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Destination BC Bulletin 33: COVID-19
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Share Your Love for BC Contest Goes Live
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In our last newsletter, we shared our plans for a fun new campaign to engage BC residents, re-ignite their pride of place, and keep the magic of BC top of mind for the future. On February 22, those efforts came to fruition with the official launch of the Share Your Love for BC Contest! Until March 26, BC residents (ages 19+) are encouraged to share the reasons why they love BC, by submitting a photo and brief story on ShareYourLoveforBC.com, for their chance to win one of ten prizes. Although tourism partners are not eligible to enter the contest, we encourage you to share the contest with your audiences and invite British Columbians to participate. To help you do this, we’ve created a Partner Toolkit with contest details, suggested messaging, graphics and imagery, and ways you can participate.
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Funding for the destination development stream of the CERIP totals $20 million. An additional $34.5 million has been allocated for 95 tourism-related projects from these other CERIP funding streams, totalling almost $55 million toward tourism resiliency and development throughout BC.
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Tourism Industry Bolstered Through Destination Development
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Fifty-four new tourism projects throughout BC are receiving funding under the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) destination development stream. The destination development funding invests in implementation-ready tourism infrastructure and amenities projects that support the recovery and resilience of tourism. It creates jobs and develops infrastructure that will attract visitors to BC communities when travel resumes. Approved projects include campground and recreational-vehicle site development, alpine and mountain bike trails, boat launch upgrades, construction and/or renovations of visitor amenities and Indigenous interpretive centres.
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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 25, 2021
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This week’s call featured the destination development funding announcement from the Honourable Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; an update on safety plans from Chris Back, Director of Occupational Health and Safety Consultation & Education Services at WorkSafeBC; and details on the Share Your Love for BC contest from Karla Grenon, Director of Global Marketing Programs at Destination BC.
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We continue to see coverage resulting from our past efforts which drives awareness and keeps British Columbia top of mind as an ideal destination to visit, when it’s safe to do so.
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Great Bear Rainforest Coverage in Canadian Geographic
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Canadian Geographic recently published a story and photo essay on BC’s Great Bear Rainforest. The piece resulted from Destination BC’s group press trip series in 2018, working in partnership with Northern BC Tourism, Tourism Vancouver Island, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and other industry partners. While we are not encouraging travel right now, coverage like this inspires readers to dream about our province’s big nature and wide open spaces for the future.
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CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
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The content was created as part of an awareness campaign to show consumers that the breweries are following protocols to keep both them and their staff safe.
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The BC Ale Trail Responds to COVID-19
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The BC Ale Trail, which began in 2015, is a series of self-guided itineraries highlighting local craft brewery destinations and the super, natural landscapes that surround them. The team of community destination management organizations and breweries have innovated to respond to COVID-19, including creating new safety measures within the tap rooms, pop-up patios, and new photo and video assets showing COVID-19 protocols (like masks, physical distancing signage, plexiglass barriers, and delivery or touchless pick up options).
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2021 Camping Season Reservations Opening for BC Residents
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The Discover Camping reservation service opens March 8, giving BC residents an opportunity to book a campsite two months in advance of their arrival date. People who live in the province will have priority access to campsite reservations throughout the summer.
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Be the Reason We All Have a Ski Season Campaign Launched
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The ministries of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; Health; and Municipal Affairs; in conjunction with WorkSafeBC; six local governments; and the Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) have launched an education campaign to reduce COVID-19 transmission in ski communities. In response to virus transmission in shared accommodation and socializing in ski communities, government and industry have developed a campaign that focuses on educating ski communities on COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
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Recovery Grants Support Jobs in Rural Communities
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People living in rural communities throughout the province will soon benefit from BC government grants that will support new jobs and economic opportunities to help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Upgrades to municipal or Indigenous-owned industrial parks, airport expansions, marine access facilities, destination trail networks and improvements to rural-based mountain resorts will help rural communities grow and diversify their economies.
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Permanent Wholesale Liquor Pricing Will Help Hospitality Sector Recover
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Changes to allow restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licences to purchase beer, wine and spirits at the wholesale price set by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) are now in place permanently. Licensees can now pay the wholesale price for the products they purchase, which is the same cost paid by government and private liquor stores in the province when they purchase stock for retail sale.
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Universal Broadband Fund–Supported Project Will Bring High-Speed Internet to Southern BC
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In mid-February, the Government of Canada announced $6.7 million in funding for TELUS Communications to bring high-speed Internet to rural residents of British Columbia. This project will connect 1,977 underserved households in the following regions: Pemberton, Steelhead, Ryder Lake, northwest of Princeton and the north Sunshine Coast.
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Federal Government Launches Engagement on Canada’s New Blue Economy Strategy
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On February 8, the Government of Canada launched the engagement phase in the development of Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy. To kick off the engagement, Minister Bernadette Jordan will host a series of virtual roundtables with ocean innovators, academia, women and global leaders, and the fishing and aquaculture industries. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is also launching a Blue Economy Strategy website, where Canadians will be invited to provide their views and input. Engagement will continue until June 15, and the feedback received will inform the development of this whole-of-government strategy, which will be released in late fall.
