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)