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Hello Members & Stakeholders!
Here's your quarterly snapshot of what's happening at Tourism Fernie and other items of interest to our tourism members and partners including local metrics, announcements, updates and more.
We welcome business updates from you that we can share in future e-newsletters. We also send a monthly e-newsletter to visitors promoting Fernie - if you don't already receive that email and would like to be added to the mailing list, please email info@tourismfernie.com.
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Tourism Fernie Industry Event & AGM | |
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Tourism Fernie Annual General Meeting and Industry Updates
Thursday, April 4th, 2024
at Best Western Fernie Mountain Lodge
With Keynote Speaker: Stuart Back, COO, Pursuit Collection
Stuart Back has over 20 years of experience leading teams in a variety of occupations including attractions, hospitality, transportation and military operations. Stuart's expertise includes leadership of strategic and operational planning and implementation, financial management, best-practice process establishment, tourism marketing, stakeholder engagement and team development, and he has a proven record of sucessfully delivering organizational growth and development. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Tourism Jasper, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, and the Tourism Association of Alberta.
Pursuit is a collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic places including Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavík, Las Vegas, and Toronto. In the Canadian Rockies Pursuit operates 7 iconic Attractions, 10 lodging properties, 22 restaurants and sightseeing experiences, welcoming over 2M guests each year.
Registration for the event will open in February. FREE for Tourism Fernie Members. Lunch provided.
If you have any questions, please email jikke@tourismfernie.com or rebecca@tourismfernie.com.
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Fernie Accommodation Revenues | |
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Fernie Accommodation Revenues
January - October 2023:
All accommodation revenues:
- Up 30% over same period in 2022.
- Up 56% over same period in 2019 (pre-covid).
Accommodation revenues booked through short-term rental platforms (ie AirBnB, VRBO)*:
- Up 92% over same period in 2022.
- Up 284% over same period in 2019 (pre-covid).
Accommodation revenues booked through traditional commercial accommodators*:
- Up 14% over same period in 2022.
- Up 25% over same period in 2019 (pre-covid).
* NOTE - Many traditional commercial accommodators use AirBnB and VRBO as a sales channel for some of their units.
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How was 2023? What's your 2024 outlook?
Please Complete this Short Survey
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Calling all members and businesses!
Everyone wants to know how 2023 was for our tourism industry and how things look for 2024. Please help by completing this short survey. We will release the aggregated details in the next newsletter or sooner!
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Destination Mgnt & Development Highlights | | |
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Tourism Fernie is delighted to welcome Corien Sieders back in a new role
As the new Manager, Destination Management & Development, Corien will be working closely with Jikke on existing and new projects that support tourism in Fernie, including transportation, visitor experiences, data collection, and working with many partners on visitor staging areas, products, facilities and infrastructure.
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Corien brings a wealth of tourism, hotel, retail, and business experience; having managed properties such as Lizard Creek Lodge and the Stanford Hotel, running the Fernie Chamber and VIC, and covering Jikke's maternity leave back in 2013. Contact Corien directly at corien@tourismfernie.com | | |
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Hartley Lake Road Meeting
Tourism Fernie recent hosted an online meeting with stakeholders regarding Hartley Lake Road and the need and plans for safety improvements. Attendees included the Ministry of Forests, RDEK, Hartley Lake Road residents and local non-profit groups such as Fernie Snowmobile Assn, Fernie Trails Alliance, and the Elk Valley Dirt & Adventure Riders. Meetings will continue. For more details email jikke@tourismfernie.com
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Winter Trails Collaborative
Did you know that there are tons of people and organizations that work together to support and groom trails and terrain for our enjoyment and for visitors? It takes a lot of passion, time, funding and coordination. So much that a video is planned to highlight it all!
