises (SMEs) with tips and contacts to help business owners conquer the world of e-business and, in the process, boost profitability. Click here to download the guide!