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Destination BC Directions: June 3, 2022
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Float plane taking off at Nimpo Lake in the West Chilcotin's pristine wilderness (Destination BC/Kari Medig).
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Donate and support the rebuilding of Lytton!
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#LyttonStrong Fundraiser June 3-12, 2022
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On June 30th, 2021, the beautiful Village of Lytton was destroyed by a wildfire. Fort Berens Estate Winery Ltd, based in Lillooet, has a deep connection to the people and community of Lytton. Since the fire, the Fort Berens team has been looking for ways to be part of the community rebuilding efforts. A few months after the fire, while driving from Lillooet to Lytton, the Fort Berens team started to craft a plan to launch a fundraising campaign.
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One of the few things in Lytton unscathed by the fire was Winch Spur Vineyard. The Pinot Gris grapes from this vineyard became grapes with a special purpose – they would be used by the Fort Berens team and other supporting partners to craft a Special Edition Pinot Gris wine, from which 100% of the proceeds would be donated to the recovery and rebuilding of Lytton. 120 cases of the special edition wine will be sold during the #LyttonStrong fundraiser from June 3 @10am to June 12 @8:00pm.
Want to support Lytton? Here's How:
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Donate to the fundraiser via this link. In addition to wine sales, there will be a silent auction with unique and experiential items, a 50/50 raffle, and the opportunity to donate directly online.
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Share details about the fundraiser with your networks. Access a variety of different web and social media graphics here.
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The special edition wine is available for direct online purchase here. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to rebuilding Lytton.
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Visit Destination BC's website to read more about sector-based project examples (Northern BC Tourism/Christos Sagiorgis).
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Destination BC Provides $4.2 Million for Collaborative Tourism Marketing Initiatives in BC Communities
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Destination BC is providing $4.2 million to support 84 tourism projects across British Columbia this year through its Co-operative Marketing Partnerships Program, to continue to foster a collaborative “Team BC” approach to tourism marketing and further support the sector as it recovers.
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The program helps partners drive consumer demand and increase tourism revenues by investing resources where and when capacity exists, leveraging private and public funds to maximize marketing impact, and creating deep collaboration to enhance our collective global competitiveness as an industry, which has become increasingly crucial as global travel restarts.
For the last seven years the program has supported communities in every corner of the province, funding new and established marketing initiatives for both tourism destinations, and key activities such as golf, ski, mountain biking, wine touring, backcountry lodges, camping and RVing, and fishing.
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Destination BC Appoints Neil McInnes As Vice President, Corporate Development
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Destination BC is thrilled to announce that Neil McInnes has been appointed to the permanent role of Vice President, Corporate Development at Destination BC. For the past year Neil has served as Acting Vice President, Corporate Development during one of our industry’s most challenging times. Neil consistently demonstrated his strengths and capabilities while leading the comprehensive range of core corporate activities that comprise the five areas of responsibility of the Corporate Development Division - Corporate Services, People and Development, Research and Analytics, Corporate Communications, and Corporate Planning and Information Management.
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Please join us in congratulating Neil on his new permanent role!
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Use the 2022 BC Tourism Week Industry Toolkit and join us in celebrating!
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National Tourism Week 2022
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Our industry once again has the green light to regain its top spot as a GDP contributor and quality-of-life creator for BC residents. We hope everyone is enjoying Tourism Week 2022 and sharing the message of #GreenMeansGo and #BCTourism Counts! This year, Destination BC along with destinations, landmarks, attractions, venues, and hotels in BC is lighting up in green until June 4 as part of a national #GreenMeansGo campaign to raise awareness of the tourism industry’s economic, social, and cultural importance in Canada. We invite you to join us in welcoming the world with green lights, meaningful engagement, and, most importantly… a desire to GO!
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Last week, the Destination BC team attended Rendez-vous Canada+ (RVC+) in Toronto. The team had an amazing time showcasing BC travel experiences to international travel trade partners while reconnecting with fellow tourism industry colleagues and professionals. We enjoyed an incredible lunch of fresh Bannock and fruit served by Paul Natrall owner of Mr. Bannock | Indigenous Cuisine. During lunch on May 26, Maya Lange (Destination BC) and Cohen Isberg (Indigenous Tourism BC) co-presented by welcoming delegates to experience BC’s rainforest inside the Toronto-based conference centre. Maya and Cohen shared details about 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘊 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 - 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦 campaign and invited attendees to visit and #explorebc.
