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Destination BC Bulletin 15: COVID-19
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British Columbia Enters Phase 3 of BC's Restart Plan
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On June 24, the provincial government announced that British Columbia is taking the next step in BC’s Restart Plan with a gradual transition to Phase 3, including the smart, safe and respectful return of travel and tourism within BC! This is thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of British Columbians, under the guidance of our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.
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By following the foundational rules that have allowed our province to enter Phase 3—physical distancing, staying home when sick, hand hygiene, wearing a mask when necessary, and other protective measures—we can continue on this path together and explore our province, safely. Dr. Bonnie Henry has laid out travel guidelines for everyone to practice while travelling within BC.
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Destination BC Launching #exploreBC Campaign
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In alignment with Phase 3 of BC's Restart Plan, Destination BC will be launching a new chapter of its successful Explore BC campaign: an extensive domestic marketing campaign encouraging BC residents to plan and book their trips for travel throughout the province. This will be followed by a campaign to encourage and promote travel from Alberta, and other parts of Canada.
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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. In addition to trip planning, inspiration and booking assistance, Destination BC will utilize its channels to help BC residents understand what’s open and what they need to know before they go, including responsible traveller behaviour.
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To help you support our collective voice in the campaign, we’ve created an Explore BC Recovery Marketing Campaign Industry Playbook to provide tourism partners with information, ideas, and tools to amplify Explore BC using three content pillars: Rediscover, Resassure, Reconnect.
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We encourage you to learn more about our campaign in our June 25 industry call recording, when Maya Lange, Destination BC's VP of Global Marketing, joined to discuss the details.
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Summer vacations and travel will be different this year. We are not leaving COVID-19 behind, and we need to continue to do our part to protect the progress we’ve made by encouraging travellers to "Know Before You Go".
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To help us support safe and responsible BC-wide travel, please amplify these resources:
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Destination BC will continue to work closely with Minister Beare and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, as well as industry partners from across the province, as we navigate this new Phase. We want to assure you that we are all in this together, and Destination BC is here to support you.
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Messaging Guidance June 25–July 1
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In the final edition of our Messaging Guidance, we continue to support the Provincial Health Authority and BC's tourism industry by: Inspiring consumer confidence in visiting tourism and hospitality businesses around BC; Restoring tourism’s social license with host communities so they will welcome visitors this summer and fall; Supporting local tourism businesses to re-start; and ensuring the public receives “Know Before You Go" messaging for travel during Phase 3.
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Powell River Visitor Centre's safety measures include plexiglass separation panels
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BC Visitor Centre Health and Safety Grants
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Destination BC's one-time health and safety grants for Visitor Centres across the province are being put to good use. From plexiglass separation panels for counter tops to 'sanitization stations' and floor decals, these measures will enable physical distancing and heightened sanitation within Visitor Centres as they welcome back travellers. So far, we have heard how Chilliwack, Powell River, Sparwood, Nelson, Revelstoke, and Parksville Visitor Centres are utilizing the grant.
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Tourism Vancouver/Michael Song
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Celebrate World Pride Day!
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June 27 is World Pride Day, and while celebrations may look a little different, across BC we are finding creative ways to connect with one another and show our collective Pride. The traditional parade routes flanked with thousands of members of the LGBTQ2+ community, their friends, families, and allies are, unfortunately, not permitted this summer, but there are still plenty of ways to proclaim loudly that love is love.
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Signals and Sentiment Dashboard
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Destination BC is launching a new Signals and Sentiment Dashboard, designed to help us all make data-driven decisions in the coming months. The dashboard monitors a variety of factors to show what is happening in each of our core geographic markets, helping us and our industry partners to quickly make informed decisions about when to restart marketing activities, and in which geographic markets. Stay tuned for an update on our corporate social channels on June 29.
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Join our final webinar in our Road to Recovery Series! Our July 7 session, delivered in partnership with go2HR, is focused on Revisiting your COVID-19 Safety Plan. The format will follow a candid panel discussion with tourism employers, sharing some key insights and learnings based on their experiences in creating and implementing safety plans. This is a great time to revisit your plan and make any revisions as needed.
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Reminder! Webinars 1 through 13 in our Road to Recovery Series are available to view on Destination BC's Learning Centre, along with Q&A documents from the Destination BC led sessions.
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Latest Provincial Updates
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On June 25, the Province of British Columbia announced that it is extending the temporary layoffs provisions to a maximum of 24 weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, expiring on August 30, 2020.
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The BC government has also formally extended the provincial state of emergency through the end of the day on July 7, 2020, allowing government to continue to take the necessary steps under the Emergency Program Act to keep British Columbians safe.
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On June 23, the BC Centre for Disease Control released its latest modelling and projections. Learn more about the modelling work that has been done to anticipate the number of cases in the province and help hospitals to prepare.
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British Columbians are invited to share feedback on how the Province can best use the $1.5 billion that has earmarked for recovery. Please share your ideas and provide your suggestions by July 21 in one of the following ways:
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On June 23, the federal government announced they are extending the time period given to employers to recall employees laid off due to COVID-19.
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As of June 26, the expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is now open for applications. This means that more small businesses can access it.
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ITAC receives $1.95M in funding from Destination Canada
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Through an enduring partnership with Destination Canada, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has received $1.95 million for sales and marketing recovery. Referenced by ITAC's President and CEO, Keith Henry, as "critical for recovery", he went on to explain that: “These funds will not only support a national awareness campaign, they will also be distributed to our provincial and territorial Indigenous members to support their own local and regional marketing efforts.”
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Download the ITBC app to find local Indigenous Tourism operators and pay a visit to those whose doors are open.
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National Indigenous History Month
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There is still time to celebrate National Indigenous History Month. This month-long opportunity honours the history, heritage, important achievements and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada. Visit Indigenous Tourism BC's (ITBC) resource page for inspiring ways to learn more about, celebrate, and support over 200 Indigenous communities in BC.
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The survey will be open until June 26, 2020.
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Last Chance! Tourism Workforce Survey
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Tourism HR Canada's survey is gathering feedback to assist in making policy and program recommendations specific to tourism workforce needs during and post COVID-19. Your input will help determine how deeply the workforce has been affected by COVID-19, assess the effectiveness of government programs, and more. The survey closes on June 26.
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Canadian Business Resilience Network (CBRN) Reopening Toolkit
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The CRBN has prepared a Reopening Tool Kit to provide guidance for business owners and senior managers responsible for re-establishing their operations while ensuring the health and safety of operators, staff, customers and the general public. The tool kit includes a communications guide and ready-to-print template signage.
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Destination BC COVID-19 Communications
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How else can you keep up to date on the latest from Destination BC?
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If you have questions that cannot be answered through the various resources on our website and official channels, please send them to [email protected] and we will work to address them.
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