Spirit bear, poker cruise and X-rated fun

Finally, I get to write about all those interesting marketing ideas I file each month in folder titled “Innovative Promotions.”

As one speaker at the BC Hospitality Industry Conference and Expo pointed out, many of the best ideas originate during times of recession. They may be right. Here are some of this month’s creative promos.

BritBeat, who bill themselves as America’s Premier Tribute to the Beatles, is inviting fans on The Beatles Tribute Cruise setting sail on March 28, 2010. The cruise activities feature band trivia, and karaoke and autograph sessions, plus an auction of Beatles memorabilia and three performances by the band.  

After listening to Peter Yesawich talk about how today’s travellers love to learn, Fairmont has developed a promotion billed as “Learning Hits the Road With Apprentice-Trips by Fairmont.” Travellers seeking inner fulfillment and a little self-improvement can learn a second language, follow how a governmental bill becomes a law, appreciate how the nose affects the brain, or master the ancient art of falconry.

And now for something on the risqué side. Petit Ermitage, a boutique hotel in L.A. has some very special love packages. Here’s one called Ménage à Trois.

“Spoil your Lovers with a night of frolicking.  Indulge them with a bottle of the hotel’s signature Champagne and invite them to savour the hand dipped white chocolate bananas presented in suite upon arrival.  Once settled in, come to the Private Rooftop Club to enjoy dinner for three under the stars, featuring the hotel’s Chef inspired Aphrodisiac Menu.  Package starts from: US$480/night in the Lovely Suite and includes a 2pm late-checkout.”

There’s also a Poker Cruise from Calgary-based HeadsUp Entertainment International Inc. The company reported that its poker tourism business unit is witnessing a tremendous response to the launch of its first Poker Super Cruise set to sail April 25 from Port Canaveral, FL. This event was designed and launched between the Canadian Poker Tour, HeadsUp’s main poker brand, and The World Poker Showdown.

The illuminated rare Spirit Bear from Olympic Opening Ceremonies comes to life for eco-cultural adventurers in British Columbia in a tour offered by Spirit Bear Adventures.This Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nations owned and operated company conducts four and seven day eco-cultural tours within their ancestral lands and traditional territory to view the bears.

And speaking of the Olympics, Sun Peaks Resort offered an alternative timed to coincide with the Vancouver/Whistler event. Activities during the Sun Peaks Olympics included the 3 Peaks Biathlon. Participants raced to the top of all three mountains at Sun Peaks to compete in accuracy and agility challenges.

Here’s the promo. “Test your aim as you use a toy Nerf gun to hit the mark, sling shot ping pong balls at a target, and challenge your balance in a one foot ski/snowboard through a pylon course. Watch the Olympians on the Bobsled course and then hit the Sun Peaks Tube Park to try your hand at Sun Peaks Skeleton, tube style! Guess your time before you drop into the tube run and the participant closest to their actual time wins.”

Clearly creativity is alive and well in the North American tourism business!
— Colleen Isherwood, Editor