• • • • Update on 2012 Visitor Services Goals Update on 2012 Product Development Goals Update on 2012 Marketing Goals Overview of 2013 Marketing Goals • Consultant to be hired and go forward plan developed • awaiting final review 2012 season and findings • Increase the number of visitors to our VICs by 10% • 18% increase achieved • Conduct one Industry and one Travel Counsellor Fam Tour. • VIC Familiarization Tour – 27 operators provided insight to our 22 participants on what visitors will see and do in Cape Breton 2012. • For the first time we used a bus for the FAM tour and were able to use drive time by having operators and product groups do presentations on the bus while we travelled. • Core VIC staff participation in Storytelling Workshop • Completed. • Core VIC staff given additional technology training • Completed • Collect data on what collateral our visitors want and use • See next slide for details • Marketing and Visitor Services developed online fulfillment package to meet enquiries year round • Completed • Conducted one industry professional development sessions to reinforce a tourism culture in Cape Breton • Completed, Inverness Service Industry Initiative • Visitors want the following data and collateral: • Provincial and Regional Travel Guides and Maps (Doers and Dreamers, Festivals and Events, Cape Breton Travel Guide) • Internal calendar of events printout very useful to the visitor • Brochures based on key travel motivators (Motorcycle Guide, outdoor activities, local walking maps, artisan map, hiking trails, Taste of NS Guide) • Staff frequently print maps from Google maps to satisfy demand/requests for local street maps • Major Attractions • Fortress of Louisbourg, Alexander Graham Bell Museum, Miner’s Museum, Cape Breton Highland’s National Park, etc. • Other Destinations • Halifax, South Shore, Fundy Shore, NFLD, NB, & PE • Ferry schedules • Decrease in the use of traditional rack cards • Exit surveys being conducted – see next slide for results • Social media training with staff has been completed • Training done on creating Personal Brochures on cbisland.com itinerary builder tool • Partnership with CB Highlands National Park in Ingonish being explored to operate under the DCBA/Provincial umbrella for 2013 • Continued partnership with Cruise Ship Information Kiosk with Golden K • Total Cruise ship passengers landed in 2012 - 86,662 • 42 Festivals provided assistance through the Provincial Festival and Event Marketing Assistance program • Lure text updates for Doers and Dreamers • QR codes and survey info provided to visitors by VIC staff • 2012 Survey timeframe August 25 – October 15 • 30 surveys received 2012 • Process just completed end of season • The survey platform is now complete and will be available for the full 2013 season Visitors Change from 2011 Baddeck 22,050 +6.8% Cheticamp 14,407 -10% Inverness 5,817 +35% Louisbourg 6,575 -5% Margaree 7,256 +5.4% St.Peter’s 13,674 -1.5% Sydney 19,291 +26% Halifax YTD TOTAL 9808 98,878 +18% % of visitors Nova Scotia 14.5% Other Atlantic 7.8% Ontario 21.7% Quebec 14% Western Canada 13% United Staes 18% International 11% • • • • • • • Nova Scotia Other Atl. Canada Ontario Quebec Western Canada United States International 14% 2% 28% 7% 13% 21% 14% • • • • • Work one-on-one with 15-20 operators who have undergone a ’12 essentials’ assessment to help them identify their experience’s strengths and weaknesses. Support their efforts in enhancing their existing product offering. Deliver 5 industry workshops on topics such as experiential tourism and packaging. Increase the number of partners who participate in training and educational opportunities by 50% (Edge of the Wedge, GMIST, best practices missions and market readiness programs), and ensure that all opportunities are promoted through www.dcba-info.com. Increase the number of purchasable market-ready experiences on novascotia.com, cbisland.com and in print collateral by 30. By delivering workshops and providing tourism advice to private sector partners, we