After deciding to let the provincially coordinated user-pays system for raising tourism marketing revenue, the 2% Additional Hotel Room Tax, Alberni Valley Tourism is morphing into what’s called the Port Alberni Hotel Destination Marketing Association. The two hotels and one motel are planning on collecting their own 2% accommodation tax and arranging further funding from strategic partners and governments. They are interested in bringing on more partners from the tourism industry to create a nucleus and funding base to operate a destination tourism marketing agency. As we have learned over the years, you don’t need a multi-million dollar budget for tourism marketing, but you need guaranteed revenue each year in order to support marketing plans that cover a number of years into the future. In order for the valley to be promoted in the basic areas; BC Ferries, websites, electronic social networking sites, travel guides etc., there needs to be some guaranteed marketing revenue and some knowledgeable personnel to make the plans, carry them out and track success. Hopefully this new vehicle will accomplish this goal and at least provide the valley with basic tourism promotion. Tourism-related businesses that would like more information on this new endeavour should contact Jonathan Cross at the Hospitality Inn for more information.
Would you like to spend time cruising aboard the Frances Barkley or strolling about Cathedral Grove this summer engaging visitors in conversation about our fair city? We’ve got the program for you. It’s the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Team and we are into our annual recruitment period. Each year our team of about 45 Ambassadors suffers a bit of attrition and we lose a few team members. We are now looking for fresh new team members to join in the fun this summer. The volunteer work is rewarding, you meet so many new friends and you give back to the community in a very real way. Our orientation meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 17th at the Visitor Centre. If you, or you and your partner are interested in finding out more details about this great community program, call us at the office; 724 6535.
Old car enthusiasts are in for an exciting time this year in Port Alberni. May 12th and 13th the Nanaimo Vintage Car Club will be bringing some 200 vintage cars from all over the province to meet at the McLean Mill National Historic Site. Some will be displayed at the train station, others at the mill over the 2 days. On June 27th there’s an Austin Healey Tour coming to town. They will gather around harbour quay, have some lunch and do some shopping.
The chamber’s next Networking Luncheon is our Annual General Meeting and election of officers. This luncheon will be hosted by Chances Rimrock Gaming Centre. We are now recruiting new board members for the chamber. Those interested in helping lead our business community should call the office for more information. On the AGM agenda will be a resolution to raise membership dues by 3% in 2013 and new constitution and by-law documents will be presented for passage. Call the office for reservations to this important luncheon.
Thought for the Week:
“Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” Will Rogers
FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK
SUBMITTED BY MIKE CARTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALBERNI VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE