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Destination BC Bulletin 32: COVID-19
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More details on how to participate will be shared in the coming weeks.
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Share Your Love for BC Campaign
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During today’s industry call, our VP of Global Marketing, Maya Lange, shared an update on a new marketing campaign that will be launching in the coming weeks. Share Your Love for BC is an engagement and advocacy initiative for BC locals aimed at re-igniting British Columbians’ pride of place and creating a province-wide narrative about what makes BC – our places, our people, our experiences – so special. With introductory activities from influencers beginning next week, the official campaign and corresponding contest are set to launch Monday, February 22 and will run until Friday, March 26. Learn more about the campaign in the video recording of today's industry call, below.
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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: February 11, 2021
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This week’s call featured an overview of the free resources available to the BC tourism industry through Small Business BC, an update on BC ski resort COVID-19 protocols from the CEO of the Canada West Ski Areas Association, Christopher Nicolson, and a marketing update from Destination BC VP of Global Marketing, Maya Lange.
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Add Your COVID-19 Safety Plan to Your HelloBC Listing
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You likely have your COVID-19 Safety Plan on your business website, but have you added it to your HelloBC listing? Posting a copy of your plan on your website, and at your workplace so that it is readily available, is a requirement of the Workplace COVID-19 Safety Plans Order. Sharing your safety plan on HelloBC can help reassure your local visitors that you have implemented measures to protect them and your employees from COVID-19.
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Safety plans can be added to HelloBC listings through Destination BC’s Tourism Business Portal.
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Destination BC Presents to UK Journalists with Destination Canada
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Destination BC presented to 61 UK journalists at a Destination Canada virtual media event, where updates were shared from each Canadian province. Destination BC shared some examples of environmentally responsible tourism experiences, like Harbour Air’s eShuttle and climate pledge, Knight Inlet Lodge’s salmon conservation program, and University of Victoria postdoctoral fellow Melanie Clapham’s grizzly bear facial recognition project.
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The Destination Canada event, held February 4, showcased their new Canada Nice campaign.
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Indigenous Tourism BC to Distribute $5 Million Through BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund
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Indigenous Tourism BC, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, is distributing $5 million to local Indigenous tourism businesses through the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund. The fund offers grants of up to $45,000 to support businesses navigate the ongoing economic impacts of COVID-19.
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Businesses that apply for the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund financing will need to meet various eligibility requirements, including revenue loss of least 50% in 2020 and a strong recovery plan.
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CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
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The tourism alliance brings together Kaleden, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Peachland, Penticton, and Summerland.
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South Okanagan Tourism Alliance Brings Together Eight Communities
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Last year, for the first time, eight South Okanagan communities came together as a consortium to take part in Destination BC’s Co-Operative Marketing Partnerships Program. Initial efforts of the South Okanagan Tourism Alliance focused on brand development, website creation and digital content to promote overnight visitation, capitalizing on the nostalgia and personal connection many people have to this part of BC. The alliance launched marketing activities in late summer 2020 with a strong social media campaign and travel media hosting. They incorporated Super, Natural British Columbia brand elements where possible while retaining a strong local identity, and, in addition, participated in Destination BC’s Explore BC campaign through subsidized advertising opportunities.
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BC Government Funding for EV Fleets
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BC municipalities and businesses building their light-duty fleets of electric vehicles (EVs) have access to new rebates and supports for charging infrastructure through CleanBC’s Go Electric programs. The Go Electric Fleets program offers rebates for the purchase and installation of level 2 and direct-current fast-charging stations for fleets of one or more EVs. For a limited time, eligible businesses purchasing and installing level 2 charging stations can access a higher rebate of up to $4,000 per station, representing an increase from 50% to 75% of basic rates. Those purchasing EVs for a fleet are eligible for the same $3,000 point-of-purchase vehicle rebates as the general public in BC.
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Clean Coast, Clean Water Initiative Fund Accepting Applications
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The Clean Coast, Clean Water Initiative Fund is currently accepting applications for marine shoreline clean-up and derelict vessel removal, until February 15, 2021. The funding is directed toward marine coastal Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations and local governments, as well as non-profits, organizations, and individuals that have specific expertise.
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Cleanup Nets Tonnes of Plastics, Marine Gear, Polystyrene and Supports Tourism Sector
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BC’s largest coastal marine debris cleanup has resulted in over 127 tonnes of marine debris removed from BC’s central coast and Queen Charlotte Sound shorelines. This cleanup is part of the first project under the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative. The effort, led by the Small Ship Tour Operators Association of B.C. (SSTOA) in partnership with Indigenous Nations and local communities, supported BC’s economic recovery efforts by providing employment to 180 crew members and Indigenous communities’ members, and aiding a tourism sector that had its entire 2020 season cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Now Accepting Applications
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The Federal Government’s Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program is now open and accepting applications. The program is designed to provide financial support to businesses across the country, in all sectors, that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Financing is for small and medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decrease by 50% or more as a result of COVID-19. The financing consists of government-guaranteed, low-interest loans ranging from $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs, with repayment terms of up to 10 years. Business can apply through their primary financial institution.
