Tides
PROMOTING AND ADVANCING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Tourism
AUGUST 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Senior-Friendly Cities / Member President's View.............................. 2 News . ................................................ 8 Executive Director's Report........... 3 Visitor Satisfaction Program . ........ 9 4th Annual Fall Flavours....................4 Ready-to-Work Program.............. 10 Arts & Heritage Trail...................... 11 CTSC - What Are Your Competitors Paying? ..................... 5 FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION: A Bright Future: Port-la-Joye– Imageworks Communication Group 118 Sydney Street, 2nd floor Fort Amherst Historic Site / New Members...................................6 Charlottetown, PEI C1A 1G4 (902) 894.7071 PEI International Shellfish Festival.... 7 www.iwpei.com
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
PUBLISHED BY TIAPEI 25 Queen Street, 3rd Floor P.O. Box 2050, Charlottetown, PE Canada C1A 7N7 Phone: (902) 566-5008 Toll-free: 1-866-566-5008 Fax: (902) 368-3605 Toll-free fax: 1-877-368-3605 POSTMASTER: Publication Mail Agreement No. 40024264 3431657 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: TIAPEI, Box 2050 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N7
TOURISM TIDES - August 2011
PRESIDENT'S VIEW
DEAR TOURISM OPERATORS: I had an experience a few days ago that reminded me why I became a tourism operator in the first place. While buying a 25 cent sucker at my gift shop, a 5 year old from Winnipeg told me about her first trip to the ocean and the wonders of her days at the beach with her family. The sale was certainly not the most lucrative transaction of the day but my conversation with this bright and delightful little girl made my day and brought back
memories of days at the beach with my own children. Deep down, the reason most of us entered the tourism industry was a desire to share our Island with visitors and treat them with the hospitality we have always been famous for. Seeing the joy on the face of a 5 year old who has just seen the ocean for the first time and hearing the wonder in her voice as she describes the experience or seeing the quiet contentment of a woman who has just visited the sights that she had read about as a child in LM Montgomery’s books – these are some of the reasons we do what we do. If we are honest with ourselves, we don’t expect to achieve incredible wealth as a tourism operator. We want to make a living and provide for our families but, at the heart of it, we like to please people. We take pride in providing goods and services to visitors
Do the math...
2
in a warm and friendly, yet professional manner. We treat our customers the way we would like to be treated and make each person feel at home. We listen to their stories and tell a few of our own and at the end of the day we want to feel good about what we did that day. Good guest service is more than providing good service and great product. It is also taking the time to chat with a child or reminisce with a senior and share a bit of ourselves in the process. As operators, we have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of people from around the world, experience the joy of their Island discovery through their eyes, knowing we helped make memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s hoping we all do our part in successfully creating memories for our guests for many years to come. Respectfully submitted, Thom MacMillan
President
NEWLY
CERTIFIED
Perry Gotel Tour Guide
Stephanie Smith
Housekeeping Room Attendant
Tamara Arsenault
Housekeeping Room Attendant
Emily Hennebery
Housekeeping Room Attendant
Amanda Benedict
Housekeeping Room Attendant
or don’t.
T O U R I S M I N D U S T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N O F P R I N C E E D W A R D I S L A N D
CORE STAFF: Don Cudmore Executive Director dcudmore@tiapei.pe.ca
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Colleen Bowes Co-ordinator Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership actp@tiapei.pe.ca Kelley Keefe Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership UK Program Manager kkeefe@tiapei.pe.ca Jamie Vander Kooi Technology Resource Coordinator jamie@tiapei.pe.ca Dianne Bishop Executive Assistant & Board Secretary dbishop@tiapei.pe.ca Lynn Dunphy Financial Administrator ldunphy@tiapei.pe.ca
TRAINING & EDUCATION: Kathy Livingstone Director of Training & Education klivingstone@tiapei.pe.ca Lori DesRoches Administrative Assistant ldesroches@tiapei.pe.ca Rod Clark Marketing Co-ordinator rclark@tiapei.pe.ca Andrea Boehner HR Advisor aboehner@tiapei.pe.ca Debbie Mol Tourism Employment & Education Coordinator dmol@tiapei.pe.ca
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President
Thom MacMillan
Vice President
Elaine Thomson
Secretary
Kevin Mouflier
Treasurer
Robbie Shaw
Past-President
Adam Doiron
Executive Director Don Cudmore Members at Large: Tyson MacInnis, Ed McKenna
BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Anderson Charlene Belsher Cathy Bullied Darcy Butler Susan Cameron George Campbell Roxanne Carmody Mark Carr-Rollitt Liam Dolan David Groom Barrie Harris Mary Kendrick Leslie Kwiatkowski
Amanda MacIntyre Oralie MacKay Rhonda Maillet Sheri Lee McKenna Pat Notman Tom Rath Doreen Sark Glenn Saunders Erskine Smith Amanda Stewart Carolyn Thorne Barb Trainor Darrin White
DEAR TOURISM OPERATORS: By the time you receive this newsletter, we will be well into our season. I’d like to share my thoughts on some of the good and not-sogreat situations which have and will continue to impact our business. Starting with the good news, PEI tourism operators have, once again, stepped up to the plate to offer many first-class experiences for our guests. Some of these events have included the very attractive lineup of entertainment at Summerside’s Harbourfest Concert Series, Charlottetown Summerfest over the Canada Day long weekend, the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and, of course, the success of the Royal Visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the resulting publicity for tourism on PEI. As well, new offerings this year are Island Fusion: Cultural Festival Days from June 16 to July 3, and the Arts and Heritage Trail. Island Fusion celebrated PEI’s festivals and events and offered many activities and venues for our visitors to enjoy while the Arts and Heritage Trail will guide our guests across the Island, identifying and highlighting the rich history and culture of Prince Edward Island. From tip to tip, our great Island is offering quality, authentic experiences which highlight PEI’s great musical, cultural and human heritage. PEI is the place to be in 2011! Activities in the first quarter of 2011 (Scotties Tournament of Hearts, ECMAs, Jack Frost Children’s Winterfest, etc.) got us off to a great start, with occupancy
reporting showing an 11% increase for the same time frame in 2010. Unfortunately, from May 1st until almost the end of June, the weather was far from conducive to attracting visitors wanting to experience PEI at its best. In the not-so-great news category, there was a system-wide failure in the BookPEI system which occurred when changes to the system which would – and will – improve the system for both operators and visitors, experienced a numbers of glitches that were compounded by a server failure affecting the entire Government network. TIAPEI and the folks at Tourism and Culture PEI have been working together to identify all the issues, communicate the state of repairs to the system to the industry as they are accomplished, and continue to iron out issues as they arise. TIAPEI has, with the cooperation of the Province, brought together a committee of operators to work with Tourism PEI and ensure we better understand the impact of any changes made to the system on the sector. It will be the role of this group to reach out to the industry at large to ensure the system and changes to it will be anticipated, understood and accepted prior to implementation in the future. I would like to note, on the whole, the tourism industry on PEI understands the importance of keeping up with changes in technology and the impact that failure to adapt to and adopt these changes can affect future business opportunities. As always, the tourism industry on PEI is faced with both challenges and positive opportunities as we move forward. We are thankful to have a number of individuals in the industry who improve their product, share their knowledge and participate in industry groups which are so important to the development of tourism businesses and product. I would like to offer congratulations to the following:
• Don Reid, owner of the Mulberry Motel, on his appointment as Chair of the Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce; • DP Murphy Inc. who have assumed the lease of historic Dalvay by the Sea; • Robert Jourdain, owner of Little York Bed and Breakfast, on his appointment as General Manager of Dalvay by the Sea; • Murphy Group of Restaurants on the opening of Daniel Brenan Brickhouse; • New Tourism Advisory Council Board Members Duke Cormier, Zubair Siddiqi, Karen Hatcher, Shawn MacKenzie and Brian Howatt; • John Anthony Langdale, appointed as Chair of TAC for a two-year term; • Recently hired Regional Tourism Association tourism managers Patsy Gotell, Mitchell Rennie and Michelle Thompson. I am sure these are just a few of the many advances in personnel in the PEI tourism industry and we wish all the best of luck in their new positions. In closing, TIAPEI will continue to lobby for issues that are important to you, our members and tourism operators. We will continue to be a leader in the role of human resources and training and, with leadership from our Election Readiness Taskforce, we will mount a significant awareness campaign with the candidates in the upcoming Provincial election. It is important that you, as Island business owners and operators and your staff, spread the word on the benefits of the tourism industry on the PEI economy when speaking with candidates. Make sure they remember that tourism employs over 15,000 Islanders in full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs and generates $43 million in Provincial tax revenues each year. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your summer! Respectfully submitted, Don Cudmore, Executive Director 3
TOURISM TIDES - August 2011
4th Annual Fall Flavours Festival Draws Celebrity Chefs Some of Canada’s top celebrity chefs will visit Prince Edward Island during this year’s Fall Flavours Festival, a month-long celebration of local culinary offerings held in communities across the Island. “Prince Edward Island is increasingly becoming known as a premier tourism destination for food lovers. The continued growth of the Prince Edward Island Fall Flavours Festival is a testament to the excellent products grown and processed right here in our province,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey. “The festival is also a great way to offer our target markets the quality culinary experiences they are looking for, extend our shoulder season, and provide packaging opportunities for tourism accommodations.” Food Network Canada hosts Chef Lynn Crawford, Chef Mark McEwan and Chef Corbin Tomaszeski will all participate in Fall Flavours events this year. "Our Government's support of unique festivals like Fall Flavours is rooted in the important benefits these events generate for the local economy and for PEI's tourism industry,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “In addition, this festival provides us with a wonderful opportunity to showcase our Island's rich cultural heritage and culinary dynamism to visitors seeking unique travel experiences." The official host of this year’s festival is the Prince Edward Island Chefs Association, which will be represented by Chef Ross Munro. Munro, the chef at Sim’s Corner Steakhouse and Oyster Bar in Charlottetown, was recently named Prince Edward Island’s Chef of the 4
Year for 2011. The Prince Edward Island Fall Flavours Festival, held September 2-25, is presented by the Prince Edward Island Culinary Alliance. The festival is an Island-wide event that brings producers, chefs and tourism industry partners together to offer visitors and Islanders some of Prince Edward Island’s best culinary offerings. “The line up of some of North America’s best chefs attending this