will aggressively work with partners to create purchasable experiences in support of our core experiences / travel motivators. In addition to working to develop and enhance product for the tourist coming “today,” DCBA also plays a role in ensuring that infrastructure growth is ongoing Island wide through participation with Island wide organizations which include the Port Authority, McCurdy Airport, Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce, and Cape Breton Partnership as examples. • • • Support 20 operators to participate in Tourism Technology, a website enhancement program delivered in partnership between the Tourism Atlantic branch of ACOA and the Atlantic Provincial tourism industry associations. Opportunity Assessment of the Tourism Product in designated areas by Roger Brooks In order to ensure that we have the proper in-house capacity to deliver product development initiatives, the hiring of consultants may be deemed necessary, in addition to mentorship with the province. • Deliver the Strategic Tourism Expansion Program (STEP) for two communities. STEP is designed to close the gap in tourism communities by assisting communities in becoming sustainable tourism destinations and accelerating the exposure of experiential tourism techniques and formulas to a wider audience of tourism entrepreneurs and influencers. • Offer the Accelerated Market Readiness Program (AMR) to operators (Target 10). AMR refers to a business improvement program that offers individual tourism operators the ability to increase their standards of excellence and be more responsive to emerging tourism trends in an inexpensive and timely manner. Deliver a story-telling seminar • – 15 one-on-one reviews completed to date: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • – CBRM: Old Sydney Society (both Museum experience and Ghost Tour experience) Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, Fortress of Louisbourg Association, Sydney Port Corporation, Beggar’s Banquet, Two Rivers Wildlife Park, Cape Breton Fossil Centre, Cape Breton Miner’s Museum, – Inverness County: FireHouse Ironworks, Ann Schroeder Studio, Centre de Le Micareme, – Richmond County: Guiding Lights of Isle Madame – Victoria County: Alexander Graham Bell Museum, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Glass Artisans Studio Total of 7 experiential tourism and packaging workshops delivered: (over 75 participants in total) • • • • • • Sydney, Inverness, Saint Peter’s, St. Ann’s, Baddeck, Membertou CBRM: Victoria County: • Shari MacLeod, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design • Cindy McCready, Trailsman Motel • Stuart Critchley, Sydney Mines Heritage Society • Grant Haverstock, Firehouse Ironworks • Lynn Baechler, Bras d'Or Lakes Biosphere Reserve Association • Debbie Gale, Silver Dart Lodge • Heather MacDougall, CBRM Bev Bryson, Amoeba Sailing Tours • • Tom Miller, Cape Breton Miners Museum Madeline Harvey, Parks Canada • • James Kerr Cape Breton Miners Museum Sandy Hudson, Municipality of Victoria County • • Lloydette MacDonald, Louisbourg Economic Development Society Nona MacDermid, Municipality of Victoria County • • Caroline Vassallo, Destination Cape Breton • Ardith Fillmore, Sydney Ports Corporation • Kelsey Peters, Destination Cape Breton • Emily MacDonald, Integral Geomatics • Kristin McInnis, Flourish Management Consulting • Jessica Klein-Herenbrink, Bras d'Or lakes Watershed Interpretive Centre • Angus MacLeod • John Roberts, Leather Works • Diane McKay, Sydney Ports Corporation • Marion Thompson, Leather Works • Gary Pardy, Integral Geomatics • Jennifer LeBlanc Old Sydney Society • Kenny Boone • Virginia MacIsaac, Relative Productions/CMIC Archives Inverness County: Richmond County: • • • • • • • Gloria DeBaie, Tears of Glass • Dwayne MacEachern, Judique and Area Development Association • • • • • • • • • • • • • Helena & Louis Burke, Little Pond Stables Inc. Brenda Reichel, Tears of Glass Patrick MacDougall Meghann Dunphy, Cabot Links Susan Mallette, Municipality of Inverness/Port