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Destination BC Directions: December 17, 2021
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Happy holidays from all of us at Destination BC!
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A holiday message from Destination BC
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The holidays are often a time for reflection, and while 2021 has been a challenge for many, British Columbians remain resilient. At the start of the year, we began to emerge from the global pandemic with renewed optimism, with vaccinations rolling out and British Columbians rolling up their sleeves. But, as the year progressed, we were faced with additional hurdles due to the impact of brutal storms, record flooding and a new COVID-19 variant. And this, after suffering through the hottest summer on record and one of the worst wildfire seasons. This has not been an easy year, to say the least. But, throughout it all, we have become more united as an industry than ever before. We supported each other, lifted each other up, and assisted our neighbors and communities. Accommodation partners provided housing to those seeking shelter from the heat, fires, and floods. Fishing outfitters ferried flood evacuees to safety and helped with water-way clean-up. Restaurateurs fed the displaced and stranded, and pilots offered their time and resources to help with recovery efforts. This kindness and generosity isn’t new. BC’s tourism industry has stepped up throughout the pandemic, supporting frontline healthcare workers, and providing for those needing a safe place to quarantine, for example, and during numerous other emergencies in years past. BC’s tourism industry has shown once again that it is remarkably resourceful and responsive to the needs of our communities, and is a key part of the social fabric of our province.
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While it has certainly been a difficult year, I believe we can look to the future with guarded optimism. The desire for travel and tourism experiences is stronger than ever. Many destinations in British Columbia experienced record demand this summer, sports arenas were lively this fall, and international visitors slowly started to return when borders reopened. As a society, we are gradually learning how to manage COVID and resume many of the activities we have missed. And, we are facing up to climate change, investing in carbon reduction, mitigation, and adaptation. There will undoubtedly be more bumps in the road; however, we are on the path to building a more resilient tourism economy and society. This holiday season will hopefully be busy for many tourism operators. While the current challenges for the tourism industry will continue for a while longer, I hope all of you will have an opportunity to ‘unplug’, even if it’s just for a little while, and to spend time with your family and friends. Happy holidays and New Year to you and yours, from all of us at Destination BC. We’ll see you in 2022.
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Richard Porges, CEO of Destination BC
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Coquihalla reopening to essential travel, December 20. Highways 3 and 99 to reopen next.
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Crews have been working around the clock in very challenging conditions to repair our roads. Thanks to their efforts, the Coquihalla will reopen to essential traffic no later than the end of day on Monday, December 20. The exact time of day will be determined over the next few days. Vehicles authorized to use the Coquihalla will be commercial trucks and inner-city buses. The Province will remove the essential travel designation for Highway 3 approximately 24 hours later. When the Coquihalla reopens, the section of Highway 99 that's been restricted between Pemberton and Lillooet will also reopen to general travel.
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How to Travel BC This Winter
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To address seasonal travel requirements and visitor safety, Destination BC has created a How to Travel BC This Winter resource that helps locals and visitors to plan ahead. While select BC roads have reopened for non-essential travel, some destinations may require an alternate route and additional planning. This resource offers information on flights, alternate driving routes, and bus services to get travelers where they need to go. We will spend up to $100,000 on this campaign, creating visibility for the information, to ensure travelers know BC is open for business, and how to safely visit with us.
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Winter Messaging Guidance for BC’s Tourism Industry
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To help industry navigate winter travel questions, as well as the latest COVID-19 requirements and road restrictions, we have created a Winter Travel Guide. The document provides key messaging, information and resources for BC’s tourism industry relating to travel to and within BC this winter. Topics include travel routes, trip planning, transportation options, visitor servicing, and infographics that you can use across your consumer-facing channels, as well as the latest COVID health measures issued on December 17, entry requirements, and proof of vaccination requirements for various activities and businesses.
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BC fairs, festivals, events benefit from recovery funding
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People throughout BC will be able to enjoy more arts, culture, sports and community occasions as the Province supports more than 680 events. The Government of BC is providing nearly $30 million through one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely. Grant amounts for each event are as much as 20% of the total event budget, for a maximum of $250,000.
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Air Canada hosts Australian aircraft tour before first flight back to BC
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Air Canada hosts Australian aircraft tour before first flight back to BC
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In preparation for the first flight back to Canada from Australia after 21 months, Air Canada rolled out the red carpet for 40 lucky travel advisors at Sydney International who got to meet the AC team and board the swish Boeing 777-200LR that took off for Vancouver (YVR) on Friday, 17 December.