year’s events really speaks to the high caliber of the Prince Edward Island Fall Flavours Festival,” said Chef Jeff McCourt, chairman of the Prince Edward Island Culinary Alliance. “Harvest time in Prince Edward Island is a food-lover’s dream, with some of the freshest produce, meat and seafood products available anywhere.” Chef Corbin appears as a host on Food Network Canada's Crash My Kitchen, Dinner Party Wars
and Restaurant Makeover. He will kick off the Fall Flavours Festival at Le Festin Acadien avec Homard September 2 in Abram’s Village. He will also host a lobster party on the beach in West Point on September 3. McEwan, host of The Heat and Top Chef Canada, will be the guest host for the Best of Beef in Summerside September 9. He will also host the Red Sands Potato Fest Cultural Feast September 10 at Port-la-Joye - Fort Amherst National Historic Site. Crawford is a host on Food Network Canada's Pitchin’ In and Restaurant Makeover. She will be the guest host for the Applelicious Festival September 18 in Arlington. Crawford will also host a special Chef on Board evening cruise along the Island’s southeastern coastline on board Northumberland Ferry Ltd.'s HMS Confederation September 23, as well as Picnic in the Park at Cavendish Grove in PEI National Park in Cavendish September 24. A full schedule of events was released in early July when tickets went on sale. Prince Edward Island Fall Flavours is part of the Prince Edward Island Flavours initiative of the Culinary Alliance. The Prince Edward Island Culinary Alliance is a partnership between the Prince Edward Island departments of Tourism and Culture, Innovation and Advanced Learning, Agriculture, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, as well as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and industry representatives. The alliance was created to develop innovative food industry partnerships, culinary experiences and promotional programs.
T O U R I S M I N D U S T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N O F P R I N C E E D W A R D I S L A N D
Canadian Tourism Sector Compensation
What Are Your Competitors Paying? The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) has released the results of the 2010 Canadian Tourism Sector Compensation Study. This biennial study gathers and analyzes data on human resource practices, compensation, and benefits in the tourism sector in Canada. The study contains valuable information on salary and wage trends, gratuity splitting practices, perquisites, benefits, attraction and retention trends, employee turnover, and minimum wage rates. Included in the study are national, provincial and territorial wage tables that show the median annual salary and/or hourly wage for 31 tourism occupations by industry group, region, and employment status. The report found that participating tourism businesses had focused their human resource
efforts on initiatives such as providing competitive wages, basing employee advancement and recognition on job performance rather than seniority, and investing in job coaching and training for employees. In fact, compared to the 2008 results, the study details a significant increase in participants reporting that they offer a training and development program to employees. The study also noted the high voluntary turnover rate in the tourism sector (26.1%). Although this rate of turnover is partially due to the nature of the tourism workforce, which includes a high percentage of youth and seasonal workers, it is excessive when compared to the Canadian private (9.1%) and public sectors (5.7%). The increases in compensation and benefits offered by the study
This island inspires dreams. We help make them happen. Whether it’s owning a quaint B&B or an award-winning restaurant – whatever dreams Prince Edward Island inspires in you, we want to help you achieve them. At Grant Thornton LLP we offer a full range of audit, tax and advisory services. We’re the largest accounting firm on PEI, and we know how to help you turn your dreams into reality. For more information about our services or to contact a Grant Thornton adviser near you, please visit www.GrantThornton.ca Charlottetown (902) 892-6547
summerside (902) 436-9155
montague (902) 838-4121
participants could indicate that tourism business owners and managers recognize that investment in human resources can be an effective strategy in improving attraction and retention of employees. Understanding these trends in compensation and benefits is not only important for tourism businesses, but also for job seekers, educators, media, and those who help shape public policy in the Canadian tourism sector. The information contained in the 2010 Canadian Tourism Sector Compensation Study is valuable for all tourism stakeholders, and is essential for the development and implementation of consistent and effective human resource strategies
in the sector. The 2010 Canadian Tourism
Sector Compensation Study is available now as a free download at the CTHRC website: www.cthrc.ca
Growing P.E.I’s presence on the world stage
A
ll eyes were on Prince Edward Island as we hosted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in early July and proudly displayed our Island’s culture. Hundreds of media carried stories about our province around the world – as far away as the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and India. The success of the Royal visit was followed by the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, where thousands of fans headed to Cavendish for four days of music by some of the world’s largest country music stars. Looking ahead, top chefs Curtis Stone, Corbin Tomaszeski, Mark McEwan and Lynn Crawford will visit Prince Edward Island to host a variety of Fall Flavours events. The international exposure Prince Edward Island receives from these events builds on the success of the Live! with Regis and Kelly and Big Break broadcasts, as well as the more recent segments on Access Hollywood and Australia’s Today show. As a government we will continue to work with our industry partners to develop new products to attract visitors to our province and raise awareness of Prince Edward Island. By working together, I’m confident we can continue to build our industry and raise our profile as a world-class vacation destination.
