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Hello Members & Stakeholders!
Happy fall season! Below is a snapshot of what's happening at Tourism Fernie and other items of interest to our tourism members and partners including local metrics, announcements 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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Fernie Fills My Cup - Late Fall Campaign | |
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As with previous years, Tourism Fernie has launched a campaign to drive incremental leisure stays throughout a traditionally slower time of year. This year's leitmotiv of the campaign is 'Fernie Fills My Cup.'
The ‘Fernie Fills My Cup’ campaign encourages overnight visitation for new, direct bookings (2-night min.) with guests receiving up to $150 in local gift cards (while quantities last) to utilize during their stay for shopping and dining.
The campaign consists of a digital component - display & video ads on Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and Google targeting CAN & US drive markets, and radio ads in Alberta.
Video ads feature some of the local businesses - you can watch them on Youtube.
Learn more about the campaign by clicking the button bellow. If you have any questions, feel free to email brona@tourismfernie.com or christine@tourismfernie.com
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New Social Media, Content & Digital Marketing Co-ordinator | | |
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Tourism Fernie is delighted to welcome Emily Williams to the marketing team
Working directly with the Marketing Manager, the Social Media, Content & Digital Marketing Co-ordinator is responsible for Tourism Fernie's social channels and digital assets.
Emily brings with her skills and experience in tourism & mountain towns, digital content design and creation, social media, marketing, copywriting, communications, starting and running a small business, event & performance design and more!
Contact Emily directly at emily@tourismfernie.com
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Fernie Accommodation Revenues | |
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Fernie Accommodation Revenues
January - July 2023:
All accommodation revenues:
- Up 30% over same period in 2022.
- Up 58% over same period in 2019 (pre-covid).
Accommodation revenues booked through short-term rental platforms (ie AirBnB, VRBO)*:
- Up 120% over same period in 2022.
- Up 243% over same period in 2019 (pre-covid).
Accommodation revenues booked through traditional commercial accommodators*:
- Up 12% over same period in 2022.
- Up 26% 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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Destination Project Highlights | |
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Elk River Access
Improvements Initiative
Tourism Fernie's on-going work to improve key river access sites including Morrissey, Elko, Olsen Pit and Hosmer is finally starting to take form after lengthy permit and approval processes. 2024 will be a big year for improvements to take place with some starting this fall. Stay tuned for more updates or email jikke@tourismfernie.com
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New video and website for AmbassadorWILD
Learn all about the program through the launch of its own unique website designed and built by My Friend Pike and Claris Media, and the latest This is Fernie video featuring the program.
Watch Video View Website
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AmbassadorWILD Program
a finalist for Canadian
Tourism Award
Tourism Fernie's AmbassadorWILD Program, a part of its Sustainable Tourism Strategy, won its first award last spring from the BC Economic Development Association and has recent been announced as a finalist for a Canadian Tourism Award.
An awards Gala event, as part of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada's Tourism Congress, will be held in Ottawa next month on November 22nd.
Wish us luck and stay tuned for the results!
Read More
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New Parking Area at River Rd & Coal Creek Rd Junction
Tourism Fernie with grant funding from the Province of BC worked with Fernie Trails Alliance and Coal Creek Heritage Society to clean up the unofficial parking area, with Canwels support, to expand and improve it. This parking area will become a multi-use staging area for the new route to the Ammonite while providing a new access point for Coal Creek, TCT Trail, Montane Trails, Castle Hike, and more. A big thank you to Foothills for the great work on the site!
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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. See them all or contact rebecca@tourismfernie.com for restocking.
A new '20 Things to Do in November' and Featured Winter Events Poster are currently being distributed around town.
Coming soon:
- UPDATED 2023-2024 Winter Trail Map
- NEW Heritage Walking Tour Brochure
- NEW Fernie Art Walk Brochure
- UPDATED Snowmobile Flyer
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Winter 2024 Travel Planner
The Winter 2024 Travel Planner is now available in print and ONLINE for digital download.
This 48-page guide is produced twice annually and features activities, attractions, accommodation & F&B listings, events, weddings, spa, suggested itineraries and things to do, maps, and information on getting here.
Copies have now been distributed around Fernie and to Visitor Centres across BC and Alberta and will be shared at upcoming consumer shows in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
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Fall & Winter Cultural Guides | |
Pick up the latest edition of the Fall Fernie & Elk Valley Cultural Guide around town or view online.
This edition features cultural events, attractions, walking tours and features on The Arts Station and Fernie & Sparwood Museums, and:
- Local Musicians
- Fernie Ghost Tours
- Earth's Own Naturals
- House of Gato
- The Elk Valley's Long Toed Salamander
- 'This is Fernie' Online Video Series
The Winter edition is now in production and will cover Mid December to April. For more information, contact: rebecca@tourismfernie.com.