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Visit our LinkedIn page for more behind the scenes photos of RVC+ 2022.
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Work will soon begin to conduct in-person assessments of a wide range of tourism businesses in the VCM region.
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VCM Tourism Region Announces Accessible Tourism Partnership with Spinal Cord Injury BC
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The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) tourism region, managed by Destination British Columbia, and Spinal Cord Injury BC have announced a partnership to support the long-term growth of accessible tourism experiences in the region. This new agreement will see the two organizations working collaboratively to enhance and promote accessible tourism products and services, helping to address the needs of visitors who identify as having a disability.
This new partnership builds on the Accessible Tourism Strategic Framework & Action Plan implemented by Destination BC to support the development and improvement of accessible tourism products, services, and activities to ensure people of all abilities can participate in BC’s transformative experiences.
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BC Effect Ontario: Global TV Toronto Partnership
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As part of The BC Effect campaign in Ontario, Destination BC partnered with Global TV Toronto to extend our reach through news programming and editorial coverage, including a contest to win a $5,000 trip to BC. In addition to the contest and contest promotions on Global News programming and Global TV social channels, Global TV Toronto personality, Liem Vu, flew out to Vancouver to experience The BC Effect. During this trip, Liem and his team created 4 editorial segments in a series called “Eat, Play, Stay,” which aired in Ontario on Global News Morning and Global News in late April and early May. All segments are now available to view online:
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Watch the 1st segment featuring Granville Island, Lee’s donuts and Talasay Tours.
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Watch the 2nd segment featuring Salmon and Bannock and Sea Safari.
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Watch the 3rd segment featuring the Sea to Sky Gondola and the Dine Like a Critic tour at the Fish Man restaurant.
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Watch the 4th segment featuring the Skwachàys Lodge.
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Watch the BC-based editorial segments in the 'Eat, Play, Stay' series!
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143,771 international visitors arrived to BC in March 2022
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Destination BC’s latest International Visitor Arrivals figures show that 143,771 international visitors arrived to BC in March 2022 including 102,374 overnight visitors from the United States and 7,648 visitors from the United Kingdom.
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For more information, please contact: Destination BC's Research & Analytics team at [email protected].
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This report is released every month to track BC Residents' tourism opinions and intentions, and watch how results trend over time.
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BC Residents' concern for welcoming visitors reaches historic low for the study
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Destination BC’s latest Resident Perception report shows that BC residents concern for welcoming visitors from all areas is at a historic low for the study.
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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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This AccessAbility Week, we invite all British Columbians to celebrate the people who are working to achieve a barrier-free BC (Destination BC/Hubert Kang).
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May 29 to June 4, 2022, is AccessAbility Week in British Columbia and in Canada. While this is the fifth year our province has celebrated AccessAbility Week, it is the first time since the introduction of the new Accessible British Columbia Act. AccessAbility Week is a time to remember that an inclusive society is one where all people can participate equally in their communities and workplaces. This year, the government is providing $500,000 in community grants to improve accessibility and inclusion. The grants will be distributed by Disability Alliance BC (DABC) to support local accessibility projects in communities throughout BC.
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BC Improves Inclusivity for People with Developmental Disabilities
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New provincial funding of nearly $5.3 million means more organizations can focus on creating projects that will make life better for people with developmental disabilities. The funding will support Re-Imagining Community Inclusion (RCI) projects in the priority areas of inclusive housing, employment, health and wellness, inclusive Indigenous services and a community-inclusion innovation fund, which focuses on inclusion projects.
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The initiative’s RCI steering committee has a vision through to 2028 for “people with diverse abilities to thrive fully and equally with everyone.”
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Since RHFAC’s launch in 2017, more than 1,600 sites have received ratings across Canada.
