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Destination BC Bulletin 31: COVID-19 |
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The dashboard features 2015 to 2020 data.
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New Tourism Industry Performance Dashboard Launched |
Destination BC is pleased to announce the transition of the Tourism Indicators quarterly publication to an interactive dashboard, enabling users to retrieve the information they need, when they need it. The dashboard features provincial and community level industry data including: international arrivals, restaurant receipts, convention centre data, hotel occupancy and average daily room rates, international and regional airport passenger volume, BC Ferries passenger volume, highway traffic volume, and more to come as the dashboard evolves. |
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COVID-19 Industry Calls are a great opportunity for partners 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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COVID-19 Industry Call: January 28, 2021 |
This week’s call featured an update from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports on the work of the Tourism Task Force, Destination BC’s research tools, free learning resources, the Co-Operative Marketing Partnerships Program, future marketing campaigns, and our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. |
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
At Destination BC, we have been entrusted to share all that is beautiful about our province – the places and the people – with the rest of the world. That is the very essence of travel, to experience the land and cultures of others. Telling BC’s stories through a diversity of voices is what we strive to do. Last summer, we committed to taking a thoughtful approach in defining and setting actions to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and in all aspects of our work. We recognize that only a sustained and focused effort will lead to progress, and in the spirit of transparency, we wanted to share how we are following through on our commitment. |
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We are committed to sharing our learnings with industry. |
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Sharing BC Stories with North American Travel Journalists at Virtual International Media Marketplace |
From January 27-29, Destination British Columbia will be sharing BC stories with more than 300 North American travel journalists, at the virtual International Media Marketplace (IMM). Even though travel isn’t possible right now, it is more important than ever that we continue to build and nurture our relationships with key travel media influencers. This valuable conference provides us with an opportunity to keep British Columbia top of mind and inspire future travel. |
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IMM Virtual connects travel journalists with the industry, enabling brands and destinations to make top-level media contacts.
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BC Featured in UK's Daily Mail |
BC was extensively featured in a recent article showcasing epic BC mountain landscapes from Chilliwack Lake, E.C. Manning Provincial Park, Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, and Slesse Mountain. |
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Published January 18, 2021, the article features images from photographer James Cliburn. |
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BC Parks Projects Support Economic Recovery |
A $5-million investment in projects spanning 24 provincial parks is another StrongerBC economic recovery initiative promoting wellness and employment. Scheduled for completion in spring 2021, some of the projects include: installing electric vehicle charging stations at popular day-use sites in three parks; upgrades to parking lots, drinking water systems and boat launches; various upgrades to campgrounds in five provincial parks; backcountry improvements, such as new bear caches and trail upgrades; and accessibility upgrades, such as new boardwalks and accessible surfacing. |
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BC Government Expands Criteria for Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant |
The BC Government has expanded the criteria for the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant, including a maximum top-up amount of $15,000 for tourism businesses. Businesses in operation for at least 18 months are now eligible, as well as sole proprietors, seasonal businesses, and those that are temporarily closed. |
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Federal Government Launches Budget Consultations to Hear From Canadians |
The federal government has launched pre-budget consultations with Canadians. Through the end of January and into February, the Government of Canada will hold virtual roundtables with diverse groups of people from a range of regions, sectors and industries, including those hardest hit by the pandemic. These roundtables are an opportunity to discuss the very real challenges Canadians are facing and listen to ways that the government can ensure a robust recovery that leaves no one behind. Most importantly, all Canadians are invited to share their ideas through an online questionnaire at LetsTalkBudget2021.ca, which will be available until February 19, 2021. |
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This report summarize the various research findings from Destination BC, suppliers, other tourism agencies, and associations.
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COVID-19 Research Roundup: Week 28 |
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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BC Residents' Public Perceptions: COVID-19 Travel and Tourism Wave 17 Report |
Destination BC is monitoring British Columbians' current views on travel and tourism, as well as tracking travel and tourism behaviour intentions in order to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry. |
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This report is released approximately every two weeks to track opinions and intentions and watch how results trend over time.
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Our Learning Centre provides access to resources and tools, best practices, workshops, and training programs for BC’s tourism industry.
As part of our partnership with Small Business BC, this week we are featuring three upcoming webinars that BC tourism partners can access for free through Destination BC. |
Small Business BC January 29 Webinar: Small Business Trends for 2021 |
As our valued partner, Small Business BC is offering free access to their January 29th webinar, Small Business Trends for 2021, to BC tourism businesses with the code TRENDS2021. This panel webinar will cover emerging products, services, and opportunities, continually evolving consumer behaviours, and more. |
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Consider what lessons can we learn from 2020, and which of our COVID-19 pivots are likely to stick around in this upcoming webinar. |
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In this webinar, viewers can learn how to tailor their content strategy towards their audience’s preferred social media platform. |
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Small Business BC February 9 Webinar: Creating Engaging Video Content Using Your Phone |
Customers love video content, but many business owners think it’s expensive and time-consuming to create this content. Thanks to the humble smartphone, professional-looking videos can be made quickly and easily. In this webinar, viewers can learn how to produce videos for immediate use to tell stories during the pandemic, or build a library of videos to draw from in the future. To access this webinar for free, email [email protected] and reference 'SBBC partnership' to receive the code. |
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Small Business BC February 10 Webinar: Social Media for Small Business |
Social media can be a huge driver of traffic and attention for small businesses. This workshop focuses on understanding social media for small business, and how to use social media to grow and develop more business. To access this webinar for free, email [email protected] and reference 'SBBC partnership' to receive the code. |
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This session will teach viewers how to use social media to attract prospective new clients. |
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Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Waives its Annual Membership and Marketing Fees for 2021-2022 |
In an effort to further support Canadian Indigenous tourism businesses from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is waiving its annual $99 membership fee in 2021-2022 for Indigenous-owned tourism businesses and Indigenous lead tourism organizations. ITAC is also waiving its annual $199 marketing upgrade fee for members who are export-ready and meet all the eligibility requirements. |
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The Indigenous tourism industry has been especially affected by COVID-19, and ITAC wants to provide as many savings to Indigenous tourism businesses as possible. |
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Businesses that registered with ITBC in 2020 do not need to re-apply. |
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Indigenous Tourism BC Waives Stakeholder Fees for 2021 |
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) understands Indigenous tourism operators in British Columbia require support in their continued response to the impacts of COVID-19. As part of their commitment to assist recovery for their stakeholders, ITBC has waived 2020/2021 stakeholder membership fees for market- and export-ready BC Indigenous tourism businesses. |
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Central Okanagan Marketed Through Partnership with Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Tourism Kelowna and Accelerate Okanagan in OKGo Campaign |
OKGo is a new partnership created to tell the stories of innovators and entrepreneurs in key business sectors, to position the region for future economic prosperity. Due to the impact of COVID-19, these organizations are collaborating to leverage their shared audiences and share mutual messaging, with the common goal of long-term economic recovery, to promote the region as a knowledge centre for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, viticulture and digital technology. |
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The project was funded with matching dollars from Global Affairs Canada. |
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BC Craft Brewers Conference 2021: February 3-5 |
The BC Craft Brewers Conference brings together key stakeholders from the Canadian craft brewing industry for an annual networking and educational event from February 3 to 5, 2021. |
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ABLE BC Annual General Meeting 2021: February 16 |
On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, ABLE BC is hosting their Annual General Meeting virtually. All members in good standing with ABLE BC are invited to attend. |
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BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference 2021: March 8-12 |
The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and the BC Hotel Association will be co-hosting the BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, virtually, during the week of March 8 to 12, 2021. |
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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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