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Government of Canada Announces One-Year Ban for Pleasure Craft and Cruise Vessels
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In early February, the federal Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced two new Interim Orders, which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022.
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Mandatory Requirements for Air Travellers Arriving in Canada
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The Government of Canada has introduced new measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in Canada. In the near future, travellers will also be required to: take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival in Canada; stay in a hotel for 3 nights while they await the results of the COVID-19 molecular test they received on arrival; pay for their hotel, as well as all associated costs for food, cleaning and security; and travellers will still be required to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine. All hotels will be located near one of the 4 Canadian airports currently accepting international flights, including Vancouver International Airport.
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COVID-19 Research Roundup: Week 31
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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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This report summarize the various research findings from Destination BC, suppliers, other tourism agencies, and associations.
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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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BC Residents' Public Perceptions: COVID-19 Travel and Tourism Wave 18 Report
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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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Our Learning Centre provides access to resources and tools, best practices, workshops, and training programs for BC’s tourism industry.
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Five Steps to Manage Your Online Presence During Recovery
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To encourage local visitation from your community during the current health restrictions, visitors need to have timely, fulsome and accurate information about your business. Here are five things to do to ensure your online presence is up to date.
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Make sure a copy of your COVID-19 Safety Plan is on your website.
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Stories are effective, as they inspire and engage people in ways that conventional marketing and advertising do not.
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If you want to engage someone planning a trip to BC, don’t give them a sales pitch: tell them a story. Learn about the power of story.
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Issues Management for Social Media
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Consumers visiting your business can share their experiences in real time on social media, and sometimes, the experience might not be favourable, or individuals or groups may try to engage with your business on social media about a political or controversial issue or an emergency. Here are a few tips for how to handle these tough conversations online.
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Be sure to stay up-to-date on news headlines around the world and across Canada, especially when current affairs impact BC.
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BC Wine Institute Changes Name to Wine Growers British Columbia
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The British Columbia Wine Institute, the voice of the BC wine industry, is proud to announce they have changed their name to Wine Growers British Columbia to better reflect the value-add agriculture, agri-food and growth opportunities of their dynamic industry.
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Wine Growers British Columbia continues to represent wineries across all nine wine growing regions of BC.
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Through its offsets, Destination Greater Victoria supports The Great Bear Rainforest Project.
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Destination Greater Victoria Achieves Carbon Neutral Designation
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Destination Greater Victoria has achieved a Carbon Neutral designation from leading climate advisory services company Offsetters. It is the first major destination marketing organization or convention and visitors’ bureau in North America to reach this milestone. This official designation follows previous work by Destination Greater Victoria to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
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go2HR’s Frontline Staff Scripts: Responding to Difficult Guest Situations During a Pandemic
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go2HR has developed a script document for frontline staff to refer to in tough situations. Their team of HR and training experts have developed scenarios which staff could likely encounter in their workplace, and suggested scripts on how to respond to non-compliant guests.
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Providing positive guest experiences during the time of a pandemic can be challenging at times, especially when some guests are not following businesses’ established Health & Safety protocols.
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Businesses can nominate their own business or another business until March 8, 2021.
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Small Business BC Awards Nominations Open
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The Small Business BC Awards recognizes the contributions and achievements of BC small business owners. Free to enter, all nominees receive valuable business education and support throughout the competition. This year, the annual awards will honour small businesses who were creative, determined and most of all, supported their communities in a challenging year.
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New Agreement with Consider Canada City Alliance to Promote Canada on the Global Stage, When the Time is Right
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In early February, Destination Canada and the Consider Canada City Alliance signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to leverage each other’s networks and increase collaboration to help strengthen the profile of Canada on the global stage. While non-essential travel is currently not possible, this new agreement will focus on mid-to long-term opportunities and will help optimize future promotion of Canada’s potential for trade, investment and corporate events to international audiences and corporations.
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This is the latest advancement in the long-standing relationship between Destination Canada’s Business Events team and the Consider Canada City Alliance.
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This seminar will provide viewers with an overview of the digital ecosystem including search engines and analytics.
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Small Business BC February 24 Webinar: How to Drive More Traffic to Your Website
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93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. Understanding how to improve your visibility in Google and other search engines is crucial for driving traffic to your website. Learn free online tools to find out who your website visitors are, what they’re searching for, and how you can get more visitors and paying customers. To access this webinar for FREE, use coupon code DBC3034 to register here.
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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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