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Haida carver Christian White in traditional hat | Northern BC Tourism/John Scarth |
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Brenda Baptiste, Chair of ITBC, and the Honourable
Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, sign the Indigenous Tourism Accord |
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Strengthening Support for Indigenous Tourism Growth in BC |
Indigenous Tourism BC and the Province of British Columbia, represented by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, signed the Indigenous Tourism Accord at the International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Kelowna on November 14, 2019. The accord outlines a commitment for the parties to work together in areas including skills development, revitalization of Indigenous cultures, protocols and languages, and better co-operation across provincial ministries. |
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Fat Biking on the Ridgemont Trail in Fernie |
Destination BC/Dave Heath |
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Shaping the Long-Term, Sustainable Growth of Tourism in the Kootenay Rockies |
A 10-year destination development strategy for the Kootenay Rockies has been created in a partnership with Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Indigenous Tourism BC, Destination BC, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The strategy will support improvements to communities in the region with the overall goal of strengthening the destination and visitor economy, while enriching the lives of local residents. |
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Stories are one of the fastest-growing formats in the history of digital marketing |
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Destination BC and Partners Launch the BC Story Network |
In November, Destination BC and 29 tourism partners from across the province launched the BC Story Network, a networked approach to content marketing for the province, powered by CrowdRiff’s new Travel Stories technology. This program allows BC partners to easily create mobile-first, visually immersive content in a vertical story format, and instantaneously publish the content to multiple distribution channels (including HelloBC.com). Learn more about BC’s participation in the world’s first connected story experience for travellers. |
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Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, a TEP recipient for the 2019/20 Freeride World Tour | Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe |
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Tourism Events Program Supports Array of Exciting Events in BC |
Locals and visitors from around the world will have a variety of festivals, contests and shows to choose from in communities around BC over the coming year, with support from BC’s Tourism Events Program. The latest round of the program, funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, is providing nearly $3 million for 45 events taking place between October 2019 and September 2020 around the province. The next intake opens March 21, 2020. |
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Is your business listing on HelloBC.com optimized? |
This past year over 260,000 direct referrals have been sent from HelloBC.com to businesses across the province that are listed on the site. Have you claimed and optimized your HelloBC.com listing yet?
It’s just two simple steps: claim your TripAdvisor listing first then login to the Tourism Business Portal and claim your HelloBC.com listing, adding your contact information and social media links. One listing, two websites – it’s that easy.
For information on optimizing your TripAdvisor and HelloBC.com listings check out the resources found on the Learning Centre.
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ITAC will significantly increase its wingspan after a $100,000, over three years, commitment from WestJet |
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Congratulations Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada on IITC |
The 2019 International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) welcomed over 700 delegates, and Destination BC is proud to have played a sponsorship role in the event. In the spirit of the year's theme “Inspire. Transform. Unite. Accelerating Indigenous tourism growth,” ITAC unveiled some exciting partnership announcements, including a three-year strategic national partnership with WestJet, and the launch of a new Indigenous culinary tourism strategy. |
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The Lund Hotel won ITAC's Outstanding Indigenous Accommodations Award at IITC 2019 |
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BC Businesses Win at the Indigenous Tourism Awards Gala |
This year, the Indigenous Tourism Awards Gala at IITC was co-hosted by ITAC and the Indigenous Tourism Association of BC. Congratulations to both organizations on a fantastic night, and to the well-deserved BC award winners!
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The Lund Hotel
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St Eugene Resort
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Homalco Tours
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and Sierra Hall of Spirit Bear Lodge BC
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The Pursuit Attraction & Adventure Award was accepted by long-time Big White skier, Mike Ruby |
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Big White and Harbour Air Honoured with Best in Canadian Tourism Awards |
At the 2019 Canadian Tourism Awards earlier this month, Big White Ski Resort won the Pursuit Attraction & Adventure Award, and Harbour Air Seaplanes took home Air Canada's Business of the Year Award. Presented annually by the Tourism Association of Canada (TIAC) to recognize businesses that go above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada—many congratulations to both for championing BC! |
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Chef Nick Nutting of Tofino’s Wolf In The Fog, with Team Canada and Team BC, at a media lunch in New York |
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Fall Travel Media Relations Update |
Travel media relations is an essential marketing channel to tell our brand story, build awareness, and encourage travelers to visit BC. From co-hosting media in New York to the Travel Classics conference in Whistler to the all-important press trips throughout the province, Destination BC has been busy hosting and relationship-building with travel media around the world to inspire and generate coverage for BC. |
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The 36-hours in BC landing page on HelloBC.com.cn |
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The British Columbia Effect in China |
The British Columbia Effect brand campaign is currently live in China until February 2020. It kicked off in late September with a "36-hours in BC", mini-campaign, featuring a landing page on HelloBC.com.cn and a WeChat mini-program with six fall itineraries for Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Vancouver Island, the Thompson Okanagan, and maple leaf viewing. The interactive formats proved popular with over 12,000 views during the first three days. Next up, the winter campaign! |
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Travel agents in Vancouver |
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Australian Travel Agent Mega FAM in BC |
Thirty Australian travel agents visited BC last month as part of an education trip (FAM, also know as familiarization trip) to learn more about Canada. Destination Canada, in partnership with Air Canada and BC tourism partners, sent the agents to BC's Thompson Okanagan and further afield to Manitoba and Yukon. In Vancouver, Destination BC hosted BC suppliers and the agents to a half-day expo and B2B appointments. BC suppliers reported back a great day of networking including measured sales as an outcome of the event. |
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One of the many sessions/ presentations that provoked excitement and passion for travel to Canada |
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Team Canada Media Events in Germany |
Last month, Destination BC attended Destination Canada's Media Events in Hamburg and Munich. The event was a mix of speed-dating appointments, presentation and networking sessions, with a overall turnout of 64 media outlets. Alongside the appointments, Destination BC presented on BC's "wild side", including exploring the Great Bear Rainforest as well as a number of areas on the edge of wilderness across the province.
