Working with the Travel Trade – Feb 10

What would it mean for your business – or your community – if you had more predictable bookings earlier in the year, and from the right kinds of visitors? For many BC tourism operators, working with the travel trade can help build steady, longer-term demand and support sustainable growth.

On February 10, Destination BC is hosting a 60-minute webinar for BC tourism industry partners that are new to the travel trade world or looking to better understand how it works.

The call will serve as a practical introduction to help you understand what the travel trade is, who it’s best suited for, and how it can support long-term, sustainable business growth. Whether you’re just beginning to explore international markets or simply want clarity on the fundamentals, this session will help you build confidence and assess what makes sense for your business and community.

While the session is primarily geared toward tourism businesses and operators, CDMOs are encouraged to attend. It’s a great opportunity to better understand how international visitors discover and book experiences in BC, and explore additional ways CDMOs can help support local tourism businesses interested in this space.

Call details:

• Date: Tuesday, February 10
• Time: 10:00am–11:00am PT
• Format: Online (registration required)
• Overview: Destination BC’s Market Development team will take participants through the fundamentals of working with the travel trade, including what it is, why it matters for the future of your business, and how you can assess whether it’s a good fit for you.

What you’ll learn:

During this beginner-friendly call, we’ll cover:

• What “travel trade” means and how it fits into the tourism ecosystem
• The different types of travel trade partners (including tour operators, wholesalers, and receptive tour operators)
• The value of working with travel trade, including how it can support long-term market development and year-round demand
• How to assess whether travel trade is right for your business
• Common misconceptions and concerns (including pricing, commissions, and availability)
• Simple, realistic next steps for businesses interested in exploring travel trade at their own pace

Who should attend:

This call is ideal for tourism businesses that:

• Have not worked with travel trade before
• Are curious about how travel trade works and whether it could be a fit
• Want to better understand how international visitors discover and book experiences in BC
• Are looking for clear, beginner-friendly guidance (no jargon required)

It’s also well suited for CDMOs who want to:

• Strengthen their understanding of the travel trade ecosystem
• Better support operators in their communities who may be exploring trade relationships
• Identify practical ways to help businesses prepare, connect, and succeed in travel trade channels

You don’t need to be “trade-ready” to benefit from this session – just bring your curiosity.

Reserve Your Spot