If you love groomed trails and access, be sure to 'extra' support the organizations (donations and trail passes) and the groomers that make it happen including Fernie Snowmobile Association, Fernie Trails Alliance, Coal Creek Heritage Society, Fernie Nordic Society, the City of Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort, Island Lake Lodge, Tourism Fernie & the AmbassadorWILD Program, and the local businesses such as Gearhub as shown in photo helping with grooming equipment maintenance.
When on the trails please obey signage and THINK BEFORE YOU SINK!
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New Grant to Support Transportation
Tourism Fernie was successful in receiving a grant from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) to support two transportation initiatives.
Shuttle App Development
An app will be developed that will allow the ticket program to go fully digital, provide easy access to shuttle information and updates, track the buses on route and give businesses an opportunity to promote their message directly to App users.
Partnership & Plan Development
Researching and building, through partnerships, improved visitor and local transportation systems, including BC Transit.
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Marketing & Travel Media Highlights | |
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Northwest Travel & Lifestyle Writers Conference
Christine Grimble attended the 'Travel & Words' NTLWC, Nov 12 - 14, 2023 in Missoula, MT, conducting 20+ one-on-one meetings and networking with travel, food, and lifestyle writers who write for over 500 media outlets.
The 2024 Northwest Travel & Lifestyle Writers Conference will be held in Tacoma, Washington, October 1 - 3, 2024.
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This is Fernie! with Sadie
Bloopers Episode
For the past year the team poured their hearts into creating episodes for the This is Fernie! with Sadie video series in order to share compelling stories from our community.
For the last episode in 2023 we decided to compile and share some of the fun moments we had while filming this grass-roots series.
We will be back soon with more interesting stories and This is Fernie! episodes. In the meantime, enjoy the Bloopers Compilation here.
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Toronto Ski + Snowboard Show
Fernie, BC was showcased during this 3-day show, which welcomes over 30,000 ski and snowboard enthusiasts excited to plan their next winter holiday. In partnership with Fernie Alpine Resort, Tourism Fernie also attended a Media event and connected with in-market travel trade partners.
For more information on Tourism Fernie's media, travel trade, and co-op activities, please contact: christine@tourismfernie.com
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Marketing Product Updates | | |
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Brochures and Activity Guides
Tourism Fernie produces a wide selection of brochures, flatsheets, flyers, calendars, maps, and activity guides.
Recently updated:
We also issue a printable events pdf every two weeks. VIEW ONLINE or email rebecca@tourismfernie.com to be added to the mailing list.
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The latest edition of the Fernie & Elk Valley Cultural Guide is now available around town and online.
This edition features cultural events, attractions, walking tours and features on The Ktunaxa Homelands, The Arts Station, Fernie & Sparwood Museums, Elkford Arts Studio, and:
- Fernie musicians Mt Rushka
- Fernie Pride Society
- Fernie Books
- Chef Victor Spicer
- Artists Jolene Miner & Dannika Spady
- The History of Fernie's Hospital
- The Fernie Oil Derrick
The program for 2024-2025 is currently being finalised and details will be available soon. For more information, contact: rebecca@tourismfernie.com.
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BC Magazine - Ski-Free Fun on the Powder Highway
Diane Selkirk explored alternate adventures on a winter tour of the Kootenay Rockies. In Fernie, she snowshoed and fat biked at Fernie Alpine Resort and enjoyed a visit to the Ice Bar at Lizard Creek Lodge.
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Cycling Magazine - Mainlining the spirit of gravel at Fernie Gravel Grind
Launched just three years ago by Fernie's own Carter Nieuwesteeg, the Fernie Gravel Grind is attracting a lot of attention in the fast-growing gravel-riding community.
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Eight-ish bikes from the Fernie Gravel Grind - Cycling Magazine
Gravel riding has brought together weekend riders in cut-offs on bikes no longer good enough for the trails, with hard-core racers on the latest industry releases. From MTB conversions to modern carbon race rigs, Terry McKall dives into this fascinating cross-over sport.
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Out of Home Advertising in Key Markets
Breaking through the hustle and bustle of Toronto's Dundas station, Fernie was captivating wider audiences with our eye-catching digital wall display this past December.