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New Funding Boosts Accessibility in BC Communities
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Thirty sites in eight municipalities and two Indigenous communities are receiving grants through the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) to support the creation of more welcoming, inclusive places for people living with disabilities. The province provided $2.5 million for the grants, which will also be used to expand the Accessibility Professional Network across the province and increase use of the RHF Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) rating. Grants will support physical improvements to areas such as entranceways, vehicle access, emergency systems and signage.
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BC Investing More than $2.4 Billion in Metro Vancouver Transit Improvements
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The Province is supporting public transit expansion for people in Metro Vancouver through a significant investment in TransLink that will mean better and more convenient service, lower emissions, and healthier, more livable communities BC is contributing more than $2.4 billion to advance key transit and infrastructure priorities, including the Surrey Langley Skytrain and electrification of the bus fleet, as part of its ongoing commitment to fund 40% of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision.
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The investment plan supports the Province’s climate-change & clean-economy objectives through the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030.
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The Budget 2023 consultation, including the online survey, is open until June 24, 2022, at 3 pm (Pacific time).
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British Columbians Invited to Share 2023 Budget Priorities
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People in British Columbia are asked to share their ideas and priorities to help make life better for people, businesses and communities as government plans Budget 2023. Budget 2022 focused on continuing to protect people’s health and livelihoods, while building an economic future that works for everyone. Government will continue to put people first and, as government looks ahead to Budget 2023, continue to look for ways to keep bringing costs down for families.
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BC Restoring Flood-Damaged Waterways With Local Partners
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Local communities, First Nations and specially trained teams have removed significant amounts of large- and small-scale debris from BC rivers affected by November 2021 flooding. Approximately 75% of all identified debris from Phase 1 of the project is cleared. Crews continue to assess affected areas and are planning to identify and remove any remaining debris as part of Phase 2 of the debris removal program following the freshet season.
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The program has provided employment for nearly 500 people in local communities and First Nations.
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Check the River Forecast Centre website for updated advisories and forecasts that show specific areas of heightened flood risk.
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British Columbians Urged to Prepare for Spring Flood Season
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British Columbians are urged to follow all directions of local authorities and take steps to prepare for the possibility of flooding. The risk of spring flooding is elevated across BC, particularly in parts of the Interior and the North, due to a significant delay of snowmelt from cooler-than-normal conditions in April and May.
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The Government of Canada recognizes the urgency of the situation and continues to work with all partners to address wait times as a priority area.
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Government of Canada Working with Airports and Air Carriers to Reduce Wait Times
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The Government of Canada recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travellers. As travel volume surges, there are reports of delays in many aspects of travel including airport security screening, luggage handling, along with many other areas. The federal government is working with airports, air carriers and other airport partners to find solutions to reduce delays in airports in advance of the summer peak season. The goal of this collaboration is to ensure efficient services for inbound and outbound passengers, so Canadians are able to travel smoothly and safely.
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New Federal Tourism Growth Strategy
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The Government of Canada announced the launch of public consultations for the post-pandemic Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. Canadian tourism stakeholders from coast to coast to coast are invited to share feedback as the federal government works towards charting a path forward for the tourism sector. The strategy will build on the work already done since the launch of the original strategy in 2019, with a particular focus on:
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Labour gaps and instability
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Investment attraction and destination development
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Long-term economic growth across the country
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The consultation period will run for 64 days, from May 18, 2022, to July 20, 2022. Share feedback before the deadline (Tourism Vancouver Island/The Great Trail).
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The Victoria International Airport is a key transportation hub not just for Victoria, but for much of Vancouver Island.
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Government of Canada Supports Victoria International Airport with New Funding for Critical Infrastructure Projects
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As we work towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, investments in airport infrastructure continue to be crucial to maintain safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, workers and communities. More than $4 million in new federal government funding will help Victoria International Airport recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and support continued air services and important airport transportation infrastructure projects.
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Canadian Passport Application Backlog
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In response to an unprecedented backlog of passport applications, Service Canada recently announced they have hired 600 new employees specifically to support the processing of passport applications, opened more dedicated passport intake counters in over 300 Service Canada Centres, opened additional processing hubs, and created a “new workload management and processing technology” intended to increase efficiency. The office also launched a new online appointment-booking tool.
