Travel Trade Trends

Well it has been a very busy spring for me. With getting settled in the new job and trying to learn as much as I can about everyone's product, I must say I have lived here all my life and never realized how much we have to offer.

Travel Trade by definition means
" the buying and selling of product that is either sold directly to consumers or to other buyers. The products include accommodations, attractions, transportation, food and beverage, etc. It is a distribution network for travel."

For us it means that we get to tell people about our region, what it has to offer for activities, attractions, great places to eat, visit, camp, ride & more.  I think it's the best job in the world, hands down! 
Rendezvous Canada Recap

In April I attended Rendezvous Canada in Montreal and had a really good show. I had 75 scheduled appointments and 3 drop-ins; everyone had great information to share and I had a lot of people wanting to know more about what we have to offer. And that is one thing I can say for sure is WE have a LOT to offer.

I met some of the businesses that attended Rendezvous and got to know them and their product which is always helpful when I am selling our region! So needless to say anything and everything that you have to share or offer is very helpful.

One meeting that I had was with City Passport Inc. which may be of some interest to you. They are a company that books clients online and the app is free to download. Yes there is a fee, but a fee is paid only when a clients books your product. For more information you can contact:
    
        Randy Vannatter
        President & CEO
        200 Granville Street, Suite 150
        Vancouver BC V6C 1S4
        604-694-2489 (Phone)
        604-612-9300 (Mobile)
        randy@citypassports.com
Upcoming FAM's

Coming up in May 2016 I will be hosting a FAM for Sports & Leisure Vacations; the client is very interested in our region and I will be taking her to Echo Valley Ranch, then up the Gold Rush Trail into Barkerville. 

Then in June another big FAM for the Coast and the Chilcotin. At each location we will have a social event so the stakeholders can meet the group. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.
Upcoming Visits

I will be going to Chilcotin Holidays to check out their product and meet the staff. If you would like to meet me please give me a call so we can set up a time and date. It has been a busy spring but I love learning more and working with everyone!

Are you Travel Trade Ready?

What are the benefits of being market or export ready?  Being market-ready gives businesses access to the cooperative marketing programs and initiatives offered through Destination British Columbia. In addition, tourism businesses will gain increased credibility in the eyes of the consumer and tour operators by maintaining proper licensing and sufficient insurance.

What do Visitor Ready, Market Ready and Export Ready mean?
The Market Ready Standards have been broken down into 3-categories of "readiness" to assist tourism-related business operators: 
Visitor Ready: Refers to a business that has all their licenses, permits and insurance in place in order to operate legally.
Market Ready: Refers to a business that markets to potential visitors in the planning stages, communicates with potential visitors year-round, and is ready to accept advanced reservations.
Export Ready: Refers to a business that markets to and through travel trade distribution sales channels, understands commission or net rate pricing, agrees to trade bookings and a cancellation policy.
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