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Destination BC Directions: July 29, 2021
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World champion hoop dancer Dallas Arcand performs in Prophet River (Northern BC Tourism/Ryan Dickie).
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Guidance for BC’s Tourism Industry on the Provincial State of Emergency
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In response to BC’s provincial state of emergency regarding wildfires, which was declared on July 20, Destination BC has prepared Emergency Messaging Guidance to help the tourism industry navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions.
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Messaging Guidance for COVID-19 Outbreak in Central Okanagan
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BC’s Interior Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the Central Okanagan. Health measures have been implemented to contain the outbreak, and non-essential travel to the area is discouraged. Read our suggested messaging to visitors, refer to go2HR’s communicable disease prevention information, and remind those around you about the importance of being fully vaccinated.
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Download the New BC Wildfire App for Real-time Alerts
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The new BC Wildfire App is a necessary addition to your app collection, with real-time alerts, orders and conditions related to active wildfires across BC. There’s also an interactive map that users can customize to display a variety of fire-related data. Download it free from the App Store and Google Play.
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The app was launched by BC Wildfire Service.
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Be mindful, stay safe and plan in advance so local wildfire crews can focus on keeping communities safe.
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Know Before You Go to Support Local Wildfire Crews
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High risk of wildfire across BC, combined with incidents requiring BC Wildfire Service to rescue hikers, have placed huge strains on wildlife crews. Rescue calls require diverting helicopters from fire lines, and might challenge the progress of fire suppression efforts. When you're planning your trip to the backcountry this summer, be mindful of the needs of BC's wildfire response. One resource is our regularly updated 'Know Before You Go' webpage, designed for visitors seeking key information from DriveBC, BC Wildfire Service, Emergency Management BC and other organizations.
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Tag #RealTime_ on Social Media to Update Visitors on Current Conditions
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By sharing updated information, we can work together to ensure the safety of our communities while mitigating unnecessary impacts of wildfire emergencies. Use the hashtag #RealTime________ (name of city/community) on social media to provide visitors with an accurate “real time” visual of current conditions (blue skies, business as usual etc.). Add the date and time the photo was taken. Finally, be sure to tag us in your post (@DestinationBC on Twitter, @HelloBC on Instagram), as well as your Regional/Community DMO partners, so we can amplify your message.
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By working together, we can mitigate unnecessary tourism impacts of wildfire emergencies.
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Love for BC is a celebration of the people and places that make our province unique.
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Love For BC IGTV Video Series
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This April, Destination BC launched Love For BC, our first-ever video series designed for IGTV where locals tell their own stories – specifically, their pride of place and love for where they live. We set out to showcase diverse voices, highlighting everything from an adventurer’s passion for the local mountains to an Indigenous entrepreneur’s deep connection to the land. These raw, heartfelt and unpolished stories combine video shot on people’s phones with existing imagery and footage.
Our first season will feature eight videos – and work for Season 2 is already underway! See our published videos and comments.
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Open to More in the Media
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As part of our Open to More campaign, we’re leveraging sponsored content with key media partners to reach summer travel audiences across BC. Here’s a roundup of the published content we’re using to engage readers and help them plan their perfect summer getaways:
CBC
Vancouver Magazine/Western Living
BBC
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BC Campaign with BBC Wildlife Launches in the UK
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In partnership with BBC Wildlife (the UK’s bestselling natural history magazine) and Audley Travel, Destination BC launched a campaign in June to keep our destination top-of-mind for UK travellers once borders open and international travel resumes. Campaign elements include a competition quiz with a holiday prize, a double-page spread in BBC Wildlife along with a Nature & Wellbeing supplement, additional branding and online/social promotions. Audley Travel – which tailors trips around clients’ unique interests – serves as a call-to-action for UK travellers to book not only a vacation, but a transformative BC experience. The campaign will be live for eight weeks, until the beginning of August, and includes a website takeover and advertorial.
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Content themes are focused on nature and wellbeing, an ideal fit for BBC Wildlife.
