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Destination BC Directions: May 20, 2022
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Baby seal on the beach at Rose Spit, on the northern tip of Graham Island (Destination BC/Grant Harder).
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BC's tourism industry & partners are encouraged to participate by using the 2022 Tourism Week Industry Toolkit (Northern BC Tourism/Kristopher Foot).
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2022 BC Tourism Week Toolkit Resources
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We are excited to share the 2022 Tourism Week Industry Toolkit! As you know - 'Tourism Week' is an annual, national and provincial invitation for all tourism partners and stakeholders to come together to champion and promote our destinations, tourism businesses, and employees. This year, Destination BC has partnered with the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) to develop a comprehensive toolkit that provides you with valuable resources and information that will assist you in developing new initiatives and implementing innovative ideas.
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We encourage you to follow our social channels to repost your communication throughout the week of May 29 - June 4 and help us spread the message that #BCTourismCounts and #GreenMeansGo.
The 2022 Tourism Week Industry Toolkit contains comprehensive resources including:
• Key Messaging
• Tourism Week Fact Sheet
• Suggested Social Media Posts
• Infographics
• Value of Tourism Videos
• “We Are Tourism” Graphics
• Ideas to Celebrate Tourism Week
• Sustainable Tourism Pledge 2030
• TIAC Resources
• Tourism Week in BC
Note: The Toolkit will be updated as new tools, resources and information are made available. Please check Destination BC’s or TIABC’s website regularly for updates.
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As of June 10th, our beloved Maria Greene, Director of Market Development, will be retiring from Destination BC. After 30 years in the tourism industry, Maria has filled many roles and has dedicated her career to promoting tourism around BC by leading key initiatives ranging from organizing sales missions in the US to leading the market development team through the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, from working with airlines and partners around the world and making life-long friends across the globe. Maria will be at Rendez-Vous in Toronto during the week of May 23. Join us in wishing her a happy and healthy retirement!
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Join us in congratulating Maria on her successful career and retirement!
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Join us in congratulating Mika on this exciting career milestone!
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Congratulations Mika Ryan!
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Happily, as tourism ramps up, the Market Development team is seeing increased activity and collaboration with partners in our top markets… and support for our industry partners is more important than ever. To provide business continuity for the team and our in-market representatives, we are happy to share that Mika Ryan will temporarily move into the Director, Market Development position from May-December, 2022. Mika has over 22 years experience at Destination BC leading the Travel Media team and has worked with partners and industry extensively. Mika will be at Rendez-Vous in Toronto during the week of May 23.
Mika’s current position of Manager, Travel Media Relations, will be filled in due course to deliver on the travel media program which is instrumental in generating awareness for BC.
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Dr. Amir Khan in BC for the BC Effect
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Dr. Amir Khan is a full-time GP and best-selling author working in Bradford, UK. His charisma and expertise won the hearts of the nation following his original role in GPs: Behind Closed Doors (Channel 5) and he is now the resident doctor on Good Morning Britain. He is a huge proponent of the health benefits of being in nature and a lover of all animals. Knowing that he would be a valuable ambassador for our province, Destination BC’s UK team collaborated with Dr. Khan to arrange a visit to BC. The timing of his visit aligns with the launch of the BC Effect campaign in the UK and Dr. Khan is now in BC experiencing the “BC Effect” in real life! During his BC adventure, Dr. Khan will visit Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Kootenay Rockies. We encourage you to follow his BC journey on Instagram here.
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Marketing activities promoting the BC Effect in the UK are planned for later in the year to build on Dr. Khan’s visit. Stay tuned for future updates on this exciting project!
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Prepare for the summer months ahead by downloading the new BC Tourism Emergency Management Framework.
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New Tourism Emergency Management Framework
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A collaborative Tourism Emergency Management Committee (TEMC) recently released a new BC Tourism Emergency Management Framework to help reduce the industry’s vulnerabilities and risks and lessen the potentially adverse impacts to visitor experiences during emergencies. The framework provides a unified structure to support tourism partners and visitors on matters related to the four pillars of emergency management…specifically mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
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The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region Now on LinkedIn!
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The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) tourism region has recently joined the LinkedIn community! Follow VCM on LinkedIn for industry updates, opportunities and success stories. Join us in following and welcoming the VCM team to LinkedIn!
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Follow VCM on LinkedIn today!
