A delegation of Penticton stakeholders are hitting the road to promote the city in key markets.
“The forecast for spring and summer is looking positive,” said Gordon Ferguson, general manager of the Penticton Ramada and Coast Penticton.
“Now’s the time to get out and be active selling hard again. Competitive destinations will be very aggressive, which makes it imperative that all stakeholders in Penticton are locking arms selling our destination ... that’s what we have done the past two weeks under the Team Penticton umbrella.”
Representatives from Penticton and Wine Country Tourism, the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and local accommodation properties, including the Penticton Ramada and Penticton Lakeside Resort, Convention Centre and Casino, were on the road at four separate events over the last two weeks with the Thompson Okanagan Showcase. The showcases took place in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Seattle and attracted a range of tour operators, meeting and event planners, travel agents and media.
“We went along for the ride to show prospective clients what Penticton has to offer and we blew the competition away. The Penticton Lakeside sales team is looking forward to our next co-operative venture with Penticton and Wine Country Tourism,” said general manager David Prystay of the Penticton Lakeside Resort, Convention Centre and Casino.
Delegates representing each of the region’s communities were also in attendance. Team Penticton showcased the city at the four events with its brand new booth, and via a presentation that allowed the team to highlight Penticton’s biggest assets.
This year tourism operators throughout the city were also invited to send along promotional materials, at a nominal buy-in cost of $100 for all four shows. Grape Friends Wine Tours, Serenata Guesthouse, LocoLanding Adventure Park, Whitetail Chalet, Teas & Weaves, Sunny Beach Motel, the Downtown Penticton Association, Twin Lakes Golf Club and the Days Inn and Conference Centre all participated in this initiative.
“This opportunity not only allowed us to showcase Penticton in our key markets of Alberta and the Lower Mainland but it is just another great example of how truly united Penticton’s tourism industry has become over the last few years,” said tourism marketing manager Jessie Campbell.
Last year a similar delegation that included accommodators, Penticton and Wine Country Tourism and Global Spectrum attended the Meeting Planners International Annual General Meeting in Vancouver, where Penticton was the major sponsor.