Saint John Hotel Association Promotes Benefits of Tourism to Saint John Through New Campaign

Saint John, N.B. – The Saint John Hotel Association (SJHA) today launched a public awareness campaign to grow local awareness, knowledge and appreciation about the value of tourism to Saint John.

“This is a good news story, and we want to share it with our whole community,” said Paulette Hicks, President of the SJHA.

More than 1.5 million people come to Saint John and spend up to $250 million a year at our local shops, restaurants and other everyday businesses. Tourism employs 1 in 10 people in the Fundy region, which is more than fishing, mining and agriculture combined.

“Tourists visit our community from all over the world – and the farther they travel to Saint John, the more they spend here,” added Hicks, who is also the General Manager of Delta Brunswick and the Brunswick Square Complex.

For example, conference delegates from elsewhere in Canada spend an average of $763 per visit, which is twice as much as in-province delegates. Delegates from outside of Canada spend an average of $1,781 per visit, which is five times as much.

The campaign will feature powerful testimonials from local people who benefit from tourism every day: Dave Forestell (Slocum & Ferris), Shelley DeMerchant (the Urban Shoe Myth), Sharon VanWart (Diamond Taxi) and Wayne Long (the Saint John Sea Dogs).

A testimonial from Jennifer Lanzon, the Executive Director of the National Police Board based in Ottawa, will speak to the benefits that national conferences bring to Saint John. Lanzon brought 250 delegates, companions and speakers to a conference she hosted at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre in August 2010.

“When we held our annual national conference in Saint John, the beautiful harbour, the warm hospitality, choice of restaurants and shops, and high level of service blew us away,” said Lanzon. “People still talk about the Maritime kitchen party.”

Other campaign tactics include the use of a campaign tagline, “We All Win with Tourism in SJ,” the distribution of tent cards and window clings throughout the city, a website (www.WinWithTourismSJ.com), radio ads, contests and social media outreach, including use of the Twitter hashtag #WinTourismSJ.

About the Saint John Hotel Association (SJHA):

The Saint John Hotel Association was formed in 2007 and today has 10 members, representing 997 guest rooms in the Saint John area. It was established to implement the voluntary legislation to collect a 2% Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) and be a catalyst in the formation of the public-private Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). Today’s priorities include working to engage the community and build excitement about the value of tourism, support renovations to the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre and increase DMF revenue to support the DMO.

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For more information, please contact:

Paulette Hicks
President
Saint John Hotel Association
General Manager
Delta Brunswick & Brunswick Square Complex
Phicks@fortisproperties.com
506-648-1657

Cynthia Goodwin
Vice President, Communications
Revolution Strategy
cynthia.goodwin@revolutionstrategy.com
506-646-1833