MWRA FAQ – Tourism Mount Washington


WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT ASSOCIATION?

The purpose of your Resort Association as stated in the Constitution and Bylaws is to promote, facilitate and encourage the development, maintenance and operation of Mount Washington (“MWAR”) and the members of the Association.

HOW IS THE MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT ASSOCIATION DBA TOURISM MOUNT WASHINGTON FUNDED?

Tourism Mount Washington is a membership funded association with incremental revenue collected through the implementation of the 2% Additional Hotel Room Tax on 1st January, 2010 and other partnered initiatives.

AM I OBLIGED TO BE A MEMBER OF TOURISM MOUNT WASHINGTON?

As of March 1, 2017, there are no mandatory memberships.

I DON’T RENT MY PROPERTY SO WAS WONDERING WHAT BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP THERE ARE FOR ME?

Property values: It has been proven by other established Resort Associations that property values have increased as a result of the advertising and promotional efforts of the Resort Association destination marketing activities, building awareness of the Resort as a destination that is not only attractive to visitors but to those looking to invest.

 

DESTINATION MARKETING COLLABORATION

As a result of the Invigorate MWRA stakeholder engagement process in 2017/2018 which demonstrated strong interest for continued focus on marketing the mountain as a destination, the MWRA has applied for the renewal of the Municipal Regional District Tax at the 3% level; to review the plan, click here, to provide comments email:
info@yuangnauy.com

Review the 5 year strategic business plan

This Spring Mount Washington Resort Assn (MWRA) undertook an exciting collaboration with the Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism Society (CVEDS), the official destination marketing organization for the Comox Valley.

Specifically, the two organizations have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding designating CVEDS to act as the official destination marketing organization for MWRA to support the promotion of all MWRA member properties. CVEDS will work with MWRA to develop strategies, marketing campaigns and programs to:

  • Increase room revenue for MWRA properties;
  • Increase length of stay of overnight visitors to MWRA properties;
  • Increase repeat visitation to MWRA properties;
  • Support Regional Destination Brand Awareness as part of the Comox Valley destination.

MWRA continues to be the association on record with the province receiving the MRDT funds (for those of you unfamiliar – the Municipal Regional District Tax is the 3% local hotel room tax collected by hotels and property managers from guests and returned to local governments via the province).

This MOU will be revisited once the new MWRA has evolved.

INVIGORATE MWRA AND STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

The Board strongly believes that the Mount Washington Resort Association can better represent the diverse needs of all our stakeholders. “Invigorate MWRA” is our effort and was launched just before summer when the Board contracted CVEDS to lead the first phase in redefining the association to effectively represent all stakeholders. This phase includes:

  1. Identification of similar mountain resort associations which are operating successfully to identify best practices;
  2. Interviewing our stakeholders (owners, businesses, etc) to determine how to re-structure MWRA to make it relevant to this resort community; and,
  3. Compiling a plan listing broad goals/objectives for MWRA reflecting the views of MWRA stakeholders.

In combination with in-person events, a Stakeholder Survey is being compiled and will be distributed electronically. It is vital that our stakeholders engage in providing input for the plan. Please participate when you have the opportunity!

2017 TACTICAL MWRA TACTICAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

MWRA’s primary objective is promoting the alpine community and surrounding destination, while enhancing the economic opportunities for the benefit of local tourism-based businesses. In the future MWRA will work with CVEDS to update our website, developing social media campaigns, and planning for the fall and winter season.

MEMBERSHIP STATUS AND STRUCTURE UPDATE

As of March 1, 2017, there are no mandatory memberships. However, some previous members have already signed on for 2017 and MWRA welcome more. Fees remain at $250 per year plus GST (Total $262.50). As a stakeholder, you are welcome to provide suggestions regarding the future of our new organization, but as a member, you can vote on them.

Join MWRA

 

MWRA’S ROLE AS YOUR RESORT ASSOCIATION

Tourism Mount Washington’s primary role is to bring together the collective resources of its members in order to market, facilitate and encourage the development, maintenance and operation of Mount Washington Alpine Resort as a year-round destination for the ultimate beneft of its members, their customers and guests.

Members will benefit from the coordination and management of sales and marketing activities, with the objective of increasing occupancy during summer and winter operations and with the longer term objectives of attracting overnight stays in the shoulder seasons and attracting more traffic and yields through promoting individual businesses and facilities offered by the members of Tourism Mount Washington.

MWRA will actively partner with other Tourism Associations and form co-operative initiatives to maximize the value of our budget and to obtain maximum exposure for Tourism Mount Washington.

Immediate Direct Benefits include:

  • Representation on the Board – you have a voice and vote as to who represents you on the Tourism Mount Washington Board
  • Reduced advertising rates in our guides & partnered promotions
  • Participation in joint promotional and advertising initiatives designed to increase overnight visitors to the mountain
  • Tourism BC Approved Accommodation status under the banner of Tourism Mount Washington for applicable compliant managed rental properties

Active Involvement on the Board or a committee

As a member in good standing you can put your name forward for nomination to the Board or appointment to a committee so that you can become actively involved in developing a Resort Association that is committed to sustainable development of facilities and services on the mountain to enhance year-round owner and visitor experiences and assist rental property owners generate revenue through Strategic Marketing Plan.

CONCLUSION

As you can see we have already made some progress in redefining MWRA and we welcome your participation. Please contact MWRA if you would like to discuss how our new organization can benefit you. We look forward to your participation.

At the recent AGM in October the following members were elected or appointed as directors of the Mount Washington Resort Association. These members are all committed property owners at the resort and have the interests of the community at heart:

  • Tim Van Alstine
  • Rick Gibson
  • Jenifer Jennings
  • Tom Presnail
  • Leanne Webster
  • Karla Wikjord
  • Doug Yelland
  • Tim Defert

For questions or comments, please contact MWRA at phoenix@tourismmountwashington.com

 

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