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December 22, 2015

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous holiday season!

The board and staff at Tourism Fernie would like to wish our members and stakeholders a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Please note that the Tourism Fernie Office will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday December 23rd 2015 until 9am Monday January 4th 2016. Email will be monitored during this time.

- Jikke, Rebecca & Nancy

Summer vs Winter

There has been much talk over the years about the opportunity to further grow tourism in the spring, summer and fall, seasons still new to many outsiders.

Tourism Fernie has spent much time and energy marketing summer since 2010 and has now progressed to leveling the playing field with winter marketing, still a core season for tourism in Fernie.

This hotel tax revenue chart for Fernie says a lot, blue = Dec thru April, red = May thru November.

Recognizing the challenging winter season we had last season and the downward direction shown, the graph still articulates that summer is catching up to winter for lodging revenues. Fernie is truly becoming a 4 season destination.

Photos, Blogs & Content - Share to Promote Fernie

Today's consumer loves great content! Images, videos, blogs, updates on interesting things, coverage of what's happening.

Let's work together to share everyone's social media and website content! If you have great stuff let us know. Here are some links to content you can share with your customers:

Recent Blogs by Tourism Fernie:

Be sure to connect to our Facebook page to share great posts!

See below for lots of great new things around town.

Don't forget to use #ferniestoke in all your social media posts! See your post come up on www.ferniestoke.com

What's new this winter?

Sleigh rides and ice bars and fatbiking - oh my!

  • Lizard Creek Lodge has pulled out all the stops  with the new vodka-tasting Ice Bar. Don't miss a visit to this beautiful attraction at the newly renovated Cirque Restaurant.
     
  • Island Lake Catskiing have extended hours and a new reduced rate for the Winter catride and lunch package - available throughout the holidays and every Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun during the winter.
     
  • Traditional Sleigh Rides at Fernie Alpine Resort for the Holidays - contact Guest Services for details and to book.
     
  • A refreshed look at the Tandoor Restaurant & Grill at Stanford Hotels & Resorts - the same incredible, authentic, cuisine but now served in the spacious new restaurant with panoramic views and a cosy bar in the former restaurant.
     
  • A weekend of culture coming up in January: Eadweard, featuring the talents of local costume designer Flo Barrett of Eye of the Needle Studio opens the 8th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival, and controversial GG award winner Raziel Reid at Booked! Fernie Writers Series - both on January 15th!
     
  • Fatbiking - we know all about it here in Fernie, but it's brand new to the consumer market, and this means huge value in marketing. Snow Valley Motel now offer complimentary fatbikes to guests, you can rent fatbikes on mountain and in town, and there's amazing trails - including many groomed trails to enjoy, including a fantastic new system and warming hut at Montane! Let your guests know there's something new to try this winter!

SEO - What's important now and what's changed

Read this if you're wanting to learn more about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). You don't need to be an expert IT person. A lot has changed in this very important area and you should be in the know!

Written by Hubspot, this easy to read report gives insight on where SEO stands for 2016 and the importance of great online content and giving your customers what they want so they can easily buy your product or service!

READ IT - TAKE ACTION - SEE RESULTS

5 tips for social media success


Here are some great tips to help you make the most of your social media presence.

Whether you use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest or another feed, keep these top tips in mind:

  • Post different content to each feed. Mix up imagery and text. Why would someone follow you on two feeds if they are identical?
  • Include a relevant image with EVERY post! Your audience will see it before they read it. How many text-only posts from other businesses show up on your feed? 
  • Only commit when you're ready. Don't start new social media channels unless you have time to manage them. Empty feeds do not help your business, but you only need a post a day to keep them going!
  • Schedule ahead. Facebook and Twitter both have prescheduling tools. A great way to grab a few days offline!
  • Use Hashtags! Extend your reach with trending hashtags such as #ferniestoke.

Media Connections


More exposure in the Globe and Mail! Fernie is the perfect ski town.

Catskiing in Fernie garnered a mention in Carolyn Heller's '8 bucket list experiences in the Canadian Rockies' for the Forbes Travel Guide. Carolyn visited Fernie in the summer as part of a fact-finding tour of the Rockies for Moon & Forbes Travel Guides.

Fernie was featured in the Toronto Star in late fall: 'BC's Resorts ramp up for ski season' with a quote from Jikke on the rise of fatbiking on our fantastic trail system.

Tourism Fernie assisting in hosting several key journalists in December, including writers for Out There Monthly and Mountain Life Magazine. In January we look forward to hosting writers from Taps Magazine, Snowshoe Magazine, a Ski TV Crew and top wedding planners from Alberta. Thanks to all our partners for their support in bringing these media guests to Fernie.

Welcome New Member

Fernie RV Resort

Ideally situated between the banks of the Elk River and the Fernie Golf & Country Club, the new Fernie RV Resort is set to become one of the hottest new RV destinations in 2016.

The resort will feature:

  • 97 large RV sites plus 17 individual tent sites and group tenting for up to 30. Additional sites to be added in future expansion.
  • Fully serviced sites with water, power, sewer, wifi.
  • Ambient lighting, trees & picnic tables on all sites.
  • Large hot-tub & splash park.
  • Children's playground and grassy recreational areas.
  • Laundry, group kitchens and shelters.

The Resort is scheduled to open April 1st 2016 and will begin taking reservations in the New Year. More information...

Lead by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, the Fernie Ambassador Program is a half-day seminar for local businesses and front-line staff to learn about all there is to see and do in Fernie to help inform visitors. It is a great and fun educational opportunity for all, building on the spirit of community and co-operation.

The program has seen a great response from the community and continues in 2016 with monthly sessions:

Upcoming dates: Jan 18, Feb 12, Mar 15, Apr 11.

Registration: Minimum numbers are needed for sessions to go ahead, and registration is required. Call the College on 250 423 4691 to reserve your spot.

More information...

The Official E-Newsletter for Tourism Fernie Members & Stakeholders. Tourism Fernie’s purpose is to market Fernie as a year round destination. Become a member today! Visit us at www.TourismFernie.com/stakeholders.

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Tourism Fernie: Box 1928, Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0 info@tourismfernie.com