Goal

• By May 1 a familiarization (FAM) bus tour leaves for a 2-3 day circuit that will include 60% of the Heart of the Continent participating communities and associated public land management agencies.

• Tour will include leaders and tourism centre staff and will tour participating venues and attend related events.

Objectives

• Atikokan will take the lead in organizing a familiarization bus tour of HOC communities and public lands– Identify participants from each area (3-4)– Each visited Community must be prepared to

welcome and address bus audience– Each community/land group must tell about

their local attractions and assets and relation to adjacent public land.

Regional Benefits of Tour

• Promotes the Brand (HOC)

• First Hand Exposure to Sites/people

• Expands Number of Ambassadors

• Incentive for local showpiece upgrade

• Improved visitor experience

• Production of a training, awareness video for those not participating in tour

Local Stakeholders

• Community Leaders (Mayor, Council,CAO)• AEDC staff and Board• Quetico Staff and Zone Manager• Provincial Govt Dev & Tourism Agencies• Chamber of Commerce • Related businesses in and out of town• Media (local and regional)• DeptFAIT (federal trade promotion)

Action Steps

• Investigate Intern (Nov)

• Prepare Proposal to local decision makers

• Form local planning group (Nov)

• Conduct Research (Dec-Jan)– Route

-Venues/Itinerary

-Schedule

Action Steps

• Identify and recruit champions (Nov-Jan)

• Sign-off by other Communities (Jan)

• Detailed Planning (Feb)– Who,what ,when– Media and federal/border support– Filming and training guide

• Bus Leaves (May)

INDICATORS OF SUCESS

•Support from HOCP Congress (done)

•Local Endorsement (1 month)

•Champions found in each area (8-10)

•Funding Commitments in Place (100%)

•Full Participation (seats full)