Travel Trade

TRAVEL TRADE PROGRAM

The Kootenay Rockies Travel Trade role includes working as part of an integrated team with Destination BC to plan and execute tactical strategies for the North American and key international markets. Key markets identified by Destination BC are North America, the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia/New Zealand.

Attendance at trade shows allows Kootenay Rockies Tourism to develop relationships with tour operators, wholesalers and receptive tour operators to encourage international and North American tour operators to include export-ready product from all areas of the region into their tour packages.

We encourage operators to include circle tour routes and new products in their itineraries, contributing to increased overnight stays in the region.

Familiarization tours and trade education are coordinated in conjunction with the overall provincial and international trade team tactics and led by Destination BC. A recent Receptive Tour Operator Fam hosted by the Kootenay Rockies & Thompson Okanagan Regions took place – Click to watch video.

Each overseas office delivers a media relations program aiming to maximize editorial coverage and public relations activities. Budgets and activities are approved by the Trade Team at Destination BC in Vancouver.

A key component of the strategy is attending travel trade marketplaces annually to develop relationships with key tour operators, wholesalers and receptive tour operators (RTOs) to update them on product developments, itineraries and new opportunities.

Trade Show Schedule

CANADA’S WEST MARKETPLACE
November 17-20, 2019 – Richmond, BC
Established in 1989, this trade marketplace featuring only BC and Alberta product and based on the 10 minute scheduled appointment format. The marketplace rotates between locations in BC and Alberta, every second year in each province. Close to 500 Alberta and British Columbia tourism suppliers meet with more than 150 international tour operators from Europe, Asia/Pacific and the Americas.  Kootenay Rockies Tourism has attended all annual marketplaces.

NTA TRAVEL EXCHANGE
Dec 8-12, 2019 – Fort Worth, TX
The NTA (National Tour Association) Travel Exchange is an annual conference which attracts more than 3,000 travel professionals, including tour operators, suppliers such as hotels and attractions, and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs). Appointments of 10 minutes are electronically pre-scheduled, based on requests from buyers and sellers. DMOs are located in their DMO Pavillion and have set days that they conduct their appointments with buyers.

RENDEZ-VOUS CANADA
May 5-8, 2020 – Quebec City
Canada’s premier international tourism industry marketplace.  Appointments for business sessions of 12 minutes are scheduled by computer, based on requests from both buyers and sellers and are held over a 4 day period. The marketplace rotates between Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax.

Travel Itineraries

The Kootenay Rockies offers a number of itineraries:  Regional, International, multi-province and activity based.

Viewable online; click here.

Further information:
KATHY COOPER
Travel Trade Manager
Ph: 250-427-4838 Ext.201