Audit • Tax • Advisory
Hon. Robert Vessey
Minister of Tourism and Culture Province of Prince Edward Island
Grant Thornton LLP. A Canadian Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd
5
TOURISM TIDES - August 2011
A Bright Future Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site is embarking upon a bright future as a result of significant site upgrades
New Members Welcome New TIAPEI Members CORNWALL KOA CAMPGROUND
GO EXPLORE EVERYWHERE INC.
DETAILS PAST & PRESENT
THE ALBERTON MUSEUM
PRINCE EDWARD DISTILLERY INC.
BIRD & ASSOCIATES
BIRD & ASSOCIATES HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTING www.ablegroup.ca
Left to right: Maurice Roy, Parks Canada, Senator Michael Duffy and Jewel Cunningham, Parks Canada at the official ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the completion of new infrastructure projects at Port-La-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site. Photo: Louise Vessey.
On July 14th, the Honourable Michael Duffy, Senator, announced the completion of tourism and infrastructure projects at Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site. Improvements to the site include a 6 km extension to the trail system, stabilization and exterior restoration of the historic Newson House, upgrades to the visitor centre including the creation of a multi-purpose space and fully equipped kitchen, and enhancements to the day use area, including upgrades to the stage and washroom facilities. “Parks Canada is proud to collaborate with its partners, stakeholders and the public to develop a renewed vision for the site and to work toward a positive future,” explains Jewel Cunningham, Prince Edward Island Field Unit Superintendent. “The site will be an active community gathering place and the upgraded visitor centre and exterior stage will support working with partners and stakeholders in new and innovative ways to enhance the visitor experience at 6
the site.” These site enhancements generate important economic benefits for local communities and encourage the growth of tourism in the region. Parks Canada looks forward to welcoming more visitors to Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site and to working with partners to offer exciting new tourism opportunities to help visitors connect to the site. In honour of the significant role that the Mi`kmaq, French, Acadian and British cultural groups played in the history of Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony included a Mi’kmaq blessing, the singing of Ave Maris Stella, the Acadian National Anthem, and God Save the Queen, the British National Anthem. Parks Canada was pleased to welcome representatives from some of these groups, the general public and members of the media to share in this celebration. For more information on the site call 675-2220 or visit the website at www.parkscanada.ca/fortamherst.
Providing tourism operators with consultative and applied management expertise to optimize business opportunities in the short and longer term with measurable results. A division of ABLE Group, owned and operated by Michael and Angela Bird, Islanders by choice, committed to delivering exceptional “Island” experiences to 100% of its customers. ABLE Group also provides Destination experiences to groups large and small.
DETAILS, PAST & PRESENT FINE ART GALLERY www.detailspastandpresent. com detailsgallery@eastlink.ca
Details, Past & Present Fine Art Gallery is a year round art gallery featuring an eclectic mix of original art by local, regional and international artists. As well as fine art we showcase Island crafts, designer jewellery,
blown glass and Inuit carvings. Whether you are decorating your home or looking for that special gift, a visit to Details is a must. Open year round.
GO EXPLORE EVERYWHERE INC. (902) 220-6842
Go Explore Everywhere Free Webinars Make your business stand out in the fast-growing smartPhone world! Go Explore Everywhere offers a range of mobile marketing services to TIAPEI members, including discounted spots on Canada's largest travel and tourism app, Go Explore Canada, as well as mobilized web sites that work well on Smartphones, text message marketing campaigns and web/ mobile video production. The company is conducting short, 30-minute webinars, free of charge, on how to use Smartphones to bring more customers through your door. To register for the webinar, send an email to mark@ GoExploreEverywhere.com to get the next webinar date and time that works for you.
T O U R I S M I N D U S T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N O F P R I N C E E D W A R D I S L A N D
PEI International Shellfish Festival Organizers of the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival recently announced that Chef Curtis Stone will be this year's celebrity chef. This year's celebration of P.E.I. Shellfish will take place from September 15-18, 2011 on the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront. "As a PEI Fall Flavours Signature Event, the Shellfish Festival is upping the ante with major investments in programming, marketing and entertainment," says Liam Dolan, Festival Chair. "This year, the Festival will be extended by a day opening on Thursday, September 15 with a sit-down dinner in the tent hosted by Chef Curtis Stone and The Culinary Institute of Canada. Stone will also be offering culinary demos in the tent on September 16 using PEI shellfish and agricultural products. With a celebrity of Stone's calibre, the Festival will create increased tourism demand and ticket sales are expected to soar.
