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Destination BC Bulletin 25: COVID-19
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Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant Program Now Open
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The Province's Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program will invest up to $300 million in targeted financial support for some of the hardest hit businesses in BC that employ between two and 149 BC residents and have experienced declines in revenue since March 10, 2020. Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available. An additional $5,000 to $10,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses that have been hit especially hard by COVID-19.
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Small and medium-sized business are vital to British Columbia's economy.
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Sip & Stay Packages Along BC's Ale Trails Get Airtime on Global TV
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As part of the marketing program for the new ExploreBC IPA, hotels and breweries have come together to create unique Sip & Stay packages to encourage BC residents to book a stay along BC’s ale trails. Utilizing Destination BC’s Fall Recovery partnership with Global TV, viewers will see some of the Sip & Stay packages featured on Travel Best Bets segments with Claire Newell throughout the month of October and early November. See all the packages at www.hellobc.com/ways-to-save-in-bc and travelbestbets.com/travel-destinations/canada.
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Sip and Stay deals promote the BC Ale Trail.
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Destination BC’s latest ski campaign aims to motivate skiers to rediscover BC’s ski hills.
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Destination BC 2020/21 Ski Campaign Update
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Our latest ski campaign aims to motivate skiers to rediscover BC’s ski resorts and uncover some new spots they haven’t explored before. Typically, the ski campaign would target skiers across the United States and in Ontario, but this year we'll target BC skiers and, depending how the pandemic evolves, that could expand to include skiers in Ontario and Alberta.
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Destination BC's Signals and Sentiments Dashboard.
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Destination BC Signals and Sentiments Dashboard
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Need to know what is happening in your core markets to plan for recovery and resiliency for your business? Explore our Signals and Sentiments dashboard, regularly updated to include the latest research on COVID-19 by country, travel intent as shown through search behaviour, travel bookings and traveller sentiments.
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Destination BC's new travel deals program shares travel businesses offers through HelloBC.com.
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These deals represent a key opportunity to generate referrals to your business from HelloBC.com and through Destination BC marketing activities.
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Destination BC Launches Automated Travel Deals Program
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In support of Destination BC’s recovery marketing efforts, we have launched a new, automated travel deals program on HelloBC.com. This automated approach, managed through our Tourism Business Portal at DestinationBC.net, will allow us to surface relevant deals in the right place at the right time across HelloBC.com. For tourism businesses, travel deals present an opportunity to encourage visitation in the slower periods, sell excess inventory, feature new products or experiences, drive website traffic, acquire new customers, and raise traveller awareness.
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BC was featured in Travel Weekly magazine.
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Virtual BC Visit for UK’s Trailfinders
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Destination BC’s UK reps recently held a webinar to educate Trailfinders, our biggest UK tour operator partner. Consultants from across the UK and Ireland attended, learning about BC and virtually exploring two specific itineraries. The team also worked to support an article in the UK’s Travel Weekly magazine, including a feature on the Discovery Islands and Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat.
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Apply by Tuesday October 27, 2020.
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Join our Tourism Marketing Committee
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We're seeking five representatives to join our Tourism Marketing Committee for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2021, from the following tourism regions:
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One representative from Thompson Okanagan;
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One representative from Kootenay Rockies;
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One representative from Northern British Columbia; and
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Two representatives from Vancouver, Coast & Mountains.
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Federal Government announces new, targeted support for businesses
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On October 9th, the Government of Canada announced changes to federal support programs related to COVID-19. Initial details indicate there will be an extension to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (until June 2021) with a maximum of 65% of eligible wages available until December 2020. The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is expanding for businesses, bringing total available funds up to $60,000 for Canadian businesses that need to cover expenses (up to 50% of these funds are eligible for loan forgiveness). Additionally, the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) is changing to provide rent support directly to tenants, giving up to 65% of rent and mortgage costs through June 2021 (maximum amount will be available to those experiencing income decreases of 70% or more).
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Our Learning Centre provides access to resources and tools, best practices, workshops, and training programs for BC’s tourism industry.
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New Google Analytics Learning Centre Resources Available
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International Visitor Arrivals July 2020
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International visitor arrivals are currently limited to essential trips only as authorized by the Canada Border Services Agency. For July 2020, just over 14,000 visitors arrived at BC ports of entry, a decrease of 98.5% from July 2019.
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Kootenay Rockies Elevating Canadian Experience's Workshops
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Calling all Kootenay Rockies tourism operators! The free Elevating Canadian Experiences seminars, held virtually via Zoom on October 21 and 22, will teach participants about culinary, winter, and shoulder season tourism. Space is limited.
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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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