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Horseback riding at Bracewell's Alpine Wilderness Adventures above Tatlayoko Lake in Cariboo Chilcotin Coast | Kari Medig |
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#BCTourismMatters in communities across the province
| Reo Rafting/Ryan Robinson |
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Tourism Week shines bright in BC |
From May 26 to June 2, Tourism Week was celebrated across the province. Support from government, employers, operators, DMOs, and others in the industry, showcased BC's incredible breadth of tourism talent, and the exciting experiences and adventures to be had across the province. In the spirit of collaboration, Destination BC announced $4 million for the latest intake of the Co-Operative Marketing Partnerships Program and a $1 million Catalyst fund to support destination development projects. Every week is Tourism Week in BC. Use our Power of Tourism page to celebrate and promote tourism year-round.
LEARN MORE → |
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Timely, accurate information is essential in emergencies
I Northern BC Tourism/Michael Bednar |
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Keeping visitors and residents in BC safe during emergencies |
The Province is providing $200,000 in one-time grants to support regional destination marketing organization's emergency preparedness. The funding will help the tourism industry's ability to provide accurate and timely information during emergency situations, to visitors and residents alike. |
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Cycle enthusiasts set to enjoy enhanced bikeways
I Destination BC |
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Provincial government approves $10 million to boost BC bike infrastructure |
The projects, 28 in total, will be administered through BikeBC to help communitities across the province pay for new bikeways, and improve safety and accessibility on existing pathways. The planned improvements will link communitites, encourage more people to cycle to work and school, and generate tourism-related traffic. |
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Events increase the volume of visitors to BC
I Northern BC Tourism/Christos Sagiorgis |
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Tourism Events Program receives provincial funding to support 30 events in the next year |
The latest round of the Tourism Events Program has garnered nearly $1.6 million in government support for events across the province, including Crankworx Whistler and Sunfest Country Music Festival in Lake Cowichan. Check out the program requirements and other applications details for when the next round opens on September 1, 2019. |
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For Glowing Hearts is part of Destination Canada's brand evolution I Destination Canada |
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Destination Canada launches new brand at Rendez-vouz Canada 2019 |
Day one of the annual marketplace event kicked off with Destination Canada unveiling their new brand: Canada. For Glowing Hearts. The tagline, inspired by the national anthem, and the heart-shaped logo, express Canada's passion to the world and seek to create strong emotional bonds with travellers.. |
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(L-R) Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA, Amy Thacker, CCCTA, and Lisa Beare, Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture sign MOU
| Province of BC/Don Craig |
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Thompson Okanagan and Cariboo Chilcotin Coast sign Memorandum of Understanding |
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association signed a MOU at the Tourism Week showcase in Victoria. The MOU establishes a coordinated and collaborative approach in promoting growth and increased awareness of the Gold Rush Trail. |
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Be prepared to cope with potential emergencies
| Destination BC/Kari Medig |
Emergency preparedness is always a good idea, even if, best case scenario, you never have to deal with an emergency. BC's beauty—soaring mountains, sweeping coastlines and towering forests—brings potential risks, particularly for visitors who may not be familiar with regional hazards. Find resources on our website to guide your emergency response, to keep your guests and staff safe.
LEARN MORE → |
Learn top industry workplace skills with SuperHost
| Destination BC/Boomer Jerritt |
Since its relaunch last year, the customer service suite has been touring BC and delivering industry skills training to front line staff and destination marketing organizations. To date, 5,000 certificates have been issued, and more than 520 classroom sessions have been held. The three distinct courses provide training in different areas of customer service, ensuring staff are equipped to work efficiently and provide BC's diverse visitor profile with an exceptional experience every time.
