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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
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Wandering along colourful Salt Lane in Langley (Destination BC/Hubert Kang).
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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Welcomes Two New Team Members
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We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains team:
Josie Heisig, Senior Program Advisor, has over 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, including six years as an influencer marketing specialist and 10 years as a travel media relations specialist at Destination BC.
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Josie has a high level of familiarity with the VCM region’s products, communities, partners and stakeholders. In her new role, she is responsible for industry development, the VCM communications strategy, oversight of VCM content development, tourism business advisory services, and accessibility initiatives.
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Karen Tunkara, Director of Indigenous and Regional Partnerships (Destination BC) works closely with the VCM tourism region, Indigenous Tourism BC, and regional DMOs. She also assists in the development and evolution of DBC’s commitments and actions towards lasting and meaningful reconciliation, including efforts to support implementation of the B.C. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and improve opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. Karen is a proud member of the Songhees Nation and has served the community as an elected councillor for 10 years. In her role with VCM, she is responsible for leadership of the team to successfully deliver DBC programs and services, as well as government funding programs such as the Targeted Regional Tourism Development Initiative.
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The article shines a spotlight on the wildlife of the Sunshine Coast (Rick Graham).
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Qantas Insider Profiles BC’s Wildlife
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When Qantas Airlines announced year-round flights between Sydney and Vancouver starting in December 2021, Destination BC seized the opportunity and hosted Qantas Insider journalist Karla Courtney to a wildlife viewing trip in Vancouver and Klahoose Wilderness Resort. Her article appeared in the publication's February edition.
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The Snapshot shares travel data for regions across BC.
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Canadian overnight visitation within the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region has exceeded 2019 levels consecutively over the last four weeks, according to recent mobility data. For the week of March 7, Canadian travel within the VCM region was up +6%, compared to the same week in 2019. Reported hotel occupancy for the week of March 7 for VCM communities includes the City of Vancouver (59%), Whistler (73%), and Richmond (66%).
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VCM had a presence at IMM North America, hosted by TravMedia (TravMedia website image taken in Scottsdale).
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Travel Media Relations & Travel Trade Update
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In February, the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region participated in Explore BC, an annual travel trade event hosted by Destination BC where the six regions, city DMOs and Indigenous Tourism BC present product updates to Lower Mainland-based tour operators. The event was followed by participation in IMM North America, where the team met virtually with U.S. and Canadian travel journalists to share the region's stories. For more information about VCM’s travel media relations and travel trade activities, or to share new product updates and story ideas, contact Heather McGillivray.
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Congratulations to the Fraser Valley Group team!
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Fraser Valley Group of DMOs Recognized at BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards
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The Fraser Valley Group of DMOs (Hope, Harrison, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley and Mission) were recognized as finalists at the BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards for the Community Contribution and Impact Award. In addition to ongoing collaborative marketing, the team coordinated regional recovery efforts, and helped to lead community response, over the past year of natural disasters.
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Supports and opportunities available to tourism businesses and communities in VCM.
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The toolkit was designed for tourism and hospitality employers.
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Human Resources Help is Here!
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Cindy Conti, who is the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains HR consultant with go2HR, has developed an HR toolkit to provide employers with information, examples and templates of human resources best practices. The toolkit covers hiring and recruitment, onboarding, on-the-job scenarios, and departure. If you have a question that isn’t covered in the toolkit, or wish to discuss your HR strategy and challenges, contact Cindy at [email protected].
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Participants who attend the video sessions can chat live with an IRCC officer, with opportunities to request a one-on-one follow-up meeting.
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go2HR and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Announce Virtual Drop-in Hours
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go2HR and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are offering a series of virtual drop-in office hours for BC tourism and hospitality employers. The sessions are available for anyone with questions related to hiring foreign workers through a Canadian economic immigration program. The next webinar will take place on March 29, 2-3pm (PST).
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Panelists include Spirit of the West Adventures, Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort and Elmhirst’s Resort.
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Join GreenStep’s Free Webinar on Sustainability (March 29)
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GreenStep is offering a free webinar called “Sharing Your Sustainability Story: A Conversation with Tourism Industry Leaders”, taking place Tuesday, March 29, 11.30am – 12.30pm (PST). This open dialogue explores various ways tourism businesses can responsibly market and differentiate their sustainability story, with input from a panel of sustainability leaders.
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Destination BC COVID-19 Communications
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Stay connected with the VCM team, which is managed by 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 email the VCM team.
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