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The West Kootenay 'Spark' Program is seeking passionate people in the West Kootenay area with creative tourism ideas.
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Do You Have a New Tourism Idea for West Kootenay?
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Destination British Columbia, 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, is seeking passionate, creative people with a new tourism idea in the West Kootenay area. The West Kootenay “Spark” program matches selected applicants with a tourism mentor and provides a $3,000 seed grant to help develop new ideas.
Entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profits based in the area are encouraged to register for the final information session, to learn more about how to apply:
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Heliskiing Legend Mike Wiegele Passes at Age 82
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Mike Wiegele, founder of world-renowned heliskiing company Mike Wiegele’s Helicopter Skiing (MWHS), has died at age 82. A pioneer of the heliskiing industry, Mike took pride in introducing local kids to the thrill of heliskiing, and provided high-quality skiing experiences for Simpcw First Nation youth free of charge. On behalf of the Destination BC team, we express our condolences to Mike's family and remain grateful for the legacy he has left in our industry.
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Mike offered his first heli-skiing trip in Valemount in 1970.
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The project will also produce an online monthly tracker, and outline actions to ensure an adequate workforce going forward.
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Tourism Employers Asked to Complete go2HR’s Labour Market Research Survey
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The tourism industry is facing significant human resource challenges, and they will only increase as we move through pandemic recovery. To address these issues, go2HR is undertaking an ambitious labour market research project – funded by the provincial and federal governments – that will assess the impact of COVID-19 on industry operations. Tourism employers are asked to complete the survey and share with fellow employers across the industry.
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CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
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Rockies Exploring markets the South Rockies as a gateway to adventure (DestinationBC/Kari Medig).
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Rockies Exploring Partnership Promotes the South Rockies as a Region Still to be Explored
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The Rockies Exploring partnership has entered its fourth year in the Co-op Marketing Program, promoting multi-community destinations in BC’s South Rockies as a region still to be discovered. This area, serviced by an international airport, combines Rocky Mountain views with Indigenous history, exceptional nature-based experiences and unique events. Convenient air access and the Highway 3 corridor present promising opportunity for growth. The partners, including Cranbrook Tourism, St. Eugene Resort, Tourism Kimberley, Cranbrook International Airport, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockers, have collaborated to reach wider audiences and promote the area as a less crowded destination, while focusing on shoulder season travel.
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Big White Ski Resort is one of many BC attractions receiving support from the provincial government (Big White Ski Resort).
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More than 80 Attractions and Tour Bus Operators in BC to Receive Grants of Up to $1 Million
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The Major Anchor Attractions Program – one of seven calls to action from the Tourism Task Force – is providing grants of up to $1 million to 23 urban anchor attractions, 34 rural anchor attractions, and 26 tour bus operators, to support recovery from the global pandemic. Recipients include Butchart Gardens in Victoria, the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, and Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, among others.
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New Communication Materials Available to Support Changes in Mask Guidance
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The BC COVID-19 Industry Engagement Table Secretariat has provided the following communication materials related to changes in mask guidance and the pace of transition for workplaces across BC.
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Amendments to Guide Dog and Service Dog Act
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Recent amendments to the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act (GDSDA) are making it easier for guide and service dog teams that have completed training from accredited organizations to access public places, tenancies and strata housing. All businesses should keep updated on their rights and responsibilities when it comes to customers or staff with disabilities who need to use guide dogs or service dogs.
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People with disabilities who rely on guide or service dogs have equal right to access and use all public places and services (Unsplash/Ralph Kayden).
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The new changes come into effect October 15.
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New Rules Introduced to Protect Young Workers
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New changes to employment standards have raised the general working age in BC from 12 to 16, and are clarifying the types of jobs appropriate for workers under 16. These new rules bring BC in line with international standards for children’s employment, and ensure the youth workforce is better protected. The changes will come into effect on October 15, giving employers and children who are already working time to adjust to the new requirements.
