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Destination BC Directions
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Keeping cool at Third Beach in Vancouver | Tourism Vancouver/Hubert Kang
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A couple with bikes from Tofino Bike Company on their way to surf lessons with Pacific Surf Company | Destination BC/Jordan Dyck
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Joint Statement Encouraging British Columbians to Travel
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Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; Brenda Baptiste, chair, Indigenous Tourism BC; Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC; Ingrid Jarrett, president and CEO, BC Hotel Association; Anthony Everett, chair, BC Regional Tourism Secretariat; and Richard Porges, Interim President and CEO, Destination BC, have released the following statement encouraging British Columbians to travel throughout BC this summer:
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BC's Restart Step 3 Starting July 1
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On July 1, BC will shift to Step 3 of its Restart Plan, welcoming back Canada-wide recreational travel, more social contact, a return to normal hours for liquor service at restaurants, bars and pubs with table limits decided by the venue, increased capacity for organized indoor and outdoor gatherings, and more. To date, nearly 80% of the province's adult population has received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with cases and hospitalizations continuing to decline.
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Step 3 will signal the end to BC's state of emergency, but BC’s public health emergency will remain in effect with reduced requirements.
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Destination BC's Step 3 Messaging Guidance and FAQ Resource
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BC tourism businesses and partners can refer to Destination BC's Messaging Guidance for July 1, 2021 until further notice relating to Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan. The document includes marketing messaging, responsible travel infographics, and a comprehensive FAQ.
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BC Restart Step 3 Tourism Toolkit
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This toolkit is designed as a guide for tourism owners and operators for Step 3, which starts July 1 and will run until at least September. 7. It summarizes current guidelines, provides links to more information on topics like the transition from COVID-19 Safety Plans to communicable disease prevention, and shares what the province and the hospitality and tourism sector are doing together to restart the visitor economy.
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A quick guide on communications, health and safety, workforce, and marketing in relation to Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.
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Applications are encouraged from entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations in the West Kootenay until August 11.
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Destination BC and Partners Launch West Kootenay “Spark” Program
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The West Kootenay “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program launched on June 23, with the goal to “spark” new tourism ideas and initiatives across the region. Presented by Destination BC in collaboration with Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Arrow Slocan Tourism, Destination Castlegar, Discover Creston Valley, Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, Tourism Rossland, and the Tourism Innovation Lab, the program matches selected applicants with a tourism mentor and provides a $3,000 seed grant to help develop new tourism ideas.
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Destination BC Launches Joint Marketing Campaign with Tourism Vancouver and Tourism Whistler
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This summer, Destination BC, Tourism Vancouver and Tourism Whistler are launching an integrated digital marketing strategy as a pilot project for the Tourism Data Hub (TDH). The TDH focuses on sharing resources (technology, data, content and expertise) to elevate collective digital marketing efforts and execute more successful and cost-efficient campaigns. The goal is to drive extended visitation and increased bookings for partner destinations by amplifying travel content through channels such as social, display and native.
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The campaign showcases summer activities in Whistler and Vancouver (Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre/Blake Jorgensen).
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Phase 1 launched on June 15, and focuses on building high-intent traveller audiences, which Tourism Vancouver and Tourism Whistler will use to retarget and convert into bookings during Phase 2. The campaign targets BC residents and runs until August 15.
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The Partner Program helps get travel deals and accommodation offers in front of BC travellers | Destination BC/6ix Sigma
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How Destination BC’s Partner Program is Supporting BC Tourism Businesses
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As part of our summer campaign Open to More, Destination BC launched a Partner Program for Travel Deals and Accommodations to increase visibility and generate bookings for partner offers. Through the Travel Deals program, we’ll promote various travel offers across social, display and search ads that encourage BC residents to explore categories such as Outdoor Adventure, Sightseeing & Attractions, Food & Drink, and Nature & Wildlife.
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The Accommodations program will make it easier for BC locals to plan one more trip this summer. We will use digital media tactics, including social and display ads, to drive travellers to a new Summer Accommodation page on HelloBC.com, created in partnership with Check In Canada (CIC). Users will be able to search for rooms by their preferred location and date, and listings will be generated from CIC’s huge database of accommodation providers from across the province.
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CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
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The Southern Gulf Islands partnership aims to extend tourism to the region year-round (Destination BC/Ben Giesbrecht).
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Southern Gulf Islands Partnership Promotes Year-round Visitation
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The Southern Gulf Islands Partnership grounds its marketing in regenerative tourism, promoting visitation in the “cozy season”, extending revenue opportunities beyond the summer months. Hiking, culinary experiences, kayaking and on-water activities are available to visitors in fall and spring due to the mild island climate and tourism operators can extend their business towards a year-round operation. The Southern Gulf Islands Co-op Marketing partnership includes Salt Spring Island, Pender Island, Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Saturna Island, the Capital Regional District and private sector partners.
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Employers can apply for reimbursement up to $200 per day, to a maximum of three days per worker.
