With today's announcement that Greyhound Canada will discontinue service in Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba, there is some speculation on what this departure, and the removal of a traditional form of ground transportation, will have on the city.
While hard to pinpoint the exact numbers of travellers to the city who use Greyhound, the effect will be negligible for a number of reasons. Many of the people utilizing Greyhound through the city are doing just that - going through the city - and their stop here is only a matter of stretching for a few minutes, grabbing a meal and getting on with their journey. Those that do start or end their journey here are taking the bus because their point of origin is not serviced by air, that the bus is cheaper (in theory) than air or they are afraid to fly. Where we anticipate a reduction in visitation, albeit a minor one, is the youth budget cross Canada market. These groups are generally on a budget and have a big country to explore so they won't stay in the city that long, nor leave a large economic impact. That said, the local industries that I predict may be affected by this travel segment would be the hostels, basic level accommodation providers and in some cases, even campgrounds.
The air corridor and fear of flying reasons are both sound reasons but on the topic of expense, a look at the Greyhound website shows 14 day advance bookings at $93.75 each way from Toronto and a last minute non refundable ticket at $195.10. A refundable ticket will set you back $216.10 each way. These rates are not that much less than advance airfares on the three major Canadian airlines that service the Thunder Bay to Toronto corridor and add to that the 2 hour travel time by air versus the 24 hour travel time by bus, the time saving alone is worth the extra airfare cost.
Given the emphasis we have placed on the motor coach attraction market, our focus has been on the specialty firms that offer packaged destination experiences and not scheduled transportation carriers like Greyhound. In fact, we see those charter operators continuing to serve Thunder Bay and some that provide trans Canada touring routes could even pick up some of the slack albeit a minimal amount. With respect to Tourism Thunder Bay's marketing focus, most of our efforts in the leisure market caters to the independant adventurer, arriving by car, RV or motorcycle. Our corporate market caters to regional auto travel or air travel and our sport tourism markets will generally utilize charter coaches or air travel.
However, I don't see the absence of bus travel to and through Thunder Bay lasting long at all. Within the city we have 4 great locally owned motor coach operators. Caribou Coach (www.cariboucoach.ca) has already assumed previously abandoned Greyhound lines extending from Fort Frances to Hearst and is growing to meet growth opportunities in the charter field. Other local players include Winning Streak Charters (www.winningstreakcharters.com), Norcan Tours (www.norcantours.ca) and Happy Time Tours (www.httours.com) While there is no telling, who, if any pick up the routes, the opportunity could exist for a local or regional solution to link Saskatchewan and Southern Ontario.
The bottom line is, while a concern for those in rural Northern Ontario, the departure of Greyhound will not have a huge or lasting negative impact on tourism within the city of Thunder Bay. If efforts to restore a traffic corridor were to be undertaken through the region, I'd rather see efforts made towards the return of passenger rail.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The McGuffin's Launch a Great Quetico Commerative Book
Anybody in Canada and the United States who appreciates wilderness photography and conservation knows the names of Gary and Joanie McGuffin. They have done a lot to bring attention to the natural beauty of Northern Ontario through their stunning photography, epic annual adventures and leadership in conservation based causes to ensure our natural environment remains a tourism treasure for generations to come. I'm also proud to call them friends of mine and I credit them as being an instrumental part in of launching of the "Seven Days With the Giant" platform in 2008.
This morning, Gary and Joanie released a new book of images and stories to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Quetico Park. I have to admit I have never paddled Quetico but have flown over much of it in a float plane and educated myself at their visitor center. A read through their latest work uncovers the layers and depth of what is one of the world's great natural environment parks that encourages me to explore it by water, up close and personal. It also reminds me that we in Thunder Bay are fortunate to be a gateway community to this renowned wilderness area and our strategy to build Thunder Bay into one of Canada's great outdoor cities needs to integrate with such a gem.
The book is available at Chapters here in Thunder Bay and it makes a fantastic gift or a great educational keepsake for yourself. I think more local tourism partners should learn about this gem and what they can do to link themselves to it in some way. To learn more about these wonderful folks, visit http://www.garyandjoaniemcguffin.com/
New Meeting and Convention Planner Capitalizes on the "Unconventional Convention" Destination
We recently introduced our stunning new meetings and convention planner, a colourful and informative guide in both print and online versions that gets prospective convention and meeting planners thinking about Thunder Bay in a whole new way.
