What is the HelloBC Listings Program?

It is a program that Tourism BC launched to better meet consumers' vacation planning needs by connecting them to tourist products they want to experience while visiting BC. BC tourism businesses, including Activities, Attractions, Events, Transportation and Accommodation are all able to participate in this program and purchase listings.

Through its powerful marketing channels and programs, Tourism British Columbia's HelloBC Listings Program provides tourism businesses with exposure to millions of consumers in the planning and purchasing phases of their BC vacation.

Here are some important facts and figures about the HelloBC.com website network:

• Tourism BC operates an integrated website platform for North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. In 2007, these three websites saw 7.9 million visitors, one third of whom visited accommodations pages.
• In 2008, this network will grow to include our Asian websites (Japan, South Korea and Taiwan) as well as our German website, truly extending our reach worldwide.
• In 2007, there were over 3,500 tourism businesses and activities listed on HelloBC.com. These businesses received a combined 2.3 million page views.
• Tourism businesses that purchased weblinks in 2007 received a combined 986,000 click throughs to their business websites - that's a conversion rate of 43%. In other words, for every two visitors viewing a tourism business listing on our website network, one of them clicked through directly to a tourism business website.
• Tourism BC launched free festival and event listings in May 2007. As a HelloBC Listings Program participant, you can extend your exposure to consumers by enrolling as many festival and events as take place at your property.

What is the deadline for the 2009 Approved Accommodation Program enrollment?

You can enroll at any time, but to ensure you are included in the printed 2009 Approved Accommodation Guide, you must enroll by August 31, 2008.

What is the deadline for Activities, Attractions, Golf, Ski and Transportation Listings?

Re-enrollment for Activities, Attractions, Golf, Ski and Transportation begins in Fall 2009.

What are the benefits of participating in the program?

This is a significant opportunity to grow your business by presenting your service or product directly to your consumers through Tourism BC's distribution channels, such as HelloBC.com, the 1-800 HelloBC Call Centres and the more than 120 Visitor Centres throughout the province. Your business will be exposed to more than 10 million consumers planning and booking their vacations in BC.

• Marketing Programs

  In 2008, Tourism BC will spend an estimated $9 million on consumer marketing activities to drive awareness and interest in BC vacations. This includes the popular BC Escapes® campaign, as well as golf, wine/food, outdoor adventure, sport fishing and ski programs.

  We are also actively involved in marketing 'driving vacations' such as the North to Alaska program and the Circle Routes.

  Our marketing efforts are further extended by the tremendous efforts of our regional tourism association partners and the sector groups, such as BC Guest Ranchers and Mountain Bike Tourism Association, who focus their efforts on short haul and/or niche markets.

• Publications
  

  2007 Approved Accommodation Guide distribution
  475,000 guides were distributed in 2007
  95% of all Guides were distributed within North America
  2008 Approved Accommodation Guide distribution
  500,000 Guides are available for distribution this year
  In 2007, Tourism BC also distributed 335,000 Vacation Planners and 160,000 Outdoor Adventure Guides, both of which include travel information pages driving consumers to seek accommodation information at HelloBC.com and via the 1-800 HelloBC Call Centre. The accommodation related information in these Guides will be even further enhanced in 2009.

• 1-800 HelloBC Call Centre

  In 2007, the Call Centre received almost 120,000 consumer inquires and generated 8,800 reservation bookings.

• Visitor Centres

  Tourism BC's network of over 120 Visitor Centres throughout the province - including seven Gateway Visitor Centres in Osoyoos, Golden, Coquihalla (Merritt), Peace Arch Border Crossing, Vancouver International Airport (international and domestic terminals) and Mount Robson Provincial Park - welcomed 3.25 million visitors (or 1.67 million visitor parties) in 2007.

• Share the Excitement!™

  2009 is a particularly important year for BC's tourism industry as media around the world will focus attention on British Columbia in the lead up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

What will a listing look like?

You can view a sample listing with paid enhancements by visiting www.tourismbc.com/samplelisting

How much does it cost?

Click here for current program pricing.

How can I find out if I am eligible to participate in this program?

Most tourism businesses are eligible. To view a list of eligible businesses, visit www.tourismbc.com/eligiblebusinesses

Accommodation businesses wishing to be listed in print and online must be inspected and approved by Tourism British Columbia. For more information, please download the Guide to Tourism BC's Inspection and Approval Process.

Can all businesses access the system?

• In designing the system we have tried to make it accessible to as many businesses as possible. The website is designed for use with Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher. Businesses that do not have Explorer 5.5 can download it on www.Microsoft.com/ie.
• Mac users are advised to use either IE 5.5+ or Mozilla Firefox 1.0.5+.

What if I can't go online?

Paper enrollment will be made available to those who do not have access to a computer or an Internet connection.

Tourism BC will also be offering in-person support through Tourism Product Services at 1-800-822-7899 or by email at productservices@tourismbc.com Assistance is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.

What other opportunities are available to me?

For details on other programs that may interest you, visit www.tourismbc.net/tourismbcprograms or contact Tourism Product Services at 1-800-822-7899 or by email at productservices@tourismbc.com

Would you like to learn more about the consumers visiting your region?

Be sure to visit www.tourismbc.com/research for the latest tourism related reports and statistics, or to subscribe for updates.

What if I have more questions about the HelloBC Listings Program?

Please contact one of our Product Service Coordinators by calling 1-800-822-7899 or by email at productservices@tourismbc.com