CHINOOK COUNTRY TOURIST ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP
WHO WE ARE Chinook Country Tourist Association CCTA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Tourism in southwest Alberta. Chinook Country as a region, borders British Columbia and Montana and extends north to Calgary city limits, following the Bow River east and including Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. Chinook Country Tourist Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually from within the membership. Each director contributes a variety of skills and qualifications to the association ensuring the needs and goals of the entire region are encompassed in the association business plans and long term vision. 2
CCTA OBJECTIVE At Chinook Country our objective is to provide leadership in the marketing of southwest Alberta as a region. We are here to support community, cultural, educational and recreational endeavours resulting in the attraction of tourists. Chinook Country Tourist Association is an advocate for the tourist industry of southwest Alberta. We believe in the importance of community development, historical preservation, cultural identity, and economical growth. We actively support tourism development in all sectors and assist development in emerging areas.
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MEMBERSHIP At Chinook Country Tourist Association we have hundreds of members and we are increasing our membership each year. Our membership consists of small and large businesses including hotels, golf courses, campgrounds, museums, galleries, attractions and more. We are committed to growing membership to ensure there is a diversity of representation and offerings for tourists within Chinook Country. Become a member of Chinook Country Tourist Association and discover the benefits it will have for you.
MEMBERSHIP PRICING General Business or Organization $375 Accommodations with 64 plus rooms $5.75 per room Accommodations with 64 plus rooms and onsite food and beverage $6.25 per room Educational Institutions with rental accommodations $3.60 per room Municipalities with 1522 plus people $0.23 per capita Membership fees are subject to GST
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MEMBER BENEFITS • A listing of your business on www.chinookcountry.com including a full page advertisement with your photo and a link to your website. • Literature Distribution • Your brochure is listed in the Chinook Country Literature Catalogue • Delivery of your brochure between April & August as ordered by other members, Visitor Information Centres and tourism partners • Access to all other member brochures listed in the catalogue. • Minute for Membership, an electronic weekly newsletter that summarizes tourism and marketing information and opportunities. • Listing of your events on our website • Promotion of your business by Chinook Country staff to visitors, industry, media, government and more. • Display and promotion of your business and brochure at the two Lethbridge Visitor Information Centres, serving approximately 50 000 people each year.
• Promotion of southwest Alberta and your business at various trade shows and events
• Opportunity to provide coupons for use at your business • Display advertising in various publications at a discounted rate • Networking opportunities • Member to Member Savings Card. Receive discounts and other offers at participating Chinook Country Member businesses • Opportunity to provide savings to Chinook Country Members through the Member to Member Savings Card • Attend the Annual General Meetings, and serve as a Board of Director • Opportunity to be part of the online booking engine at www.chinookcountry.com. • Opportunity to be highlighted in our Minute to Membership Newsletter. Tourists can book travel plans from hotel stays to attraction tickets, making it simpler for the tourist to plan their travel itinerary. Expected online booking engine availability is February, 2012. 5
COMMUNICATING TO TRAVELERS Chinook Country Tourist Association is here to encourage visitors to enjoy their travels to the fullest. We provide information about places to stay, see and experience in southwest Alberta. We assist visitors at our Visitor Information Centre, website, travel guides, and maps. Visitor Information Centres– located at 2805 Scenic Drive S and 50 1 Ave S Lethbridge. Each location is staffed every day except Christmas/Boxing Day and New Year’s Day from 9 to 5 pm and have extended hours from 9 to 7pm from May long weekend to September long weekend. Website – www.chinookcountry.com has more than 72 000 unique visitors to our site each year. Each visitor views approximately 4.5 pages per visit and will visit our website for at least 3.5 minutes. Southwest Alberta Travel Planner - produced yearly to support travelers with their tourism plans in southwest Alberta and includes municipality information, special event dates, and more. Visit Lethbridge Guide – a publication for those visiting Lethbridge. Includes information about accommodations, places to dine, city parks, recreation, special events and attractions. Southwest Alberta Map – a map of southwest Alberta including events, attractions, municipality information and border crossing information. Lethbridge Map – a map of Lethbridge and includes coupons, special events, recreation dining and shopping. 6
CCTA PUBLICITY Chinook Country Tourist Association is in touch with social media. We maintain a Facebook page, Twitter, and a blog. Our website is a great reference when looking for tourist attractions and coming events. In early 2012, our website will also include an online booking engine available to all our members to use at no cost*. Here travelers can book all what they want to do from one website. *Small costs occur only when a traveler uses the booking engine to book a stay, attraction, etc. Chinook Country Tourist Association coordinates many successful marketing initiatives annually, as well as daily news, blog and event updates to our website at www.chinookcountry.com. Other promotions include the publication of a number of maps and guides, representation at consumer trade shows, television, print and radio advertising, and promotion of southwest Alberta as a destination to Tour Operators.
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FACTS & FIGURES 2009 Visitor Spending
Food & Beverage Accommodations Private Vehicle Public/Local Transportation Retail & Other Recreation & Entertainment
$71 200 000 $38 300 000 $50 100 000 $ 2 400 000 $36 500 000 $23 900 000
32% 17% 23% 1% 16% 11%
Facts and Numbers
Tourism generated $222 300 000 in 2009. Visits to southwest Alberta is highest during July, August and September. Average length of overnight stay in southwest Alberta is 2.6 days. Purpose of visiting southwest Alberta is Visiting Friends and Family 42%, Pleasure 42%, Business 4%, Other 12%. The average over-night traveler will spend approximately $199. Approximately one million travelers come through Chinook Country Region.
CCTA STAFF Nikolaus Wyslouzil – General Manager – nikolaus@chinookcountry.com Chris Bruce – E-Strategies Manager - chris@chinookcountry.com JoAnne Ronceray – Visitor Services Manager - joanne@chinookcountry.com Dan Berdusco (LethbridgeLink) – Webmaster, Designer - dan@lethbridgelink.com Phil Edmundson – Literature Distribution Manager - phil@chinookcountry.com Colleen Bridges – Marketing Projects Manager - colleen@chinookcountry.com Stephanie Van Hill – Information Coordinator - stephanie@chinookcountry.com Jaci Zalesak – Client Relations & Sales Manager - sales@chinookcountry.com Your membership with Chinook Country Tourist Association is a great return on your investment. At CCTA, we are here to make tourism better for your business and help develop relationships within the tourism industry.
Chinook Country Tourist Association 2805 Scenic Dr S Lethbridge, AB T1K 5B7 8
Phone: 403-329-6777 Fax: 403-329-6177 Website: www.chinookcountry.com Email: info@chinookcountry.com Twitter: @chinookcountry Facebook: facebook.com/chinookcountry