Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/873887
6 2018 Destination Marketing Plan and Partnership Opportunities MISSION To promote and influence economic growth in Winnipeg PURPOSE To operate the foremost economic development agency by successfully competing to win business investment and to attract tourism in and around Winnipeg MANDATE To lead, facilitate and promote Winnipeg's economic development and tourism attraction efforts VISION To ensure Economic Development Winnipeg is recognized as a provincial, national and international leader in creating an environment that stimulates economic growth in the city I N T R O D U C T I O N The Conference Board of Canada in its spring forecast has estimated overall overnight tourism in Winnipeg will increase at approximately two per cent over the medium term each year. Domestic overnight business travel to Winnipeg is expected to increase 1.8 per cent in 2017 and 2.5 per cent over the medium term in 2018 and 2019. Business travel in 2018 will be strengthened by hosting nine citywide conventions with more than 7,300 delegates. The Conference Board also estimates Winnipeg's overnight domestic leisure travel will increase by 3.5 per cent in 2017 and 1.8 per cent in 2018. Hosting the Canada Summer Games strengthened 2017 results. U.S. visitation and overseas overnight visitation will see a lift of more than five per cent in 2017. For 2018, U.S. overnight visitation is expected to see modest growth of 3.5 per cent, with overseas travel growing 6.5 per cent. Tourism spending is also T O U R I S M O U T L O O K GOALS » Promote the city of Winnipeg as a desirable four-season tourist destination to increase visitation » Operate with greater effectiveness and efficiency, and increase return on investment » Provide value to stakeholders and visitors by providing relevant platforms OBJECTIVES » Mobilize effective direct sales activities » Mobilize effective marketing and communications platforms » Increase stakeholder engagement and community awareness » Expand visitor services » Maximize research, data collection and competitive intelligence reporting expected to record strong growth of 6.1 per cent in 2017, with travel prices seeing a modest increase of 2.2 per cent. Tourism spending growth will continue over the medium term, with similar increases hovering around five per cent and travel prices increasing nearly 1.9 per cent. New developments over the medium term will benefit future tourism and continue to raise Winnipeg's profile as a travel destination, including the Manitoba Museum's $19-million gallery renewal project and its $5.3-million expansion to Alloway Hall (part of the museum's larger $160-million capital renewal vision), the Winnipeg Art Gallery's $65-million Inuit Art Centre, the Assiniboine Park's $70-million Canada's Diversity Gardens exhibit (the final phase of its 10-year, $200-million 'Imagine a Place' redevelopment) and the $400-million True North Square development (including a hotel and retail space).