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In accessing eServiceCanada from your computer, tablet or cellphone, you can book your appointment online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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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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How to Work with Receptive Tour Operators
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Receptive Tour Operators, which provide tourism products to tour operators, can open your business up to new markets. In this short video, Mariko Ishikawa of ARA Professional Travel and Support shares inside knowledge and tips for working with RTOs.
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Watch the video to learn more! (Destination Vancouver/Westcoast Sightseeing)
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BC is home to more than 200 First Nations, each with its unique dialect, language, and traditions.
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ITBC Launches Guide for Developing Tourism and Media Relationships in Indigenous Communities
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Many non-Indigenous tourism and media organizations look to develop respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) has compiled an information toolkit to help individuals understand and build relationships with the First Peoples of BC. Authentic Indigenous cultural experiences not only create memories for BC visitors, but they are also transformative. They restore the feeling of connection with all things and become the highlight of a traveller's experience.
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BCHA Establishes Partnerships to Connect Members with Foreign Workers
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To support members with their hiring needs, the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) announced that they have finalized Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the Consulate of Barbados and the Consulate of El Salvador. Both partnerships will open doors by offering greater access to jobs for those who are keen to expand their careers in hospitality. Many individuals from Barbados and El Salvador have experience and skills in hospitality related jobs. As both countries have higher unemployment rates, there is less opportunity for these workers in their home countries.
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In order to hire workers, the employer will need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
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Flair Airlines launched in 2004 as a charter airline and began offering regularly scheduled service in 2018.
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Flair Airlines Can Keep Flying in Canada
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Flair Airlines celebrated a major win recently as a federal regulator ruled the upstart carrier is Canadian. The decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) means that Edmonton-based Flair can keep its operating licence, bringing an end to Flair's months-long battle to clarify its ownership and governance structure or lose its right to fly in this country.
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RBC GranFondo Whistler is Back!
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This September, the RBC GranFondo Whistler returns after a two-year hiatus. The event is a stunning point-to-point cycling journey along the famous Sea to Sky Corridor between Vancouver and Whistler. There are distance options from 55 km to 122 km and all offer beautiful landscapes and a clear, traffic-free passage along the Sea to Sky Highway.
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The largest Gran Fondo in North America, the September 10-11, 2022 event is inclusive and open to everyone. Register today! (Destination BC/Robin O'Neill)
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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' (June 7) and 'Blogging to Promote Your Business' (June 8). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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The workshop is a safe environment where people can engage in meaningful discussion. Register today! (Destination BC/Hubert Kang)
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Reconciliation Through Conversation
in Tourism and Hospitality Online Workshop
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On June 7 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (PST), the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is hosting an online workshop to share how tourism and hospitality experiences can spark conversation that leads down the path towards reconciliation. Reconciliation through tourism is an ongoing journey, one that will take a collective effort to find a new way forward. Thompson Okanagan tourism and hospitality professionals in all sectors are invited to take part in this important conversation.
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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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go2HR Tourism & Hospitality Labour Market Information Research Project
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go2HR announced the completion of the BC Tourism & Hospitality Labour Market Information (LMI) research project. The project launched in January 2021 with the purpose of developing up-to-date and relevant LMI to provide the industry with the data needed to ensure a thriving workforce during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The final report details labour demand projections, recovery scenarios, and a summary of worker and employer sentiments about the industry, as well as recommendations to plot the path forward on labour recovery.
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Read the final report for key insights and learnings.
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Food tourism can play a significant role in preserving local heritage while building on existing tourism assets and driving innovation (Destination Vancouver/Hawksworth Restaurant).
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Culinary Tourism Alliance Launches Food Tourism 101 Guide
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Culinary Tourism Alliance has created the Food Tourism 101 Guide. The aim of this 3-class program is to provide food entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and networking opportunities to elevate their food businesses (restaurants, food retail stores, and or food products) in their local communities with the aim of repositioning themselves and attracting tourists to their regions and identifying new products and/or services to promote future growth.
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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 (TIAC), 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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By signing on the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge, your organization will receive access to sustainability tools, templates, and resources.
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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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