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Destination BC Directions: August 26, 2022
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Rainbow trout catch at Northern Lights Lodge in Likely (Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson).
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There are two fall intakes on October 4 & 11. Register today!
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Tourism Digital Academy Program- October Registration Now Open!
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The free 8-week digital marketing program is for BC tourism businesses who are interested in building their knowledge and skills in digital marketing. Designed for business owners or their marketing team members, this program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance to complete your digital marketing plan. To make the program more accessible, we've combined self-guided learning videos with live sessions which will reduce scheduled time and improve flexibility for businesses, as the self-directed learning videos can be watched on participants’ own schedules during the course and are available 24/7.
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Destination BC’s Fall Marketing Campaign Needs your Travel Offers
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Destination BC’s fall marketing campaigns will encourage people from British Columbia and Alberta to explore BC. As part of these campaigns, we are promoting the travel offers posted to the Travel Deals page on HelloBC and encouraging potential travellers to explore a variety of BC experiences, attractions, and accommodations – and we need your help! Eligible businesses are encouraged to post travel offers on HelloBC to help us drive visitors to you.
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There is no cost to participate and submitting your offers is easy! (Northern BC Tourism/Jeanine Philippe)
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Rates are available now until December 31, 2022.
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Industry Partner Opportunity: 2022 Media Discounts
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As BC’s tourism industry gears up for fall and winter marketing programs, Destination BC is pleased to share discounted media rates for our industry partners. If you’re a BC tourism business, CDMO, RDMO, sector association, or Indigenous Tourism BC, you’re eligible for these rates. Eligible organizations can see each vendor’s rate card for more information, including vendor contact details and how to participate.
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BC Nominated For Wanderlust Travel Award!
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BC has been nominated for most the 'Most Desirable Global Region' by Wanderlust, UK’s longest running travel magazine. The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards will decide the most desirable Cities, Regions, Countries, and Emerging Destinations, as chosen by the Wanderlust readers. BC is a firm-favourite with Wanderlust readers, who are known for their discerning travel choices. Voting is open and the winner will be announced on November 8th.
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Learn more about campaign performance on our corporate website.
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UK Broadcast Media Campaign Activities Promoting The BC Effect
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Following Dr. Khan’s visit to BC in May, DBC's UK team, supported by broadcast media specialists, Markettiers, launched a UK campaign promoting BC and the BC Effect during World Wellbeing Week (June 27). This served as an opportunity to leverage interest from World Wellbeing Week in alignment with The BC Effect campaign as it showcases BC as a top destination for improving the physical and mental wellbeing of visitors. The media campaign included both radio and TV with pre-recorded audio packages, live interviews and social media posts by Dr. Khan. The results have been incredible, with a total reach of 11,014,097!
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Griff’s Canadian Adventure – UK Broadcast Premier Channel 4
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Last Fall, Destination BC provided support to the team responsible for producing 'Griff's Canadian Adventure' travel series hosted by veteran Welsh comedian Griff Rhys Jones. Destination BC connected the production team with partners in the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains and Vancouver Island regions to assist in filming efforts. The travel series was launched in April on BBC First in Canada and now, the series will be broadcasted on Channel 4 in the UK.
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Watch the BBC First trailer and sneak peaks here.
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Continue to visit our social channels on Twitter and LinkedIn for more resources and tips on emergency preparedness.
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Emergency Preparedness for BC's Tourism Industry
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Destination BC's Emergency Preparedness webpage is available with key tools to help BC’s tourism industry prepare for emergencies such as wildfires and flooding. The Emergency Messaging Guidance document outlines official emergency information resources for British Columbia, as well as suggested messaging, visuals, and actions for BC’s tourism industry during emergencies. It can help tourism businesses navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions during emergencies.
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Over 50% of BC residents plan on travelling for a day trip in the coming weeks
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Destination BC’s latest Residents' Perception report shows that 57% of BC residents plan on travelling in BC for a day trip in the next 4 weeks, an increase of +5 points from the previous month.
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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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Find out which northern Vancouver Island communities are receiving additional rural development grants.
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Grants Support Tourism, Infrastructure in Vancouver Island Communities
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People living on Hornby Island and northern Vancouver Island will see a boost in tourism and local food production through a series of rural development grants. Supported by the StrongerBC Economic Plan, the BC government is supporting tourism and infrastructure in the region with more than $2.5 million in grants for Indigenous organizations and local governments.
