Three of the new TEAM OSOYOOS staff, in yellow t-shirts -- from left, Sean Moen, Millie Jarrett (TEAM Lead) and Brianne Hearle -- cut the ribbon in downtown Osoyoos on June 30 to declare the new Destination Osoyoos 'mobile concierge service' open for the summer (TEAM member Jonathon Hernandez missing).  Helping the TEAM with the festivities are Regional District Okangan Similkameen Area A Director Mark Pendergraft (holding ribbon at left), Destination Osoyoos Board Member Paul Scanlon (holding ribbon at right), Destination Osoyoos Executive Director Jo Knight (next to Scanlon), and Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells (next to Knight).

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Destination Osoyoos (DO) today officially launched a unique new ‘mobile concierge service’ to deliver local tourism-related information immediately and in-person to visitors wherever they gather in this popular South Okanagan resort community.

At a sidewalk launch ceremony in the heart of downtown Osoyoos, officials introduced “TEAM OSOYOOS: Your Local Know-It-Alls”.  This innovative program will see staff in vibrant sunshine-yellow uniforms at strategic spots around town and at the dozens of exciting Osoyoos events held every summer, beginning with the July 1st Cherry Fiesta and Canada Day parade.

“We will be wherever visitors are – along Main Street, at the beaches, near resorts and campgrounds, and at the Saturday Market on Main,” Executive Director Jo Knight says enthusiastically.

“The delivery of welcoming and unique, authentic, quality visitor experiences is the cornerstone of Destination Osoyoos Tourism Services.  Osoyoos is one of B.C.’s 13 designated resort municipalities, and providing exceptional experiences is what we are all about!” Knight adds.

DO Board Chair Don Brogan says, “In the most responsive way possible we are fulfilling our Osoyoos brand promise of providing Canada’s Warmest Welcome to visitors – and we’re delivering it when and where they need it.”

TEAM OSOYOOS: Your Local Know-It-Alls are well-prepared, with comprehensive firsthand knowledge of our community through many days of touring local businesses, attractions and accommodations – and they have also undergone intensive training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated electronic defibrillator (AED) and WorldHost® Fundamentals and Ambassador workshops.

“The community is very supportive of our TEAM and the concept of delivering visitor services in the heart of our community,” Knight says, adding, “We are referred to as ‘smiling personal search engines’!  Our service is immediate and, with the electronic tablets with 3G capacity, we are linked to the worldwide web everywhere we go!”

The TEAM OSOYOOS project is part of DO’s overall Experience Osoyoos campaign, which includes a full range of ongoing Tourism Services including visitor services, promotional activities and marketing programs.  TEAM OSOYOOS 2011 consists of TEAM Lead Millie Jarrett and TEAM members Brianne Hearle, Jonathon Hernandez and Sean Moen.

At the launch ceremony, Destination Osoyoos also unveiled its new “Experience Osoyoos Special Offers” booklet, which for a cost of $20 provides discounts valued at more than $750 on purchases at local hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and retail stores.

“This is a great way that we can support our local businesses, provide fantastic value to our visitors and help fund TEAM OSOYOOS!” Knight says.  She adds that each Special Offers booklet contains an entry form giving the purchaser a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the summer.

The TEAM OSOYOOS members will also conduct brief visitor surveys to learn ways to further enhance the local guest experience.

Brogan adds, “The TEAM OSOYOOS program is part of our ongoing implementation of the three-year Destination Osoyoos Tourism Market Development Plan for 2011-13.”  The Plan includes four pillars of activity for DO:  Growing Tourism Revenue Through External Marketing; Strengthening the Visitor Experience; Maintaining a Market-Focused Industry; and Strengthening Internal Communications.

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FOR INFORMATION:

Jo Knight, DO Executive Director

250-495-5070  ext 202      jknight@destinationosoyoos.com

Don Brogan, DO Board Chair

250-495-8200         dbrogan@walnutbeachosoyoos.com