As part of the winter destination campaign we ran digital mega boards on most frequented routes within Winnipeg and Saskatoon.
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Membership & Member Support Services | |
Looking for a Long-Term Rental? Need to Post One?
Work in Fernie website, a partnership between the Fernie Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Fernie, now features a Places to Rent Board where property owners and tenants can post and find long-term rentals easily, quickly and safely. Be sure to post your jobs and rentals for free at workinfernie.com
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BC Government Pilot Project to support the Restaurant Industry
The Province is investing $380,000 into a two-year pilot project to improve workplace culture, attract and retain workers in BC's restaurant sector, and will work with the Chefs' Table Society of BC on the strategy. Started in summer 2023, the Chefs' Table Society is engaging restaurants in all economic regions throughout the province.
The pilot project, called Restaurant Culture Shift: Pathways to Successful Teams and Sustainable Careers, will develop individual action plans to improve workplace cultures, and attract, recruit, and retain the skilled talent restaurants need to thrive and grow.
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Perez McKenzie Immigration Consultations
Offer extended: For anyone that has foreign staff on their team and is interested in learning more about how to support your employee through different work permits or permanent resident pathways – this is for you!
Click the link for information regarding the Immigration Consultation session with Perez McKenzie and how to book a session. Tourism Fernie will cover the cost of an initial consultation at a value of $210.
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Be King for a Day!
Le Bon Pain C'est La Vie Bakery Now open Tuesday - Sunday 7:45am until 5pm. (4pm Tue)
For January, pick up a Galette de Rois - King Cake, packed with delectable frangipane maison. Find the special charm inside to be crowned King for a day and redeem it in-store for a loaf or viennoiserie of your choice! Also available in January, the Choco Choux and Raspberry & Lime mini choux duo.
Watch for more delectable treats coming in February including a pistachio love cake, la lunette aux myrtilles, raspberry macaron, and strawberry heart brioche!
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Griz Days 2024
Avenue Magazine's 2023 Winner: BEST MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL!
The Fernie Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate in Fernie's biggest event by sponsoring, hosting, or participating. There are many ways to get involved, so click the link, sign up and start preparing!
Highlights include the parade, bed races, lumberjack show, extreme griz competition, craft fair, live entertainment, fireworks at Station Square and much more!
#ferniegrizdays
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Transportation Services
The #Ferniestoke Ski Shuttle connects Fernie Alpine Resort with local accommodations and downtown Fernie with hourly service from 7:45am - 10:30pm.
Tunnel49 offers daily airport shuttle service between Fernie and Calgary International Airport-YYC. Fares start from $227.76 one-way, inc GST & fuel surcharge. Discounts for advance bookings for return trips.
Tunnel49 and Resort Tours offer Canadian Rockies-YXC and other regional airport connections.
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Important Dates & Industry Events | |
Feb 1, 2024 I National Tourism Job Fair VIRTUAL | | |
Feb 19 - 24, 2024 I BC Heritage Week | | |
Mar 1 - 3, 2024 I Griz Days | | |
March 2-3, 2024 I BC Bike Show (Vancouver) | | |
March 6-7, 2024 I BC Tourism Industry Conference in Victoria | | |
March 6, 2024 I East Kootenay Career & Job Fair | | |
March 16-17, 2024 I Calgary Outdoor Adventure Show | | |
March 16-17, 2024 I Alberta Bike Show (Calgary) | | |
March 16-17, 2024 I Calgary Golf Show | | |
April 4, 2024 I Tourism Fernie AGM & Industry Social | | |
April 14 - 19, 2024 I Mountain Travel Symposium | | |
April 15 - 19, 2024 I National Tourism Week | | |
April 26, 2024 I Fernie Chamber of Commerce AGM | | |
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We gratefully acknowledge that we do our business on the homelands of the
Ktunaxa Nation, Qukin ʔAmakʔis, and we honor and respect their ancestors of the past.
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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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