WE'RE PLAYING HOST TO A LOT OF TRAVEL MEDIA THIS SUMMER



Out on the Big Water with Northern Wilds crew aboard SailSuperior.com's Frodo.  Clockwise rom left are Kate Watson, Shawn Perich, Captain Gregory Herioux, Amber Pratt and Paul Pepe.  Jim Boyd is behind the lens.

 This year is shaping up to be another amazing year for travel media interested in our area.  These journaists have discovered us through a numnber of sources and tourism partners and we've connected with them to create unique itineraries that they'll showcase in web, print and television.
As of today, we're up to twenty journalists covering everything from motorcycle touring to sailing the Big Water, kayaking, the growing local music culture and our culinary diversity.

Travel media is such a critical part of our marketing strategy and is becoming increasingly a larger element within our operating budget.  attracting journaists through any number of Canadian and US travel media showcases such as Canada Media Market Place or Go Media to name but a few.  We also get a lot of travel media inquiries from our friends at OTMPC and even other tourism marketing organizations such as Algoma Kinnewabi Travel Association. Travel media tells stories in more detail and authenticity than an advertisement does and often ends up costing less.  We typically cover their expenses while here and many of our partners featured offer discounts and complimentary admissions in exchange for the publicity they receive.  In 2011, we welcomed twenty two journalists and we received over $7325 000 in earned media value (determined by what we'd have to pay for the equivilant print, web or television space.)

A few weeks back we hosted four Minnesota based journalists writing for Northern Wilds but also representing interests beyond the popular Northern Lake Superior lifestyle.  Today I had a chance to see the first two digital outcomes of the 4 whirwind days they spent, not only in Thunder Bay but up as far as as Terrace Bay and Rossport, really giving our coastal region a lot of attention.  In fact, we want to welcome them back later this year to see even more of the region.

You can read the identical articles either at North Shore Community Radio's website or at Northshorehwy61.com's site.

While the group was in Thunder Bay, The Tourism Division had a great time playing host as a couple of them weren't that familiar with the area.  Shawn Perich, Editor of Northern Wilds, along with staff writer Amber Pratt, North House Folk School Marketing Coordinator Kate Watson and freelancer Jim Boyd absorbed a lot of different experiences while in the area and really loved the food culture, the waterfront redevelopments and our urban connection to our natural environment.  For me, the most important element of the familiarization tour was getting to stregthen our tourism relationships and freiendships with folks across the border.  Lake Superior and the highway corridor around it is our single largest tourism asset and it takes all of us working together across three states, one province and two countries to grow the industry in any meaningful way.

Of course, it wouldn't have been made possible without the assistance of over sixteen other local and regional tourism partners who took time to show them around their attractions and respective communities.

Tomorrow is another day and we're welcoming a California based travel culture journalist , followed on Monday by a Vancouver based blogger, a crew from Inside Motorcycle and MAV TV...and this is all before the Bluesfest weekend!  We have another twelve booked in for the balance of July and August.

If you see a film crew or photo journalist around the city this summer, take a second to welcome them.  They'll love it!

Charter Boat Operators Still Operating During Construction

There's no doubt that the phase one waterfront transformation currently underway at Prince Arthur's Landing is going to be spectacular when finished. It is important, to remember, that during construction this year, some things of convenience we take for granted are going to have to be sacrificed.

We're pleased to report that the charter boat perators out of Marina Park are operating as usual through this year and we want to make sure our visitors and tourism partners know who they are and where they're operating out of during construction season.

Archie's Charters, our local Lake Superior fishing tour operator (and resident Up! Magazine celebrity) is operating on pier one on the second dock in to the right off the main pier. To access Archie's, enter the park at the Pearl Street Lights and check in with the security guard who will direct you to the boaters parking area to the right - by the fuel dock and boaters washrooms. Most of Archie's work is pre booked so its good to call ahead to make sure you're on the security list. Contact Archie at 1-807-473-9435 or http://www.archiescharters.com/

SailSuperior.com will be operating off of pier 3 this year, as they always have. With the regular parking area currently within the construction area, those wanting an unforgettable sail tour of the harbour will need to park at the parking lot closest to the Tai Chi Park and skate and BMX Plaza and walk along the trail, over the bridge and towards pier 3. Enter the Park at the north end overpass, turn left at the intersection and head past the play area and band shell to find the parking area. Its a bit of a walk but worth every step once you're aboard with Captain Gregory. For more info, contact http://www.sailsuperior.com/ or call 1-807-628-3333.

This is an exciting transitional year in our city's waterfront and the end result is going to be world class. We want to see our great tour boat operators continue to do well through the construction season, offering visitors to the community some spectacular angling and sailing experiences throughout what is going to be a warm summer.

I encourage all of our tourism partners to help promote our charter operators to their guests.