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Hello Members & Stakeholders!
Below is an update on what's happening at Tourism Fernie and other items of interest.
We welcome business updates from you that we can share in future e-newsletters.
Mark Your Calendar! Tourism Fernie Society's Tourism Industry Event & AGM has just been scheduled for Tuesday, April 4th. Board positions available. More details below.
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WAY TO GO FERNIE!
Fernie is Canada's top destination in the world's 100 Most Loved Destinations, out of over 21,000 global places to travel and visit!
Based on 1.6 million online conversations, aka Word of Mouth, in 2022 from the Tourism Sentiment Score, a cutting-edge technology purpose-built for tourism.
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Fernie Accommodation Revenues for 2022 forecasted at 34% increase over 2021, 20% over 2019.
Results point to a combination of leisure travel continuing to rebound, strong destination and brand presence in the marketplace, increases in room rates, tax collection initiated on local VRBO listings and strong corporate travel business including TC Energy.
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Seasonal 2022 Insights.
TC Energy Pipeline Project supports and challenges Fernie.
Accommodation revenues show biggest gains in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, with summer continuing to grow and winter season 2022 was still enduring COVID restrictions.
Summer biz survey results include feedback on TC's impacts. View Details
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Tourism Fernie switches over to Key Data from AirDNA as a source for local short-term rental data.
Key Data's custom dashboard better aggregates historical and forward-looking data in real-time. This data along with Fernie's MRDT/Hotel Tax data and Smith Travel Research (str) helps provide clearer details on local accommodation metrics for tracking and decision-making.
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April 4th Tourism Event & Tourism Fernie Annual General Meeting
We are excited to restart our in-person tourism event and annual general meeting after being online for the past three years. To be hosted in Cast Iron Grill at the Fernie Golf Club, join us at this great, free event to mingle with our tourism industry, hear about 2023-2024 plans, listen to great speakers, learning opportunities and more! Mark your calendar for this daytime event.
Join the Tourism Fernie Board of Directors! - Nomination Form PDF
Are you passionate about being a part of Fernie's tourism future? Do you enjoy sharing your expertise with other tourism industry professionals that help lead our organization? Do you have three hours per month to dedicate to the team?
Tourism Fernie has six board seats available for nomination, two accommodator seats and four non-accommodator/director-at-large seats, most are for a two-year term, two for a one-year term. Nomination form deadline is February 20th. Self-nominations are accepted.
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MRDT 5 Year Renewal Update | |
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#Ferniestoke Local Tourism Shuttle Program
A partnership with the City of Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort, Tourism Fernie and the Fernie Chamber of Commerce the #Ferniestoke Shuttle welcomes three new buses thanks to tourism funding from the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI), a shuttle tracker and a new ticket program including complimentary tickets for overnight FIT guests.
A big thank you to the many businesses that also support the shuttle by advertising on the buses, including the Fernie Fox, Snow Valley Lodging, The Fernie Taphouse, Ryan Frazer Realty, TECK, Nevados, Quest, Vogue Theatre, The Tipple, Big Bang Bagels, Earth's Own Naturals, Himalayan Spice Bistro and the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force. Along with partner contributions, advertising revenues go directly to support operational costs and keep fares as affordable as possible.
FYI - The #Ferniestoke Local Tourism Shuttle Program is looking into developing a summer shuttle program and welcomes input by emailing shuttle@tourismfernie.com
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Tunnel49 Adventures, previously known as Mountain High Adventures, now offers winter guided tours for those interested in cross country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing or adventure photography. More Details.
Fernie Distillers recently announced their Saturday Distillery Tours at 1pm. Bookable online, folks get a tour of the distillery and enjoy a tasting. More Details.
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Business Grants for E-Commerce & Technology
Get a grant and access to expert advice to increase online sales, reduce costs, better manage inventory and more. Two grants available from the Government of Canada to apply for: Grow Your Business Online Grant /
Boost Your Business Technology Grant
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Support for Accessible Tourism
A support program by Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Kootenay Rockies Tourism to support creative ideas that will generate new accessible tourism opportunities, offerings, experiences and partnerships in the area.
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BC's Tourism Events Program Funding
A percentage of Fernie's 3% MRDT collected by accommodations goes back to the province to fund the Tourism Events Program. This program helps fund large significant events across BC. The next intake for funding is this spring for events between October 2023 and September 2024.
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We’ve partnered up with eLearningU & Kootenay Rockies Tourism to offer the industry’s best online training for tourism digital marketing for local businesses and organizations. We believe that better trained, more digitally enabled businesses make for a more successful business, a better visitor experience and a thriving destination.
We’re so excited to offer one of two FREE learning options for a limited time to members of Tourism Fernie. Limited packages available so inquire or register today!
