Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/715764
16 Tourism Winnipeg | 2017 Destination Marketing Plan & Partnership Opportunities TRAVEL TRADE The travel trade sector is lucrative, as travel agencies, tour operators and affinity clubs develop their own markets for selling travel packages. They provide destinations with a new customer database through their individual marketing reach and influence. There are three sub-groups of travel trade: retail travel agencies who re-sell travel; wholesale tour operators who create travel packages and sell them to travel agencies and directly to consumers; and affinity clubs (groups linked by common interests) who either purchase travel packages or are FITs (frequent/foreign independent travellers). Target Markets Tour operators, motorcoach companies, receptives, student/ youth, affinity group planners, and travel agents Geographic Markets Primary Canada and U.S. Secondary International Tactics Tourism Winnipeg has developed strategic sales activities in collaboration with stakeholders to increase the number of group and packaged tours to the city of Winnipeg. A focused sales approach with compelling messaging, elevated presence at trade shows, marketplaces and client events, and further niche market itinerary development assist in meeting the goals and objectives. Industry Collaboration Tourism Winnipeg will continue to collaborate with Travel Manitoba and industry stakeholders to support sales activities and marketing programs in order to increase the number of group and packaged tours to Winnipeg. Sales Activities Tourism Winnipeg's sales activities include prospecting, in-person sales meetings, follow-up calls, distribution of sales kits, direct mail programs, tracking, site inspections, familiarization tours, and client servicing. A concerted effort has been made to increase prospecting calls to attract business. Tourism Winnipeg also dedicates sales activities in the student/youth and receptive operators. Trade Shows, Marketplaces and Client Events Tourism Winnipeg attends a number of key trade shows, marketplaces and sales events to promote Winnipeg as a group and packaged tour destination. Tourism Winnipeg will take a more strategic approach by increasing sales calls and activities to ensure a high rate of return and broaden its investment in the student/youth market. 2017 Dates Jan. 22 – 25 Student Youth Travel Association Summit, Banff, AB Feb. 12 - 15 Education Travel Conference, St. Louis, MO Feb. 16 – 17 Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Clinic, Minneapolis, MN Mar. 22 – 24 North Dakota Music Educators Association Conference, Bismarck, ND May 9 – 12 Rendez-vous Canada, Calgary, AB May 23 – 26 Canadian Principals Conference, Saskatoon, SK Nov. Saskatchewan Music Educators Conference Nov. Ontario History & Social Science Teacher Association Conference, ON Winnipeg Tour Connection Tourism Winnipeg will continue to lead and invest in Winnipeg Tour Connection, a private/public sector marketing consortium comprised of 35 industry partners. Winnipeg Tour Connection is a collaborative group of stakeholders representing destination marketing associations, hoteliers, attractions, events, and receptive tour companies. It provides a single identity in the marketplace for increased recognition of Winnipeg as a group and travel trade destination. Winnipeg Tour Connection attracts group and packaged tours, optimizes marketing budgets, and ensures the ultimate delivery of tours that are ideal for exploration, discovery and inspiration. Canadian Museum for Human Rights Tourism Winnipeg will collaborate with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to increase individual, group and packaged tours to Winnipeg. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a catalyst to attract new markets and opportunities that are more specifically interested in human rights and social issues such as education, student/youth, alumni travel programs, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), faith-based markets, etc. worldwide.