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Rural Development Funding Supports Tourism in the Fraser Valley
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New rural development grants will help organizations in the Agassiz-Harrison area upgrade a meeting and retreat centre, and create more tourism opportunities and jobs. The Government of BC is supporting tourism and infrastructure in the region with $1.5 million in rural development grants supported by the StrongerBC Economic Plan.
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Building resilient communities is a key action of the StrongerBC Economic Plan.
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The Kootenay Lake Ferry Service Improvements project is funded by the Province of BC with a contribution from the Government of Canada.
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Upgrades to Ferry Terminals Support Kootenay Lake Travel
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Kootenay Lake ferry users are now enjoying improved amenities, more parking and better access at the Province’s Balfour and Kootenay Bay terminals. At the Kootenay Bay terminal, the existing washroom facility is now more accessible, and there are new electric vehicle charging stations for EV drivers, along with better lighting and parking improvements. At the Balfour terminal, improvements include a new washroom facility and a significant increase to the terminal’s vehicle queue capacity. Upgrades were also made to Highway 31/3A to improve safety and traffic flow within the community. Sidewalks and lighting also improve connections between the terminal, a new transit stop and the highway.
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Province Seeks Input - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
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The Province is seeking input from BC employers and employees on whether the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) should be designated a provincial statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act, starting in 2023. In 2021, the federal government designated September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which grew from a grassroots campaign called Orange Shirt Day. Since this day is a federal holiday, it only applies to roughly 10% of workplaces in BC. While some BC employers may decide to recognize this day and provide their employees a paid day off, there is currently no obligation for them to do so. A provincial statutory holiday would change that.
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Take the engagement survey.
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For more details on current fire bans and restrictions in a specific region, visit this link.
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Reminder: Campfire Bans in BC
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As hot and dry seasonal weather conditions continue, the risk of wildfires is still prevalent in BC. Since August 4, 2022, campfires remain banned in the south of BC, including the Coastal, Kamloops & Southeast Fire Centres. Follow the latest wildfire news:
🟠On the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app;
🟠On Twitter;
🟠On Facebook;
🟠On the BC Wildfire Service website.
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The federal government is taking steps to reduce wait times including increasing staff for security screening and customs processing.
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The Government of Canada and Industry Partners Continue Efforts to Reduce Air Traveller Wait Times
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In response to long air traveller wait times, the Government of Canada encourages Canadians to know their rights when they travel by air under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. In addition to the current regulations that already apply to cancellations and delays due to staff shortages, new regulations taking effect on September 8, 2022, will apply to future flights that are cancelled for reasons outside an air carrier's control, including major weather events, a pandemic, as well as situations where it is not possible for the carrier to complete the passenger's itinerary within a reasonable timeframe.
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Canada Digital Adoption Program
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As consumers increasingly move online to shop, it’s essential for small businesses to develop e-commerce capabilities to remain competitive. As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, a $4 billion investment to help small and medium-sized businesses get online with new digital tools, the Government of Canada has two streams to support small businesses across the country. They have partnered with Small Business BC and Digital Main Street to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant. Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with costs related to adopting e-commerce, with support provided from a network of E-commerce Advisors. They also support the Boost Your Business Technology grant which offers support to eligible businesses who want to adopt new digital technologies.
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Learn more about eligibility criteria and apply online.
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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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Hiring People with Disabilities Makes Business Sense
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Star employees currently exist in a talent pool that many employers overlook. Read more to discover several reasons why hiring people with disabilities makes business sense.
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Exceeding financial targets and effectively anticipating change are two of many key benefits to cultivating an inclusive workplace.
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Join us in congratulating Destination Vancouver and purchase tickets for the gala! (Destination Vancouver/360hometours.ca Inc)
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Destination Vancouver Wins BCAMA's 2022 Marketer of the Year Award!
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Congratulations to Destination Vancouver on winning the BCAMA's 2022 Marketer of the Year award! Mark your calendars for November 24th, 2022 and join the 50th annual gala celebration of the BCAMA's Marketer of the Year Awards! Attend the event to hear the story of how Destination Vancouver demonstrated marketing distinction through their agility in times of uncertainty, collaboration with partners and the community, the breadth of high-quality, interconnected marketing initiatives, the creativity behind those initiatives, and the outstanding results that together helped inspire and rebuild Vancouver’s tourism economy.
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Northern BC Tourism Association Becomes Biosphere Certified
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Congratulations to the Northern BC Tourism Association on receiving Biosphere Certified Destination status from the Responsible Tourism Institute! This status demonstrates that Northern BC has a commitment to growing and building the tourism sector in the region in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The certification is based on established standards in areas that include climate change, environment, social, economy and culture.
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Congratulations on leading the tourism industry in sustainability efforts! (Northern BC Tourism/Andrew Strain)
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Learn more about the project on Harbour Air’s Going Electric webpage (Harbour Air).
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Harbour Air’s All-Electric Aircraft Operates First Point to Point Test Flight!
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The ePlane team at Harbour Air Seaplanes recently announced that the first direct all-electric point to point test flight has been completed! The historic De Havilland Beaver plane was retrofitted in 2019 to operate using 100% electricity and it flew 45 miles in 24 minutes during the test run. The aircraft left their terminal on the Fraser River adjacent to YVR and landed in Pat Bay adjacent to YYJ. This is a major milestone in the advancement of all-electric commercial flights.
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Tourism Kamloops becomes Rainbow Registered!
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Congratulations to Tourism Kamloops on becoming Rainbow Registered! Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for LGBT+ friendly businesses and organizations. When you see a Rainbow Registered symbol, you know the business or organization meets a stringent set of standards to ensure LGBT+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted. By achieving this accreditation, Tourism Kamloops builds upon its vision of their community becoming a welcoming and inclusive travel destination for LBGT+ and other visitors in the region.
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Read more about the Rainbow Registered accreditation program (Tourism Kamloops).
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Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
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SAP Canada Expanding Pro Bono Volunteering to Support Indigenous-Owned Businesses
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SAP Canada has launched a Pro Bono for Economic Equity program in support of Indigenous-owned businesses. Over six weeks, SAP employees will spend one week working full-time with their assigned Indigenous-owned business and five weeks working at least eight hours per week. They have begun the volunteer recruitment and training process and are looking for Canadian Indigenous-owned businesses to sign up and participate in the program.
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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" (Sept 7) and "Creating a Website for your Business" (Sept 13). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Stay tuned for the agenda and registration details.
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Save the Date for the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference!
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The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) have announced that the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference will take place in Prince George from March 1st – 3rd, 2023. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to connect with other tourism businesses, DMO’s, industry colleagues, communities and government leaders - share ideas, ask questions, network, learn, and explore northern BC!
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Save The Date – 2023 Destination Canada Business Events Sales Plan Partner Presentation
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The Destination Canada Business Events (DCBE) team will present the 2023 Business Events Sales Plan to their Team Canada partners on September 15. The webinar presentation will highlight global business events trends, Canada’s business events outlook as well as DCBE's 2023 sales tactics.
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Register in advance for the webinar.
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Camping Appreciation Weekend
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The weekend of September 9 – 11, 2022 is Camping Appreciation Weekend! Camping is an affordable family activity that promotes a sense of community, creates life-long memories and encourages British Columbians and visitors to discover BC’s rich landscape and engage with nature. Book a camping spot at one of the participating BC campgrounds (advance reservations are recommended).
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Wanderlust Sustainability Initiative Awards
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The Wanderlust Sustainability Initiative Awards will return in 2022 with the goal of showcasing tangible impacts of sustainability efforts in four categories – Tour Operators, Tourism Boards, Airlines & Accommodation providers. Applications are free of charge and the winners will be decided by Wanderlust’s judging panel of sustainability experts.
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Learn more about key criteria. Applications are open until September 16.
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Find out more and register online.
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International Indigenous Tourism Conference Registration Now Open!
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Registration is now open for the 2023 International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC)! The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) will host the conference from March 8-10, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This conference is designed to unite the global Indigenous tourism industry bringing together tourism operators, international delegates, members of parliament and tourism partners. Under the theme of ‘Adventure for Understanding,’ the conference will help build connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners while also sharing diversity and inclusion practices.
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Disability Employment Month at SBBC
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September marks Disability Employment Month in BC. With funding provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia WorkForce Development Agreement, Small Business BC (SBBC) is marking this occasion by hosting Accessibility Month: It Matters. All month long, SBBC is offering free access to business education for their entire community – regardless of disability status. Their goal is to make SBBC’s educational resources as widely accessible as possible.
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Access free webinars for accessibility month online.
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The chairs were acquired through the Youth Innovation Component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) Program.
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Beach Wheelchairs Available at the Tofino Visitor Centre!
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Tourism Tofino now has two Sand Rider beach wheelchairs available to borrow at the Tofino Visitor Centre. The chairs are designed to be easily disassembled for transport, with large tires that are suitable on soft sand. Guests are encouraged to book the chairs in advance by calling or emailing the Visitor Services team; 1.250.800.7380 ext. 0 / [email protected].
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