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Destination BC Bulletin 34: COVID-19
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Tow Hill in Naikoon Provincial Park
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Presenters included Destination BC Board Chair Dawn Black, Interim President and CEO Richard Porges, Vice President of Global Marketing Maya Lange, and Vice President of Destination Management Grant Mackay.
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Destination BC Presents at the 2021 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
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At this year’s conference, we shared our plans to address pandemic-related challenges in 2021, and build future competitiveness now, in a sustainable way, that will ensure that tourism benefits all British Columbians. The presentation covered our marketing focus for 2021 and beyond, and our place branding and place making plans through the Invest in Iconics strategy.
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The plan is available to BC tourism businesses and BC destination marketing organizations only, as it contains proprietary information.
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Destination BC's 2021-2023 Global Marketing Strategy & 2021 Plan
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Our 2021-2023 Global Marketing Strategy & 2021 Plan is now available to BC tourism partners. To request a copy, email [email protected]. In addition, we have posted updated Market Summaries which include country-by-country market profiles with travel size, per trip spend, key activities, and travel groups.
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The strategy supports communities across BC.
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Invest in Iconics Strategy Update
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The Invest in Iconics strategy is about strengthening the BC destination brand by investing in dispersion and iconic experiences in iconic places, to give travellers compelling reasons to travel to more places in British Columbia through more seasons. Through both place branding and place making, we will build and market flagship routes and areas. Learn more about the strategy on our website.
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CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
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Campbell River Pivots to Respond to COVID-19
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Co-op Marketing Partnerships Program recipient, the #MeetourNeighbours Regional Strathcona partnership, is led by Destination Campbell River, and includes Sayward, Tahsis, Zeballos, and Gold River. With the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the #MeetourNeighbours partnership responded with updated safety messaging on their website and new Campbell River app, updated photo and video assets to reflect new health orders, and facilitated local ambassador content creation projects to encourage hyper-local visitation.
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On their new Campbell River app, #MeetourNeighbours shared safety messaging, and were able to feature outdoor stakeholders and those that could quickly adapt to the new safety protocols.
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Grants of $10,000 to a maximum of $30,000 are available, with up to an additional $5,000 to $15,000 available to tourism-related businesses.
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Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program Extended
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The BC government has extended the deadline for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program to ensure businesses have the time they need to apply. The deadline has been extended from March 31, 2021, to August 31, 2021. The previous requirement for a business to have experienced at least a 70% revenue loss at some point in March or April 2020 has been adjusted. Now, a business is required to demonstrate only a 30% revenue loss in any one month between March 2020 to the point of application.
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Joffre Lakes Provincial Park Visitor Strategy Posted for Public Comment
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British Columbians are invited to share their feedback on a proposed strategy aimed at managing the growing number of visitors at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and protecting its natural and cultural features. Developed with the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua, the Joffre Lakes Visitor Use Management Strategy provides direction for the long-term management of the park. The strategy proposes initiatives such as free day-use passes to manage the number of people.
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The strategy also proposes continuing the First Nations Park Stewards Program, which educates visitors about the natural and cultural qualities of the park, provides outreach and conducts park management.
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This funding will help companies maintain inter-city bus service over the next year and build back stronger as ridership returns.
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Province Funds Inter-City Bus Service and Regional Airports
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British Columbians will have continued access to essential transportation as a result of a new grant to support inter-city bus service and medical evacuation needs through regional airports. The Province is providing one-time funding of up to $10.7 million for inter-city bus operators and up to $16.5 million for regional airports to support operations between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.
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Updated St. Patrick's Day Restrictions for Liquor Retailers, and Liquor and Food Primaries
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The Province has announced additional restrictions for liquor and food primaries on St. Patrick’s Day: liquor sales for liquor retailers, onsite, and off-site consumption must cease between 8pm on March 17, 2021 and 9am on March 18, 2021; unless a full meal service is provided, premises which are licensed to serve liquor must close between 9pm on March 17 and 9am on March 18; if a full meal service is provided, premises may stay open, but liquor service must not resume until 9am the following day; and liquor must not be consumed on the premises by any person, including patrons, owners, operators, or staff after 9pm on March 17.
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The provincial health officer order on liquor retailers, and food and liquor establishments, is being amended to restrict alcohol sales as they were on New Year’s Eve.
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With regard to furloughed employees, the government intends to continue to align the wage subsidy rate structure with the benefits provided through the Employment Insurance program from March 14 to June 5, 2021.
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Federal Government Announces Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts to Remain Unchanged Through to June
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In early March, the Federal Government announced an extension to the current rate structures for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, and Lockdown Support from March 14 to June 5, 2021. Specifically, the maximum wage subsidy rate for active employees would remain at 75%, the maximum rent subsidy rate would remain at 65%, and Lockdown Support would remain at 25% and continue to be provided in addition to the rent subsidy, providing eligible hard hit businesses with rent support of up to 90%.
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COVID-19 Research Roundup: Week 35
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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 20 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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SEO in Uncertain Times: How it Can Help Recovery Efforts
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This pre-recorded webinar explores how individuals are searching for travel-related experiences today, and how search trend data can help tourism partners like you create fresh content and tactics to optimize local search listings content to support marketing recovery efforts.
