Resiliency Resource Roundup | Marketing Supports for B.C. Tourism Businesses
Sunset from atop Battle Bluff, Thompson Valley
Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program advisors continue to support business operators in the region. We have received several questions around marketing, particularly around travel ads and travel offers.
We have compiled the latest resources to support tourism businesses.
Destination BC Business Listings & Summer Campaign
Destination BC has partnered with TripAdvisor to provide tourism businesses the opportunity for claimed listings on TripAdvisor to automatically appear on HelloBC.com.
Eligible businesses include Accommodations, Activities, Attractions, Tour operators, and large annual events. Vacation Rentals and Restaurants are not eligible at this time.
As part of Destination BC’s Open to More summer travel campaign, DBC will promote Travel Offers as a “hook” to encourage potential travelers to explore a variety of BC experiences, attractions, and accommodations. BC tourism businesses can list up to three "Travel Offers" at no cost. Offers do not have to be discounts.
Learn how to:
1:1 Support for Destination BC Travel Listings
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program is offering 1:1 support with setting up listings and travel offers to display on HelloBC.com.
Sign Up for Travel Offer Support
Watch Webinar Recording: Connect, Restart & Build Forward with B.C.'s Support Network
Learn about tourism resiliency marketing resources from five tourism industry organizations, including:
Symphony Tourism Services on Marketing Research
BC Hotel Association on Hospitality benchmarking through STR Reports and Check In Canada
Indigenous Tourism BC on strategies, considerations, and Indigenous BC Trip Planner
go2HR: BC tourism job board and BSAFE training
Canadian Mental Health Association and Workplace CARE Certification
Check In Canada
In partnership with Check In Canada (CIC), Destination BC has created a Summer Accommodation page on HelloBC.com that allows travellers to easily find rooms by their preferred location and date. Users will be redirected to the CIC website, where they can browse hundreds of listings and connect with providers to book their stay.
To take advantage of this opportunity, Accommodations can sign up or visit CheckinCanada.com to review the current listing.
CIC will provide free access to the platform, with no participation or referral fees until March 1, 2022.
Export Navigator
Do you have a large volume of stock that you would like to market and export to interprovincial and international markets? Exporting allows businesses to expand beyond local markets.
Export Navigator offers many resources, including a free course about the export process and how to grow business beyond B.C.
Register for Free Course
Export Navigator’s community-based advisors provide FREE support and ongoing guidance to help tourism businesses grow outside of B.C.
Advisors offer:
An export readiness assessment
A business readiness assessment
Market entry strategy support
Market tools and information
Streamlined service connections to support services
The Export Navigator program is funded by the Province of B.C. and Western Economic Diversification Canada and delivered by Small Business BC and Community Futures.
Register for Free 1:1 Support
Destination BC Learning Centre Resources
The Destination BC Learning Centre has a collection of articles, videos, and guides specifically for B.C. tourism businesses.
For example, learn about the Power of Story in this short article, in which Destination BC explains how tourism stories are important because they activate a part of the brain that information alone does not. This creates an emotional connection, and not just an intellectual one. Listening to a story, you relate to these stories because you, too, have overcome challenges on your own journey.
Learn More
View More Marketing Articles in the DBC Learning Centre
Small Business BC Article - Make Your Tourism Business Memorable
Tourism businesses must provide a memorable experience for your customer. There are countless ways to make your business stand out, but start with customer service. It’s the first and last memory your customers will have of your business, so make sure they remember you positively.
Optimize your customer service by:
If you’re offering experiences like kayaking or zip line tours that require pre-registration, thank them in your confirmation message.
Provide helpful information about other tourism businesses and sights that they can take advantage of while they’re visiting.
Promote discounts or sales, such as package deals, which shows that you’re generous and care about the affordability of your service.
Send a follow-up message thanking them for their business and invite them back to visit you any time.
Other Key Resources
For the latest industry info and trends, you can refer to TOTA's News Centre, Research page, Resiliency Research page and Fast Facts publication.
We also recommend signing up for the Destination BC and Destination Canada industry newsletters for additional tourism industry news.
Tourism Resiliency Program Supports
We are here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program you can access the following supports:
1-1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor
Expert Business Mentorship with an Okanagan College business professor
Mental Health Support through the Canadian Mental Health Association
Micro Loans through Community Futures
Email Recovery@TOTABC.com for quick questions or to schedule a 1-1 call with a TOTA advisor
