DISTRICT OF SECHELT

Promote and develop product and experiences
SUNSHINE COAST TRAIL
The Sunshine Coast Trail is a leading example of a great product that needs more
exposure and publicity. Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society and other
volunteers have turned blood, sweat and tears over the past 20 years into a worldclass
trail system. SCT has actively been bring journalists to hike parts of the trail to
spread the word. You’ll find it as a Hidden Gem and mentioned regularly on SCT’s
website as well as in various ads. A new brochure will be available on BC Ferries and
Visitor Information Centres later this summer. SCT will encourage continued dialogue
to eventually create a collective ferry to ferry to ferry trail system stretching the
length of the entire Sunshine Coast...Desolation Sound to Howe Sound. This concept
has amazing marketing potential....not to mention huge value to area residents.
DAKOTA RIDGE
The development of Dakota Ridge over the past 5 years into an accessible first rate Nordic ski area is our
prime winter tourism product. Our social media
channels feature daily snow reports and photos of
winter fun as well as a focused facebook ad
campaign for BC residents who like Nordic skiing and
snowshoeing. During the ski season, our “specials”
website page was filled with member created
packages featuring accommodation, dining, and
Dakota Ridge tours. SCT was very happy to write a
letter of support for the recent successful grant
application and looks forward to being able to
promote and even more accessible winter
wonderland.
TOWNSITE
Powell River’s Townsite is the leading heritage product of the region. The opening of Townsite Brewing
and the upgrade of the Patricia Theatre were major milestones this year, and SCT was happy to include
these locations on the Happy Trails press trip as well as on itineraries of multiple journalists. Tourism
Powell River’s heritage counsellor will assist to develop materials and photos that will take us to the next
step of developing collateral and a marketing theme for the neighbourhood.
Provide leadership to the industry
“TRAVELGREEN”
This spring, SCT has begun to create a “TravelGreen” brand for the Sunshine Coast. One of the Coast’s
unique selling propositions is its natural beauty, with clean air and water and variety of flora and fauna.
Many of our members have a deep desire to be responsible stewards of these precious gifts. SCT seeks
to create knowledge sharing opportunities among tourism stakeholders and event planners about
‘greening’ events, accommodation and hospitality businesses. With existing product that easily falls into
the “TravelGreen” brand, including the Green Banner Guide, garden tours, and farmers’ markets in
every Coast community, expanding these relationships into a “TravelGreen” campaign for consumers,
meeting planners and SCT members is a natural fit.
District of Sechelt
Regular Council Meeting Agenda
August 1, 2012
Page 66