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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
December 2020 Newsletter
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Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort | Destination BC/Randy Lincks
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With a very difficult year drawing to a close, and the holidays round the corner, it's a relief to see some glimmers of hope. Health Canada has approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, with the first dose administered on December 15 here in BC.
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This is good news for tourism, which continues to be one of the hardest-hit industries by the pandemic. While widespread availability of the vaccine will take time, it's reassuring to be entering 2021 with renewed optimism. In the meantime, we must keep encouraging British Columbians to hold the line on all Public Health Orders and recommendations to help bring down the infection rate, now.
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As we continue on this path together, we will work to support VCM’s tourism industry by providing access to resources and tools, training programs, program modifications, and insights for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and Community/City Destination Marketing Organisations.
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Before we embark on a new year, we would like to thank all of our partners for the leadership, collaboration, commitment, and kindness you've shown during these unprecedented times. We've seen a new sense of teamwork emerge in the face of COVID-19, once again demonstrating that tourism is an industry that works together to support each other, and our communities, no matter the circumstances.
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As always, if you have questions about Destination BC’s programs in support of VCM, or provincial and federal recovery efforts, please reach out to the team at [email protected]. Feel free to share this newsletter with your colleagues and tourism friends, and encourage them to subscribe directly, to receive future editions of our industry newsletters.
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I hope this holiday season brings some joy and restful reflection, and wish you a good start to the new year.
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Sincerely,
Peter Harrison
Director, Industry Partnerships & Visitor Services, Destination BC
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Province Announces COVID-19 Recovery Funding for Tourism
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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains will receive $2.1-million to invest in regional tourism development as part of the Province’s StrongerBC economic recovery plan. BC’s six tourism regions will receive a total of $13.6-million to create employment opportunities, attract new businesses and spur economic diversification within communities.
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The 2020 VCM Industry Forum was held virtually on Dec. 2.
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Thank you for joining the 2020 VCM Forum
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We welcomed over 250 industry stakeholders to this year's VCM Forum! Thank-you for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us. This year’s Forum included presentations from a variety of Destination BC staff, and guest speakers—Walt Judas, CEO of TIABC, Krista Bax, CEO of go2HR, and Tewanee Joseph, Chief Governance and Partnership Officer of ITBC. For copies of the presentations, please email [email protected].
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Stay local and support local.
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Stay Local: Messaging Guidance
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British Columbians must continue to avoid non-essential travel, as per the latest Public Health Orders and recommendations. BC tourism businesses can refer to the Messaging Guidance for December 7, 2020 – January 8, 2021. The document includes messaging and a FAQ related to the latest orders from BC’s Provincial Health Officer.
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We may not be able to travel right now, but our holiday shopping can travel further than we think.
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Stay Local, Support Local: 2020 Gift Guides
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In the lead up to the holidays this year, and to support BC businesses, we are positioning gift giving as a Stay Local, Support Local endeavour. We are continuing to build on our BC Holiday Gift Guide, recently published on HelloBC.com, and a dedicated Lower Mainland gift guides page. These pages include links to gift guides by community, and are being shared on our consumer social channels to further encourage support for local businesses. Make sure your community gift guide is included in this initiative by emailing [email protected]
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VCM Tourism Resiliency Program
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The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, managed by Destination BC, has partnered with Spring Activator, a global incubator, accelerator, and advisory firm to continue supports for businesses in need through the VCM Business Resilience Program. This new partnership will provide participants with access to video masterclasses, live webinars, and other resources covering topics ranging from marketing and changing customer needs to cashflow management and funding. The Spring Activator resources are created and led by experts in strategic growth and entrepreneurship.
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Enrol today to get access to complimentary business supports.
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This one-on-one business support, offered through the VCM Business Resiliency Network, will be provided on an ongoing basis to tourism businesses in the VCM region to aid recovery, adaptation, and survival during these challenging times. To be eligible to work with Spring Activator, tourism businesses must first enrol in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Resiliency Program. Once enrolled, businesses can also benefit from our continued partnership with Small Business BC.
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For a brief overview of Spring Activator's support through the VCM Business Resilience program, watch this introductory video.
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VCM and go2HR Partner on Regional Labour Market Action Plan
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To support tourism operators in the region to recruit and retain talent, the VCM team has partnered with go2HR – BC’s tourism human resource association – on a labour market strategy and action plan. Over the next three months, we will be developing a labor market action plan to support tourism operators in preparation for the 2021 summer season and beyond. This exciting initiative will help tourism businesses in the region attract employees with the right skills and experience, at the right time, as they work towards recovery and resilience. We will keep tourism partners updated and share the plan once complete.
