grew, we got online very early compared to most tourism destinations. We purchased many domain names relating to our business and used them as landing and redirect pages for our main page. We were using SEO [Search engine optimization] before it became a trend. Adding an online reservation form to our website and part- nered with online booking companies has greatly increased our global presence and we are seeing some of our best pre-season reservation counts ever. Our Facebook page was started many years ago, but it was not heavily focused-on until 2012 when our son Jess and his wife Amy returned to Brier Island to work at the Lodge. They took over the social media side of the business and between them have created multiple channels of social media. Amy is a creative and avid photographer and her ideas, images, and stories have attracted many followers to our business and area. Amy saw that the Island as a whole was under repre- sented in social media, so she created Facebook pages for locations like the lighthouse, which at the time had no funding for promotions. She’s continued sharing content year round so people can see Island life even in the off- season. She is proactive. She creates content for specific target markets and
Cruises Whale and Seabird Tours.
We trust these companies to give our guests an experience they’ll never forget. We were actually checking out some of the whale watching videos you have posted to Facebook in our editorial meeting – and they’re incredible. VT: That’s the truth. We want people to see the amazing adventures that you can have while on the Island and the whale encounters are second to none. You’re connected to the sea everywhere you look and travel on Brier Island. It is also home to three lighthouses, including the beautiful and historic Western Light and the Peter Island lighthouse, which is off the Island in Grand Passage. “Bringing employees to Brier Island can allow them to focus on the corporate goals, each other, and themselves. It is a place that can rejuvenate them, but also excite them with nature adventures, like hiking and whale watching.” We are confident that you will not leave the Island disap- pointed. How has the internet changed the way you do business? VT: When Brier Island Lodge started, the only thing that was online was the bedsheets. As the access to the internet
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2018
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