Friday, July 12, 2013

BNN Report on Hotels

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/7/11/Alberta-home-to-Canadas-priciest-destination.aspx

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Definitely better value here than in Regina.

Anonymous said...

Another missed opportunity by TT to tell potential visitors that we have a variety of accommodations starting from $35 per night. This has happened before with no response from TT. To busy driving the van around? The director was never replaced and it looks like they have become a video production company producing videos about people who live here. You have forgotten who you are marketing to! Tourists not people who want to move here. This is a classic marketing mistake demonstrating the need for more experience. Please hire a director and at least interview some applicants this time instead of hiring a friend who use to work for you. Time to clean up the last of the mess left by schmunky business

Anonymous said...

#YourTofino's tourism marketing $$$ down the drain

Anonymous said...

I'd like more information. What is "Tourism Tofino"? Who is "Tourism Tofino"? What is their mandate? Where do they get their funding? Why do they advertise accomodations in Ucluelet? Why does their homepage lead me to believe that Tofino is best enjoyed only during the summer? Is it really true that the only place to get a room tonight is at Duffin Cove Resort, or go to Ucluelet? Are the only activities available in the month of July the public Market in the village green, on Saturdays, and the legion fishing derby at the end of the month? Who's job is it to keep this information (and the entire website) updated?

Ralph Tieleman said...

Tourism Tofino is funded by the 2% hotel tax. Their annual budget is about 600k .

Anonymous said...

With that kind of budget there should be a dramatic rise in tourism . Feast was a flop and its hard to tell what else they do . Time for a review and an overhaul . Tofino really needs to get tourism going again .

Anonymous said...

7:46 7 4:14,

Do you really think Tofino is having a hard time with tourism? Tourism Tofino does a lot of behind the scenes work. Maybe you don't see the work because you live here. If you live here, you are NOT Tourism Tofino's market. I see ads in so many places I travel. Visitor's to Comox Airport and BC Ferries are some of the main suppliers of fresh visitors and I see ads every time I'm there.

Tourism Tofino puts small B&Bs on the map. Without the visitor centre, which has a cost to run, people would literally show up and not know what experiences await them. Visitors would arrive and not even realize there's whales within 5 minutes of our harbour. One of the most common questions at the Centre is, "What is there to do here?" Funny thing, to plan a vacation around not knowing what to do somewhere. Something obviously brought them here.

Tourism Tofino has a huge mandate before them. I personally believe that they make our town of 1,500 have an international presence. What an amazing thing to be endlessly featured in magazine and travel blogs and television shows. Do you honestly think that those media sources, just miraculously feature Tofino as a prime destination on their own? Not likely.

And what about other towns on that list? Jasper and Tofino are some of the most seasonal destinations on that list. Is it any wonder that prices are higher? Seasonal means that more money arrives one part of the year than other parts. Seasonal would indicate a demand of limited resources.

Tourism Tofino helps businesses in Tofino. I personally, am thankful for them.

Ralph Tieleman said...

Thank you for another perspective . Ralph

Anonymous said...

For what it is worth, tourism has declined since the creation of Tourism Tofino .

Ralph Tieleman said...

Tofino has been facing the perfect storm against tourism . The high Canadian dollar has discouraged US visitors and has made it attractive for Canadians to head south. The high ferry fares discourage travel to the Island . Tourism Tofino has an uphill battle on all fronts.

Anonymous said...

Ucluelet tries to market itself as "Ukee" which is understandable because most Tourist can't pronounce Ucluelet.

But Why is Tofino rebranded as #YourTofino ?
WTF is wrong with #Tofino what every visiting Tourist is Tweeting & instagramming ?
It's remarkable to see an amateur Tourism Organization blow Hundreds of Thousands without attracting visitors.

Anonymous said...

It is a gravy train for a select few. No accountability.Let's see them open up the books and see where the money goes.

Anonymous said...

Bring back Schmunk. Heard he's available.

Anonymous said...

The visitor centre was doing good work long before Tourism Tofino was created. That stupid van is a joke.Why doesn't the Chamber of Commerce do something about Tourism Tofino ? Go to the Tourism Tofino website right now and let's have some honest comments good or bad.Take a look and see if you think it adequately showcases all that Tofino has to offer . Good luck with seeing their financials.