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This is Fernie! VLOG
Launched in November 2022, the series now features 6 episodes and has received over 60,000 views to date!
This Is Fernie! highlights Fernie's cool community culture, characters, businesses, organisations, and great experiences.
The latest episode features our award-winning AmbassadorWILD Program.
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Winter Campaign Launching
Tourism Fernie is launching a destination campaign to promote ski-focused stays and general winter visitation this season. The campaign consists of 15s TV ads on GlobalTV in select provinces across Canada, digital advertising on Google & Meta, radio ads in Alberta as well as digital video advertising at some of the major airports in Canada.
If you have any question or would like to know more, contact brona@tourismfernie.com
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Calgary Bridal Expo
Island Lake Lodge, Fernie Alpine Resort and Stemhouse Floral Studio joined Tourism Fernie at the recent Calgary Bridal Expo.
This multi-booth collaborative, showcased a strong presence for Fernie as a mountain wedding destination to over 3,000 brides, grooms, friends & family!
For more information on Tourism Fernie's media, travel trade and co-op activities, please contact: christine@tourismfernie.com
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Tamara Elliot recently visited Fernie and featured us in her Globe Guide - Savvy Advice for Extraordinary Adventures.
The huge feature is packed with all of the amazing things to do that Fernie offers in the fall including hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, dining, spa, shopping and our beautiful downtown plus tips on great places to stay.
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In partnership with The BC Ale Trail, influencer/content creators @yakeandmarie were invited to Fernie for the creation of an in-depth "Road Trip Journal".
Their experience is showcased within the following blog, alongside an interactive map-based user interface.
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A recent visit from Ascend TV captured new fall footage and stories showcasing fishing and hiking for an episode release next year.
Ascend have featured Fernie in previous winter and spring features.
Check out their episodes at the link below:
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Andrew Penner is a freelance writer and shared his Fernie fall favourites in the The Calgary Herald:
Outdoors: A Fernie fix covers all the bases from hiking to history.
Andrew also recently visited Fernie to gather additional story content on hiking, golfing, mountain biking and exploring historic downtown for use in future articles.
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Membership & Member Support Services | |
Welcome to our recent new and returning members! | |
Work In Fernie - Supporting Local Businesses & Recruitment
Tourism Fernie works with the Fernie Chamber of Commerce to help advertise local jobs. All campaigns point to the Work in Fernie website for job postings.
Coming soon - Housing Rental Platform!
Be sure to post your jobs at workinfernie.com
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Perez McKenzie Immigration Consultations
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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Fernie Ambassador Program
The Fernie Ambassador Program is a partner-led initiative with support from the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, College of the Rockies, Resort Municipality Initiative and Tourism Fernie.
The Program is a great introduction for new and returning staff featuring an overview of Fernie and all the great things to see and do, along with practical advice on living and working in Fernie and customer service skills.
Just $20+GST per participant!
Upcoming dates:
November 23 & 30, December 7.
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Halloween in Fernie
Supporting our mandate of increasing visitation in the slower seasons, Tourism Fernie has a featured calendar of all of the fantastic halloween events being hosted over the coming days.
Until October 31st, there are plenty of shockingly good events for you and your guests of all ages to enjoy in Fernie!
Support local and share this link to spread the word and be sure to send us details of your upcoming winter events to feature - and be sure to post your events as a fb event, so we can share them to our fb calendar!
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Fernie Holiday Kick Off
Celebrating the start of the holiday shopping season with a night of community, art, lights, fun, music and more!
The Fernie Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate by decorating your business windows, (there will be prizes!) offering a special deal or promotion, staying open late or hosting a special event to animate the event.
Enjoy shopping, Santa & Mrs Claus, festive carolers, fireworks at Station Square and more!
#spenditinfernie
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Tunnel49 Winter Airport Shuttle Service
Tunnel49's airport shuttle service is a convenient way for visitors, staff and guests to travel to Fernie from Calgary International Airport-YYC, Canadian Rockies-YXC and other regional airports.
Daily service is available. From December 15, 2023 - March 31, 2024 there are no minimum passenger requirements. Fares are $149 per person from YXC and $199 from YYC to Fernie, plus GST & Fuel Surcharge. Discounts for advance bookings for return trips. Service is available until December 15th with minimum passenger requirements.
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Important Dates & Industry Events | |
October 27 - 29 I Toronto Ski + Snowboard Show | | |
November 1-2 I Kootenay Rockies Tourism AGM Conference, Invermere | | |
November 3 - 4 I Saskatchewan Snowmobile Show | | |
November 9 I Tourism Industry Association of BC AGM - Virtual | | |
November 21-22 I TIAC'S Tourism Congress in Ottawa | | |
November 23 & 30 & December 7 I Fernie Ambassador Program | | |
January 21, 2024 I The Wedding Fair in Calgary | | |
March 6-7, 2024 I BC Tourism Industry Conference in Victoria | | |
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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