BC Accelerator Program Pilot Strengthens Global Connections for BC Tourism Businesses

In October, Destination BC’s Market Development team hosted the first-ever BC Accelerator Program, a new pilot initiative designed to help tourism businesses in British Columbia expand their global reach by strengthening their understanding of and connections within the international travel trade ecosystem. The travel trade remains one of the most powerful ways to connect tourism experiences in British Columbia with high-value international travellers, and this pilot reflects Destination BC’s commitment to supporting partners as they navigate this important channel.

Over two days in Kelowna, the program brought together 40 tourism sellers from across the province and 40 international buyers from key global markets for a mix of learning, marketplace appointments, and experiential activities. With funding support from PacifiCan, the program created an environment for two days of meaningful learning, connection, and collaboration.

Showcasing Diverse Tourism Experiences in British Columbia

The program began with a series of pre-familiarization tours, giving international buyers the chance to experience tourism offerings firsthand through several of the province’s new Iconic destination brands. These immersive experiences helped buyers see how the refreshed brand story translates into the real, bookable experiences that resonate most strongly with international travellers.

By exploring the landscapes, cultures, and communities represented in the brands, buyers gained deeper insights that will support future itinerary development and product packaging in key global markets.

Learning, Connection, and Collaboration

Throughout the two-day event, sellers participated in practical learning sessions on destination development, export readiness, and working effectively with travel trade partners. The goal was to help businesses grow from market-ready to export-ready by gaining the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to reach global audiences.

Many sellers noted the high value of meeting face-to-face with international buyers through structured marketplace appointments, gaining clearer insights into travel trade expectations and pathways to future business. The energy in the room was strong, with sellers eager to learn and buyers enthusiastic about discovering new experiences across the province. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with momentum toward future business opportunities.

Buyers shared their excitement about discovering new operators, learning more about the diversity of experiences in British Columbia, and building relationships with businesses they had not connected with before. The event also created space for deeper collaboration with Regional and Community Destination Management Organizations, strengthening shared objectives in global promotion and market expansion.

Across the board, participants highlighted both the quality of the training and the potential of the new business relationships formed during the pilot.

Strengthening Global Competitiveness

The BC Accelerator Program is part of Destination BC’s broader leadership in global market development, supporting an industry-wide goal of bringing more international visitors to more places and more seasons. Destination BC plays a leading role in helping businesses understand and work with the travel trade, because these partnerships directly drive visitation, revenue, and growth across the province.

By helping tourism businesses enhance their market readiness, understand travel trade processes, and build direct relationships with global partners, this work supports long-term competitiveness, community prosperity, and sustainable tourism growth.

These new travel trade relationships also help bring the Iconic destination brands to life, translating them from a global story into memorable visitor experiences. As the Iconic brands enter the global stage, these connections are laying the foundation for future growth for businesses, destinations, and the competitive position of British Columbia worldwide.

Save the Date: Industry Learning Opportunity on February 10

Given the strong appetite for travel trade learning across the sector, Destination BC will be hosting a Working with the Travel Trade industry call on February 10. This session is open to any BC tourism business or community DMO, including those who did not participate in the pilot, and will offer foundational insights into how to work with international travel trade partners, build market readiness, and align products for global audiences.

Learn more and register here.

Destination BC will continue to explore and develop additional ways to support tourism businesses in strengthening their travel trade capabilities and preparing their products for global markets.