Tourism Marketing Pays Off

Almaguin-Nipissing Travel Association (Ontario’s Near North.) say the area has had a busy year and credit the marketing strategy for the numbers.

Full details contained in the media release below.

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It’s been a busy year in the tourism industry for the Almaguin-Nipissing Travel Association (Ontario’s Near North.) On September 20th, the association held its thirty-first Annual Meeting which was attended by 60 key tourism stakeholders from all parts of the region. Among the guest speakers were Kathy Marcelline, Partnership Development and Sales Coordinator, and Claude Aumont, Partnership Coordinator, for the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.

The organization successfully secured government and private sector funding to carry out several important programs, including delivering the administrative function of the Great Ontario Outdoor Adventure Program, an exciting multi-pronged marketing campaign to promote outdoor nature and adventure tourism experiences in Northern Ontario.

Another important campaign which was successfully completed during the year was the Northern Ontario Corridor Marketing Strategy, a multi-partnered program which packaged and marketed the highway corridors of Northeastern Ontario as a “corridor” experience. The strategy focused on both domestic and international markets for Northeastern/North Central Ontario’s tourism offerings with a broad range of products that enhanced opportunities for marketing the corridor in the shoulder and off-seasons.

Several media and trade familiarization (FAM) tours within the region were initiated, resulting in the region being highlighted in various media including television programs and print articles in popular consumer magazines and trade guides.

In addition to its two annual publications, the association will produce a full-sized, full-colour regional map for the region in 2007, with distribution beginning in January. Last year, Ontario’s Near North publications were distributed at 20 sport and travel shows, at Ontario and regional travel information centres as well as many other dissemination points. The travel association’s 12 month distribution program ensures that Near North publications are readily available to interested potential visitors on a year around basis.

The organization’s regional website has also been upgraded and improved over the past year with many new features that benefit our local businesses as well as the consumer. All responses to the advertising campaigns were directed to the association’s toll free line and website and a consumer database is maintained for future campaigns.

As a result of the solid foundation built over the last few years, the association is realizing a significant increase in memberships, particularly from non-traditional tourism businesses.

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