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Destination BC Bulletin 29: COVID-19
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A Message from Richard Porges, Interim President and CEO: 2020 in Review
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This has been a year unlike any other and has been incredibly difficult for all of us, as an industry, and as people who have seen the devastating impacts that COVID-19 has had on our businesses, colleagues and loved ones. Our thoughts continue to be with those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, have seen their businesses close, have lost their jobs or have suffered from the myriad of other consequences of this pandemic. Of all sectors of our economy, BC's tourism industry has been hardest hit by COVID-19. However, crises often bring out the best in people and we have rallied together to support each other over the past year. More than ever, Destination BC is working closely with our industry partners and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and we have seen new collaborations, such as the BC Tourism Resiliency Network, the Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria Taskforces, and many others arise across industry. Our governments have responded to the challenge of COVID-19, and we have worked collaboratively as an industry and as a global society.
Despite everything our industry has done over the last few months to keep businesses open, people employed, and people safe as they travel throughout BC, we know that coming out of this, our industry will look different.
The global effort to combat COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter Movement, British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and our collaborative efforts as an industry in BC have set us on the right path to build back differently, and better. Let’s take this to heart as we rebuild our industry in 2021 and beyond.
With the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine being administered in BC this week, and as we look to 2021 with cautious optimism, we wish the new year brings you, and your loved ones, a healthy, safe and more prosperous future.
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Stay Local Guides for BC Residents
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While now is not the time to travel, there's still so much BC residents can enjoy while staying in their own communities and adhering to provincial health orders. In order to encourage locals to find safe and responsible ways to support local businesses this winter, we are sharing Stay Local Guides created through influencer partnerships and curated from tourism partners. These guides will be shared on HelloBC.com and other consumer channels over the coming weeks. Want to share a Stay Local Guide for your community with us? Here’s how.
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Stay local and support local businesses with just your immediate household or bubble. Photo: Fan Tan Alley, Victoria
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Stay safe in your local outdoor adventures this winter. Photo: Callaghan, BC
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With BC residents staying close to home this winter, and outdoor recreation continuing to surge in popularity, we recognized a need to bring winter safety to the forefront on our consumer and corporate channels. Collaborating with BC AdventureSmart and Avalanche Canada, two winter safety articles have been produced with more on the horizon, and they’ll be amplified across our channels all winter. Learn about Safety in the Snow: What You Need to Know and 3 Outdoor Winter Safety Tips Everyone Should Know.
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SK Touristik presented BC content to almost 600 participants from their dedicated consumer database.
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Overseas Travel Professionals Feature BC for Australian, New Zealand and German Markets
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In early December, Destination BC presented to 115 Australian and Kiwi travel agents and tour operators through the Canada Specialist webinar program. Additionally, SK Touristik, a key German tour operator who specializes in selling Western Canada vacations, recently hosted a consumer webinar in partnership with Destination Canada, Destination BC, and Travel Alberta.
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This call featured an update from Neilane Mayhew, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, on the Province’s economic stimulus plan and the Tourism Task Force report.
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Destination BC Industry Call: December 17, 2020
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We have resumed our bi-weekly COVID-19 Industry Calls. These calls are a great opportunity for industry to hear more about our programs, services and campaigns, including how we are supporting BC tourism recovery efforts. The recording of each call is available on our website.
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Tourism Task Forces Delivers Final Report to Government
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On December 9, 2020, the Tourism Task Force presented its Final Report to the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport with a series of recommendations to support businesses, the labour force, and maintain the confidence of travelers and communities.
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Certificate Required to Hire Temporary Foreign Workers
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As of December 15, 2020, employers need to have a certificate of registration, valid for up to three years, if they want to hire new temporary foreign workers in BC. They will also need this certificate before they can apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment. If employers are unsure whether a temporary foreign worker will be required next year, they’re encouraged to make an early application.
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Province Expands COVID-19 Enforcement Measures
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The Province is expanding provincial COVID-19 ticket enforcement and workplace safety measures to keep British Columbians safe, as well as mitigate the effects on health-care systems, communities and the economy in the ongoing government response to COVID-19.
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Destination BC is gathering relevant research and articles each week related to the travel and tourism industry and COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Research Roundup: Week 26
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Read our latest Research Roundup report, which provides relevant research and articles each week related to the travel and tourism industry and COVID-19.
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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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Upcoming January Webinars: Websites, Google Maps, and Tripadvisor
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Do you want to improve your digital marketing skills in 2021? We are hosting three online workshops in January to help tourism businesses and organizations maximize their online presence, including the following webinars.
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Upcoming online January workshops focus on digital marketing skills and amplifying your online presence.
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The #1 most important digital asset your organization needs in today’s world is a website.
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What Makes a Website Effective?
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In the digital world, creating a strong and effective online presence is imperative. When people visit your website, they are looking for information. Did you know that people’s average attention span today is only about 8 seconds? You need to ensure that you’re providing readers with the information they’re looking for in an easy and user-friendly manner. Poorly structured or slow performing websites give a poor first impression, and visitors are likely to leave your website sooner – with or without valuable information.
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Digital Teams: Who Does What?
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Digital marketing is characterized by constant change. Keeping up with the latest in websites, social media, SEO, advertising, content, design, and strategy might require expertise from a variety of sources. Here are some of the key roles for a digital marketing team including responsibilities, salary and wage expectations, and some helpful things to consider if you find yourself in the market for specific expertise.
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This guide outlines the key roles of a digital marketing team, including responsibilities, salary and wage expectations.
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Vernon Visitor Servicing Goes Mobile
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Vernon is helping visitors and members of the community explore the North Okanagan both virtually and in-person through its enhanced digital presence and travelling promotion team. The City of Vernon has decided to reallocate $65,000, from its 'bricks and mortar' visitor centre (closed since April), toward digital and mobile visitor services. This shift will enable more accessible information and connections within the community. Funds will enhance the Tourism Vernon website, launch a new app and a virtual map.
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A new on-location visitor servicing team will also be activated to provide effective and timely support for visitors and residents looking for information.
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In December 2019, Harbour Air airline successfully converted, and achieved the world’s first flight of, a fully electric commercial aircraft.
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Harbour Air Joins the Climate Pledge
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Thirty-one companies have now joined The Climate Pledge, a commitment co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement 10 years early. New signatories – including Harbour Air Seaplanes – are taking real, science-based, high-impact actions to tackle climate change, including deploying renewable energy, investing in sustainable buildings, and mobilizing supply chains.
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Rocky Mountaineer named World’s Leading Luxury Train at World Travel Awards 2020
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Rocky Mountaineer has won the World’s Leading Luxury Train title at the World Travel Awards 2020. The World Travel Awards are a global initiative to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. Rocky Mountaineer was crowned the winner after a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and a record number of the public from around the world.
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This is the ninth World Travel Award for Rocky Mountaineer and comes in the same year as three other leading travel industry awards, as well as being named Lonely Planet’s Most Sustainable Train Journey.
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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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