Innovative, Technology-driven Program Rewards Passion-based Travel, Showcases Regional Tourism Businesses

Campbell River, BC – July 21, 2020 — Destination Campbell River today unveiled the “Campbell River Collection” – a technology-enabled, passion-based travel program that encourages exploration and rewards participants. Accessed via the free Campbell River Collection mobile application (app), travel experiences have been thoughtfully curated by local knowledge experts to maximize a visitor’s time while introducing them to a larger number of tourism businesses. With each experience, “Campbell River Collection” participants earn points that can be redeemed for an ever‑growing list of rewards ranging from stickers, growlers, and t-shirts to exclusive experience deals and discounts. As with all area attractions, each of the Campbell River Collection experience providers have also implemented comprehensive COVID-19 safety guidelines. 

“With the Campbell River region beginning to welcome visitors again, we want to dramatically enhance the visitor experience and boost resident and visitor confidence, while increasing awareness about what our region has to offer,” said Kirsten Soder, Executive Director for Destination Campbell River. “The Campbell River Collection is a powerful concept that transforms the visitor experience. It turns the unique fusion of places, people and activities that makes Campbell River a desirable destination into a collection of highly sought after, related experiences that appeal to a visitors’ specific passions and interests. The program also rewards participants with meaningful keepsakes from their explorations, many of which cannot be acquired anywhere else.” 

With more experiences being added regularly, the current Campbell River Collection comprises the following passion travel threads:

· Angler Collection: There’s more to fishing than catching

•  Photographer Collection: Stunning views, vantage points, and beautifully plated food

· Wild Weather Collection: Get more out of Campbell River, whatever the weather

· Culture Seeker Collection: Peel back the layers of Campbell River’s history and culture

· Nature Lover Collection: Wildlife, hikes, waterfalls and fresh produce

· Local Rediscovery Collection: Shops, parks, specialty services and more

· Artisan Collection: Locally crafted textiles, galleries and small-batch producers

· Active Adventure Collection: Feel the wind in your hair and play hard

–more—

“As Campbell River emerges as one of the most desirable travel destinations in Western Canada, tourism becomes the shop window for economic development,” said Rose Klukas, Economic Development Officer, City of Campbell River. ”New residents and investors are often visitors first, and technology-driven programs such as the Campbell River Collection provide innovative channels for boosting awareness and aiding in the recovery of area tourism businesses. The Campbell River Collection is an excellent example of Destination Campbell River’s highly effective approach to boosting the local tourism economy by augmenting the visitor experience year-round. We expect this program and related awareness generation efforts to make a measurable, positive economic impact in 2020 and beyond.”

“Restarting our visitor economy needs creative thinking and strong partnerships,” said Marsha Walden, CEO of Destination BC. “We applaud the innovative approaches Destination Campbell River is using to make its incredible experience collections even more irresistible. We’re proud to partner with their program and to provide co-op funding for it.”

“Travellers are increasingly dependent on technology when they are away from home,” said Tim Fry, Founder of 468 Communications, creator of the core technology underlying the Campbell River Collection app. “Instead of a distraction from the natural world, technology – properly applied – can act as a catalyst for deeper, more meaningful exploration of a destination. Because Destination Campbell River fundamentally understands how to strike this balance, the Collection app unlocks the unparalleled beauty of the region in a way that rewards visitors, residents and businesses alike.” 

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About the Campbell River Collection

A Destination Campbell River initiative in partnership with regional tourism businesses and Destination British Columbia, the Campbell River Collection app was developed and introduced in 2020 to create awareness of the Campbell River region, encouraging shoulder season exploration, bookings and dispersion education for the high season months. The Collection is a series of passion-based experiences that encourage and reward visitors to not only do what makes them feel comfortable but to try something more, something new and perhaps even something slightly out of their comfort zone. COVID-19 safety considerations are built into each experience.

About Destination Campbell River www.campbellriver.travel

Destination Campbell River is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) that exists to promote Campbell River & Region on behalf of the City of Campbell River and local tourism stakeholders. Supported by Destination Think, the global experts in modern destination marketing, committed staff works locally in Campbell River to promote the development and marketing of our community, focusing on tourism marketing and services, and work with the Regional DMO (Tourism Vancouver Island) and Provincial DMO (Destination BC) to leverage programs and partnerships that grow visitation to the region.

Media Contact

Kirsten Soder

Executive Director

Destination Campbell River

kirsten@destinationthink.com

250.914.7891