Ralph Tieleman said...

www.tourismtofino.com
I don't understand why there are ads for places to stay in Ucluelet ! Tourism Tofino should be promoting Tofino !

OverIt said...

Oy vey, legions of Anonymi... How many of you were at their AGM shared with the Chamber, when they bothprobably shared their financials, mandate, etc? K, raise of hands!!!

I see a lot of visitors AND local residents using yourtofino, which would indicate buy-in...


Anonymous said...

Wow, there's sure a lot of haters out there. Sick of tourists already? It's only July!
Tourism Tofino will list anyone on their website who pays for a membership to the Tofino Chamber of Commerce (and holds a valid business license).
All the listings on there from Ukee have paid for memberships.
Personally, I think they're doing a great job.
And @4:14 - The last minute availability or current vacancy page is updated by the MEMBERS, and not the Tourism Tofino staff.

Anonymous said...

I looked at the website. No wonder tourism is down .

Turn left at Junction said...

Ralph, you are right . There are many Ucluelet accomodation providers advertising on the site. How is that possible ??

Ralph Tieleman said...

I haven't had this confirmed but apparently Ucluelet businesses can join Tourism Tofino and the Tofino Chamber of Commerce.

Anonymous said...

I am not a hater . I love Tofino and would like to see tourism increase . This is not happening so I feel I have the right to ask legitimate questions . Where does all the money go and why are there no results ? It's not being a hater to love your town and to love accountability .

Anonymous said...

9:41 not sick of tourists . Sick of the lack of tourists . It was busier 5 or even ten
Years ago. Please send more tourists.

Anonymous said...

Ukee is down by 30% this year (or so I hear).
Hats off to Tourism Tofino for helping all of us keep our heads above water. We'd be worse off without them, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

What people aren't saying here is that Tofino has priced itself out of the market to a large degree.once that impression is out there it is very difficult for any marketing agency to overcome. Same thing happened in Whistler and they never recovered.

Anonymous said...

How about a " Tofino on a Budget " page on the website highlighting some of the less expensive places to stay and eat ? Trek Inn , Hostel , Coop deli , Garys etc.....

Anonymous said...

An actual constructive comment with thoughtful feedback/suggestions on how to improve! such a novelty! It may blow your anonymity to send an email or pick up a phone and speak to a Tofino Tourism board member or the director instead, but it might actually register and go someplace outside of this small group of 'haters' who can't see that we are actually surviving in a tourism economy that still sees huge drops in tourism going down in other towns in BC. They must be doing something right. But I still have to advertise and market my small business. Just like everyone No one else is going to! I like the budget website page idea.

Anonymous said...

As per usual the critics are being attacked as "haters".Instead of attacking valid criticism why not fix the problem ?

Anonymous said...

Do the accomodations providers from Ucluelet, who advertise on the Tourism Tofino website, contribute to the 2% Hotel tax fund?
This is just plain WRONG!

Anonymous said...

First problem....you have a destination MARKETING organization run by someone with zero marketing experience. Look at the ads. Quantity of ads means nothing. There is no continuity in the ads and it's as if they do not have a marketing plan or are choosing not to follow a plan. Rookie marketing 101 mistakes. Make your ad $ count and get a professional person who understands marketing and advertising. Sure you can make a public suggestion and watch your journalist's visits disappear.

Ralph Tieleman said...

Tourism marketing is certainly a hot topic and has been for some time.Long before this blog there was controversy over moving the info centre from the Municipal Hall to Cox Bay.Thank you all for your input.

Anonymous said...

Why are they handing out 4 different Tofino Maps ????.... my business is only listed on 1 map!
I would need to spend another $500 - $600 a year to get listed on the other 3 confusing maps they are handing out.

Anonymous said...

12:26 PM....... I believe all those maps are privately operated advertising businesses......you have the right to choose which ones you will or will not pay to carry your message. You also have the right to choose to use TV, radio, newspaper ads, business cards, phamplets or brochures, apps, twitter, facebook, have a roadside sign, put lettering on your front window.... (the list is endless).....or to not advertise your business at all. As a business operator, it is your responsibility to find the best "bang for the buck" for your specific business.
It's always been my experience that successful businesses get their best advertising from word of mouth referrals from satisfied customers.
Stop whining and get to work. Serve your customers, give them a fair price, product, and service, even give a bit more value than your competition.....and your business will look after itself.

