Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/873887
18 2018 Destination Marketing Plan and Partnership Opportunities TRAVEL TRADE The travel trade sector is lucrative, since 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 subgroups of travel trade: retail travel agencies that re-sell travel, wholesale tour operators that create travel packages and sell them to travel agencies and directly to consumers, and affinity clubs (groups linked by common interests) that 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 Winnipeg. A focused sales approach with compelling messaging; an elevated presence at trade shows, marketplaces and client events; and further niche market itinerary development assists in meeting the specified goals and objectives. Industry Collaboration Tourism Winnipeg will continue to collaborate with Travel Manitoba and industry stakeholders to support sales activities and marketing programs to increase the number of group and packaged tours to Winnipeg. SPORTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS TRENDS » Cities across Canada are increasingly recognizing the value of sport tourism, with interest in sport hosting and sport tourism continuing to grow. Many cities are forming sport tourism councils with interested stakeholders to develop a proactive and systematic approach to identifying and securing new sports events to be held in their cities. » Communities with sport tourism experience are creating their own sport tournaments/events designed to fill gaps in a calendar or capitalize on a specific opportunity. » Some large-scale sporting events in Canada have seen bid procedures change in recent years. One of these observed changes is that mandatory rights fees are increasing. In other cases, new rights fees are being introduced where no previous fee existed. These changes are resulting in elevated operational costs for host cities attempting to bring major events to their jurisdictions. » Canada placed fifth in the 2017 Global Sports Nation Index announced by Sportcal (U.K.) as part of its Global Sports Impact Project, hosting 41 international events with total attendance of 31,585. This compares to the U.S., which is in first place with 44 events and 40,555 participants. Canada's placement would not be possible without the alignment of the national and provincial sport organizations in collaboration with the federal, provincial and municipal governments. As of June 30, 2017, Tourism Winnipeg and its stakeholders responded to nine RFPs and bids, which have resulted in three awarded sports and special events to date. Decisions are pending on an additional six events. SPORTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS MARKETING Tourism Winnipeg will continue to produce Winnipeg sell sheets featuring the latest developments and value propositions that promote Winnipeg as a major sports and special events destination. Tourism Winnipeg will use its attendance-building materials and video testimonials, as well as access to information and reports through Simpleview, to position Winnipeg as a viable destination. Other promotional materials, such as signage, digital content and an online sport venue directory, will be created to support the sales and sponsorship activities. Tourism Winnipeg will also continue to enhance the sport tourism section of its website. 2017 Canada Summer Games Canoeing: William Au Fort Gibraltar: William Au