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BC Fairs and Buy BC Launch Provincewide Contest
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Heading to a provincial fair this summer? BC Fairs and Buy BC are collaborating on a photo contest that celebrates the province’s agricultural sector. Download the new BC Fairs app and follow any of the steps to upload a selfie or photo of made-in-BC food or drinks, or a BC fair or farm. The contest runs between August 2 and September 26.
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This summer, celebrate the local goodies grown and made by BC’s farmers and producers (Destination Vancouver/PNE).
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Apply Today for the Tourism Relief Fund
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Canadian tourism businesses can now apply for the Tourism Relief Fund, a $500 million investment in travel and tourism recovery across the country. Regional development agencies will deliver $485 million directly to businesses, helping them adapt operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. An additional $50 million is allocated to Indigenous tourism projects.
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BC Residents' Public Perceptions: COVID-19 Travel and Tourism Wave 30 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 53
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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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Stories, Reels, Guides, and IGTV: How to Take Advantage of Instagram’s New Formats
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Using Instagram’s dynamic and interactive features can help you get your business in front of more people, increasing reach and engagement with current and future customers. Explore each of these formats to find the one(s) that make the most sense for your business.
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Experiment with Instagram's various formats to amp up awareness of your business (Destination BC/Albert Normandin).
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Firefighters from Australia, Mexico and Quebec are Travelling to Canada to Support Wildfire Emergency Response
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Fifty-five Australian firefighters, 100 Mexican firefighters and 20 Quebec firefighters are coming to Canada to assist local emergency crews, who are battling wildfires caused by extended drought and heatwaves in BC and Ontario. After five weeks in Canada, they will return back to Australia and quarantine for two weeks. Thank you to all of the firefighters who are dedicating their time and support, and putting themselves at risk, to help!
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The contingents will assist BC Wildfire Service as the province continues to face hot weather, dry conditions and aggressive wildfire behaviour.
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Ellen Walker-Matthews has served as TOTA's acting president and CEO for the past six months.
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TOTA Announces New President & CEO
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Ellen Walker-Matthews has been appointed president and CEO of Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), taking over from Glenn Mandziuk, who resigned from the position on June 25. Ellen has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, including the last 11 years with TOTA in various capacities. She has spearheaded and played a significant role in key initiatives, including Biosphere Certification, GreenStep Certification, and Green Destination Top 100; the Tourism Resiliency Program; development and implementation of regional tourism strategies; and overseeing sales, marketing, and business plans. Congratulations, Ellen!
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Upcoming Webinars from Small Business BC
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Small Business BC provides practical business webinars and online education to develop business skills and strategy.
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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 “Performance Management in the Workplace” (August 5) and 'Creating a Website for Your Business' (August 24). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Air Canada has also added a new component to its app that allows passengers to securely scan and upload COVID-19 test results.
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Air Canada’s Summer Transborder Schedule Includes Up to 220 Daily Flights Between the US and Canada
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Air Canada has announced its summer transborder schedule, which features 55 routes and 34 destinations in the US – including up to 220 daily flights between the US and Canada. The new schedule coincides with relaxed travel restrictions between the countries, which will take effect August 9.
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Earn a Scholarship to the 2021 and 2022 Adventure Travel World Summits
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Adventure Travel World is granting tour operators and accommodation providers the opportunity to earn a fully paid scholarship to attend the 2021 and 2022 Adventure Travel World Summits. Recipients will be selected based on their strategies tackling recovery and resilience in the face of the pandemic, community relief efforts during the pandemic and other key areas.
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The 2021 Adventure Travel World Summit takes place in Hokkaido, Japan.
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Download your region’s Resource Guide to navigate region-specific resources in one place.
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BC Chamber of Commerce Launches Seven Regional Resource Guides for Small Business Resiliency
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In partnership with the provincial government and funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Trailing, BC Chamber of Commerce has launched seven Resource Guides addressing core aspects of pandemic recovery, including health and safety, government programming and small business tools. The guides are based on data collected from the organization’s ongoing Pulse Check surveys, focus groups, and consultations with different sectors and industries across BC.
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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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