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110,649 international visitors arrived to BC in February 2022
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Destination BC’s latest International Visitor Arrivals figures show that 110,649 international visitors arrived to BC in February 2022 including 80,368 overnight visitors from the United States and 5,768 visitors from Mexico.
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For more information, please contact: Destination BC's Research & Analytics team at [email protected].
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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 sees 21% increase in weekly domestic overnight visitation compared to 2019
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Destination BC’s latest Research Roundup report shows that BC saw an increase of 21% in weekly domestic overnight visitation compared to the same period in 2019.
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Tourism Industry Dashboard: Year in Review
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Full 2021 data is now available on our Tourism Industry Dashboard, which includes key tourism statistics such as international visitor arrivals data, provincial room revenue, commercial restaurant receipts, provincial and regional occupancy rates and average daily room rates, and more.
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This dashboard is best viewed on a desktop device.
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Eligible events are ones accessible to the public and are generally sporting, arts, or cultural events. Find out more about program egligibility! (Northern BC Tourism/Darrin Rigo)
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Tourism Events Program (TEP) Grant Intake Open Until May 31, 2022
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The Tourism Events Program (TEP) aims to strengthen BC's reputation as an events destination by providing supplemental marketing funds to event organizers to amplify the reach of an event and attract additional overnight visitors. The TEP provides funding for up to 10% of your total event budget up to a maximum of $250,000 per event (minimum of $10,000). Funds can be used to cover a range of marketing expenses. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process and organizations may submit more than one application. The application deadline is 1:00 pm PST on May 31, 2022. Funding decisions will be communicated by August 2022.
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Province Bolsters Support for Live Music Events
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The Province is supporting the recovery of BC’s live music sector with a $2.5-million boost to the Amplify BC program. As part of an ongoing commitment to economic recovery for BC’s creative sector, the Province is providing the additional $2.5 million through Amplify BC to support music companies and live operations. Amplify BC is British Columbia’s music fund delivered through Creative BC, the Province’s lead agency for creative-sector funding and development.
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This week, BC is celebrating Creative Industries Week, an awareness week featuring organized events that showcase BC’s creators (Destination Vancouver/Vision Event Photography Inc.).
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CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future.
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British Columbians Can Access More in EV Charger Rebates
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The Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses and communities. BC residents, businesses and municipalities can receive higher rebates for EV charging stations through the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate and Fleets programs. For a limited time, funding will cover as much as 75% of eligible purchase and installation costs for EV charging stations, which is an increase from the previous 50% coverage. CleanBC supports government’s commitment to climate action to meet BC’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy.
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Okanagan-Similkameen Benefits from Flood-Mitigation Funding
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To help reduce flood risk, the Province is providing the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) with $100,000 to create an updated flood risk and hazard assessment. The Province is funding flood-mitigation planning projects in several communities affected by November 2021 flooding to help them prepare for freshet 2022 and increase long-term resilience.
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Funding is provided from Emergency Management BC’s disaster-mitigation budget (Destination BC/Hubert Kang).
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Alerts can be broadcast on radio and television stations, as well as on compatible wireless devices.
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BC Expands Emergency Hazards Alert
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The Province of BC is expanding use of the Alert Ready system in BC beyond tsunami warnings and Amber Alerts to also include imminent threats from floods and wildfires. The wireless alerting system is online and ready to be deployed for flooding, and will expand again to include wildfire threats by early June. The National Public Alerting System, publicly branded as Alert Ready, is a collaborative initiative between federal, provincial and territorial governments as well as industry partners. It provides a standard alerting capability to rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards to life.
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First Nations, Communities Benefit from Emergency Preparedness Fund
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More than 50 First Nations and local governments are receiving their share of more than $1.9 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to help improve emergency support services (ESS) in their communities. Funding will support communities building capacity to provide ESS through equipment purchases and volunteer recruitment, retention and training. ESS funding is part of the $189-million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and supports programs that strengthen the resilience of First Nations communities, local governments and residents.
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The Province is introducing 3 new streams this year to help First Nations & local governments better prepare for emergencies & the changing climate (Indigenous Tourism BC/Kimberley Kufaas/Cluxewe Resort).
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These investments are another step in reaching Canada’s target of ensuring all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada are zero-emission by 2035.
