Decline in Chi-Cheemaun sailing numbers appears to have abated
SOUTH BAYMOUTH—All the numbers aren’t in yet, but the early results indicate a very successful season for the Destination Manitoulin marketing partnership between local accommodation providers, restaurants and Chi-Cheemaun ferry operator the Owen Sound Transportation Company and a halt to plummeting ferry ridership numbers.
“Without all the numbers in we have had over 500 customers registered in the program,” said Ameal Leduc, co-owner of South Baymouth’s Buckhorn Motel who, along with his wife Cathy, coordinate the program. “On my list alone there are 145, so the numbers are there.”
The Destination Manitoulin program, which offers customers discounts when they link travel on the ferry to accommodation, meals or retails shop purchases, boasts some 29 accommodation providers taking part. “There are 68 businesses in total,” said Mr. Leduc, who estimates that when the final numbers are tallied, there will be over 1,000 customers taking advantage of the program. “When you look at the big picture, with each customer saving at least five dollars each, that is $5,000 that customers have saved. The discount works.”
As with any new program there are a few rough edges to smooth out. One of the items high on the list for tinkering is the registration number. “We have to revisit the tag number,” said Mr. Leduc, who noted that initial feedback is that the number used to link the ferry crossing to the local discounts is too unwieldy. “We think we have a way to get it down to about one-third the size.”
One thing certain in Mr. Leduc’s mind about the program is that “it is a good step in the right direction. We are getting a lot of customers calling from the Chi-Cheemaun website.”
Although the Island buy-in to the Destination Manitoulin program has not been universal yet, Mr. Leduc said that the initial results will likely have local business owners starting to sit up and take notice.
“I think there are still some businesses that are sitting on the fence,” he said. But of those that have come into the program, Mr. Leduc said he has found one universal theme that has been gratifying. “Everybody has been working together,” he said. “It has been very impressive to see that coming about.”
The coordinator said that he expects the final numbers for the program to be compiled by late October.
“We haven’t had a chance to review Destination Manitoulin numbers or get any feedback from the accommodation providers,” confirmed OSTC CEO Susan Schrempf. “We only have anecdotal information that the customers who have used it seem to be pleased.”
The OSTC has engaged a marketing company to help re-build the ferry’s numbers from the near disastrous plummet seen in recent years, but the details of the company and its plan remain under tabs for now.
“I can’t provide any information regarding the marketing company yet, apart from confirming that we have completed the selection process and have a firm,” said Ms. Schrempf, citing government procedural protocol.
As to the initial numbers on the ferry this summer, Ms. Schrempf was able to provide some numbers and they clearly indicate that the slide appears to have been checked.
Initial numbers made available by Ms. Schrempf indicated that the summer vehicle numbers for June, July and August 2014 were only down slightly to 47,842 from 2013’s 47,967, this despite a late start to the season due to unseasonably thick ice pack and uncooperative winds this past spring.
In fact, the numbers were up in June, rising from 9,432 vehicles in 2013 to 10,053 in June of 2014. July saw a slight dip from 17,907 in 2013 to 17,735 in July 2014, while August’s drop was the most significant from 2013’s 20,628 to this August’s 20,054.
Passenger numbers for the season were not yet available.