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September International Visitor Arrivals |
International Visitor Arrivals were up 0.03% in September. Arrivals for September slowed slightly due to in-destination pricing, and a slightly earlier Labour Day, pushing long weekend arrivals into August. Total arrivals to BC are up 3.2% year-to-date, putting us on track for a record year. |
Tourism Indicators Quarterly Publication |
The Tourism Indicators publication includes key tourism statistics such as international visitor arrivals data, commercial restaurant receipts, provincial and regional occupancy rates, regional airports, etc.
The November publication shows year-to-date Provincial Hotel Occupancy Rate (Jan-Aug) has risen 0.4 points year over year, and total year-to-date Passenger Volume to YVR (Jan-Sep) has grown by 1.8% year over year, welcoming a staggering 20.2 million passengers. |
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The suknaʔqín̓x (Okanagan) is Beautiful |
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"Welcome to the Okanagan" |
In a recently released video, Tourism Kelowna and WestBank First Nation beautifully capture the importance of the land to the Syilx/Okanagan people and what it means to them through their language and stories. Watch The suknaʔqín̓x (Okanagan) is Beautiful to learn about the land, from the mountain tops to the valley bottom. |
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Winter tire and chains in effect on BC highways until April 30, 2020 |
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Advise Travelers to Shift Into Winter |
Welcoming visitors in winter? Driving BC’s highways and roads in winter can mean rapid weather changes and unpredictable conditions. Remind visitors to be winter ready, check DriveBC before heading out on the road, and be aware of winter tire and chain regulations. Before any winter road trip, travelers should visit Shift Into Winter to learn how to prepare themselves and their vehicle, and find tips for driving to conditions. |
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Share your thoughts by January 10, 2020 |
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BC is Getting Climate Ready—Get Involved |
As part of the CleanBC initiative, The Province is taking steps to prepare and respond to the impacts of climate change. Share your thoughts on how climate change is affecting you, along with your visions on how we can build a resilient, climate-ready future. Your input will help The Province better understand how to develop policies and programs that support communities across BC. |
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Help modernize British Columbia's EPA | Province of BC |
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BC's Emergency Program Act Modernization |
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) is modernizing the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support more effective management of emergencies in BC. The Province is seeking input from its many emergency management partners and the public on the recently released discussion paper, which explains the need for new legislation and outlines the proposed policy direction. We encourage all tourism partners to provide feedback by 4PM on January 31, 2020. |
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Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery | Destination BC/Dave Heath |
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Updates from the BC Wine Institute |
The BCWI represents the BC wine industry’s interests to government. BC winery stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) Consultation by January 3, 2020. BCWI has also recently issued an update on the BC Agricultural Land Commission Policy L-03. Find these updates and more in the link. |
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Downtown Kelowna Visitor Centre |
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Accessibility at Kelowna Visitor Centre |
The Kelowna Visitor Centre is currently equipped to accommodate those travelling with mobility needs, young families or limited English. Features include level entry access, push button activated doors, and an electrically adjustable service desk to accommodate guests at multiple heights. The visitor experience team can speak a variety of languages, and will soon be using a hearing loop to better serve those with hearing assistance devices. |
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Help inform the future direction of Directions! |
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Directions Subscriber Survey 2019 |
Destination BC is committed to keeping industry partners informed about our activities, as well as trends, services and programs, and facts concerning British Columbia’s tourism industry. In an effort to improve this newsletter, we would like to hear your thoughts via the 2019 survey. Your feedback will help inform the future direction of the newsletter. Please check your inbox for the survey on Monday December 2, 2019! |
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IMPACT Conference, January 2020 |
Canada's annual conference on sustainability and innovation in tourism is back from January 19-22 in Victoria. Be part of the shift towards sustainability and join this national discussion about the future of the tourism. |
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BC's Tourism Industry Conference, March 2020 |
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the key issues, challenges and best practices in our industry. Mark your calendars and discover why #BCTourismMatters—March 4-6 in Victoria. |
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BC Hospitality Summit, April 2020 |
Stay tuned for updates on BC’s largest annual gathering of hospitality businesses.Save the date and learn from leading hospitality innovators at the 2020 Summit—April 6-7 in Kelowna. |
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