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| Susan Monarch |
1. Can you tell us about Tourism Hamilton’s efforts to leverage Hamilton’s abundance of waterfalls. Specifically, how will the work that Tourism Hamilton has been doing with Chris Ecklund’s group (The City of Waterfalls) continue and what opportunities might Tourism Hamilton pursue in concert with Chris’s team?
Just as we have other community partners for other tourist attractions; we would continue to work with Chris and his team to promote our City's waterfalls through a number of avenues such as:
Social Media - twitter, website, facebook, video footage on youtube etc.
Waterfall/Hiking GeoTrail Site on www.tourismhamilton.com,
Waterfalls Brochures (This is one of our most popular brochures so we make sure all of our partners have access - for example, we support the Hamilton Conservation Authority by providing them with copies of the Cascades and Waterfalls brochures)
You've probably noticed a large number of waterfall images and stories, which is a major part of our marketing materials and plans
Waterfalls are also featured on a daily basis in our videos played at our new Visitor Centre and they figure prominently in our tradeshow booths
Staff continue to promote waterfalls to Travel Writers ( We recently had five writers a couple of Saturdays ago who visited Tews Falls with Adam Stewart our Marketing Coordinator)
This, of course, is just a few examples of some promotional efforts. We continue to search for new ways to promote all of our attractions. In terms of waterfalls, we recently reached out to Chris and his group to look into ways that we can work together on the development of a mobile app where residents and visitors can more easily locate waterfalls. Staff are always look for ways to incorporate Chris' Waterfall bus at key events such as ArtCrawl. Large events are a great way to let visitors know of what else our City has to offer
2. In your view, has Hamilton been properly recognized and acknowledged as a city that offers such beautiful waterfalls? If not, is it a matter of more marketing, greater efforts, or is it something else? Please elaborate.
I believe that the recognition of Hamilton as a waterfall, cycling and hiking community is a growing part of the very large and vibrant Tourism industry in Hamilton. We have seen an increase in the interest and recognition of our City's waterfalls over the last number of years. Hamilton is becoming known for it's great diversity across all of its sectors. There are opportunities to increase promotion and spread the word about Hamilton and its beautiful waterfalls.
3. Working with a philanthropist as enthusiastic as Chris Ecklund about Hamilton’s waterfalls, must present some unique opportunities. Can you tell us about that.
We've reached out to Chris and his group and are extremely excited to expand our opportunities. Chris is very passionate about Hamilton and his commitment is so refreshing and exciting. We're hoping he is equally excited about some of our ideas. We need this partnership to be embraced by both parties and we've had some exciting dialogue, as with all our hospitality partners; two-way integration and engagement is always important.
4.Is there anything else you’d like Hamiltonians to know about Tourism Hamilton and future areas of focus?
One of the most recent things to happen to Tourism Hamilton has been the opening of the new Visitors Information Centre in the iconic Lister Building. The opportunities this has opened up for our visitors, local residents and the ability to get our message out is very exciting. The centre is open on weekends during major events such as ArtCrawl. In fact, last weekend (Sunday, June 24) we launched Hamilton’s War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration at our Visitors Centre and we had a wonderful turn out. I'd love to give you a tour and meet to showcase the centre.
Thanks Susan for your contribution to The Hamiltonian and to Hamilton.
