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Destination BC Directions: February 10, 2022
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Dreaming of warmer days (Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton/Arrow Lakes Adventures).
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Last Chance to Apply for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast “Spark” Program
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Have a great tourism idea, but need funding and support to bring it to life? Presented by Destination BC, in collaboration with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Community Futures, and the Tourism Innovation Lab, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast “Spark” Program provides small businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations in the region the opportunity to bring new tourism ideas, experiences or partnerships to fruition
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The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast “Spark” program provides a seed grant to help selected applicants bring their tourism ideas to life.
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Spark program participants receive:
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3-month mentorship with a tourism leader
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$3,000 grant to support development activities
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Access to a support network of tourism experts, resources and services
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49% of BC Residents are Comfortable Visiting Indoor Tourist Attractions
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Our most recent BC Residents Public Perceptions report shows that 49% of BC residents are comfortable visiting indoor tourist attractions.
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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 summarizes the various research findings from Destination BC, suppliers, other tourism agencies and associations.
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BC’s Weekly Domestic Visitation has Increased +14%
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Our latest Research Roundup report shows that BC’s weekly domestic visitation has increased +14% compared to the same period in 2020.
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Destination BC Launches “Snapshot of BC Travel” Dashboard
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Destination BC has launched a new interactive dashboard that captures travel indicators in BC in a one-page report. Key insights are available weekly, with performance captured in domestic overnight visitation; hotel occupancy, ADR and RevPar; and air capacity and air bookings.
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The 'Snapshot of BC Travel' has been revamped into a new one-page report.
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Province Provides Funding for 50+ Tourism Infrastructure Projects
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Through the second round of the 2021 Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) Destination Development stream, the Province is providing $21.3 million to support tourism infrastructure projects across BC. The funds will strengthen tourism growth and develop emerging tourism opportunities, stimulating the recovery of BC’s post-pandemic visitor economy.
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Science World in Vancouver is one of 50+ projects receiving funding for infrastructure improvements through CERIP (Destination Vancouver/Tanya Goehring).
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Naikoon Park in Haida Gwaii is one of the lands receiving protection under new legislation (Northern BC Tourism/John Scarth).
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BC Parks Strengthens Protection of Wildlife Habitats and Ecosystems
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Legislation has been introduced to expand BC’s system of parks and protected areas, contributing to existing ecosystem conservation and enhancing opportunities for outdoor recreation. The new legislation continues the Province’s efforts to enhance protection of wildlife habitats while better reflecting Indigenous history and cultures in parks.
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BC Tourism Business Events and Workforce Support to Receive Over $9.3 Million in Grants
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Business events and workforce support initiatives in the tourism industry, including hiring and retaining employees, will receive more than $9.3 million over the next two years as part of the Tourism Recovery Initiative Action Plan. The business events and conferences sector makes significant contributions to the provincial economy, and was one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic.
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The new Business Events and Conferences Restart Fund will provide up to $5 million this fiscal year and up to $3 million next year to help restart business travel (Destination Vancouver/Hubert Kang).
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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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Influencer marketing is here to stay, though it can be overwhelming to know which influencers to work with and how. Our featured article can help you get started.
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Influencer marketing can take your business to the next level (Unsplash/Good Faces).
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Wines of BC Explorer App is the first wine app to win a Gold medal in the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards.
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Wines of BC Explorer App Earns Gold Medal in the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards
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Wine Growers British Columbia’s Wines of BC Explorer App has earned a Gold medal in the prestigious Travel Weekly Magellan Awards – a first for wine tourism apps. The app includes all 300+ BC wineries, which regularly update new wine releases and tasting experiences. Users can also search for specific filters, such as organic wines or dog-friendly wineries. Congratulations to Wine Growers British Columbia for this well-deserved honour!
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Prince of Whales Introduces Onboard Cinema for Victoria Film Festival
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Prince of Whales is supporting the Victoria Film Festival (February 4-13) by transforming its catamaran The Salish Sea Eclipse into an intimate theatre venue. Throughout the week, the vessel has screened evening programming in the heart of the Inner Harbour, including the documentary Last of the Right Whales complete with whale-based trivia.
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Prince of Whales offers several onboard screening experiences during Victoria Film Festival.
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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 'Creating a Website for Your Business' (March 1) and 'Blogging to Promote Your Business' (March 9). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Take Advantage of go2HR’s Free COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Service
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Need support to ensure your COVID-19 Safety Plan is aligned with the new PHO Workplace Safety Order? go2HR is helping restaurants, retail, tour companies, campgrounds, ski resorts, accommodation providers, wineries and breweries, and museums and galleries review and refine their safety plans on a complimentary basis. Health and safety professionals provide an array of advice and guidance, and ensure key information is included in safety plans.
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go2hr’s experts will review your safety plan and provide recommendations (Destination BC/Hubert Kang).
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Support Indigenous economies and build cultural awareness by hosting your next meeting at an Indigenous tourism business (Destination BC/Kari Medig).
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ITBC Invites Organizations to Book Corporate Gatherings at Indigenous Tourism Businesses
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Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) has unveiled a campaign encouraging corporations, organizations and special interest groups to book retreats, meetings, and educational experiences at Indigenous tourism businesses in BC. Indigenous hosts hold space for anyone interested in learning, reflecting and engaging in dialogue about Indigenous culture.
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BC Hotel Association Encourages Accommodation Sector to Source Locally
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The BC Hotel Association has launched a video encouraging accommodation providers to invest in local businesses and help build back BC’s economy stronger than ever. The organization was one of 88 applicants to receive grants from the Shop Local Initiative that encourages Canadians to spend their dollars locally and help businesses navigate through the pandemic and beyond.
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The BCHA is encouraging British Columbians to make investments where they matter most – at home.
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Tickets to the BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference are available until March 8.
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Register Today for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference
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Tickets are now available for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference, taking place March 9 – 11 at the Richmond Conference Centre. This year’s event focuses on collaboration, partnership, and building back better in the face of the past two years’ challenges.
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Register for the Vancouver Island Tourism Conference 2022
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Tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region are invited to attend the in-person Vancouver Island Tourism Conference, taking place April 12-14 at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. The early-bird rate is $375 (until February 11), and $475 until March 28.
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Register before February 11 to benefit from early-bird pricing.
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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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