A local adventure might be just a few clicks of a mouse away, thanks to an innovative tourism promotion.
Destination Nanaimo is giving away 10 prize package adventures on Facebook to promote Nanaimo tourism. Each package is worth about $500.
The campaign went live on Facebook Friday and will give away a new prize package every three days until Oct. 1.
Advertisements are being run on Tourism Nanaimo's Facebook page, targeting residents across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
"In the past we've promoted the location and the beauty of Nanaimo," said Chelsea Barr, Destination Nanaimo spokeswoman. "Now we want to tell people what there actually is to do here and give them real examples of some ideas and itineraries that they can do once they're here."
This is Destination Nanaimo's first launch of a major social media campaign promoting tourism. The organization worked with Vancouver-based Think Social Media because of its experience with tourism promotion.
Prizes were provided by 32 Nanaimo businesses. The promotion will track responses to the campaign and collect feedback from the companies providing prizes.
The contest opened Friday with the Canadian Classic – a package including curling lessons, Sunday brunch, brewery tour and tastings at Longwood Brew Pub, bowling, a private Nanaimo Bar tasting tour on the Nanaimo Bar Trail and more.
Prize package content is kept secret until each package goes live, but Barr gave a sneak peak of Historically Haunted, which goes live near the end of the promotion.
"You get to stay in the haunted room of the Best Western Dorchester, we'll give you a tour of ACME Food Company's haunted restaurant and provide dinner and there'll be a cemetery tour provided by Nanaimo Museum," Barr said.
Entering the contest is easy. Simply visit Tourism Nanaimo's website at www.facebook.com/TourismNanaimo and fill out the online contest entry form.
All prizes must be redeemed by Oct. 31