Anonymous said...

Based on what? The collapse of the economy or your own opinion? What does this have to do with the article Ralph posted anyhow?

Anonymous said...

Lots for energy... I like to see more reviews as in asking members how effective do you feel we are at marketing Tofino?

I can see Tourism Tofino and the BOD shaking at the thought but lets ask the members what they really thing and publish that information for all to see.

Anonymous said...

The board of directors don't care what the members think. I think I am one of many who don't join and it has made no difference to my business other than to keep a whole bunch of cash in my pocket.
The way the chamber and TT are run is a joke. It is commonly known that they'll be nice to you until you fail to pay your membership and then you don't exist.
I'm certainly WAY better off not being associated with it.

Speaking of marketing, what is the point of marketing to groups that will spend little or no money in town once they have arrived? They seem to be expert at that.

Kirsten Soder, General Manager, Tourism Tofino said...

Some passionate discussion about the tourism sector and Tourism Tofino - great to see. Here are a few facts that shed some light on who Tourism Tofino is and what we do to supplement the information that is publicly available at all times:

*Tourism Tofino is a destination marketing organization (DMO). Our marketing programs and projects are mostly funded by the 2% Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) and our board of directors comprises 5 fixed-roof accommodation providers, 4 non-accommodation businesses, and 4 non-voting representatives from the Tofino Business Association, Parks Canada, the District of Tofino, and the Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. The Tourism Tofino board meets monthly at 9am on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

*Tourism Tofino responded within an hour of the cheaphotels.com survey report being released, arranging and recording an interview with CBC Radio's On the Island show that aired yesterday morning. The interview addressed the flawed survey methodology which focuses on a limited number of hotels and does not fairly represent the affordability and variety of accommodations available in Tofino. I also gave a similar interview to the Westerly News this week.

*We are mid-way through a 3 year business plan and strategic marketing plan developed by an industry-savvy board with stakeholder input that we review, amend and update annually to ensure we are meeting our overarching mandates of increasing brand awareness, and increasing overnight visitation to Tofino. Both of these metrics are measurable and achieved through a specific set of goals and objectives. Detailed examples of Tourism Tofino goals and accomplishments are presented to the community at the AGM and through ongoing updates via stakeholder communiqués.

*These plans are publicly available, as are our financial statements, reviewed annually with a thorough Review Engagement conducted by MNP, vetted and approved by the Tourism Tofino board, the Chamber of Commerce, the membership at the AGM, and the District of Tofino.

*A members-only back end area of the Tourism Tofino website will soon be available so that our formal plans, goals, objectives and measurement criteria may be viewed online. We welcome constructive, helpful input and feedback from our 300+ stakeholders. As indicated in last week's Tourism Tofino Stakeholder Newletter (emailed to all stakeholders), Tofino businesses are now displayed more prominently on the website than members from Ucluelet, which has enjoyed a significant boost in traffic since January of this year.

Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns. We'd appreciate non-anonymous postings so we can follow up with specific concerns you might have. Contact me directly at any time at 250-725-3416 or kirsten@tourismtofino.com

Anonymous said...

It's funny how everyone is so vocal about what a bad job Tourism Tofino is doing until somebody from the organization addresses these concerns and now.... silence. How about instead of being an internet troll you all take her up on her offer of speaking with her directly to address your concerns? Feels uncomfortable all of a sudden when not hidden behind your computer screen, I bet.

Ralph Tieleman said...

Good observation.You have proven that even anonymous comments have some value.

Anonymous said...

I didn't see answers to the questions posed by all the anon. postings. I instead saw the standard bafflegab that is used to justify any organization's existence and shut down commentary from the community. For the amount of money being talked about, I'd expect much more.

Anonymous said...

