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.

Share the Excitement!^TM
2009 is a particularly important year for BC's tourism industry with media and consumers around the world focusing increased attention on the entire province of British Columbia in the lead up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of the exposure generated through our '2010' marketing activities. Enroll in the 2009 HelloBC Listings Program at www.tourismbc.net.

What is the deadline for Accommodation Businesses to enroll?

You can enroll in the online portion of the HelloBC Listings Program at any time; however the printed 2009 Approved Accommodation Guide is now closed. Enrollment for inclusion in the 2010 Approved Accommodation Guide will begin in summer 2009.

What is the deadline for Activities, Attractions, Golf, Ski and Transportation Businesses to enroll?

Re-enrollment for Activities, Attractions, Golf, Ski and Transportation is now underway. We encourage you to enroll by December 31, 2008, at the latest in order for your listing to remain online as of January 1, 2009.

New for 2009

Included as part of the your base listing ($95.00 + GST) is a 100-word description of your business (this was previously 40 words) giving you more space to describe your tourism experience in detail and use key words for which consumers are likely to be searching.

Also included in your base listing is the ability to embed one video into your online listing. This is an exciting addition which allows you to really showcase the experience you offer!

Finally, don't forget that your base listing includes one weblink to drive consumers directly to your business website and two photographs.

Complete enrollment by midnight December 10, 2008 and you will also receive a FREE colour logo enhancement. Click here to get started!

What exposure do HelloBC Listings participants receive?

• Marketing Programs

  In 2009, Tourism BC will spend an estimated $9 million on consumer marketing activities to drive awareness and interest in BC vacations. This includes the Ski campaign, the new Welcome the World^TM Program and direct marketing activities to our database of over 1.3 million consumers, two-thirds of whom have given us permission for future contact. All of our marketing efforts encourage potential visitors to seek out travel information through our distributions channels - web, publications, Call Centre and Visitor Centres - as outlined below.

• The HelloBC.com Website Network

  Tourism BC operates an integrated website platform that is truly worldwide and includes consumer websites for North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. In 2009, this network will grow to include our German website.

  During the period January through September 2008 there were over 5,000 Tourism Businesses and Activities listed on HelloBC.com. These Businesses received a combined 5.5 million page views. 'Things to Do' travel information and HelloBC.com listings received 2.5 million page views, making this the second most popular content area on HelloBC.com, after Accommodation information.

  Activities, Attractions, Golf, Ski, Transportation and Event Listings combined received 806,000 page views.

  Tourism Businesses with weblinks received a combined 635,000 click throughs to their business websites. That's a conversion rate of 79% of page views.

  Tourism BC launched free Festival and Event Listings in May 2007 and now has over 1,300 Festivals and Events listed (searchable by date and/or theme). As a HelloBC Listings Program participant, you can extend your exposure to consumers by enrolling as many Festivals and Events as take place at your business.

• Publications

  In addition to providing valuable travel planning content, our three flagship guides - Vacation Planner, Outdoor Adventure Guide, Approved Accommodation Guide - provide consumers with web pointers to direct them to more detailed information available online at our websites, driving more traffic to Activities, Attractions and Accommodations information.

  Our Guides are distributed directly to consumers by mail and through our Visitor Centres, as outlined below. They are also converted into PDFs and made available on HelloBC.com for download by consumers.

  • 2007 Guide Distribution
    (2008 distribution is still underway)
  • 2007 Vacation Planner
  • 335,000 Guides distributed in 2007
  • 92% of all Guides were distributed within North America
  • 2007 Outdoor Adventure Guide
  • 160,000 Guides distributed in 2007
  • 96% of all Guides were distributed within North America
  • 1-800 HelloBC Call Centre

    During the period January through September 2008 the Call Centre received over 65,000 consumer inquires and generated 7,000 reservation bookings.

  • Visitor Centres

    Tourism BC's network of 115 Visitor Centres throughout the province (including six Gateway Visitor Centres in Osoyoos, Golden, Coquihalla (Merritt), Peace Arch Border Crossing, Vancouver International Airport and Mount Robson Provincial Park) welcomed 2.71 million visitors during the period January through September 2008. Over 30,000 transactions (Accommodation bookings or Attractions and Transportation ticketing) have been processed through the Visitor Centres.

  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?

  Activities, Attractions and Transportation listings start at $95.00 (+ GST) for one year, January through December. Click here for current program pricing including details regarding the enhancements you can add to your listing.

  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 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.

  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.

  Updated November 2008