Summer 2006

New Interim CEO

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The Northern British Columbia Tourism Association (NBCTA) is pleased to welcome Anthony Everett as interim Chief Executive Officer effective immediately, as Dawn-Lisa Sethen continues her maternity leave until March 5, 2007.

“We’re excited to have Anthony joining us,” says Northern British Columbia Tourism Association Board Chair Bonnie McCreary. “His extensive expertise in the industry will be a boon to Northern British Columbia’s tourism objectives.”

Everett brings with him 17 years of experience in the tourism industry. Most recently, he was account director for Tartan Public Relations, a Victoria-based public relations firm specializing in the tourism and hospitality industry. Tartan PR represents numerous British Columbia-based clients, including the Northern British Columbia Tourism Association, an account Everett managed while account director.

Previously, Everett held the position of Manger of Travel Media Relations with Tourism Victoria for four years. His career has also included communications and media relations positions with the Butchart Gardens and the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

Everett has served as the Volunteers Committee Chair for the 2001 Canadian Public Relations National Conference, and on the national board of directors of the Travel Media Association of Canada. A long-time member of the Travel Media Association of Canada and the Society of American Travel Writers, Everett is well connected to international travel media.

Everett is looking forward to help develop the exceptional opportunities that exist in the province’s north.

BC Ferries Announce New Vessel

BC Ferries has signed a contract to build a new vessel to replace the “Queen of Prince Rupert,” which currently operates in northern BC. The company Flensburger Schiffbau – Gesellschaft (FSG) won the $133 million contract. The new vessel will operate between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy accommodating up to 130 vehicles and 600 passengers and is scheduled to begin service in the Spring of 2009. Special ferry features will include 55 staterooms and expanded food services. BC Ferries is continuing to seek a replacement for the “Queen of the North” which sank earlier this Spring. Read More

Community Tourism Foundations Update

Congratulations to Prince George, Prince Rupert, Smithers and Terrace! These four communities were recently accepted to participate in the Community Tourism Foundations program through Tourism British Columbia. Community Tourism Foundations is available to assist communities at their individual stage of development and enhance their marketing activities in order to attract more visitors to the Northern British Columbia Tourism Region. TBC provides paid facilitators to work with communities on a customized basis to identify the community’s needs and to create and execute an action plan.

In addition, McBride has been working on developing tourism as part of the Community Tourism Foundations

program. They are working with a facilitator on various areas of their tourism development, including creating marketing plans, determining sustainable funding options, and other activities that have been determined by the community tourism stakeholders.

Once communities participate in the development side of this program there is an opportunity to receive partnered marketing dollars through the Northern British Columbia Tourism Region. For more information on the Community Tourism Foundations Marketing program and its new guidelines, please click here.

New Minister for Tourism, Sport and the Arts

As part of a Cabinet shuffle announced August 15, the BC tourism industry will have a new representative in the provincial government: the Honourable Stan Hagen.

"On behalf of the Council of Tourism Associations, I would like to welcome Minister Hagen to his new position," notes C. Michael Campbell, COTA's President and Chair of the Board of Directors. "We look forward to working with the Honourable Minister and his staff in the near future in promoting this exciting and dynamic industry."

The former Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, the Honourable Olga Ilich, has been appointed to the role of Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services. “COTA would like to thank Minister Ilich for her numerous contributions to the BC tourism industry, and the leadership and dedication she demonstrated in her role as Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts,” says Mary Mahon Jones, CEO of COTA. “We look forward to working with her in the future in this new role.”

Minister Hagan has served on the cabinet for a number of years as Minister of Children and Family Development, Human Resources, Sustainable Resource Management, Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Advanced Education, Science and Technology; Regional and Economic Development; and Minister of State for the Vancouver Island/Coast Region. Minister Hagen was first elected in 1986 and comes from the riding of Comox Valley. During his years in government, he is noted for being instrumental in the creation of Science World and the Passport to Education program.

Why Didn't the Chicken cross the road?

Travel requirements for cross-border trips between Canada and the U.S. are not well understood.

As the political rhetoric regarding Canada-U.S. border security continues to escalate, there is considerable confusion on both sides of the border regarding the identification required to travel to the other country. Currently, about three-in-ten of those on either side of the Canada-U.S. border mistakenly believe that they must present a valid passport. While drivers’ licenses and birth certificates are currently acceptable forms of ID, 32% of Americans and 29% of Canadians believe that a passport is required for travel across the border. In the U. S., another 24% indicate that they are not sure what is required, suggesting that more than one-half of Americans do not have a clear understanding of what is required to visit Canada.

In the U.S., the misconception that a passport is required is surprisingly high, even among those who have recently travelled to Canada. A full one third (35%) of Americans who have travelled to Canada for an overnight pleasure trip within the past two years believe that a passport is currently required.

Click here to download report summary

Source: TIAC Report Summary – TNS Canadian Facts

Northern Announcements

2007 Travel Guide and Consumer Shows Selling

Start planning for next year now. Sales for the 2007 Travel Guide and Consumer Shows are now available. To find out more or to make arrangements for either attending a show or reserving advertising space contact Erin Thomson at erin@nbctourism.com or 250-561-0432.

Wildlife Viewing Guidelines

Nature-based commercial tourism operators have a new resource to assist them in ensuring that their activities in the backcountry are conducted in a manner that does not compromise the current distribution of wildlife, the sustainability of their populations, or the integrity of their habitats. Click here for more

2006 - 2007 Travel Trade

The season for travel Trade is upon us. This year NBCTA will be attending 7 shows. If you have an export ready business and are interested in building group business please contact Jay Graham at jay@nbctourism.com or 250-561-0432.