Chef Curtis Stone
A household name in Australia, Stone is a globally successful author, presenter, and face of one of America's most popular reality/ cooking shows, Take Home Chef. After appearing as a contestant
on Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice, Stone quickly widened his audience, becoming an overnight phenomenon in North America. Stone has been a featured chef on the popular reality show The Biggest Loser, and has made appearances on Oprah and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Recently, People Magazine voted him as one of the sexiest men alive. The International Shellfish Festival is supported by ACOA and the Prince Edward Island government, through the Departments of Tourism and Culture, Innovation and Advanced Learning, Agriculture and Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development. There are several ways to meet Chef Curtis Stone, starting with the all NEW Shellfish Feast & Frolic Dinner on Thursday, September 15. Ticket holders will enjoy a four-course meal catered by the Culinary Institute of Canada and the opportunity to meet Chef Curtis Stone. The evening will also feature a culinary demo with Stone featuring PEI shellfish and agriculture products. The evening will conclude with a great big kitchen party in the tent. On Friday, there will be two Curtis Stone demo sessions with Stone. Each session will require a separate ticket and will include general admission to a culinary demo with Stone and a spotlight conversation. VIP tickets will be available to each demo session and will include: seating in front of the stage and a meet and greet. Demo sessions will take place Friday, September 16 from 9:00am11:00am and 12:00-2:00pm. This year's PEI Shellfish Festival offers: • Dine with Australian Chef Curtis Stone at the NEW Shellfish Feast & Frolic featuring
the Culinary Institute of Canada • Culinary demos with Annabelle Waugh and the Canadian Living Test Kitchen • The Silver Sea PEI Oyster Shucking Competition and Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Competition • International and PEI Potato Chowder Championships • Tie One On Mussel Competition sponsored by Go Deep and Masternet • Giant kitchen party featuring Rawlins Cross and performances by other Atlantic Canada's best entertainers This year there are three different ticket offerings for the festival include: • Thursday, September 15 – 6:00pm-10:00pm – Shellfish Feast and Frolic with Curtis Stone: $129.00 plus taxes (advance sales only). • Friday, September 16 – 9:00am11:00am & 12:00-2:00pm – Curtis Stone Culinary Demo: VIP $55.00 (advance sales only), General Admission $35.00 (in advance), and $45.00 (at the door). • Daily Admission to the Festival, September 15-18 – 2:0011:00pm – $12.00 (in advance), and $15 (at the door). Tickets are now available online at peishellfish.com
PEI Shellfish Galore! (And much, much more!) The PEI Shellfish Festival has enjoyed 15 years of success “under the tent” and has been a key contributor to the province’s culinary popularity. In 1996, a one-day, shellfish-centric event was held in Charlottetown to celebrate PEI’s shellfish industry. That event has evolved into what is now known as the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival, a four-day Festival packed with culinary demos, celebrity chefs, exciting (and delicious) chowder, and oyster shucking competitions. The PEI International Shellfish Festival drives off-island visitation from Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Western Canada, New England, and the MidAtlantic. The Festival continues to contribute to the goal of heightening PEI’s reputation for superior quality shellfish status. Now a Prince Edward Island Fall Flavours Signature Event, the 16th Annual PEI International Shellfish Festival returns this year to the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront September 15-18, 2011. It’s shaping up to be the biggest and best one yet! Thousands of people from around the region and the world are drawn to this vibrant celebration of PEI shellfish.
