PENTICTON — More than a hundred travel writers from around the world have descended into the south Okanagan for the 12th Annual GoMedia event, where tourism destination representatives pitch story ideas to influential journalists.
“It’s just wonderful to be here in front of all this media from around the world,” says Matt Mosteller with Resorts of Canadian Rockies.
Half of the 120 journalists are Canadian while the others come from 11 different countries.
“I write for national newspapers, local newspapers, magazines and also online publications. So I reach quite a lot of Germans with my stories,” says Brigit Duval, a freelancer from Germany.
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Penticton, as the host city, has the opportunity to show off its scenary, wineries and outdoor activities to media.
While sponsors have stepped in to offer complimentary hotel rooms and tours, the city has pitched in $125,000 to cover the costs of accommodation, local transportation and events for the guest media.
Destination Canada is paying so-far undisclosed costs for the reporters’ flights.
“When you’re looking at an investment in tourism to attract visitors to the region for years to come, the earned media is $20.5 million and the local economic impact over the four days is $300,000,” says event organizer Sally Pierce.
The economic spin-off mostly come from the 145 tourism destination delegates.
GoMedia Canada wraps up Thursday.
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