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Hockey game on Gates Lake north of Pemberton |
Destination BC/Mason Mashon
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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Regional Destination Development Strategy
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The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Regional Destination Development Strategy was developed to enhance the competitiveness of the region over the next 10 years and beyond. It encompasses six planning areas, four of which are fully contained within the region (Metro Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, The Sea-to-Sky Corridor, Fraser Valley), and two that span across multiple regions (The Gold RushTrail, Highway 3 Corridor), setting out a path for strong regional leadership, integration, and alignment to support destination success throughout VCM.
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The strategy was created prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While all elements in the strategy are still relevant, priorities may have shifted, which will be reflected in an accompanying Action Plan for implementation.
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Vancouver City Skyline | Destination BC/Albert Normandin
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Metro Vancouver Destination Development Strategy
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The Metro Vancouver Destination Development Strategy is a guide for tourism partners as they work collaboratively to grow and manage the visitor economy and realize the destination's full potential. The strategy reflects tourism objectives, priorities, and market conditions that were identified by tourism partners in the planning area and has been used to identify supports for recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Metro Vancouver is one of six planning areas in the VCM region, and one of 20 across BC, for which destination development strategies are being developed.
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All businesses in BC are required to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan that outlines the policies, guidelines, and procedures they have put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
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WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety Plan
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WorkSafe BC can guide you through a six-step process to help you create your plan. The tool is provided as a fillable PDF you can download and save at workplace. Safety plans must also be posted on your consumer-facing website. Additional resources and information about COVID-19 are also available, including a guide to reviewing and updating your safety plan in response to changing conditions or Provincial Health Officer orders.
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Add Your COVID-19 Safety Plan to HelloBC.com
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Posting a copy of your COVID-19 safety plan on your consumer-facing website and at your workplace is a requirement of the Workplace COVID-19 Safety Plans Order. Reassure customers that you have implemented measures to protect them and your employees from COVID-19, and link to your online safety plan directly from your business listing on HelloBC.com.
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Despite pandemic-related border closures and restrictions on travel, there is still a high-level of interest in furture travel to Canada and BC. Destination awareness and training for travel agents is needed before borders reopen, to address the pent-up demand for travel.
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Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, Whistler.
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BC Specialist Training in Germany
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Destination BC participated in Destination Canada’s travel agent training program - the Canada Specialist Program (CSP) - delivering BC-specific destination training in Germany. Locations highlighted in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains included Vancouver, Richmond, Squamish, and Whistler. The training was well received with many follow-up questions and requests for more information. The presentation can be viewed on YouTube and on Destination Canada’s website.
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Grouse Mountain Resort, North Vancouver.
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BC Specialist Training in Australia
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Destination BC presented to 115 Australian and Kiwi travel agents and tour operators on Destination Canada's Canada Specialist Program webinar recently, with a request from agents to focus on Winter Wonderland and Christmas in BC, for next year. The presentation can be viewed on YouTube and on Destination Canada’s website.
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Building destination awareness and appetite for BC in Japan.
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Team Canada Japan Training
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Destination Canada and partners recently hosted a series of travel agent webinars to educate Japanese travel trade on four specific themes for tourism in Canada: Sustainable Development Goals, Nature, Culture & History, and Culinary & Wellness. . Over four sessions, approximately 500 Japanese travel agents participated in the webinars. During the Destination BC presentation, several destinations within the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region were featured, which are popular areas for Japanese visitors. The presentation can be viewed on Destination Canada’s website.
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BC and VCM Domestic Overnight Visitation Year-over-Year Variation
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BC and VCM Domestic Overnight Visitation and Hotel Occupancy
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For the thirteenth consecutive week, BC’s overnight domestic visitation was down (-13.8%) for the week ending December 6 compared to the same week in 2019. Vancouver, Coast & Mountains continues to experience greater declines in visitation (-21.6%) compared to BC and most other regions in BC.
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During the week of November 29 to December 5, the average hotel occupancy for BC was 28.3%, a -0.9 point decrease from the previous week and a -30.4 point decrease compared to the same period in 2019. The rates in Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria were 18.8%, 20.5%, and 27% respectively, representing decreases of -56.2, -16.0, and -35.5 points compared to similar periods in 2019.
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These statistics and more can be found in Destination BC's December 7 Research Roundup and December 14 Research Roundup reports, here.
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Destination BC COVID-19 Communications
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Here's how to stay connected:
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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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