In keeping with our strategy to position Thunder Bay as one of Canada's best outdoor cities, we're weaving our unique meeting and convention locations with great outdoor, culinary and cultural experiences to improve our position within the increasingly important meeting and convention market. We've introduced the term "the unconventional convention" into our lexicon to get meeting planners seeing the city as a unique, affordable and memorable destination rather than a carbon copy of any other mid size city in Canada
The new 28 page guide is easy to follow and provides all of the information our meeting planners have told us they want to see - without the unnecessary filler. Information on accommodation, meeting rooms, unique meeting location, convention supply partners and transportation information are all available in one source.
Our increased commitment to to growing the meeting and convention market is based on our strategic location and world class air corridor coverage that makes Thunder Bay a convenient and stunningly different option for regional, Provincial and National corporate retreats, and small to medium sized conventions. We're also integrating opportunities to tie attractions and culinary experiences into our convention strategy as a means to increase visitation to our partners that are traditionally focused on the leisure market. By encouraging organizers to offer side trips such as visits to cultural attractions, off site meals and outdoor activities such as angling, kayaking and skiing, we extend the opportunities for other partners to become part of the convention market. We'll even place visitor services staff at large gatherings to help delegates plan their evenings, off time and "hooky" excursions. After all, how many of us have travelled to conventions and never seen more than the hotel and airport? I can tell you, it reduces the fun of convention travel.
Getting the planning tools into the hands of planners is being undertaken through a strategy involving industry showcases across Canada, print and online meeting and convention planning media and through a new twist on the VFR campaigns by providing local businesses, organizations and media planners the tools and advice they need to successfully bid on events that attract their partners to the city. Thunder Bay's major meeting and convention sectors have been identified as Health Sciences, Education, First Nation, Mining and Government groups, all segments with a reason to meet in Thunder Bay.
In keeping with our foundation statement to become a leader in sustainable tourism and a growing movement in the meeting and convention market to pick "green destinations", we have our sights set on standing out with our connection to the natural environment around us.
If you or your organization want to host a conference in the city that will bring in visitors, contact our Meeting and Convention Planner, Rose Marie Tarnowski at rtarnowski@thunderbay.ca
In keeping with our strategy to position Thunder Bay as one of Canada's best outdoor cities, we're weaving our unique meeting and convention locations with great outdoor, culinary and cultural experiences to improve our position within the increasingly important meeting and convention market. We've introduced the term "the unconventional convention" into our lexicon to get meeting planners seeing the city as a unique, affordable and memorable destination rather than a carbon copy of any other mid size city in Canada
The new 28 page guide is easy to follow and provides all of the information our meeting planners have told us they want to see - without the unnecessary filler. Information on accommodation, meeting rooms, unique meeting location, convention supply partners and transportation information are all available in one source.
Our increased commitment to to growing the meeting and convention market is based on our strategic location and world class air corridor coverage that makes Thunder Bay a convenient and stunningly different option for regional, Provincial and National corporate retreats, and small to medium sized conventions. We're also integrating opportunities to tie attractions and culinary experiences into our convention strategy as a means to increase visitation to our partners that are traditionally focused on the leisure market. By encouraging organizers to offer side trips such as visits to cultural attractions, off site meals and outdoor activities such as angling, kayaking and skiing, we extend the opportunities for other partners to become part of the convention market. We'll even place visitor services staff at large gatherings to help delegates plan their evenings, off time and "hooky" excursions. After all, how many of us have travelled to conventions and never seen more than the hotel and airport? I can tell you, it reduces the fun of convention travel.
Getting the planning tools into the hands of planners is being undertaken through a strategy involving industry showcases across Canada, print and online meeting and convention planning media and through a new twist on the VFR campaigns by providing local businesses, organizations and media planners the tools and advice they need to successfully bid on events that attract their partners to the city. Thunder Bay's major meeting and convention sectors have been identified as Health Sciences, Education, First Nation, Mining and Government groups, all segments with a reason to meet in Thunder Bay.
