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Destination BC Bulletin 23: COVID-19
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Latest Provincial Updates
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COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan Boosts BC Tourism Industry
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COVID-19 has had a profound and devastating impact on the tourism sector and has altered British Columbia’s visitor economy. Throughout the pandemic, the ministry consulted extensively with business owners, sector associations and marketing organizations to hear their priorities for recovery and ideas to help British Columbia remain a globally competitive destination.
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The Province's "Stronger BC for Everyone: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan" released on September 17, 2020, by Premier John Horgan and Carole James, Minister of Finance, includes a cross-government approach to help all aspects of the tourism industry recover, create jobs and grow the economy.
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Industry Leaders, Experts Named to Provincial Tourism Task Force
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Ten business and industry leaders have been appointed to a new task force focused on reigniting BC's tourism sector and enhancing its long-term competitiveness.
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Rent Relief Coming for Outdoor Adventure Operators
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On September 18, the BC government announced that financial help will be made available for eligible outdoor adventure businesses, fishing and hunting lodges, guest ranches, ecotourism lodges, seasonal campgrounds and other commercial recreation operators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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New Partnership Between Destination BC and Small Business BC Provides Support for Tourism Businesses
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Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to provide tourism businesses across the province with free access to Small Business BC’s Advisory Services and Education Webinars. Tourism businesses can seek one-on-one expert advice from lawyers, accountants, HR professionals and others, as well as access business strategy advisory support to help answer business questions, including those related to COVID-19.
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Through this partnership BC tourism businesses can also access Small Business BC’s collection of approximately 300 education webinars each year on over 40 different business topics free-of-charge.
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Removing financial barriers and providing easy access to business support services is crucial for hard-hit tourism businesses in need of COVID-19 recovery support. We encourage tourism businesses to make use of this ongoing, expert-led suite of services!
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Rediscover BC in a whole new season.
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"Fall for BC All Over Again" Campaign
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We have launched our Fall Recovery Campaign on TV, radio, print, and across our digital channels. From colourful foliage to cozy cabins, the campaign shows that BC has so much to offer in fall and encourages residents to book trips now. Complete with inspirational fall videos, travellers are directed to a fall landing page – hellobc.com/fall – for trip ideas, itineraries, deals and more. The campaign builds on the six experience collections introduced in the summer and highlights bookable fall experiences, as well as city and urban stays.
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"The Revy Rules" story from Tourism Revelstoke was a top performer for impressions.
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Leveraging the BC Story Network
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As part of our summer recovery marketing campaign, we leveraged the BC Story Network to amplify the on-the-ground expertise of our tourism partners, and connect BC residents with tourism businesses who were open and welcoming visitors. In June, we contacted nearly 50 BC Story Network program partners with an ask to create BC stories, resulting in over 300 new business-focused stories in just a few weeks. The stories were shared as part of our recovery campaign efforts, and were seen by more people, watched for longer, and interacted with more than stories created previously.
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"Rediscover Victoria at your own pace. Here are the top reasons why you should visit Victoria this fall..."
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Explore BC Cities This Fall: Victoria
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We have published the final video in our series on BC cities, aimed at inspiring locals to explore BC cities this fall. The video was created in partnership with Destination Greater Victoria. The goal is to drive immediate travel to Victoria, while also supporting Destination Greater Victoria’s "Reconnect in Victoria" campaign. The video has been shared on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter consumer channels.
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Ongoing COVID-19 Research and Insights
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As BC's visitor economy continues to face unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, we know that ongoing research is required to make informed, insights-driven decisions and guide our collective response.
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Since the pandemic took hold, we have been actively monitoring the travel and tourism landscape globally, nationally, provincially, and locally in the context of COVID-19. Currently, we produce a weekly report providing a holistic view of the pandemic impacts from suppliers, other tourism agencies, associations, etc. and we commission Insights West to conduct a bi-weekly report, focused on BC residents' perceptions and sentiments.
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International Visitor Arrivals June 2020
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International visitor arrivals are currently limited to essential trips only as authorized by the Canada Border Services Agency. For June 2020, just over 12,000 visitors arrived at BC ports of entry, a decrease of −98.5% from June 2019.
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Further Provincial Updates
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On September 18, the Province announced the transfer of 11 hectares of Crown land to the Nicola Valley First Nations, fulfilling a promise made in March 2019 to work together to grow the regional economy and advance reconciliation with the First Nations.