7
TOURISM TIDES - August 2011
Senior-Friendly Cities Good for All accessadvisor.ca is working to change the way people see, understand and approach access on a daily basis and in everyday situations. We are working to change the way businesses and organizations see and approach accessibility for their customer. In your lifetime, accessibility will likely be an issue for you or a family member. The prevalence of a more active, mobile population, the world’s aging demographics and everincreasing numbers of persons with disabilities, necessitates the provision of accessible infrastructure and product in PEI. Tourism destinations around the world, such as New York City, New Zealand and Europe are aggressively changing policy to deal with issues of accessibility. They understand and are preparing for the future. They are trying to ensure their cities, businesses and communities are ready for the aging population. In an Associated Press article on NYC:
Member News Robert Jourdain has recently joined DP Murphy Hotels and Resorts as General Manager of Dalvay-by-the-Sea. Robert has great history and passion for the hospitality business on Prince Edward Island. He is an instructor at the Tourism and Culinary Center and comes to Dalvay with the experience of running his own businesses along with years with Delta across the country. Robert is an active volunteer in the industry and currently sits on the Tourism Advisory Council, TIAPEI, QTS and has been a long time volunteer with The Red Cross. ••• 8
“America’s cities are beginning to grapple with a fact of life: People are getting old, fast, and they’re doing it in communities designed for the sprightly. To envision how this silver tsunami will challenge a youthoriented society, just consider that seniors soon will outnumber schoolchildren in hip, fast paced New York City.” (July 10, 2011) accessadvisor.ca will ensure that everyone is welcome at the businesses and the public spaces they want to visit or use. Gone is the stereotypical concept of accessibility having to do solely with wheelchairs. Here to stay is the idea that accessibility is the degree to which a product, service or environment is available to as many people as possible – crossing all age groups, interests, activity level and need. It may be as simple as easing the tension on a door, installing a hand rail, using lever handles or having one Braille menu available. Georgina Martin recently joined DP Murphy Hotels and Resorts as Food and Beverage Manager at Dalvay-by-theSea. Georgina has an extensive history in the hospitality industry, having some 16 years experience as a food and beverage manager at various locations across the country. Georgina is an accredited sommelier and prides herself in delivering top notch customer services and experiences. •••
Every facility can become more accessible! A product of Quality Tourism Services Inc. The new program verifies and designates accessibility levels. accessadvisor.ca consists of four designations and can be applied to any type of business, tourism operation/experience – indoor or out – as well as communities and public/private facilities. In Statistics Canada research, 17% of all Canadians, regardless of age, self-identify themselves as having some form of disability. The Seniors’ market is the largest growing segment of our population and they have the leisure time and FULL MOBILE ACCESSIBLE Agility and mobility, including independent and dependant wheelchair users.
the disposable income to travel. By age 65, 43% of seniors have some physical limitations. Ensure your customers can comfortably access your business by clearly communicating your accessadvisor.ca designation. They will appreciate your efforts! To participate and show an accessibility symbol in the 2012 Visitor’s Guide, please call for more information or to book an appointment. We are here to help you achieve your accessibility goals and capture the growing market. For further information on accessadvisor.ca please contact (902) 566-3501 or email accessadvisor@qts.pe.ca. SIGHT ACCESSIBLE Partial sight impairment due to aging to no sight.
LIMITED ACCESSIBLE
HEARING ACCESSIBLE
All ages and Boomers with normal aging difficulty such as moving, climbing stairs, reflexes, strength.
Partial hearing loss to total hearing loss.
Lobster on the Wharf listed as one of the Top 10 Seafood Destinations in the United States and Canada by Cheapflights Media USA Inc., June 21, 2011.
Do you have a news story or announcement you’d like to share? Please contact Lori DesRoches at 902-566-5008 or email ldesroches@tiapei.pe.ca
“Though you’ll spot Prince Edward Island mussels on menus up and down the coast, there’s nothing like trying the bite-sized shellfish on their home turf. If you can pry yourself away from the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum (it’s real, we swear!), then head on over to Lobster on the Wharf, disregard the name, and dive into a bowl of the famous Island Blue Mussels or the mussels of the day. Then you can – of course – indulge in one of the many lobster dishes, fresh from the Atlantic.” •••
*TIAPEI reserves the right to use, or not use all, or any part of information submitted. Information will only be accepted from current TIAPEI members.
T O U R I S M I N D U S T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N O F P R I N C E E D W A R D I S L A N D
Visitor Satisfaction Program As the 2011 Tourism season kicks into high gear: How much do you care about your customers and what they have to say about your property and customer service? The Visitor Satisfaction Program (VSP), in partnership with TIAPEI, offers accommodation and campground operators an affordable ($50.00 to $100.00) sure-fire way to help your business stay in tune with your customers and their experience with you. Enrolling in the VSP will be the best investment you’ll make in your business this season! There have been some exciting enhancements to the program for 2011 that create even more value for roofed accommodation and campground operators including improved reports, your guests comments delivered to your inbox, use of VSP logo as your marketing tool
2 Longworth Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 5A2
and connectivity to a powerful social media promotional tool. Check out the program details and download your program participation form at www.visitorsatisfactionatlantic.ca Your Tourism Industry Association recommends and endorses the Visitor Satisfaction Program as an excellent way to measure and manage your customers’
Tel: 902-566-3131 Fax: 902-628-1982 Toll Free: 888-566-3131
A-1 Vacuum Carries the Largest Stock of Hotel/Motel Supplies on PEI • • • • • •
experience. We look forward to welcoming you to the program and delivering its many benefits for the 2011 season. For more information on this important industry program, please contact Program Manager John Cudmore at 902-370-8680, jcudmore@avsp.ca
Tent & Party
Rentals
Weddings • Parties • Festivals • Conventions Ph (902) 836-5342 Web www.caseleys.com
Room AmeniTieS PAPeR PRoducTS GARbAGe bAGS LinenS ReSTAuRAnT SuPPLieS JAniToRiAL SuPPLieS
Why buy off Island? We are an Island company employing 10 Islanders year round.
www.a1vac.ca paul@a1vac.ca
Sales & Service 9
TOURISM TIDES - August 2011
Ready-to-Work Program
Contact us today to book your advertising space for 2012! Prince Edward Island HANDBOOK Guide to Charlottetown Charlottetown Map PEI Vacation Map Restaurant & Menu Guide Charlottetown Desktop Map PEI Coupon Savings Book New Beginnings
Joey Seaman, Hamed Voghoufi and Anne Gillis.