LEARN MORE → |
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Connecting travellers with the regions' culture
| Destination BC/Andrew Strain |
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The latest round of BC Air Access Program (BCAAP) grants will support improved safety and convenience at 16 community airports across the province. Planned projects include: runway resurfacing, terminal building expansions, increased weather detection systems, and measures to reduce environmental risks. Airports are a vital element to BC’s economy, and local community airports rely on financial support to make the necessary upgrades. |
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Camping enthusiasts now have more options for enjoying
BC's great outdoors | Destination BC/Adams Wells |
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Provincial Parks and Recreation centres welcoming 600 news campsites |
In total, BC’s provincial parks see 21 million visits every year, with more and more of these visits turning into overnight trips. The Province is responding to the growing appetite for camping by adding almost 600 new campsites to high demand areas this year. Great news for visitors and the tourism industry alike! |
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Connecting travellers with the regions' culture
| Destination BC/Andrew Strain |
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Central Coast ferry route returns with new vessel—the Northern Sea Wolf! |
The reinstated BC Ferries route, this time aboard the Northern Sea Wolf, will connect Port Hardy and Bella Coola once again. As a popular route, it's a welcome comeback for tourism operators and visitors to the region. Journeying on the Northern Sea Wolf allows passengers to see more of BC’s Central Coast, explore communities surrounding the route, and witness the abundant wildlife in the area, while travelling to one of the wildest places left on earth—the Great Bear Rainforest. |
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Tourism Industry Forecast 2019 |
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Each year, Destination BC’s Research and Analytics team combs through volumes of data to forecast how our major markets will perform over the next 12 months. To find out more, please email [email protected] and request a copy of our latest presentation, available to our British Columbia tourism industry partners. |
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International visitor arrivals to BC up 13.8% in April (year over year) |
International visitor arrivals to BC increased 13.8% per cent in April 2019 compared to 2018. Late Easter dates helped shift arrivals from many of our major markets into April this year. |
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Destination BC and regional partners welcome media to Great Bear Rainforest event in Vancouver | Destination BC |
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Team BC hosted events in Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle |
Last month’s travel media highlights started with an event in Calgary, focused on facilitating networks between BC partners and over 30 top Calgary media. In Vancouver, the team hosted travel media at TELUS World of Science for a teaser screening of The Great Bear Rainforest IMAX, before packing their bags and heading to Seattle. The Seattle event was also themed around The Great Bear Rainforest film, which is currently airing at the Pacific Science Centre. Media events like these are paramount in sparking story ideas and resulting in BC travel media coverage throughout the year. |
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The CEF supports communities in creating tourism products, facilities and experiences | Destination BC/Owen Perry |
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The Canadian Experiences Fund continues to accept applications! |
Announced as part of the Federal Tourism Strategy, the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF) supports communities across Canada as they create and enhance tourism products, facilities and experiences. The CEF is open to a wide variety of organizations, with eligible projects supporting the growth and diversification of the tourism sector. The funds, totaling $11 million over two years for BC, will be administered via Western Economic Diversification Canada. |
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TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards for Canada names Vancouver #1 | Destination BC/Stirl and Rae Photo |
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Numerous BC spots included in TripAdvisor's rankings of Canada's Best Destinations |
TripAdvisor recently released its Travellers' Choice Awards for Canada’s best destinations, and BC made a strong showing. Appearing on the list were Vancouver (#1), lauded for snow-capped mountains, waterfront forests, citywide beaches, and Olympic history; Victoria (#7), recognized for cool shops, authentic coffee bars and more cycling routes than any other Canadian city; and Whistler (#9), praised for stunning landscapes, down-to-earth mountain culture and endless outdoor activities. |
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Marie Claire has a circulation of 73,000 and a readership of 421,000 with the value of this story at $62,000 AUD
| Destination BC |
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Marie Claire Australia magazine draws all eyes to the Great Bear Rainforest |
In September 2018, Destination BC’s Australia team sent Marie Claire Magazine on a global group media fam to the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. The fam covered BC Ferries’ Northern Sea Wolf, the remote northern tip of Vancouver Island, the Broughton Archipelago by kayak, Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy, and the traditional First Nations territory of Kwakwaka’wakw. The story, by Anna McCooe, positions BC as Wild At Heart, capturing the essence of British Columbia and giving the reader a skin-tingling taste of BC's wilderness, communities, and culture—creating wanderlust to visit now. |
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The new Marketing Advisory Committee will provide support and advice to ITBC | Destination BC/Stirl and Rae Photo |
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ITBC welcomes first Marketing Advisory Committee |
The newly-formed Marketing Advisory Committee will provide support and strategic advice to ITBC's management team on marketing Indigenous tourism and ITBC's marketing stakeholders. The six committee members, representing various sectors and regions from across the province, will work to shape marketing strategies and programs, as well as helping to set objectives for Indigenous tourism in British Columbia. |
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Subaru IRONMAN coming to Whistler on July 28 |
Rugged mountain landscapes and an Olympic legacy meet in Whistler, the new home of one of the longest-running IROMAN races. The course takes in BC's pristine natural environment and vibrant village, including Alta Lake, the Callaghan Valley, and Whistler Olympic Plaza. |
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New festival celebrates Okanagan Indigenous culture |
Visitors to the Okanagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival on July 6 and 7 will be treated to traditional and contemporary live music, dance performances and comedy acts. A variety of workshops will also be open for registration, including songwriting, plant foraging and craft-making. |
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Nanaimo's Bathtub Weekend enters its 52nd year |
The whirlwind 2019 Bathtub Weekend welcomes visitors to enjoy concerts, street fairs, the kids zone, and of course, the Bathtub race! A Nanaimo event staple since 1967, the Bathtub race draws 'tubbers' from all over the world, who race watercraft of every kind on the 36-mile stretch —see it to believe it! |
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