Tourism Whistler members met this week to discuss the effect on the resort of the terrorist attacks in America Sept. 11.
"Overall it was a very positive meeting," said Barrett Fisher, vice-president marketing strategy and business development for Tourism Whistler.
At the top of the agenda were queries by many of the 120 members at the meeting about how the resort will market itself in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Fisher said there will be no "fire sale" of the resort and that any new marketing strategies will fit within the image Whistler has always given to its guests as an international destination resort.
As reported last week in Pique , travel intention surveys will be done in the next two weeks to help guide Tourism Whistler’s marketing decisions.
Tourism Whistler had planned a major marketing initiative in the New York area, using many different outlets including the New York Times , at the end of this month.
That plan has been delayed until mid October while, "we wait to hear what the research will tell us," said Fisher.
Marketing initiatives in the Washington state area, due to start in early November, will likely go ahead. But plans to advertise and market in California, due to start in mid October, may also be delayed.
"We can either delay the timing of those programs to ensure that they will make an impact in the market place or, if our research tells us that we may not receive travel from some markets, we potentially could re-focus efforts into markets such as Toronto, the regional Washington state, B.C. and Alberta markets," said Fisher, adding they do not have the answer today and must await the results of the travel intention surveys.
Cornucopia, Octoberfest and the Girls Getaway plans are not being cancelled.
"It’s business as usual," said Fisher of those marketing plans.
Tourism Whistler will continue discussions with other travel associations across the country and around the world to monitor what is best for the resort. It also plans to have another member meeting in two weeks.
And, said Fisher, Tourism Whistler will continue to lobby for efficient and safe border crossings and sufficient air traffic into Vancouver airport to keep the resort humming.