In keeping with our foundation statement to become a leader in sustainable tourism and a growing movement in the meeting and convention market to pick "green destinations", we have our sights set on standing out with our connection to the natural environment around us.
If you or your organization want to host a conference in the city that will bring in visitors, contact our Meeting and Convention Planner, Rose Marie Tarnowski at rtarnowski@thunderbay.ca
New Marketing Sales Kit Helps Tourism Businesses Grow
Recently, we released our 2010 Media partnership sales kit to help our tourism industry partners reach new markets effectively.
Our 2010 Sales Kit provides an overview of print and online marketing opportunities that partners can purchase to help strengthen their position in the marketplace and drive new business to their doors. Our marketing shift towards experience based online and print media has allowed us to raise the profile of the city as one of Canada's Great Outdoor Cities, weaving spectacular and iconic outdoor landscapes with unique and fascinating culinary and cultural urban experiences, a move that is generating international media attention and allowing us to buck some of the downward trends facing the Canadian tourism industry this year.
Our annual Thunder Bay Experience magazine has catapulted in popularity as a must have resource for visitors and local residents alike and is credited by many of our tourism partners for increasing visitation and revenues. with 120 000 copies in print, distributed throughout the Lake Superior basin and over 40 000 downloads annually, its become the most important tourism fulfillment resource for the city and area.
Our newly revamped www.visitthunderbay.com site has replaced our 1-800 number as the main call to action for visitors seeking more information. With over 425 000 visitors using the site last year to help them plan their trip. Free listings and paid banner advertising is available and some of our partners report anywhere from 15000 to 30 000 click throughs annually from our site to theirs.
A sales kit has been mailed out to over 400 local tourism partners and the order forms are available online. However, if you want to learn more about advertising opportunities, contact Rose Marie Mancusa, our Marketing Coordinator, at rmancusa@thunderbay.ca
Our 2010 Sales Kit provides an overview of print and online marketing opportunities that partners can purchase to help strengthen their position in the marketplace and drive new business to their doors. Our marketing shift towards experience based online and print media has allowed us to raise the profile of the city as one of Canada's Great Outdoor Cities, weaving spectacular and iconic outdoor landscapes with unique and fascinating culinary and cultural urban experiences, a move that is generating international media attention and allowing us to buck some of the downward trends facing the Canadian tourism industry this year.
Our annual Thunder Bay Experience magazine has catapulted in popularity as a must have resource for visitors and local residents alike and is credited by many of our tourism partners for increasing visitation and revenues. with 120 000 copies in print, distributed throughout the Lake Superior basin and over 40 000 downloads annually, its become the most important tourism fulfillment resource for the city and area.
Our newly revamped www.visitthunderbay.com site has replaced our 1-800 number as the main call to action for visitors seeking more information. With over 425 000 visitors using the site last year to help them plan their trip. Free listings and paid banner advertising is available and some of our partners report anywhere from 15000 to 30 000 click throughs annually from our site to theirs.
A sales kit has been mailed out to over 400 local tourism partners and the order forms are available online. However, if you want to learn more about advertising opportunities, contact Rose Marie Mancusa, our Marketing Coordinator, at rmancusa@thunderbay.ca
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tourism Thunder Bay releases its 2010 Marketing Partnership Opportunities
Tourism Thunder Bay is pleased to announce the release of its 2010 tourism marketing advertising partnership opportunities. Once again, we've kept our partnership opportunities simple, flexible and affordable to allow tourism operators of all sizes and budgets to participate.
Tourism Thunder Bay's acclaimed 2009 "Its in our Nature" campaign capitalizes on a enhances "Superior By Nature" brand for the city, positioning ourselves as one of Canada's great outdoor cities. By focusing on our unique connection to Lake Superior and stunning boreal adventures, we've been able to raise the profile of Thunder Bay among the 62% of North Americans who look for outdoor experiences when they travel, the number one travel experience motivator!
This shift towards focusing on the experience based traveller has already seen a positive impact as the local tourism economy holds steady during one of the industry's most challenging times in North America. Matching experiences and campaigns to specific target markets more than in the past has allowed for greater focus in reaching key leisure markets of outdoor seekers and touring (RV, motorcycle and auto clubs), convention and meeting traffic (education, health care, First Nation, mining and government sectors) group travel (motor coach and cruise vessels) and sport tourism markets.
