scooter
03-05-2009, 09:52 AM
Province failing publicity battle - Other places wooing tourists: outfitters
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THE head of an industry association representing hunting and fishing businesses says the Manitoba government isn't doing enough to market local attractions at a time when out-of-province tourists are watching their dollars.
Ryan Suffron, executive director of Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association (MLOA), said some of his 200 to 300 members have seen less business for the last six years, but this spring and summer will be a bellwether season.
He'd like to see efforts stepped up to attract more outsiders to come to the province. "If you're watching the Outdoor Channel or certain other channels -- you'll see ads for Quebec, Ontario, you'll see that stuff, British Columbia -- you don't see that for Manitoba.
"It's just not on that grand scale and, you know, it never really has been. I think our province has not, government and marketing initiatives within our province, have not done that great of a job promoting our province and their destinations," Suffron said.
Operators face increased administrative costs such as a resource allocation fee introduced in 2006 by the province. That fee requires outfitters to charge $100 to non-Manitobans to hunt creatures such as black bears, moose, elk or caribou. Hunters also pay licence fees.
A Manitoba Conservation big game manager said Friday that there are no plans for that fee to be scrapped. "The province has to recognize the importance of the tourism industry," said Suffron, who assumed leadership of the association last fall.
Suffron said local fishing lodges and outfitters face more economic difficulties than hunting groups, which he said have fared better in the current economic climate.
Suffron said some operators have low profit margins, and some of his members have experienced a drop in business ranging from 20 to 60 per cent.
He said he's working with Travel Manitoba to try to attract more visitors. "There's destinations that are dropping their prices just to cover costs and break even just to make it through, to try to alleviate some of the costs in terms of the consumer," Suffron said. "But that's not always the best answer.
"Because when times become good again, people may expect the discounted rate," Suffron said.
Linda Whitfield, vice president of advertising and communications of Travel Manitoba, an organization in charge of promoting tourism in the province, said there have been concerted campaigns to attract more hunting and fishing tourists.
The MLOA works with Travel Manitoba to market its members, and, she said, recent initiatives include one targeting event planners in charge of booking trips to reward groups such as corporate clients.
Whitfield also pointed to a marketing drive last month to promote Manitoba fishing in Chicago and Minneapolis.
There was $800,000 to spend to market Manitoba fishing and hunting from April 2008 to March 2009, she said. "We've made a beefed-up effort this year," Whitfield said.
Suffron said it's difficult to pinpoint how many businesses will be forced to shut their doors due to the economy, if any. "They're not making a ton of money off it," Suffron said. "It's a lifestyle business. It's not there to make a ton of money."
gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca
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PUBLICATION: WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
DATE: 2009.03.02
PAGE: A5
BYLINE: Gabrielle Giroday
WORD COUNT: 432
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THE head of an industry association representing hunting and fishing businesses says the Manitoba government isn't doing enough to market local attractions at a time when out-of-province tourists are watching their dollars.
Ryan Suffron, executive director of Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association (MLOA), said some of his 200 to 300 members have seen less business for the last six years, but this spring and summer will be a bellwether season.
He'd like to see efforts stepped up to attract more outsiders to come to the province. "If you're watching the Outdoor Channel or certain other channels -- you'll see ads for Quebec, Ontario, you'll see that stuff, British Columbia -- you don't see that for Manitoba.
"It's just not on that grand scale and, you know, it never really has been. I think our province has not, government and marketing initiatives within our province, have not done that great of a job promoting our province and their destinations," Suffron said.
Operators face increased administrative costs such as a resource allocation fee introduced in 2006 by the province. That fee requires outfitters to charge $100 to non-Manitobans to hunt creatures such as black bears, moose, elk or caribou. Hunters also pay licence fees.
A Manitoba Conservation big game manager said Friday that there are no plans for that fee to be scrapped. "The province has to recognize the importance of the tourism industry," said Suffron, who assumed leadership of the association last fall.
Suffron said local fishing lodges and outfitters face more economic difficulties than hunting groups, which he said have fared better in the current economic climate.
Suffron said some operators have low profit margins, and some of his members have experienced a drop in business ranging from 20 to 60 per cent.
He said he's working with Travel Manitoba to try to attract more visitors. "There's destinations that are dropping their prices just to cover costs and break even just to make it through, to try to alleviate some of the costs in terms of the consumer," Suffron said. "But that's not always the best answer.
"Because when times become good again, people may expect the discounted rate," Suffron said.
Linda Whitfield, vice president of advertising and communications of Travel Manitoba, an organization in charge of promoting tourism in the province, said there have been concerted campaigns to attract more hunting and fishing tourists.
The MLOA works with Travel Manitoba to market its members, and, she said, recent initiatives include one targeting event planners in charge of booking trips to reward groups such as corporate clients.
Whitfield also pointed to a marketing drive last month to promote Manitoba fishing in Chicago and Minneapolis.
There was $800,000 to spend to market Manitoba fishing and hunting from April 2008 to March 2009, she said. "We've made a beefed-up effort this year," Whitfield said.
Suffron said it's difficult to pinpoint how many businesses will be forced to shut their doors due to the economy, if any. "They're not making a ton of money off it," Suffron said. "It's a lifestyle business. It's not there to make a ton of money."
gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca
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PUBLICATION: WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
DATE: 2009.03.02
PAGE: A5
BYLINE: Gabrielle Giroday
WORD COUNT: 432
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