The TIAPEI Ready-to-Work Program, March 7-June 17, offered youth the chance to explore career opportunities in the tourism sector. The program was facilitated by Anne Gillis and Joey Seaman (pictured above) with one of the participants, Hamed Voghoufi. Twelve participants were selected and arrived to the program with a common interest in discovering what the tourism industry has to offer. The objective was to assist youth in developing the employability and life skills to make an effective transition into the tourism workforce. Through a combination of workshops and work experience, participants increased their awareness of career opportunities with the ultimate goal of securing full-time employment. The group spent the classroom portion of the program working towards earning the emerit Tourism Essentials certification. They also had the chance to experience a wide variety of guest speakers, behind the scenes tours, certification in First Aid, WHMIS and CPR workshops and a guided tour of PEI. The outcome was overwhelmingly positive for the participants with many finding permanent 10
Green Gables Shore Guide
employment in hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and golf courses, to name a few. The seasonal nature of the tourism industry has worked well for a number of these participants as they now have plans to continue their education in the fall.
Stacey White
Stacey White's comments regarding the Ready-To-Work Program were, “This program gave me the confidence and skills that I need to deal with the roadblocks in life. I know now that I can achieve future goals and aspirations that I have set out for myself. This was an amazing opportunity for me and I am very thankful to have been a part of it.” The TIAPEI Ready-to-Work Program was sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council and funded in part by the Government of Canada.
118 Sydney Street • 2nd Floor • Charlottetown, PE C1A 1G4 902.894.7071 • www.iwpei.com • sales@iwpei.com
T O U R I S M I N D U S T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N O F P R I N C E E D W A R D I S L A N D
Arts & Heritage Trail Arts & Heritage Trail In a continued effort to increase the profile of cultural product across sectors of the Island, In a continued effort to the profile of cultural sectors Island of the Island, TIAPEI has launched theincrease Arts & Heritage Trail, which isproduct a guideacross to distinctive tourism TIAPEI has launched the Arts & Heritage Trail, which is a guide to distinctive Island tourism cultural attractions. continued effort to increase the profile of cultural product across secArts & Heritage Trail participants ArtsIn&a Heritage Trail cultural attractions.
Arts & Heritage Trail
tors of the Island, TIAPEI has launched the Arts & Heritage Trail, which is a
also had the option of purchasing Quilt
to distinctive Island cultural Board Signage toofbethe used as an identiThe Arts & Heritage Trail highlights our cultural tourism product firstsectors by coastal drive, then Inguide a Arts continued effort totourism increase theattractions. profile of cultural product across Island, The & Heritage Trail highlights our cultural tourism product first bythe coastal drive, then The Arts & Heritage Trail highlights our cultural tourism product first by fier along Trail. Each sign features by the following five categories within each region: TIAPEI has launched the Arts & Heritage Trail, which is a guide to distinctive Island tourism bycoastal the following each region: drive, then five by thecategories following fivewithin categories within each region: a QR code which allows smart phones Arts & Heritage Trail cultural attractions.
to scan the signs and be hyperlinked to information on the property and the Built Heritage –highlights Architecture and Buildings In a continued effort to increase the profile of cultural product across of the Island, The Arts & Heritage Trail our cultural tourism product first&sectors by coastal drive, then Arts Heritage Trail. Built Heritage – Architecture and Buildings TIAPEI has launched the Arts & Heritage Trail, which is a guide to distinctive Island tourism Builtfive Heritage – Architecture Buildings The TIAPEI Cultural and Heritage by the following categories within eachand region: cultural attractions. Tourism Product Steering Committee Human Heritage – Ethnic Heritage, Hands on is thrilled with the response from inExperiences, Cultural Festivals and Industrial dustry. In Cultural its inaugural year, we have 94 listings on the Arts & Heritage Trail The Arts & Heritage Trail highlights our cultural tourism product first by coastal drive, then Human Heritage – Ethnic Heritage, Hands on Experiences, Festivals Heritage Heritage – Ethnic Heritage, Hands on Experiences, Cultural Human Festivals Built Heritage – Architecture and Buildings and 46 signs purchased. and Industrial Heritage by the following five categories within each region: For more information on the Arts & Heritage Trail, please visit www. and Industrial Heritage artsandheritagepei.com or contact peiartsandheritagetrail@gmail.com Natural Heritage – Coastal and Pastoral Vistas, and Ecology