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New EV Chargers Coming to BC's Kootenay Region
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The Government of Canada is making it easier for Canadians to purchase, charge and drive electric vehicles (EVs) in British Columbia and across the country by announcing a $1-million investment to the Community Energy Association to help support the installation of up to 90 EV chargers across British Columbia’s Kootenay region. The Community Energy Association will select recipients through a transparent process, based on demand. The EV chargers will then be installed in public places, multi-unit residential buildings, on streets, at workplaces or at facilities for servicing light-duty vehicle fleets by October 2023.
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Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel
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In support of those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Canada has created the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) to help Ukrainians and their family members come to Canada as quickly as possible and to provide them with the ability to work and study while in Canada. The CUAET also gives those who are already in Canada the option to extend their visitor status, work permit or study permit so that they can continue to live and work or study in Canada temporarily.
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There is no cap on the number of visa, work and study applications that Canada will accept under the CUAET.
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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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Sign-Up for the Self-Guided Tourism Digital Academy
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Interested in Destination BC’s Tourism Digital Academy, our free, 8-week digital marketing program, but prefer to work at your own pace? The Self-Guided program offers BC-based tourism businesses maximum flexibility to fit the course into their schedules with unlimited access for six months to digital marketing instruction videos, templates and resources.
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There are no minimum experience level requirements to participate in the Self-Guided program.
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The new brand tagline captures the intent of fostering better human connections through the Star Alliance global network coupled with digital seamless connectivity.
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Star Alliance Celebrates 25th Anniversary as the World’s First & Leading Airline Alliance
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Star Alliance and its 26-member carriers celebrated the 25th anniversary of the world’s first and leading global airline alliance on May 14. This bold vision was established in 1997 based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. In conjunction with the anniversary milestone, Star Alliance and its member carriers will release exciting campaigns and customer innovations under the new brand tagline “Together. Better. Connected.”
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Lynx Air’s Inaugural Flight to Victoria Takes Off
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Lynx Air’s (Lynx) first flight from Victoria International Airport took to the skies on May 12, marking the commencement of twice weekly return services to Calgary international Airport. In the lead up to summer, Lynx will expand its return services between Victoria and Calgary to three times a week, offering 1,100 seats a week on this popular route. The airline is on a mission to make air travel accessible to all Canadians and, in line with that mission, Lynx is offering fares to Victoria from as low as $49* one way.
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Lynx’s network spans 10 destinations coast to coast across Canada including Victoria, Vancouver and Kelowna.
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View the digital flipbook online and also download the SCBC App!
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Newly Released Digital Versions of the 2022/23 Super Camping British Columbia Directory
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View the digital flipbook version of 2022/23 Super Camping/Select Lodging British Columbia, or go to the App store and download the Super Camping BC (SCBC) App. The SCBC mobile App is the digital companion to the SCBC print guide. The App lists RV Parks, Campgrounds, Resorts and Lodging businesses who are members or affiliates of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association. It also includes Tours & Drives, Driving Tips, Google Maps and much more. Go to the App Store on IOS or the Play Store on Android and download today.
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Harbour Air Leads in Sustainable Aviation
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North America’s largest and first fully carbon neutral airline, Harbour Air has recently launched a new route that connects downtown Vancouver with the Northern Sunshine Coast town of Powell River. This flight option saves hours of travel time and multiple ferry trips. This is the latest addition to their flight routes that include panoramic sightseeing tours of Vancouver, and flights to Whistler and Victoria.
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This exciting new service features flights twice daily landing on Powell Lake (Harbour Air Seaplanes).
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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 'How to Drive More Traffic to Your Website' (May 25) and 'Creating a Website for Your Business' (June 7). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Prepare for safety this hiking season by watching the video series.
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Trail Specific Hiking Safety Videos
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With the May long weekend approaching and historical search & rescue call volume already at a record high, the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) has officially launched the BC AdventureSmart series of videos that illustrate the joys and risks of the top 11 trails that have generated the most search and rescue calls in BC. In BC, the top three reasons for search and rescue callouts are from injury, getting lost/disoriented or exceeding an outdoor enthusiast’s abilities.
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Green Wine Future 2022 Conference
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Registration is open for the Green Wine Future 2022 Conference! The May 23-26, 2022 event will be an online gathering for the wine community focusing on topics such as sustainability, wine tourism, regenerative viticulture, green business opportunities and more. The conference offers a new way for speakers to present their information via a hands-on and practical approach through video footage, documentaries, and live broadcasts from vineyards and wineries. Register today!