Hood Eleanor Ryan ,Gables Motel Laura Gasiliausraite ,Judique and Area Development Association Shannon MacDougall, Ceilidh Tent & Event Rentals Donna MacDonald, Municipality of Inverness Monique Aucoin, Centre de la MiCareme Jeff Stanley Denise Blanchard-Carpentier (NS Tourism) Marg Herdman Roberta Paton Sarah Nettleton Rhoda Gillet Michelle Richards Laken Delorey Greg Silver Celtic Heart Product Group • • • • • • • • Rodney Chaisson Pauline MacLean Katherine MacLeod Tracey MacNeil Mary Pat Mombourquette Yvette Rogers Colin MacDonald Gail Montgomery • 14 GMIST participants in 2012 • • • • • • • • • • • • • Colin MacDonald, Gaelic College Pauline MacLean, Highland Village Sharon Paul, Eskasoni Jamie Doyle, Membertou Robert Slade, Wagmatcook Jennifer LeBlanc, Old Sydney Society Kelsey Peters, DCBA Ida LeLièvre (en français) Mariève Thérriault (en français) Diane Poirier (en français) Sara Nettleton, Rock Loaf Farm Robin Mombourquette, Richmond County Margaret Hurdman, Guiding Lights of Isle Madame • Greg Silver, Cape Breton Sailing Charters • Best Practices attendees • Experiential Cuisine • Scott Morrison, Flavor • Earlene Busch, Chanterelle Country Inn • Meetings and Conventions • Mary Tulle, DCBA, • Paul Carrigan, Sydney Port Corporation • Paul MacDonald, Centre 200 • Cathy MacKenzie, ECBC • Alex Paul, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre) • Adventure Tourism • Kelsey Peters, DCBA • Tera Lee – Framework Cycle & Fitness Increase of 56% to date over 2011. • Increase in online experience and package listings by more than 50 • Experiences and Packages booklet (two runs; more than 30 participants) • • • • • • • • • • • • Rising Tide Expeditions Glenora Inn & Distillery Fortress of Louisbourg Association Eskasoni Cultural Journeys Highland Village Féis an Eilein Alexander Graham Bell Museum Cape Breton Miner’s Museum FireHouse Ironworks Ann Schroeder Studio Baddeck Gathering Ceilidhs Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Silver Dart Lodge Normaway Inn Point of View Suites Old Sydney Society Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site Cabot Links Bell Bay Golf Club LePortage Golf Club Velo Cape Breton Cape Breton Sailing Charters Bras d’Or Lakes Inn Ameoba Silver Dart Lodge Cabot Trail Motel Island Sunset Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cape Breton Fossil Museum The Lakes Golf Club Dundee Golf Club & Resort Donelda’s Puffin Boat Tours Castle Moffett Baddeck Forks Golf Club Cape Breton Resorts Right Some Good Great EARTH Expeditions Chanterelle Inn Keltic Lodge Hike the Highlands Highlands Links North River Kayak Tours Cape Breton Highlands National Park Gaelic College • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Celtic Colours Point of View Suites Glenora Inn & Distillery Baddeck Gathering Ceilidhs Alexander Graham Bell Museum Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design Eskasoni Cultural Journeys Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site FireHouse Ironworks Cape Breton Miner’s Museum Highland Village Museum Féis an Eilein Silver Dart Lodge Normaway Inn Donelda’s Puffin Boat Tours Velo Cape Breton • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Island Sunset Resort & Spa Bras d’Or Lakes Inn Cape Breton Resorts Cabot Trail Motel Cape Breton Sailing Charters Castle Moffett Cabot Links The Lakes Golf Club Bell Bay Golf Club LePortage Golf Club Dundee Golf Club & Resort Right Some Good Gaelic College Cape Breton Highlands National Park North River Kayak Tours Keltic Lodge Resort & Spa Chanterelle Inn Highlands Links 20 operators are currently going through the program including: • • • Richmond County: A B&B by the River Village on the Canal Association • • • • • Inverness County: Maritime Inns & Resorts Glenora Inn & Distillery Doug Fraser Art The Clove Hitch • • • • • • • CBRM: Martin Arms Feis An Eilein Old Sydney Society Membertou Heritage Park Cape Breton Miners Museum Sydney Mines Heritage Society Victoria County: • Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort • Cabot Trail Motel • Castle Rock Country Inn • Baddeck Marine • Gaelic College of Arts & Crafts • Colouratura Art Gallery • English Country Garden B&B • Lantern Hill & Hollow Cabot Trail Reassessment and Ceilidh Trail Assessment took place between September 13th- September 18th Community workshops: • Cabot Trail: Sept. 19th, 2012 • Ceilidh Trail: Sept. 20th, 2012 • • • • • • • • Anita Coady, MADA • Nancy MacLean, Baddeck Gathering Ceilidhs • Jim Morrow, Bras d'Or Graphic Marketing/ Victoria Standard Newspaper • Lisette Bourgeois, La Société Saint-Pierre • Paul Gallant, CTACA - Chéticamp • Yvette McPhee, La Société Saint-Pierre • Helena & Louis Burke, Little Pond Stables • John Stinson, Old Miller Trout Farm • Robert Bernard, Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre • Michael Bona, Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre • • Margie Beaton, Gaelic College Robert Slade, Wagmatcook CleanWave Restaurant • • Mariève Therriault, Cape Breton Highlands National Park Catherine Ann Fuller, Dept of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism • Jim Morrow, Bras d'Or Graphics • Simone Boudreau Parks Canada, CBHNP • Helen Sievers & Richard Roberts, Auberge Gisele's Inn • Anna MacDonald, Gaelic College • Polly Ann Macdonald, Nestle In B&B & Suites Gena Briand, Cape Breton Highlands National Park • John Stinson, Old Miller Trout Farm • Pat Stinson, Old Miller Trout Farm • Betty Finnegan, Bras d'Or Lakes Campground • Loreto Doyle, Cabot Trail Writers Festival • Vince Forrestall, Victoria County Naturally Active Physical Activity Strategy • • • • • • • Marie Aucoin, Media - The Participaper • Angela LeBlanc, Cajun Cedar Log Cottages • Donna MacDonald, Municipality of the County of Inverness • Cathy MacKenzie, ECBC • Blaine Gillis, Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency • • • Jillian Cormier, Inverness County Centre for the Arts Diane Poirier, Co-op Artisanale Leandre LeBlanc, Le Centre de la Mi-Carême Denise MacLeod, Silver Dart Lodge Eliot Frosst, personal / Ross Ferry Stewardship Society Ruth Schneeberger, Big Intervale Fishing Lodge Marie Aucoin, Media - The Participaper for the Municipality of Inverness County Cathy Aucoin, Parks Canada Angelo Spinazzolo, North River Kayak Tours Elaine Wallace, Parks Canada Ian A. Green, North East Highlands Chamber of Commerce Manon Cuthbertson, Parks Canada - Cape Breton Highlands National Park Donna Frizzell, Piper Pewter Inc Lucille Timmons, Cabot Trail Facade & Streetscape Sharon Harrison, Lantern Hill & Hollow • Donna MacDonald, Municipality of the County of Inverness • Blaise MacEachern, Inverness County Destination Trail Project • Cathy MacKenzie, ECBC • Pauline MacInnis, Independent • Blaine Gillis, Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency • Melissa MacInnis, East Novability • Ann Schroeder, Ann Schroeder Studio • Kelly Austin, The Farmer's Daughter Country Market • Charlotte Miller, Strathspey Place • Kay Robertson, Inverness County Centre for the Arts • Geraldine Beaton, Municipality of County of Inverness • Diane Mouland, Inverness Oran • Laurel Browne, Witsend Farm Bed and Breakfast • Inez Forbes, Inverness Oran • Debra MacDonell, Strathespey Place • Doug fraser, Doug Fraser Art Gallery • Anne Little, Municipality of the County of Inverness • Kinnon Beaton, Celtic Music Centre • Betty Ann MacQuarrie, MOS Pioneer Shrine • Patricia vanZutphen, Clove Hitch Bar & Bistro • Wilson Cameron, Ceilidh Coastal Trail Association • Beth Ryan, The Refinery • Suzanne C. MacDonald, Mabou Village Gallery • Eleanor & Alex Ryan, Gables Motel • Colin & Rachel MacDonald, Lighthouse Cottages • Caroline Cameron, Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia • Frank Macdonald, The Inverness Oran • Darlene Cameron, Inverness County C@P Network Society • Kathy Hannigan, Cabot Links • Alice Freeman, The Bear Paw Gift shop • Madonna MacInnis, Inverness Visitor Center Cabot Trail • Temporary working group has formed to determine whether the need exists for a governing body moving forward • Cabot