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This video features insights from VERB Interactive.
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Google My Business is a free tool for business owners to manage their online presence across the Google platform.
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Attract Customers Online with Google My Business
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If you’ve ever searched for your business on Google and noticed that – in addition to your business website appearing in search results – a card also shows up with images of your business, contact information, directions, and hours of operation, that is your Google My Business listing. Learn how to own this listing and update the information accordingly to attract customers.
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Getting Started with Google Analytics and Social Media Metrics
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This overview of Google Analytics will help you become familiar with the terminology and all the possibilities of the platform.
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Analytics can tell businesses what has performed well in the past and what trends may be surfacing.
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Congratulations to Destination BC Board Member Joel McKay, Winner of BC Economic Development Association 2021 Chairman's Award
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The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) and FortisBC have announced the winners of the 2021 BC Economic Development Awards. Joel McKay, Chief Executive Officer at Northern Development and Destination BC board member, won the Chairman's Award, presented annually to recognize a member of BCEDA who has made a significant contribution towards the economic development profession, as well as the goals or mandate of the BC Economic Development Association.
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These awards recognize BCEDA members for outstanding work in supporting their local economies, and making a meaningful difference in their communities.
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Famulak is a former president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, and former CEO of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.
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Fiona Famulak Appointed President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce
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The BC Chamber of Commerce has appointed Fiona Famulak as president and chief executive officer. Famulak brings more than three decades of international experience working in both private and not-for-profit sectors to the role.
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BC Ferries Launches New Fare Options for Vancouver – Vancouver Island Routes
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BC Ferries has announced the launch of new fare options on the three Metro Vancouver – Vancouver Island routes. In addition to BC Ferries’ At Terminal and Reservation Only fares, customers currently travelling for essential purposes will immediately be able to take advantage of a new Saver fare and Prepaid fare. The Saver fare is BC Ferries’ most affordable fare and will be available on less busy sailings, while the Prepaid fare lets customers book and pay for their full travel in advance, saving time at terminal check-in. These new fare options are available for advanced purchase only.
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These new fares will benefit customers travelling for essential purposes only and once it’s safe to resume non-essential travel, all customers will be able to take advantage of more fare choices.
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All employers in BC are required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that assesses risks to workers and implements measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. The plan must be reviewed and updated as conditions change.
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WorkSafeBC Steps Up its Workplace Presence Ahead of Spring Break and St. Patrick’s Day
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To ensure consumer safety, WorkSafeBC will have an increased presence at workplaces across BC ahead of the upcoming spring break period and St. Patrick’s Day. They will remind businesses of the measures and controls they must have in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. WorkSafeBC will be inspecting and consulting with businesses throughout the month of March. The initiative will focus primarily on overnight and short-term accommodation, food and leisure services, amusement facilities, sports and entertainment facilities, ski hills, and golf courses, and bars, pubs, and restaurants ahead of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.
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Free Small Business BC Webinars Available to BC Tourism Partners
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Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to provide tourism stakeholders across the province with free access to Small Business BC’s webinars and online education to support COVID-19 recovery and help mitigate ongoing impacts. There is no charge to tourism stakeholders. Services are delivered online, by phone, email, webinar or in person (if available). To access these resources completely free of charge, please register online via the link below using coupon code DBC3034.
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Small Business BC provides practical business webinars and online education to develop business skills and strategy, including a series of specialized back to business webinars to tackle the challenges faced by the pandemic.
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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. These themed webinars will assist small and medium tourism operators and partners in developing culinary tourism strategies.
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Keeping BC Top of Mind For German Travel Trade and Media For Future Travel
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In February, Destination BC promoted the province to German media and travel trade, to keep BC top of mind for future travel consideration. Team BC participated in Destination Canada’s virtual travel trade event from February 16-18, presenting BC travel information to more than 200 tour operators, and attended the virtual International Media Marketplace February 23-24, sharing inspirational content and stories with writers and media outlets.
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Planning for the future when it’s safe to travel, there continues to be great interest in BC from the German market.
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The park will also purchase five powered mobility wheelchairs will be purchased for visitor use.
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Wildlife Park in Kamloops to Increase Accessibility
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In late February, the BC government announced that the Wildlife Park in Kamloops will receive $149,000 in funding through the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) destination development stream. Much of the funding will go towards making the popular tourist destination more accessible to people with varying mobility needs. Among the upgrades highlighted are paving the park's 1.5km of walkable pathways to allow for smooth cruising for those using wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers to navigate.
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Destination Canada Says Canadians Key to Supporting the Recovery of Devastated Tourism Sector in New Report
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On March 8, Destination Canada released new research and analysis that uncovers the scope of the impact to the tourism sector from COVID-19. The report, titled “Revisiting Tourism: Canada’s Visitor Economy, One Year into the Global Pandemic”, showed that the visitor economy saw unprecedented losses in 2020 and tourism continues to be by far the most threatened sector in the Canadian economy due to its service nature and current reliance on foreign tourists.
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Destination Canada says search data reveals that Canadians are showing a high interest in international travel this year, if safe to do so.
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IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference
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Held March 31, this free virtual session will take a deeper look at the tourism recovery opportunities ahead.
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This session will unpack and compare models of recovery, identify upcoming key milestones and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.
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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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