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On September 18, the provincial government announced service area expansions (such as patios), and extending the sale and delivery of packaged liquor as follows:
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Temporary Expanded Service Area (such as patios): Extended from October 31, 2020 to October 31, 2021.
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Liquor and Food Primary Off-Site Sales (sale and delivery of unopened liquor products with the purchase of a meal for takeaway or delivery): Extended from October 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
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On September 17, the Province announced the coastal ferries vision for the future following a two-phased public engagement process.
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On September 15, the Government of British Columbia extended the Provincial State of Emergency until the end of day September 29, 2020.
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Keith Henry, President & CEO of ITAC, and Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO of YVR, signing the MOU.
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ITAC and YVR Celebrate a New Partnership
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On September 3, 2020, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) signed a memorandum of understanding, strengthening a working relationship which will support each organizations’ marketing goals, and contribute to the growth of destinations and key airline partners.
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The partnership to improve Bamfield Road safety was announced on September 11, 2020
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Province Partners with Huu-ay-aht First Nations to Improve Bamfield Road Safety
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Huu-ay-aht First Nations and the Province have partnered to make vital safety improvements to Bamfield Road. Funding for safety upgrades and hard surfacing the road with a seal coat will help make the road safer and more reliable. The project also supports the Huu-ay-aht vision for economic growth and diversification in the regional economy.
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Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre | Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson
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Whistler Celebrates 45th Anniversary With a New Vision
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The Resort Municipality of Whistler celebrates its 45th anniversary this year with a historic agreement that changes the economic landscape for the municipality and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Líl̓wat Nations as they move towards reconciliation. The agreement, signed in June 2020, is between the Squamish and Líl̓wat Nations, the Province, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb.
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The World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travel Stamp
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Victoria & Vancouver Island Granted Global “Safe Travels” Stamp
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Congratulations, Tourism Vancouver Island and Destination Greater Victoria, on your Safe Travels designation from the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) for both Victoria and Vancouver Island. This specially designed stamp allows travellers to recognize destinations and tourism businesses around the world which have adopted globally standardized health and hygiene protocols so visitors can experience “safe travels.”
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One of the Safe Travel stations in Kelowna | Tourism Kelowna
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Public Sanitizer Stations and Safe Travel Tips in Kelowna
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Tourism Kelowna and the Downtown Kelowna Association are proud to unveil new Community Safe Travel Tips and Hand Sanitizer Stations in four local public spaces. The community safety initiative, sponsored by FortisBC, will enhance the experience of some of Kelowna’s most popular public spaces. The stations will showcase 10 safe travel tips and provide free sanitizer in all four locations.
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go2HR's Employer Survey closes on September 18, 2020.
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Last Chance to Help Shape the Future of go2HR
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Survey closes on September 18! After a year of transition, go2HR is charting a new course and needs your input on how to best meet the needs of industry through their 2020 strategic plan. If you are a tourism or hospitality employer, please complete the 15-minute survey to offer your insights on the key human resource issues facing the industry and how go2HR can best help the industry in dealing with these issues going forward.
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BC Hotel Association Industry Update
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The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) is running live industry update sessions in five locations across the province. The content of the session will include the state of advocacy efforts in the province, recovery strategies for BC's tourism and hospitality Industry, emerging issues, industry best practices and BCHA member benefit initiatives. Sessions will take place in Nelson, Cranbrook, Invermere, Golden, and Revelstoke. Prior registration is mandatory.
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ITBC Labour Market Survey
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Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is conducting research that will help guide the development of an Indigenous Tourism Labour Force Strategy for British Columbia. As part of this, ITBC is seeking the ideas and expertise of operators of non-Indigenous tourism related businesses in BC on how best to prepare, recruit and retain Indigenous employees. The Indigenous Tourism BC Labour Study for Non-Indigenous Employers takes 10 minutes to complete—please participate by September 24.
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ISCBC InvasiveWise Tourism Survey
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The Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) is conducting a new Invasive Wise Tourism Pilot Program. The goal is to help raise awareness of the importance and impacts of invasive species and to support positive actions for BC’s tourism industry to help ensure invasive species are not introduced, moved or released in British Columbia. Please take 10–15 minutes to complete the survey to support this important program and be entered into a prize draw.
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Destination BC COVID-19 Communications
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Here's how to stay connected on the latest from Destination BC:
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If you have questions that can't 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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