Trail industry/operator engagement session scheduled for March 2013 to determine what the Partners are already doing Ceilidh Trail • Preliminary meeting took place February 2013 • “They should begin their Cape Breton experience on the Ceilidh Trail, then go to the Cabot Trail. Their experience will be richer and more enjoyable. Roger Brooks • Louisbourg • • • • • • Steering committee/chairperson in place Workshops #1 and #2 complete Reverse Best Practices took place Dec. 6th (representative from Tignish) Community meeting took place Jan. 30, 2013 Six business people to attend Edge of the Wedge in April Consultant draft #3 received (open to committee review and input) • Baddeck: • • • Steering committee/chairperson(s) in place Workshop #1 complete Reverse Best Practices took place Dec. 6th (representative from Tignish) SynergyLouisbourg Baddeck committee to date • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Dorothy Payne, Chair Lloydette MacDonald, Coordinator Cathy MacKenzie, ECBC ex-officio Cindy Hynes, CBRM Kelsey Peters, DCBA Chip Bird (Parks Canada ex-officio) Mireille Fiset, N.S. Economic and Rural Development and Tourism ex-officio Lester Marchand, Parks Canada Mitch McNutt, Fortress of Louisbourg Association Jim DeVries, Lobster Kettle Iris Stevens, Retired Annette LeBlanc, Louisbourg Seafoods Parker Bagnell, Heritage House B&B Linda Kennedy, Point of View Suites Michele Leamon, Louisbourg Playhouse Garrett Bagnell, Youth Darlene Bagnell, Visitor Information Centre Jan Vickers, co-chair Glen MacDonald, co-chair Michael St-Denis, Alexander Graham Bell Tom Wilson, Municipality Anna MacDonald, Gaelic College Denise MacLeod Eddie Keeling Katrina MacKenzie Linda MacRae Liz Grub Paula Blashcheck Tracey Dares MacNeil Catherine Ann Fuller Donelda MacAskill Cathy MacKenzie, ECBC ex-officio Kelsey Peters, DCBA Contracts Awarded •Harvey Sawler (Inverness County) •Laurel Reid (CBRM) Consultations took place week of October 1st-5th – CBRM • Louisbourg Playhouse • Old Sydney Society • Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design • Cape Breton Miners Museum • Sydney Port Corporation – Inverness • Celtic Music Interpretive Centre (value-added) • Centre de La MiCareme • Glenora Inn & Distillery (value-added) • The Clove Hitch • Inverness County Centre for the Arts • Les Trois Pignons 5 storytelling workshops were held • Louisbourg, • Sydney River, 52 participants in total • St. Ann’s, • Inverness, • St. Peters Louisbourg VIC • • • Lawrence Burman, Fortress of Louisbourg • • • Darlene Bagnell, Louisbourg VIC David Ebert, Fortress of Louisbourg Lloydette MacDonald, Louisbourg Economic Development Madeline Harvey, AGB Museum Michael St-Denis, AGB Museum Sydney River VIC • • • • • • • • • • Juanita Morrison, DCBA Megan MacDonald, Old Sydney Society John Roberts, Leather Works Marion Thompson, Leather Works Phyllis Williams, Cossit House Museum Nicole MacIntyre, Old Sydney Society Janice Lawand, Cossit House Museum Courtney Penney, Old Sydney Society Danielle Dalton, Old Sydney Society Nicole Baker, DCBA Gaelic College • • • • • • • • • • Cyndi Ingraham, Red Barn Donna Gray, Red Barn Beverly Marks, Red Barn gift shop Lorna MacLean, Red Barn/Adventures East Shelly Gillis, Adventures East Katrina MacKenzie, Lynwood Inn Leah Noble, Baddeck Marine Chad Keen, Silver Dart Lodge Margie Beaton, Gaelic College Anna MacDonald, Gaelic College St Peters • • • • • • • Andrea Pottie, Bras d'Or Lakes Inn Melanie Burke, MacBouch Wendy Abbott, MacBouch Shawna Prout, MacAskill House Museum Micheline Boudreau, LeNoir Forge Museum Hildred Sampson, Foodland Germaine MacDonald, Mac's Celtic Gift Shop & It's Only Natural • • • • Judy Madden, Nicolas Denys Museum • • • • • Marlyn Nicholas, Chapel Island Craft Shop Lucille Martell, MacDonald Country Inn Wilma Martell, Campbell's Dairy Freeze Beate Hassold, A MacDonald Country Inn & Canal House B&B Ann Marie Yorke, St. Peters VIC Eva Landry, MacAskill House Museum Brenda MacPhee, Foodland Jeanette Arsenault, Forget Me Not gift shop Inverness • • • • • • • • Bhreagh MacDonald, Cabot Links • Anna Lee MacEachern, Municipality of the County of Inverness • Anita MacLeod, Inverness Beach Village Charlotte Miller, Strethsprey Place Ann Schroeder, Ann Schroeder Studio Melissa MacInnis, Municipality Project Geraldine Beaton, Municipality Project Brenda Rachel, Tears of Glass Studio Betty Walker, Tears of Glass Studio Madonna MacInnis, Inverness Visitor Centre • Increase occupancy by 1% / 8000 room nights • -1% over 2011 (Province is at -2% overall) • The trendline below shows visitation trends 2010-2012 for Halifax, CBI and the province • Newfoundland and Labrador Campaign approximately $13M. • Occupancy result was .2% increase over 2011 “…tourism is looking at is hitting operators provincewide with a three per cent levy. A levy would bring in an additional $2.1 million into the tourism coffers, money that would be redirected back to the various regional tourism associations across the province for marketing and product development…Despite considerable investment to increase visitation outside of July and August there has been limited growth. And while promotions like Fall Flavours and the Festival of Small Halls are reporting record sales, those sales have only helped maintain visitation, not increase it.” David MacKenzie, Deputy Minister of Tourism, PEI quoted in The Guardian – November 30, 2012 New Brunswick sees no change in occupancy rate and 3% decrease in room nights Chart #1 Changes in occupancy from 2011 to 2012 20 1 0 -1 NB NS NFLD -2 PEI -3 CBI -4 Chart #2 Destination marketing spend for 2012 (MM) 15 10 5 0 • Provincial tourism spends indicated are approximate • NB spend is not known and not reflected in chart 2 NS NFLD PEI CBI • Internal reviews regularly conducted with operators • 99 surveys complete Region % up or on par over 2011 Difference with Business Changes Victoria County 70.3% 80% CBRM 53.6% 83.3% Richmond 43.8% 44.4% Inverness 52.6% 66.7% OVERALL 58.6% 71.4% • Operators who made business changes had significantly better results • Changes included • • • • More social media Increased online marketing Change of staff New products/experiences added Increase Experiential Icons visited by 5% • • • • Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site : -4.8% Cape Breton Highlands National Park: +5% Alexander Graham Bell Museum : -1% Highland Village : +2% *Citadel Hill in Halifax experienced a decrease of 25% in 2012 over 2011 • Increase visitors serviced by cbisland.com by 15% • Web visits increased by 4.73% • Reduce bounce rate to under 30% • Bounce rate – 44.2%. *Note: Bounce rate for the “awareness” campaign as recommended by our media consultants was considerably increased due to the impression based goals for this type of online buy. See comparison on next slide to our internal search based campaign. • Improve the ability to plan and book CBI vacations through cbisland.com • Trip planner and mapping function added as additions to website re-build. Implemented in June 2012. • Highlight and promote the 12 Essential Certified Experiences • No experiences received certification 2012. A revision of the certification process is under review for potential implementation in 2013 as a joint initiative of PD and marketing. Can Total Visits Visits NS Visits NF Visits Bounce Duration 2011 101,692 67,226 31,110 795 42.27 3:46 2012 106,516 69,737 32,795 1508 44.20 4:03 Diff +4.73% -3.6% +5.4% +89.69% +1.9% +7.37% Campaign Active Dates # Clicks Duration Bounce AdWords 8/10 - 10/31 6,257 4:11 40.1% Awareness/Other 7/13 - 10/31 5,038 1:48 64.3% • Accommodations / Room nights • The average number of room nights sold from 2010-2012 was 383,333. • The number of room nights sold in 2012 as 375,000. • The goal for 2013 is to bridge the gap between the 3 year average and 2012 by recovering 8,333 room nights which represents a 2% increase over 2012 • Average spend per visitor party • The average spend per visitor party according to Travel Intentions Research was $804 for 2011 and $978 for 2012. • The goal for 2013 is $1125 (approx. 