The 1000 Islands International Tourism Conference will host a workshop April 20 for businesses interested in tapping into an emerging travel segment.
“Fitting into the FIT Market” will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bonnie Castle Resort and Marina, Alexandria Bay, and is partially underwritten by a state grant secured by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, Theresa.
The workshop is for regional businesses on both sides of the border interested in packaging wholesale vacation experiences that travel companies sell to “fully independent travelers,” also known as FIT vacationers. FIT travel has increased in popularity in recent years as vacationers who prefer to travel on their own seek pre-packaged experiences from agents, similar to the group tour industry.
The workshop is part of consulting contract between the Tourism Council and RLB Marketing, a Harrisburg, Pa., company specializing in FIT packaging. RLB has already visited the 1000 Islands as part of research into the region and investigated wholesalers potentially interested in selling packages in the area.
The workshop will help lodging facilities, attractions and service providers learn best practices in developing and pricing FIT packages and how to work with travel wholesalers. Packaged experiences created for FIT travelers can be marketed by wholesalers world-wide.
"The Thousand Islands region is a world class destination and is home to unique communities with attractions and activities to suit any interest," Assemblywoman Russell said. "I am proud to work with the region's tourism industry to expand the economic impact from tourism by taking full advantage of trends in travel and cutting edge marketing strategies."
“Like any other product, tourism needs quality packaging and distribution to reach new customers. Creating FIT packages and pursuing relationships with travel wholesales will allow the 1000 Islands to attract new visitors from overseas and major North American markets,” said Gary DeYoung, Tourism Council director of tourism.
The workshop is part of consulting contract between the Tourism Council and RLB Marketing, a Harrisburg, Pa., company specializing in FIT packaging. RLB has already visited the 1000 Islands as part of research into the region and investigated wholesalers potentially interested in selling packages in the area.
The workshop will help lodging facilities, attractions and service providers learn best practices in developing and pricing FIT packages and how to work with travel wholesalers. Packaged experiences created for FIT travelers can be marketed by wholesalers world-wide.
"The Thousand Islands region is a world class destination and is home to unique communities with attractions and activities to suit any interest," Assemblywoman Russell said. "I am proud to work with the region's tourism industry to expand the economic impact from tourism by taking full advantage of trends in travel and cutting edge marketing strategies."
“Like any other product, tourism needs quality packaging and distribution to reach new customers. Creating FIT packages and pursuing relationships with travel wholesales will allow the 1000 Islands to attract new visitors from overseas and major North American markets,” said Gary DeYoung, Tourism Council director of tourism.
“The 1000 Islands is already a well-known group tour destination, but we need to work harder to connect local businesses with the global wholesale tourism market and take full advantage of our proximity to the Toronto and New York City international gateways.”
The workshop is free for tourism businesses in the 1000 Islands Region. Registration is required. To register or get more information, operators can contact Tillie Youngs, sales manager at the Tourism Council, at 315-482-2520 ortillie@visit1000islands.com.
IN THE PHOTO: Rock Island Light House (state historic site), kayaks and Clayton Island Tour boat.
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The workshop is free for tourism businesses in the 1000 Islands Region. Registration is required. To register or get more information, operators can contact Tillie Youngs, sales manager at the Tourism Council, at 315-482-2520 ortillie@visit1000islands.com.
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IN THE PHOTO: Rock Island Light House (state historic site), kayaks and Clayton Island Tour boat.
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