Destination BC Response

UPDATE! By order and direction of the PHO, individuals and businesses in BC must continue to significantly reduce social interactions and travel. The existing order, which began November 19, 2020, has been extended until February 5, 2021.

BC tourism businesses can refer to the Messaging Guidance for January 8-February 5 related to the announcement on provincial restrictions. The document includes messaging and a FAQ.

If you have questions about the PHO order extended on January 7, please contact the BC Ministry of Health or visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

Response, Recovery, Resilience

Destination BC’s marketing and industry response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been guided by three-phases: Response, Recovery, Resilience—principles which align with BC’s Restart Plan.

We are now in Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan. In alignment with this Phase, Destination BC has launched a new chapter of its successful Explore BC campaigns: an extensive domestic marketing campaign encouraging BC residents to plan and book their trips for travel throughout the province.

The campaign is designed to promote safe travel practices, re-ignite BC’s tourism industry revenue, promote BC tourism businesses and destinations, and rekindle British Columbians’ curiosity and passion for the place they live.

By visiting exploreBC.com, residents can find trip planning ideas and resources to support their rediscovery of our enchanting province, guided by six new experience collections:

• West Coast Culture
• Mountain Peaks & Towns
• Northern Wild
• Vineyards, Valleys & Lakes
• Rivers, Ranches & Ranges
• Vancouver & Sea-to-Sky

In addition to trip planning, inspiration and booking assistance, Destination BC is utilizing its channels to help BC residents understand what’s open and what they need to know before they go, including responsible traveller behaviour.

When appropriate, we will extend the campaign into Alberta and other parts of Canada. By encouraging as many British Columbians as possible to #exploreBC safely and thoughtfully, we can help our industry emerge stronger than ever before.

As we continue on this path together, we are committed to supporting BC’s tourism industry by providing access to resources and tools, training programs, program modifications, and insights for small- and medium-sized enterprises in our industry.

We encourage you to look through our Response, Recovery, Resilience approach and stay up to date on the latest information we have, and are working from, through joining our industry calls on Thursdays, subscribing to our weekly newsletter, and following our corporate social media channels.