Goal

1
Goal

• By May 1 a familiarization (FAM) bus tour leaves
  for a 2-3 day circuit that will include 60 of
  the Heart of the Continent participating
  communities and associated public land management
  agencies.
• Tour will include leaders and tourism centre
  staff and will tour participating venues and
  attend related events.

2
Objectives

• Atikokan will take the lead in organizing a
  familiarization bus tour of HOC communities and
  public lands
• Identify participants from each area (3-4)
• Each visited Community must be prepared to
  welcome and address bus audience
• Each community/land group must tell about their
  local attractions and assets and relation to
  adjacent public land.

3
Regional Benefits of Tour

• Promotes the Brand (HOC)
• First Hand Exposure to Sites/people
• Expands Number of Ambassadors
• Incentive for local showpiece upgrade
• Improved visitor experience
• Production of a training, awareness video for
  those not participating in tour

4
Local Stakeholders

• Community Leaders (Mayor, Council,CAO)
• AEDC staff and Board
• Quetico Staff and Zone Manager
• Provincial Govt Dev Tourism Agencies
• Chamber of Commerce
• Related businesses in and out of town
• Media (local and regional)
• DeptFAIT (federal trade promotion)

5
Action Steps

• Investigate Intern (Nov)
• Prepare Proposal to local decision makers
• Form local planning group (Nov)
• Conduct Research (Dec-Jan)
• Route
• -Venues/Itinerary
• -Schedule

6
Action Steps

• Identify and recruit champions (Nov-Jan)
• Sign-off by other Communities (Jan)
• Detailed Planning (Feb)
• Who,what ,when
• Media and federal/border support
• Filming and training guide
• Bus Leaves (May)

7
INDICATORS OF SUCESS

• Support from HOCP Congress (done)
• Local Endorsement (1 month)
• Champions found in each area (8-10)
• Funding Commitments in Place (100)
• Full Participation (seats full)