Tourism Victoria Receives Best Tourism Marketing Campaign Award

Victoria, B.C., February 13, 2009 – Tourism Victoria’s promotion, Set Sail on Us was named Best Tourism Marketing Campaign of 2008 at the Tenth Annual British Columbia Tourism Industry Awards. Announced last night at the British Columbia Tourism Industry Conference, this award recognizes a tourism company, city, region, or sector association for their success in launching an innovative marketing campaign to increase business and enhance the tourism industry in British Columbia between January 1 and October 31, 2008. The Set Sail on Us promotion, offered complimentary ferry fare between Vancouver and Victoria and sold out in less than three days.

“Our organization is grateful to be recognized by Tourism BC,” said Robert Gialloreto, President and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “The program was unique in that the concept emanated from Tourism Victoria Board Chair Randy Wright, was refined and implemented by Vice President Marketing Helen Welch and the entire marketing team, and all of this was accomplished in a short time frame to respond to the needs of travellers. Our partnership with BC Ferries was instrumental in the success of the program and serves as a promotional model for Tourism Victoria going forward into 2009.”

About the promotion:

Tourism Victoria paid the ferry travel, including vehicle and reservation, to and from Vancouver (BCF Swartz Bay-TSW) when the visitor booked a minimum of 2 consecutive nights in Victoria;
The package was booked through Tourism Victoria’s reservation system;
Package based on 2 adult travellers, any additional travellers paid full fare on the ferries and any additional accommodation charges;
This offer became available for booking at 8:30 a.m., July 28, for travel August 5 to 28, 2008 inclusive.