15% increase) • Experiential icon visitation • • • • Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site: 15% Cape Breton Highlands National Park: 5% Alexander Graham Bell Museum: 3% Highland Village: 3% • Average length of stay • According to Travel Intentions, average length of stay was 3.1 nights in 2011 and 3.7 in 2012. • The goal for 2013 is 4.3 nights (15% increase) • Website improvements • Increase in web visitation by 15% • Maintain a bounce rate of under 35% overall • Maintain a bounce rate of under 30% for PPC campaigns • Media attention • Capitalize on accolades to increase profile of CB Island • Work with diverse media contractors to increase earned media and profile of CB Island among top writers and publications • Marketing spend targeted on geographic areas that show greatest interest in CB travel through Google analytics and TIS • Media sources will be targeted to those showing high returns in recall and qualified web leads from 2012 analytics and Travel Intentions / Conversion study • Website to receive refreshed creative and upgraded landing pages for iconic experiences i.e. The Cabot Trail and Fortress of LB • VIC staff to receive consultative visitor interraction training to help support goals of increased stay and spend • Engagement of media specialists to increase profile and publicity • Industry Relations Representative hired to increase industry participation in marketing opportunities and experiential content on website Spend % of Total Visitor Recall $85,000 32.7% 22% (CTV destination promos) $21,500 8.3% 52% Radio $41,500 16% 5% Online Magazine / Specialty Publication $50,000 23.1% 33% $62,000 23.8% 28% Newsprint Television • $269,000 invested in advertising • 42% Recall on advertising • 73% of web visitors surveyed traveled to Cape Breton Island this season • Average spending per travel party was $978.73 ($803 in 2011) • Revenues generated are estimated at $5,700,332.15 • $21.16 ROI *results compiled from Travel Intentions Survey data and website analytics • Represents non-bounce visits from Jan 1 – Feb 28 • Highlights include • • Ontario visits up 49.6% over 2012 Nova Scotia visits up 9.6% over 2012 • Represents visits from Jan 1 – Feb 28 • Highlights include • • All visits up 21.8% over 2012 Non bounce visits 55.8% over 2012 Online • Increase spend in Adwords • Increase spend in Novascotia.com • Retain Trip Advisor placement • Testing Saltscapes.com • Facebook / SM sites Specialty Print • • • • Doers and Dreamers Saltscapes (take a drive) Motorcycle Guide Cape Breton Travel Guide Newsprint • Chronicle Herald Television • CTV commercials • Destination spotlights in sponsorship with the Province if available OOH / Specialty promotions • Bus wraps in HFX area • Kiosk on the HFX waterfront * Further advertising opportunities may be identified throughout the marketing season • • • • Golf Meetings & Conventions Events Cruise Highlights of 2012 Plan • Increase in green fee rounds of 42.7% • 52 media writers, 81 placements, 103,611,218 circulation, $4.2 million in earned media • Increase in website visitation by 38% • Increase in website pageviews by 36% • Website conversion rate of 25% • Highlands Links (#7) & Cabot Links (#9) named in Golf Digest’s list of Canada’s Top 30 Courses. Highlands Links #4 Cabot Links #14 • Meetings and Events • 5 CBRM partners participated in Best Practices Mission • Mobilize tourism committee with key stakeholders • Pat Lyall, CEO destination Halifax brought in to present to the partners 923) next steps required • Events Cape Breton registration has been transferred to DCBA • Recruitment for Events CB Executive Director managed by Wilson Executive Search and being lead by ECBC •Cruise •Visitation up 28.2% •Hop on Hop off tour product launched •Issues from cruise lines in 2012 being jointly addressed by Port, DCBA, Parks and shore excursion providers Mary Tulle CEO Mary@dcba.ca 902-539-0300 Noelle MacLean Director of Marketing Noelle@dcba.ca 902-539-8901 Ross Hunter Industry Relations Ross@dcba.ca 902-539-7324