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Province of BC Launches Employer Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave
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As of June 17, BC employers can apply for reimbursement of wages paid to workers who have taken sick leave related to COVID-19. The program is retroactive to May 20, and enables sick workers to stay home for up to three days without losing wages, while continuing to support businesses through the pandemic.
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Over $28 Million Granted to Indigenous Tourism Businesses through StrongerBC
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Indigenous tourism businesses across BC have received over $28 million to support recovery from the impacts of the global pandemic. Through programs such as the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP), Tourism Dependent Communities Program and BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund, Indigenous owned businesses ranging from accommodations and resorts to tour companies have received funding.
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There are over 480 Indigenous tourism businesses in BC.
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Applications are open from June 24 to July 30.
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Applications Open for Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants
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The Province is committing $36 million to active transportation infrastructure projects over the next three years, partnering with Indigenous, local and regional governments to help create more livable and sustainable communities across BC.
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Ferry Waits Made More Convenient with New Wi-Fi Service
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As BC residents explore the province, they’ll enjoy more convenience and access at ferry terminals with the arrival of free Wi-Fi service. The grant of up to $1.5 million – distributed through the Connecting British Columbia program – will cover the cost of bringing Wi-Fi to 14 minor route terminals, including public lounges, vehicle line-up areas and parking lots. Work is expected to be completed by October 31.
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Free Wi-Fi at remote terminals is important for passengers who don’t have cell service.
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Federal Government Launches $500 Million Community Revitalization Fund
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The federal government has introduced the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) to help local communities build infrastructure projects, revitalize existing assets, create jobs and bring people safely back to public spaces. With a national investment of $500 million over two years, the Fund supports non-profits, municipalities and other community groups, including Indigenous communities, so they can rebound from the effects of the pandemic.
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BC Residents' Public Perceptions: COVID-19 Travel and Tourism Wave 28 Report
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Destination BC is monitoring British Columbians’ current views on travel, and tracking travel and tourism behaviour intentions to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the 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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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 50
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Our Research Roundup report is updated weekly with relevant research and articles related to the travel and tourism industry and COVID-19.
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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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Capturing Mobile Video Tips and Tricks
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Thanks to our smartphones, most of us already hold the necessary equipment to create high-quality video content. With a few tips and tricks (and some practice), you can create compelling, engaging videos for your audience.
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Capturing video on behalf of your business or destination doesn’t have to be intimidating | Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe
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Panorama Mountain Resort is one of many BC destinations benefitting from faster and more reliable internet | Destination BC/Zoya Lynch
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Tourism Businesses Benefit from Faster, More Reliable Internet
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Investments in high-speed internet are giving local tourism businesses new ways to market and rebound from the impacts of the pandemic. The Connecting British Columbia program is allotting grant funding to Telus and ABC Communications to improve the speed and reliability of internet connections to regions across BC.
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BC Featured in Air Canada’s New Preflight Safety Video
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The country’s most scenic places star in Ode to Canada, Air Canada’s new preflight safety video. Set in spectacular locations from coast to coast – including BC’s North Shore mountains – the video takes passengers on a memorable journey while subtly incorporating the safety features of each aircraft.
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The video presents aircraft safety instructions in a compelling way by visually connecting viewers to each province and territory.
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Accredited businesses will be listed in the Rainbow Registered directory.
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Introducing the Rainbow Registered LGBT+ Friendly Accreditation Program
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Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, along with Tourism HR Canada, have launched the Rainbow Registered LGBT+ Friendly Accreditation Program, ensuring businesses across the country have appropriate resources to integrate LGBT+-friendly policies into their daily operations. Accredited businesses must meet a stringent set of standards to ensure all customers feel safe, welcomed and accepted.
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Small Business BC provides practical business webinars and online education to develop business skills and strategy.
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Upcoming Webinars from Small Business BC
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Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to offer free access for tourism business stakeholders across the province to online education supporting COVID-19 recovery. Upcoming webinars include “Market Research 2: Surveys and Focus Groups” (July 13) and “Performance Management in the Workplace” (August 5). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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New BC Rail Trails Website Unveiled
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After incorporating stakeholder feedback and improving usability, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Kootenay Rockies Tourism have revealed the new B.C. Rail Trails website, which features a user-friendly platform, updated accessibility information, interactive maps and quizzes, and announcement boxes to inform users of trail maintenance.
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The Kettle Valley Rail Trail and the Columbia & Western Rail Trail is the longest rail trail network in BC
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Join expert panelists, Mark Lysyshyn, Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health and Lisa Houle, Manager, OHS Consultation and Education Services at WorkSafeBC.
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Free Webinar: Workplace Safety in Step 3 – What You Need To Know
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Have questions about what changes are coming when BC moves to Step 3 in its Restart Plan and how they will affect your business? Join go2HR's upcoming webinar on Workplace Safety in Step 3 on July 5. Expert panelists will discuss how to prepare a robust communicable disease plan, how to relax existing controls for workers and customers, when you can (or should) enforce the wearing of masks and other controls in the workplace. Register today!
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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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