TOTA Signs 3-Year Partnership Deal with National Geographic Traveller for Route 97 Publication
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 4, 2019
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has secured a three-year agreement with National Geographic Traveller Magazine (UK) to produce and publish its Route 97 guide.
The partnership is the first of its kind in North America and will see TOTA’s Route 97 Road Trip and Map Guide Initiative evolve into National Geographic Traveller Discover Route 97. The magazine will be written and photographed entirely by National Geographic Traveller’s editorial team with the first edition set to hit stands in May 2020.
TOTA President and CEO, Glenn Mandziuk, couldn’t be more thrilled with the opportunity. “It is such a privilege to work with such a well-regarded, leading global brand on this initiative and I’m excited to put both Route 97 and the Thompson Okanagan on the map for international audiences.”
National Geographic Traveller Magazine will produce 100,000 copies of the Discover Route 97 publication with 50,000 to be distributed throughout the United Kingdom, and 50,000 to be distributed through British Columbia and Washington. In addition to the physical edition, a hub will be created on www.nationalgeographic.co.uk to host articles and the Route 97 website will host a digital copy of the magazine as well.
“National Geographic Traveller UK is thrilled to be partnering with Route 97 for the next three years creating a destination guide for the region. As one of the most beautiful and iconic driving routes in the world our team are excited to work together with the Route 97 team to develop content that will inspire visitors to explore the opportunities on offer throughout the region,” commented Matthew Jackson, Publisher of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
A digital campaign will announce the launch of the magazine in the United Kingdom and National Geographic Magazine is set to feature a two-page spread on Route 97 in their February 2020 publication.
Advertorial participation is available to relevant businesses, communities, and organizations and any interested stakeholders should direct any interest or queries directly to Director of Marketing, Ingrid Dilschneider.
About Route 97
Route 97 is a partnership between the North Central Washington Economic Development District (NCWEDD) and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and endeavours to advance tourism in both regions by inspiring travel along this paramount Canada-United States corridor. The cross-border tourism partnership pivots around road trips that can be taken throughout the area, with suggested loops and corridors that connect communities on and off the highway.
About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. Find TOTA on Twitter and Facebook. For more information, visit totabc.org.
About National Geographic
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com.