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Visit the conference registration page for schedule highlights and watch the promotional video.
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The proceeds gathered from this year’s celebration will benefit Care Camps, a charity that helps children with cancer enjoy camping and spending time in nature.
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Canadian Camping Week May 24-29
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Campgrounds across Canada invite all Campers and RVers to celebrate the importance of the RV and Camping Industry during the seventh annual Canadian RVing and Camping Week from May 24 – 29, 2022. The celebration marks the official kick-off of Canada’s summer camping season and Canadian park owners will put their twist on celebrating the return of their campers during the week, through events, discounted overnight fees, and fun activities. The week is organized and sponsored by the Canadian Camping and RV Council and supported by the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association.
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2022 National Invasive Species and Climate Change Symposium
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The first ever National (and virtual) Invasive Species and Climate Change Symposium is fast approaching from June 7-8, 2022! The Symposium will incorporate a variety of workshops, keynote presentations, plenary and speedy sessions along with plenty of opportunities for networking throughout the event.
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Check out the two keynote speakers and find the rest of the agenda on the event website!
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Register for the conference!
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Travel and Tourism Research Association Annual Conference
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The 52nd Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) International Conference will be held in Victoria, BC from June 13-16, 2022. TTRA unites the best and brightest from the travel and tourism research community. This year’s conference theme is Regenerative Tourism: Building Resilience, and will focus on agility, increasing resilience in response to crises, sustaining resources, and equitably distributing tourism benefits.
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Mountain Escapes: A Backcountry Podcast
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Mountain Escapes is a podcast that aims to connect backcountry enthusiasts with the owners and operators of Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) member lodges throughout the province. In each episode, BLBCA highlights a unique lodge through conversation with an owner. They also feature guest appearances by other influential backcountry enthusiasts and industry experts.
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Listen to the podcast on Spotify! (Payam Mazloum)
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By signing on the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge, your organization will receive access to sustainability tools, templates, and resources.
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Take the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge
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Launched in June 2021 by GreenStep with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is a global movement of individuals, businesses, and organizations within the tourism and hospitality industry that believe tourism has a tremendous opportunity to become a force for good and change the world. The purpose of the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is to help tourism businesses and destinations measure and improve their sustainability performance. Take the pledge today!
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New Worker Health & Safety Orientation Checklist
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go2HR’s health and safety professionals have developed a customizable New Worker Health and Safety Orientation Checklist to make your summer season orientations easy. The checklist covers the regulated health and safety training topics, in addition to a variety of restaurant-specific examples to get you started. By following a consistent approach to orientation training, you can be confident that you are communicating your workplace responsibilities, hazards and procedures to all new hires.
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Download and review the New Worker Health and Safety Orientation Checklist.
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Watch the webinar recording!
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Webinar Recording on Retaining & Developing Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality (WORTH)
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On May 5, In the Seat at the Table webinar, Joanna Jagger, President of WORTH Association, examined why women aren't dominating in a female dominated industry and how we can work collectively to ensure more women take a seat at the table. The webinar includes findings from a research project with industry leaders and a Gender Equity Audit co-created by women in leadership roles, with recommendations and best practices.
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Discover Naramata Launches New Brand
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Through research and consultation with local business owners, residents, employees and visitors, a broad range of perspectives was considered in the launch of the new Discover Naramata brand. This fresh new look launched on May 11th introducing the new logo and brand colours. The new brand will be rolled out in stages over the next year. It builds upon a recent update in the organization’s funding model aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. and captures the magic of the winding road, rolling vineyards, and unique personality of Naramata.
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Discover Naramata is committed to growing the visitor economy sustainably across all seasons, attracting the right traveler for the benefit of the entire community (Destination BC/Andrew Strain).
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Biosphere certification is the 1st program of global significance 4VI has achieved for Vancouver Island since its transition from a destination management organization to a social enterprise.
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4VI Receives Biosphere Certification for Vancouver Island
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After a year-long process, 4VI has achieved the Responsible Tourism Institute’s Biosphere certification for Vancouver Island, which aligns with 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations in areas that include climate change, environment, social, economy and culture. 4VI joins a select group of close to 50 destinations worldwide to earn Biosphere certification, including only four organizations in Canada – all of which are located in BC – Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
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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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