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The new application deadline is February 18, 2022
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Cariboo Chilcotin Coast 'Spark' Program Application Deadline Extended
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We have extended the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast “Spark” program application deadline until February 18, 2022, to ensure storm impacted tourism entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations are able to apply for this opportunity.
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Register by January 6 for VCM and The Forum Series for Women Entrepreneurs in Tourism
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The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) team, managed by Destination BC, is collaborating with The Forum, a BC-based charity for women entrepreneurs, to create a tourism program tailored for women-led businesses and entrepreneurs across BC. The two-day virtual program takes place January 13 and January 20, 2022, and will provide expertise and resources to support women in tourism. Register by January 6, 2021 to secure your spot.
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Destination BC summarizes weekly travel in BC in a one-page snapshot. Key insights are available on a weekly basis and include current week performance and, where applicable, comparison to the previous week and the same week in 2020 and 2019. Performance is captured in the following areas: visitation to BC and the six tourism regions; hotel occupancy, ADR, and RevPar; air capacity and air bookings; and BC residents’ intent to travel and welcome visitors to their community.
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Visit the website for eligibility and application requirements (Destination BC/Jordan Dyck).
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Funding Available for Projects Marking the Emergence from COVID-19
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The Reopening Fund, offered through the Celebration and Commemoration Program, supports initiatives that encourage Canadians to participate in celebrations marking Canada’s emergence from the pandemic, build a sense of pride in achievements over the past two years, and stimulate the revival of local economies. Application deadline is January 10, 2022.
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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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Destination BC’s Content Marketing Series, Featuring 3 Reasons Your Business Needs a Content Calendar
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From blog posts and email newsletters to Instagram stories and tweets, there are more ways than ever to attract, connect and engage with your ideal customers. Here are three reasons to use a content calendar to keep track of your marketing efforts across many platforms and channels, and how to do it!
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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 'Social Media for Small Business' (January 12) and 'Get Started with Email Marketing' (February 2). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Call for Presentations Deadline Extended to January 6, 2022!
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Do you have something you’d like to share with your industry colleagues at the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference? The 2022 conference theme of Kickstarting the Comeback will be explored through the following session themes: Workforce & HR; Sustainability; Technology & Innovation; Trends & Insights; Marketing; Advocacy; and Hotel-Specific Content. Session proposals are due January 6, 2022. Don’t miss out, submit your proposal today!
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The awards will distributed at the 2022 BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference on March 10, 2022 (Thompson Okanagan/Allen Jones).
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Nominations are Open for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards
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The 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards, presented by BCHA and TIABC, recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership and innovation in BC’s tourism and hospitality industry. Submit your nominations for outstanding businesses and individuals in eight categories, including Indigenous Operator, Sustainability and Hotelier of the Year.
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Indigenous Tourism BC and Destination Vancouver Sign Historic Partnership Designed to Promote Indigenous Cultural Tourism
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Indigenous Tourism BC and Destination Vancouver Sign Historic Partnership Designed to Promote Indigenous Cultural Tourism
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A historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Destination Vancouver and Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) to develop a coordinated, sustainable, and socially conscious Indigenous tourism industry. The joint efforts of both organizations to achieve a diverse, strong, and vibrant visitor economy are integral to the rebuild and growth of Vancouver’s tourism sector and our city’s Indigenous tourism businesses.
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The agreement highlights the inclusion of Indigenous tourism in all facets of destination marketing and development.
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ITAC and TIAC Sign Memorandum of Understanding
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The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) have agreed to formalize their partnership through a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). The primary goal of the MOU is to coordinate efforts to provide leadership, advocacy and engagement opportunities that support the recovery of the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada.
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BC ski resorts took top spot in a recent Men's Journal list of must-visit resorts in Canada
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BC Ski Resorts Headline Men’s Journal List of Top Resorts in Canada
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Men’s Journal recently published an article encouraging US residents to hop across the border for epic skiing – just in time Canada’s ski season. BC dominated the publication’s list of must-visit resorts, with representation from Whistler Blackcomb (#1), Sun Peaks Resort (#2), Big White Ski Resort (#3), Silverstar Mountain Resort (#4), Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (#5), Revelstoke Mountain Resort (#6), Kimberly Alpine Resort (#7), Fernie Alpine Resort (#8), Panorama Mountain Resort (#9), RED Mountain Resort (#10), Whitewater Ski Resort (#11), and Mount Washington Alpine Resort (#12).
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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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