Human Heritage –– Ethnic Hands on Experiences, Built Heritage – Architecture and Buildings Natural Heritage CoastalHeritage, and Pastoral Vistas, and EcologyCultural Festivals Natural Heritage – and Coastal and Pastoral Vistas, and Ecology Industrial Heritage
Mark Your Calendars! Human Heritage Ethnic Heritage, Handsand on Experiences, Cultural Festivals Performing Arts – Theatre, Music, Dance Festivals Performing Arts – Theatre, Music, Dance and Festivals
Performing Arts ––Theatre, Music, DanceVistas, and Festivals Natural Heritage Coastal and Pastoral and Ecology and Industrial Heritage
TIAPEI's Annual General Meeting will be held at the Centreetc of the Arts Visual Arts – Art Galleries, Craft Shops, Visual Artists,Confederation Artisan Studios, on Friday, December 2, Visual Arts –Arts Art Galleries, Shops, Visual Artisan Studios, etc2011. Performing – Theatre,Craft Music, Dance and Artists, Festivals Visual Arts – Art Galleries, Craft Shops, Visual Artists, Artisan Studios, etc
Natural Heritage – Coastal and Pastoral Vistas, and Ecology Arts & Heritage Trail participants also had the option of purchasing Quilt Board Signage to Arts & Heritage Trail participants also had the option of purchasing Quilt Board Signage to be 24/7 used as an identifier along the Trail.SERVICE Each sign features a QR code which allows smart ON CALL be used as an identifier along the Trail. Each sign features a QR code which allows smart phones to scan the signs and be hyperlinked to information on the property and the Arts & Visual Arts –Arts ArtbeGalleries, Visual Artists, Artisan Studios, www.johnstonsPEI.com Performing – hyperlinked Theatre,Craft Music, Dance and Festivals phones to scan the signs and toShops, information on the property and theetc Arts & Heritage Trail. Heritage Trail. Arts & Heritage Trail participants also had the option of purchasing Quilt Board Signage to be used as an identifier the Trail. EachProduct sign features a QR code which allows with smartthe The TIAPEI Cultural andalong Heritage Tourism Steering Committee is thrilled The TIAPEI Cultural and Heritage Tourism Product Steering Committee is thrilled with the Visual Arts – Art Galleries, Craft Shops, Visual Artists, Artisan Studios, etc phones to scan the signs and be hyperlinked to information on the property and the Arts & response from industry. In its inaugural year, we have 94 listings on the Arts & Heritage Complete Fire & Water Damage response from industry. In its inaugural year, we have 94 listings on the Arts & Heritage Heritage Trail. Trail and 46 signs purchased. Arts Heritage Trail participants also had the option of purchasing SPECIALISTS Quilt Board Signage to Trail&and 46 signs purchased. be used as an identifier along the Trail. Each sign features a QR code which allows smart yourand Travels, Worry Free ForKeeping more information onHeritage the Arts & Heritage Trail, Steering please visit • Insurance Claims The TIAPEI Cultural Tourism Product Committee is thrilled withWelcome the For more information on the Arts & Heritage Trail, please visit phones to scan the all signs andRV beor hyperlinked to information on the property and the Arts & Trust us with your service needs. www.artsandheritagepei.com contact peiartsandheritagetrail@gmail.com Residential & Commercial response from industry. In its or inaugural we have 94 listings on• the Arts & Heritage www.artsandheritagepei.com contact year, peiartsandheritagetrail@gmail.com Heritage Trail. After Hrs: 1-902-888-9207 Trail and 46 signs purchased. • Smoke & Odor Removal Tire Care: 1-902-888-7604 • Anti-Mildew The Cultural and Product Committee is thrilledTreatment with the www.servicemasterpei.com For TIAPEI more information onHeritage the ArtsTourism & Heritage Trail, Steering please visit response from industry. In its inaugural year, we have 94 listings on the Arts & Heritage www.artsandheritagepei.com or contact peiartsandheritagetrail@gmail.com Trail and 46 signs purchased.
Quick Response, Fast Relief
1-800-670-1026
For more information on the Arts & Heritage Trail, please visit www.artsandheritagepei.com or contact peiartsandheritagetrail@gmail.com
of PEI
2 Grant Street, Charlottetown
30 Greenwood Dr., Summerside, PEI
Charlottetown: 902-629-1200 Summerside: 902-436-8882 11
Achieving Excellence: Raising the Bar in HR
NOVEMBER 14-16, 2011
The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC), along with the Tourism Industry Association of PEI (TIAPEI), invites you to attend the 10th Annual Tourism HR Forum. With a focus on critical issues related to recruitment, retention, and staff development, this event provides an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
c t h r c . c a / h r f o r u m
10th ANNUAL TOURISM HR FORUM
Rodd Charlottetown Charlottetown, P.E.I.
This project is partially funded by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.
At Kwik Kopy size doesn’t matter. We can print full colour signs, banners, posters, and much more... at almost any size you need.
Contact us for details. Phone: (902) 892-0156
Toll Free: 1 866 KWIKKOPY
(594-5679)
charlottetown.kwikkopy.ca info@kwikkopy-pei.com 91 Euston Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1W3