Membership Benefits
What is the Return 2 New Brunswick program?
The Return 2 New Brunswick program is designed to encourage cruise ship passengers to return to New Brunswick a second time for a longer, land-based vacation. Some studies suggest that as many as 50% of visitors intend to return to their cruise destination for a land-based vacation, and anecdotal evidence suggests that cruise guests are indeed returning to New Brunswick by land for longer stays. This program will allow for New Brunswick tourism operators to reach these cruise guests, encourage them to come back for a longer land-based vacation, and ultimately increase bookings from these visitors when they return by land.
How does the Return 2 New Brunswick program work?
Visiting cruise ship passengers are given a key card, their symbolic key to "Return 2 New Brunswick", with the website www.return2newbrunswick.com printed on the key. By visiting the website, passengers can make bookings and print coupons for special offers and discounts from the members of the Return 2 New Brunswick program. They can also sign up to receive e-newsletters, and the website is currently in development to incorporate social media applications and other interactions for guests to the website.
How many guests are hearing about the program?
In the fall of 2009, over 40,000 key cards were distributed to visiting cruise ship passengers along with an invitation to Return 2 New Brunswick. In 2010, it is expected that over 100,000 key cards will be distributed to cruise guests throughout the season. The key cards are distributed by Tour Guides, the Meet & Greet committee, and Visitor Information Counselors during the passengers' visits to the Port of Saint John, New Brunswick.
Who is behind the Return 2 New Brunswick program?
The Return 2 New Brunswick program is managed by Aquila. Based in Saint John, New Brunswick, Aquila has been a tour operator to cruise lines and actively involved in the cruise industry for more than 20 years.
Who can become a member?
Accommodations, restaurants, attractions, retailers and any other New Brunswick tourism operators or businesses that provide a service to visitors are welcome to become a member in the Return 2 New Brunswick program.
What are the benefits of being a member?
There are many benefits of being a member of the Return 2 New Brunswick program, including:
- A presence on a website that is being promoted to over a hundred thousand guests who have sampled New Brunswick, and who by visiting the site, are expressing interest in Returning 2 New Brunswick for a vacation
- A link to your own website, offering a variety of opportunities for guests to access your information and contact you
- A marketing plan for this website that includes not just an invitation for guests to visit the site to plan their Return 2 New Brunswick, but opportunities for guests to sign up for e-newsletters and engage in various social media applications and other interactions, so New Brunswick will stay top of mind
- Reports from the manager twice per year on activity on the website
- A fantastic opportunity to increase your visitation from cruise guests who plan to Return 2 New Brunswick by land
What is expected of the members?
The Return 2 New Brunswick members are responsible for:
- maintaining current information on their Return 2 New Brunswick page
- offering a special offer or discount on their Return 2 New Brunswick page for these returning guests. This special offer or discount can be adjusted at any time, and conditions may apply, such as showing the printable coupon upon arrival, showing their Return 2 New Brunswick card, etc.
- reporting statistics on bookings or customers generated by the program with the program manager twice per year
How do I become a member?
Contact Sarah Harquail at Aquila by calling 506-633-1224 or email sarah@aquilatours.com. We'll sign you up, and help you get your page on the Return 2 New Brunswick website! We are pleased to offer a discount for TIANB members.