VCM
Partners Extranet

Consumer Shows

With Vancouver, Coast & Mountains’ ongoing resolve to maximize our impact on consumer travel choices, we have extensively reviewed our consumer show program. Tourism BC’s research of consumer shows has been very helpful in our evaluation, as it confirms the importance of consumer shows as a key component of our marketing tactics.

We will be showcasing our new, full 10 x 20 booth at all shows, except for the golf shows, which will be represented by a specialized golf booth. Our booth will be fully staffed by knowledgeable VCM staff and assisted, where appropriate, by community and/or business partners. Individual partner booths will still be available in select shows.

Extended shows in next year’s line up include: the Vancouver International Auto Show (in partnership this year with Tourism Vancouver Island); the Calgary Stampede; and, new for 2007, the Seattle Boat Show.

We will be expanding our presence at certain consumer shows in key markets to include media activities and trade activities, led by Jennifer and Jason.

Stay tuned - more details (including partnered booths) will follow soon!

Travel Trade: Familiarization Tours De-mystified

We all know that many of you have participated in one of our “Fam Tours” (and we thank you for your support!), while others have heard about them but are not exactly certain what they are or what they could mean to you.

What is a Fam Tour?

The Description:
A Familiarization Tour ("Fam Tour") is basically a complimentary or reduced-rate travel program for people associated with the travel industry, designed to acquaint participants with specific destinations and to stimulate the sale of travel. The target participants are traditionally tour operators, travel agents, travel planners, meeting and convention planners and trade show managers, or other travel buyers. Familiarization tours are also offered to journalists as research trips for the purpose of cultivating media coverage of specific travel products or destinations – often referred to as “press trips”.

How does it come to be?

The Development:
Most Fam Tours are coordinated by Tourism British Columbia, who contacts Vancouver, Coast & Mountains to arrange our regional portion of the tour. In turn, VCM coordinates the travel arrangements in the region with you, our marketing partners. VCM is also committed to partner with adjacent regions, such as Tourism Vancouver Island, to develop Fam Tour opportunities for our marketing partners independently of Tourism BC.

However, whether organized through the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), Tourism BC or Vancouver, Coast & Mountains, it is important to realize that participants are carefully selected for each tour. Therefore when a request comes from Vancouver, Coast & Mountains asking for your participation, you can be confident that the participants are qualified.

Most Fam Tours have a specific focus highlighting a particular area or industry sector such as golf, adventure or history. Fam tours can be anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days depending on where the participants are coming from, the number of products we are showcasing, and whether evening, late-night, or early morning events are part of it. Most Tourism BC coordinated Fam Tours last 5-7 days with the VCM portion being anywhere from 1-3 days. The majority of Fam Tour opportunities occur in the off-season (Oct – April) when airfare costs are lower and accommodation availability is higher.

Some Fam Tours operate as a Pre or Post tour after a tourism marketplace such as Canada’s West Marketplace or Rendezvous Canada. Most Fam Tours operate on a group basis, though individual tours that operate as an Free Independent Tour (FIT) tour are growing in demand.

What you need to know…

The Fine Print:
Familiarization Tours require our marketing partners to provide complimentary or greatly reduced-cost services in exchange for promoting your business to the influential participants of the Fam Tour. Tour Operators are invited as guests of the destination and are not usually expected to pay for the tour.

If you are invited to participate in or “host” a Fam Tour this is your opportunity to put your best foot forward and showcase your offerings to the guests. Guests are typically company decision makers with influence in their respective companies or responsible for selling packages directly to the visitor. Reasons for being on the Fam Tour range from simply wanting to learn more about the area, to looking for new product to include in future packages or itineraries, or it could be the first time they’ve been able to experience a product they’ve offered for a while.

While it’s true that you are being asked to provide complimentary tickets, admissions, meals or room nights, remember – for a brief time, you’ll have multiple tour operators who sell to multiple markets as a captive audience. All eyes will be on you, your product or service. How you choose to take advantage of this opportunity is entirely up to you.

For more information contact Jason Knibbs, Sales Manager – Tour & Travel at 604-484-5363 or jason@vcmbc.com.

Student & Youth Travel Update

Despite the challenges of the U.S. border issue, we continue to have faith in the Student and Youth market. Kevan will be at SYTA’s North American marketplace in Boston from September 7 - 12, and will participate in a Team Canada hosted event. During the marketplace, plans will be developed with Tourism Whistler and other partners for the upcoming SYTA event in 2007.

