A Message from the Hon. Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
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I wanted to reach out to you today to acknowledge the impact the floods and extreme weather is having on winter tourism businesses after an already incredibly challenging year. The damaging weather systems, stressed supply chains, travel restrictions and limited transportation corridors are yet again a test to our endurance, but one that together, I know we will overcome.
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My ministry staff continue to work with Emergency Management BC, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and across government to ensure we are sharing the latest information with people throughout the tourism sector, and particularly those in the rural, Indigenous, and winter tourism industry that are about to embark on a second season within the pandemic. We are also conveying your concerns and feedback as we work towards short-and-long term solutions. We appreciate the leadership, flexibility, and supportive approach you have taken over the past 20 months.
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We know how important winter holidays are, especially now for families and for tourism businesses. Staff in my ministry and I have been working with tourism representatives and airlines on alternative avenues for safe travel for the holiday season. With today's change to essential travel orders for Highway 3, intercity buses are now permitted for non-essential travel. This means there are options for bus transportation from the Lower Mainland to Kelowna and Kamloops through companies like Ebus, Rider Express and Mountain Man Mike’s Bus Service. There is also an increase of air travel options coming online as airlines work to increase their capacity at Vancouver and Abbotsford airports into the Interior. Airlines have come to the table to get people to where they want to go without impacting traffic levels on our roadways.
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The Coquihalla now has an earlier estimated reopening for commercial traffic. It is moving up to early January and that is positive news, but we know the damaged highways are challenging for winter tourism businesses. Some of Destination BC’s co-operative marketing funds will be used to promote alternative routes for travel, including airline partnerships and use of non-impacted highways, as restrictions are lifted, and will continue to work with these partners to keep these options in place beyond the immediate need.
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Destination BC continues to work diligently on up-to-date resources for travelers including road information, flight options, travel restrictions and more on their Know Before You Go webpage, which is updated regularly. Our collective efforts are focused on the challenges of right now, which includes building a strong ski season throughout British Columbia and promoting ways to safely access and enjoy all BC winter tourism has to offer.
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In closing, I would like to make sure you are aware of financial supports that are available to business owners who have been impacted by recent extreme weather events, including:
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Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for essential uninsurable losses
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Tax remittance relief
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Bill relief
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Emergency management resources
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If you or someone you know needs support, visit gov.bc.ca/BusinessDisasterSupport or call Small Business BC at 1 800-667-2272.
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Thank you for all that you are doing to keep your staff, communities, and guests safe. Thank you for stepping up, helping those impacted and punching above your weight class. Please continue to reach out to ministry staff with your ideas and concerns. We will get through these challenging times if we continue to paddle together.
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BC Government Update December 9: Holiday Highway Closures & Restrictions
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Yesterday, the BC Government provided an update on highway closures, restrictions and repairs following the significant damage caused by flooding and landslides in the province last month, and what people should expect for travel options this holiday season in British Columbia. Currently, it is not expected that roads between the Lower Mainland and the Interior will be open to non-essential traffic before the New Year.
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Further details:
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Highway 7: Essential travel restrictions on Highway 7 were lifted earlier this week, and most of the commercial vehicles that had been using Highway 7 have switched over Highway 1, since it reopened last week.
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Coquihalla Highway: Based on the exceptional progress to-date, and if favorable weather allows crews to maintain this pace, the Coquihalla highway could reopen in early January 2022 for essential vehicles.
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Highway 3: Highway 3 will remain restricted to essential travel only, until the Coquihalla can reopen to commercial traffic with temporary repairs.
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Highway 99: Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet will continue to be restricted to essential vehicles no larger than a cube truck.
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Alternate options for travel to the Interior from the Lower Mainland:
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An increase in air travel options is coming, as airlines work to increase their capacity from Vancouver and Abbotsford into the Interior.
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Today, one change was made to the travel order for Highway 3, to include intercity bus services, which are now permitted for non-essential travel.
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There are options for bus transportation from the Lower Mainland to Kelowna and Kamloops through companies like Ebus, Rider Express and Mountain Man Mike Bus Service.
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New Messaging Guidance and Industry Resources: How to Travel in BC this Winter
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To help industry navigate winter travel questions among the latest entry requirements and road closures, Destination BC has created a new Winter Travel Guide. The document provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for BC’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within BC this Winter. Topics include travel routes, trip planning, transportation, visitor servicing, health protocols, entry requirements, and proof of vaccination requirements for various activities and businesses. The document will be updated as needed, as the situation evolves. An additional Resident Winter Travel and Recreation Toolkit has been developed by several sector association and marketing partners as a guide for operators to share with visitors who plan to travel in British Columbia this winter.
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