Members of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association elected their 2003 Board of Directors October 24, 2002, in Kamloops. Newly elected President Juliann Sinnott takes over just as members ratified a decision to move the COTA member towards a sector-marketing organization. Adding to its traditional role of advocacy, the BCLCA is setting up a task force to strategically market BC lodging and camping products under separate branded images. The new President says the move will greatly assist in identifying the product, and setting standards and pricing opportunities that the consumer demands. For almost sixty years, the BCLCA has been representing motels, motor inns, resorts, lodges, campgrounds and RV park properties in British Columbia.
The BC Tourism Human Resource Task Force is winding-down a province-wide campaign promoting a long-term workforce development strategy. With 4 dates left, the Task Force, headed by the Hospitality Industry Education Advisory Committee, Tourism British Columbia and COTA, will be hosting industry forums on November 22 in Prince Rupert, early on November 27 in Whistler, and later that day in Nanaimo. The People Development for the Tourism Industry campaign winds up with a daylong forum in Victoria. Audiences around BC have heard what is being done to address tourism’s skills shortage, recruitment and people development needs. As a Task Force member and co-founder of the Destinations employment program, COTA works actively with industry and government to grow tomorrow’s tourism workforce. For more information contact Terry Hood, Planner for BC Tourism Human Resource Development, at (604) 681-4554 or by emailing thood@c2t2.ca.
Northern British Columbia Tourism has announced the inaugural winners of their “Northern Exposure” travel and tourism awards. Northern Promotion winners the Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association join Northern Advertisement winners the Cow Bay Merchant’s Association on the podium. Exploration Place came out as the big winner taking the Northern Pride award while Executive Director George Phillips was recognized for his role in northern advancement. Designed to recognize and celebrate excellence in northern tourism, the program also identifies the region’s nominations for the annual British Columbia Tourism Awards. Tourism British Columbia and COTA established the annual awards to recognize excellence and innovation in the tourism industry. Tourism BC is currently announcing that the deadline for nominations has been extended to November 29, 2002. Winners are scheduled to be announced at the 10th annual Tourism Industry Conference February 19-21, 2003 in Kamloops.
Northern British Columbia Tourism Association covers off one of the largest tourism regions in the province. The not-for-profit marketing association increases visitations and tourism revenues to some of the most pristine areas and northern cities in BC. From Kitimat to Prince George, and as far north as the Muskwa-Kechika, the association develops and carries out marketing programs in partnership with its members and the tourism industry at large. Annual campaigns draw on a full toolbox of strategies, including lure brochures, and attending both consumer and trade shows. The association also carries out media relations, trade relations, sector advertising and other activities aimed at providing a 'northern exposure' for seasonal, outdoor adventure, hotel, accommodation and other operators alike.
"Our membership stretches across 500,000 square kilometers, so access is a critical issue for northern tourism businesses," says Dan Stefanson, Executive Director. “Northern BC's diversifying economy lives or dies based on good transportation infrastructure. We are very supportive of COTA's advocacy campaigns, especially those related to improving transportation and marketing in the regions."
COTA is a strong voice for northern and rural tourism issues around the province. Keeping rubber tire traffic flowing along the Yellowhead Highway 16, and maintaining air service to places like Prince Rupert, Smithers and Prince George are just some of the regional tourism issues COTA dedicates itself to.
Visit Northern BC Tourism online at www.northernbctravel.com