In November, Kevan will be a guest speaker at the 10th Annual International Education Conference in Toronto, and a participant in partnership with Hostelling International at the 9th Annual Agent Fair.

Please watch for other exciting news about the student & youth travel market.

Welcome to our newest Board Members!

Irene Sturzenegger, Chair of our Board, is pleased to welcome Randy Loor (Hyak Wilderness Adventures) and David MacKenzie (Pemberton Valley Lodge) to the Board of Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region. We all look forward to their guidance on the future initiatives for the region.

Changes affecting duty free goods on aircraft

As of 03:00 hours E.D.T. on Saturday, August 19, 2006 the sale of liquids, gels and aerosols at duty free stores at Canadian airports is being restored for passengers travelling on most international flights, with some restrictions.

Travellers going to the United States (U.S.):

For all flights departing Canada and bound for the United States (U.S.) from airports providing U.S. pre-clearance services (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal), the sale of liquids, gels or aerosols at duty free stores will continue to be permitted provided passengers transfer these items to their checked baggage before proceeding through the screening process.

For all other flights departing Canada and bound for the U.S., liquids, gels or aerosols may be available for purchase at duty free stores and onboard aircraft depending on the airline. Passengers will only receive their goods upon termination of the flight and should enquire at their duty free store or with their airline to determine if this service is available.

Travellers going to the United Kingdom (U.K.):

For all flights departing Canada and bound for the U.K., liquids, gels or aerosols may be available for purchase at duty free stores and onboard aircraft depending on the airline. Passengers will only receive their goods upon termination of the flight and should enquire at their duty free store or with their airline to determine if this service is available.

Other international travelers:

For other international flights, purchasing and delivery arrangements may differ by airport. For example, in terminals serving both domestic and international flights, delivery of the duty free goods will be made after the boarding gate when boarding the aircraft. For additional information on duty free sales, please contact your airport directly.

Other than the provisions for duty free goods above, liquids, gels and aerosols* in containers of any size continue to be prohibited from being brought onboard aircraft by passengers on their person or in their carry-on baggage. Passengers should pack these items in their checked baggage. (*Please note that some aerosols are not permitted in checked baggage. For more information check the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority's (CATSA) website at www.catsa.gc.ca).

Liquids or gels include, but are not limited to beverages, puddings, perfume, deodorant, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, hair gel, mascara, lip glosses and other items of similar consistency.

For further information please visit Transport Canada's website at www.tc.gc.ca or CATSA's website at www.catsa.gc.ca.

IIPT Partner Launches World Peace Passport

Peace. It's an attitude. That's the message that emanated from Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort on August 7th as World Peace Passport was launched by IIPT Coalition Partner American Hospitality Academy.

World Peace Passport is a grassroots movement to promote peace through education and tourism. Created by the American Hospitality Academy (AHA), the World Peace Passport, a non-profit organization, is a global peace education movement designed to foster a spirit of tolerance, respect and understanding among all races and cultures. “As a reflection of this mission,” says Cindi Reiman, AHA President, “there is great value placed on creating multi-cultural learning environments that inspire and encourage tolerance, respect, and the celebration of diversity. The World Peace Passport will provide educational books and materials for both elementary schools and the travel and tourism industry, designed to inspire and challenge both children and adults to choose an attitude of peace.”

Designed to help dispel the myth that “different” is dangerous, the World Peace Passport is a fun and informative cultural journey, featuring four “peace stamps” that must be acquired by travelers in order to pass through customs: Understanding Culture, Breaking Down Stereotypes, Respecting Cultural Differences, and Celebrating Diversity.

"It is our hope,” says Reiman, “that via the teaching and sharing of these four simple concepts, the World Peace Passport will help students, educators, and travelers learn how to choose and demonstrate an attitude of peace.”

World Peace Passport was created by the American Hospitality Academy, one of the world’s largest and most respected cultural exchange programs within the travel and tourism industry. For the past 20 years, AHA has been inspiring young adults to be caring world citizens through their college internship program. More than 1,000 students from academic institutions around the world participate annually in the AHA’s training program graduating as Cultural Ambassadors for both the U.S. and their home country.

World Peace Passport was inspired by AHA’s Cultural Ambassadors who taught one another that although their cultural customs and traditions differed, they had the same hopes and dreams for a peaceful future.

Visit www.worldpeacepassport.com for further details!