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COVID-19 Research Roundup: Week 33
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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 19 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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Six Communication Strategies to Build Consumer Trust and Confidence on the Road to Recovery
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Under the current health restrictions, effective communication plays a critical role in sustaining BC's tourism industry. Here are six ways tourism operators can reassure locals and give them the confidence to book.
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Remember to listen first, and speak to your target markets.
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Many tourism businesses train their front-line employees, not just in the practical aspects of their jobs, but also in specific customer service skills.
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Talent Can be Taught: Why Customer Service Training Counts
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In tourism, it’s the experience — as much as the product or service — that keeps people coming back. Talent can be taught: here's why customer servicing training counts.
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Let’s Play Tag: How Data Makes Us More Efficient Marketers
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According to the Economist, data has replaced oil as the world’s most valuable resource. How is tourism, and your tourism business, benefitting? Let’s explore one way in which your tourism business can track data - website tagging.
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A tag (also called a pixel, floodlight tag, or beacon) is a piece of code inserted in a website HTML that collects data.
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Beth has a long and distinguished career in Canada's tourism sector, including most recently serving as the President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
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Tourism Industry Association of Canada Welcomes New President & CEO, Beth Potter
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Following an intensive search, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Beth Potter as the new President and CEO starting March 15.
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Tourism Vancouver Launches Campaign Inviting Residents to Share Their Love
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Tourism Vancouver has launched a campaign to celebrate what locals adore most about their beloved city. In line with current provincial health orders, Tourism Vancouver’s new promotion showcases how people can safely support businesses in their neighbourhood now. Named #LoveVancouver, the new campaign calls on residents to post images and videos on their social channels of their favourite Vancouver activities for a chance to win prizes.
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More than ever, the city’s tourism industry depends on Vancouverites staying local and supporting local now, and throughout this upcoming summer.
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The plan outlines how they will accelerate their ambition to eliminate carbon emissions by 20 years—to be net-zero in 2030 versus 2050.
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YVR Launches 2021 Annual Strategic Plan
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YVR has launched their 2021 Annual Strategic Plan. Organized into six strategic areas of focus, the plan outlines how they will lay the ground work this year to set themselves up for success, with flexibility to test and adjust so they can plan for the longer term in 2022 and beyond.
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Small Business BC March 15 Webinar: Creating a Website for Your Business
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Thinking of creating a website for your business? Take an interactive step-by-step tour of WordPress and leave with a basic website of your own. In this session, we’ll also briefly examine some of the more popular alternatives to WordPress. Access this webinar for FREE with coupon code DBC3034.
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WordPress websites make up almost 30% of the internet and it was recently named the world’s fastest growing Content Management System (CMS).
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Analyzing available data allows you to understand your target market, conduct a competitor analysis, view market trends and enhance your business operations.
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Small Business BC March 24 Webinar: Market Research – Find Business Data and Insights
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Learn how secondary market research can help you make an informed decision about the viability of your business idea by tapping into already existing market data. This interactive webinar will leave you ready to analyze your target market, competitors and industry trends. Access this webinar for FREE with coupon code DBC3034.
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Small Business BC Webinar March 30: Get Started with Email Marketing
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Learn how to start an effective email marketing campaign and reach your target audience via their email inbox, including how to integrate email into your overall marketing strategy, choosing the best platform, and how to create an action plan to start your email strategy. Access this webinar for FREE with coupon code DBC3034.
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This session will help you determine the success of your campaigns and test different approaches.
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These webinars can help to maintain your business and attract domestic visitors and international visitors once Canada is ready to welcome them again.
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Tourism Industry Association of BC Free Culinary Tourism Webinar Series
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The Tourism Industry Association of Canada, in partnership with the Tourism Industry Association of BC, is offering free, online webinars to tourism operators and organizations on culinary tourism development. Five themed webinars will assist small and medium tourism operators and partners develop culinary tourism strategies.
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New #exploreKelowna Digital Passport Puts Local Deals at Your Fingertips
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Tourism Kelowna has launched the #exploreKelowna Local Savings Pass, a new program that aims to connect residents to great offers at local businesses. Now launched, Central Okanagan residents can sign up to enjoy discounts and special offers from over 80 local businesses via a dedicated mobile passport landing page.
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When redeeming pass offers, businesses may require proof that you are a resident of Kelowna or the Central Okanagan.
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This information is vital for ITAC to update its marketing tools, resources and websites as well as plan for upcoming consumer marketing campaigns.
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Share Your Business Status with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
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The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is requesting information from its members on their business status (open, open with limited operations, temporarily closed or permanently closed).
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BC Ferries Southern Gulf Islands Schedule Enhancement
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BC Ferries is introducing a new Salish class ferry to the Southern Gulf Islands route in 2022. This new ferry is larger than the ferry it is replacing, the Mayne Queen, and will provide more capacity.
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BC Ferries is engaging with Island communities to help them shape and evaluate scheduling possibilities.
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Destination BC will present on Tuesday, March 9 at 12PM on facing challenges and building competitiveness for the future.
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BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference: March 8-12, 2021
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Destination BC is a proud sponsor of the first-ever virtual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference.
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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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