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This is Fernie! VLOG
A local vlog series created by Tourism Fernie with host Sadie Rosgen first launched in early November with an episode highlighting Fernie's Ghost Tours. A second episode released early last month highlighted the start of the ski season and local ski shops. A third episode is in production for release this month!
The purpose of this new vlog series is to highlight Fernie's cool community culture, characters, businesses and organizations, and great experiences.
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Nordic Skiing in Fernie
Targeted campaigns focusing on cross country skiing in Fernie has been an annual program with co-op marketing funds from Destination BC through a partnership with Canada's West Ski Areas Association.
Fernie offers 42+ km of groomed and track-set trails for all levels in 4 unique areas - Elk Valley Nordic Centre, Fernie Golf Course, Montane and Fernie Alpine Resort.
Cross country skiing is a reason on its own to visit and experience Fernie.
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Calgary Wedding Fair
The Wedding Fair is the largest wedding event in Alberta. Held at BMO Centre Stampede Park in Calgary.
Tourism Fernie coordinated a destination presence with Fernie Alpine Resort, Island Lake Lodge and Moonlight Flowers.
For over 30 years The Wedding Fair has offered couples a carefully curated show with a full assortment of the best wedding professionals, services, destinations and more to fit all styles and budgets.
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Pick up the latest edition of the winter cultural guide around town or view online.
This 20th edition features cultural events, attractions, walking tours and:
- Author Kevin Allen
- Artist Tristen Perras
- Culinary Feature: The Loaf
- The Great Northern Railway
- Mantra Spirit Studio
- Local Business: Drift & Sonder
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Did you know Fernie was the location of Hallmark's latest romantic comedy?
Yes, okay they say it's Glacier National Park, but we all know better!
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A popular family travel blogger visited Fernie recently to experience our wintery snowshoeing, town and dining scene.
Check out their great blogs on Fernie!
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Tourism-Focused Events & Animation Strategy
Fernie's Tourism Master Plan actioned the need for a Tourism-Focused Events & Animation Strategy. A Scope of Work has been drafted to initiate the project later this month. An outcome of the strategy will help guide sustainable growth, support, planning and funding from Tourism Fernie and better targeted use of the City of Fernie's RMI tourism event funding.
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New Sleds and Grooming Equipment!
As part of the Winter Trails & Grooming Collaborative Tourism Fernie was able to secure a federal grant from PacifiCan's Tourism Relief Fund to purchase two grooming snowmobiles for the Fernie Trails Alliance and Coal Creek Heritage Society, as well as a shared Trail Tamer grooming machine.
Check out the Winter Trail Map!
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Elk River Access Improvement Initiative
As part of the RDEK Sustainable Tourism Tourism Project and in partnership with Elk River Alliance, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, RDEK, BC Hydro, BC Parks, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and local fly fishing operators Tourism Fernie continues its process to install boat launch/take-out infrastructure at Morrissey and Elko along with signage kiosks, parking enhancements and access improvements, with plans to undertake construction in fall 2023.
The project will also see new signage kiosks at Dogwood and Olson pit river access locations.
Funders of the project include Targeted Regional Tourism Development Initiative funded by the Government of BC, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, RDEK, TECK, CBT.
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February 15th I Chamber Lunch & Learn: Electric Vehicles & Charging | | |
February 23rd I Destination BC's 2023-2026 Corporate Strategy - Zoom | | |
March 1st I East Kootenay Career & Job Fair in Cranbrook | | |
March 1-3rd I BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference in Prince George | | |
March 3-5th I Griz Days!! | | |
March 6th I Advances in the Social Economy - for Non-Profits | | |
March 13th I Psychological Health & Safety Supporter Training - for Biz | | |
March 13th I Fernie Pride Society AGM | | |
March 13-31st I School Spring Breaks (BC/AB/MB/ON) | | |
March 18-19th I Tourism Fernie attending Calgary Outdoor Adv. Show | | |
March 23-26th I BC Snowmobile Federation AGM in Fernie | | |
March 26-29 I Tourism Fernie attending Mountain Travel Symposium | | |
April 4th I Tourism Fernie Annual General Meeting & Industry Event | | |
April 7-10th - 16th I Easter Weekend & SK Spring Break | | |
April 20th I Fernie Chamber of Commerce AGM | | |
April 24-30th I Tourism Week in Canada | | |
May 20-21st I Trail Razor & Fernie Trails Alliance AGM | | |
The Official Corporate E-Newsletter for Tourism Fernie Society. Supporting the tourism sector through marketing and destination management initiatives.
Phone: 1-250-423-2037
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All content © Tourism Fernie. All right reserved
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