1.Why hasn't the directors position been filled?
2.Who was interviewed for the current managers position? who did the hiring? What was their past relationship with the person who did the hiring?
3.Why was there no public posting for this job?
4.Current position was supposed to be temporary. why the delay?
5. heard the numbers for old downtown visitors centre vs. van and they are down drastically. What is the solution?
6. Why doesn't a Destination Marketing Organization have a qualified person with marketing experience?
7. How much was paid for the Travel type Quiz and why is there nothing being done with the info or mailing list?
8. How much per a year does the van lease cost? Bet you could have bought one by now. Who signed the deal with low milage so you had to tow it around? Are there past relations with the owner of the van and the person signing the lease?
9. How much did all those videos cost? Where else are they being used? Why are they about locals living here and not about why tourists visit here?
10. close the downtown visitor's centre and then put your wife's store in it? I could go on and on.....something is not right here.

Anonymous said...

all the videos are great IF they were produced by the chamber of commerce to try and get people to live here. They have no value for tourism and I cant find the link to the tourism marketing plan? Any help? Plan your marketing then market your plan.

Anonymous said...

May 22, Twitter quote :
* @INfilm: ... Tourism Tofino has also generously contributed $1,000 to our #filmvancouverisland campaign. Thank you!...

* @tourism_tofino: ... @infilm Our pleasure - such a great project!

#filmvancouverisland = Help us grow Film & New Media on Vancouver Island!

Anonymous said...

Why is Tourism Tofino promoting Ucluelet on their website ?? This is stupid.Nice new sign promoting Ucluelet at the junction. It is much cheaper to get a room or campsite in Ucluelet. Who is responsible for this ?

Anonymous said...

When you invite Journalist and so called "Foodies" to YourTofino, why do they all stay at the same Inn ?
When I watch their segment on TV, they are talking about "the Maid who comes in at night and turns on the Bose sound system in your room" and "heated floors, my own rain jacket and Britta water filter" & "a press on the Button and a flatscreen TV pops out of the cabinet" blah blah Amazing Luxury, blah blah Exquisite Cuisine, blah blah 7 course tasting menu.

Do you really think this represents Tofino and attracts Tourism in this Economy?

Anonymous said...

Two things; there are too many maps. Business owners are to choose one? This is silly and costly, what if you choose the wrong one! The district should endorse one and coordinate so there is a focus, poor tourist are walking around with a handful of maps and may just walk into a wall. Second, market why tofino is a great place to visit not how great a place it is to live in, this only makes people envious and envy doesn't sell. Tourism tofino is for tofino not ukee, again focus on the prize and help out . the many small businesse that are struggling to make it work in an over regulated and over priced rental market. Ok that was three for all you critics out there

Anonymous said...

Maps... It's true we have too many of them.

But each map represents a different enterprising individual out to make some money. All you have to do to make a map is get some advertisers and join the chamber. Then the chamber supports you and hands out your map. Because of the way the chamber works, they cannot favor one map over another just as they can't favor one Whale Watching venture over another.

Maps are quick, easy cash after the first year is over and you've sold most of the spots. Look at the businesses that chose to be on all the maps, not to miss out. Huge waste of money. You look at a map with 50 ad spots, $400 bucks- an ad, that's $20,000 and all you have to do is get them printed. And if you design it yourself, the costs are even cheaper.

Have you seen how ugly some of the maps are? Or how they would make a nice souvenir but are horrendously useless to use in a real life scenario. Some of those maps have so much labeled that you can't find something even if you know where it is.Those are the people who really like the ad revenue...

To say that the District should consolidate and have one map is like saying that the District should combine all the restaurants so people don't have to choose, just in case they choose the wrong one.

Anyway, everyone is entitled to make a map. And it looks like everyone has.

Anonymous said...

On my last beach walk I came across a message on the beach that says it all. Instead of the usual "I love Tofino" or something similar it said "Tofino is too expensive". I actually have to agree with that statement. I do appreciate that businsses here have to make their money in a relatively short season but I think that Tofino is getting to be unaffordable for a lot of people. Seems that Tofino just wants to cater to the small percentage of independly wealthy tourists - quick and easy money. Eventually this particular group will move on to greener pastures, to a new trendy spot with better weather. By then Tofino will have scared away the average tourist with it's outrageous prices for accommodation, food and entertainment.
The greed of this town will hurt tourism guaranteed.

Anonymous said...

I so agree 10:05, not to mention the poor attitudes that go along with the high prices.