Our stunning 84 page annual visitor magazine and new website presence provides numerous advertising opportunities to meet the needs and budgets of all tourism related businesses in and around Thunder Bay. Experience Thunder Bay once again sets the bar for providing detailed information and entertaining editorial that captivates visitors and residents alike. With over 120 000 print copies in circulation and over 40 000 downloads annually, the book is the must have resource for travellers. Distributed at over 400 visitor information center locations locally and regionally as well as to the local VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market, partners such as Sailsuperior.com and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery credit it for increased visitation to their attractions.
The website, www.visitthunderbay.com, has become the City's main call to action and is viewed by over 420 000 users annually to help them make trip planning decisions. Logo dock and banner advertisers see 10 000 to 30 000 click throughs annually from their ads on the web.
The deadline for taking advantage of our print opportunities is October 15, 2009. You can contact Rose Marie Mancusa, Marketing Coordinator, at 625-3648 or rmancusa@thunderbay.ca
Tourism Thunder Bay's acclaimed 2009 "Its in our Nature" campaign capitalizes on a enhances "Superior By Nature" brand for the city, positioning ourselves as one of Canada's great outdoor cities. By focusing on our unique connection to Lake Superior and stunning boreal adventures, we've been able to raise the profile of Thunder Bay among the 62% of North Americans who look for outdoor experiences when they travel, the number one travel experience motivator!
This shift towards focusing on the experience based traveller has already seen a positive impact as the local tourism economy holds steady during one of the industry's most challenging times in North America. Matching experiences and campaigns to specific target markets more than in the past has allowed for greater focus in reaching key leisure markets of outdoor seekers and touring (RV, motorcycle and auto clubs), convention and meeting traffic (education, health care, First Nation, mining and government sectors) group travel (motor coach and cruise vessels) and sport tourism markets.
Our stunning 84 page annual visitor magazine and new website presence provides numerous advertising opportunities to meet the needs and budgets of all tourism related businesses in and around Thunder Bay. Experience Thunder Bay once again sets the bar for providing detailed information and entertaining editorial that captivates visitors and residents alike. With over 120 000 print copies in circulation and over 40 000 downloads annually, the book is the must have resource for travellers. Distributed at over 400 visitor information center locations locally and regionally as well as to the local VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market, partners such as Sailsuperior.com and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery credit it for increased visitation to their attractions.
The website, www.visitthunderbay.com, has become the City's main call to action and is viewed by over 420 000 users annually to help them make trip planning decisions. Logo dock and banner advertisers see 10 000 to 30 000 click throughs annually from their ads on the web.
The deadline for taking advantage of our print opportunities is October 15, 2009. You can contact Rose Marie Mancusa, Marketing Coordinator, at 625-3648 or rmancusa@thunderbay.ca
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tourism Thunder Bay Receives Community Adjustment Fund Support for Cruise Ship Development
Kenora area M.P. Greg Rickford announced this morning that Tourism Thunder Bay has been successful in attracting $64,500 in Federal government support from Industry Canada for capital improvements to the Pool 6 Cruise vessel facility. This funding has been provided through the Community Adjustment Fund and is focused on helping Northern Ontario communities diversify their economies. The funding, approximately 1/3 the cost of the first phase of development, will allow us to make aesthetic and safety improvements to the site to better accommodate passengers and crew. Work in the first phase includes security upgrades, aesthetic improvements and structural dock repairs to the Pool 6 asset.
This is only the first step in a long term vision to transform Thunder Bay into a hub for the Great Lakes expedition cruise shipping market. With catalyst investments in the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation area and growing interest from other communities around the lake basin to find a niche in this growing global travel trend, we are well positioned to see new opportunities emerge in the future, opportunities that don't only benefit the tourism economy but the vessel supply industry as well.
Visit www.ic.gc.ca for more information.
This is only the first step in a long term vision to transform Thunder Bay into a hub for the Great Lakes expedition cruise shipping market. With catalyst investments in the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation area and growing interest from other communities around the lake basin to find a niche in this growing global travel trend, we are well positioned to see new opportunities emerge in the future, opportunities that don't only benefit the tourism economy but the vessel supply industry as well.
Visit www.ic.gc.ca for more information.
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