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Destination BC Directions: September 23, 2022
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The Kettle River running through a forest with autumn colours (Destination BC/Tom Ryan).
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NEW! Learn more about the Invest in Iconics Strategy, including timelines, frequently asked questions, and more online.
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New: Invest in Iconics Hub
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As you may know, Destination BC is transforming the way BC is seen through the eyes of travelers around the world. Together with the support of Indigenous Tourism BC, BC’s tourism industry, and communities throughout the province, we are branding, marketing, and supporting the development of globally compelling places and routes that span the entire province of BC. To learn more about this work, including the strategy overview, timelines and engagement, FAQs and more, checkout the refreshed Invest in Iconics Strategy Hub.
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New Domestic Fall Marketing Campaign offers Partner Toolkit and Discounted Media Rates
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On September 1, Destination BC launched The BC Effect: the latest domestic seasonal marketing campaign encouraging British Columbia and Alberta residents to explore BC this fall by highlighting seasonal experiences that are abundant throughout the province. Running now until November 10, the campaign is designed to motivate travellers to plan and book a 3+ night fall trip, enticing visitors with the healing and restorative powers of nature throughout the province. To support BC’s tourism industry and help partners align with these marketing efforts, Destination BC is also offering a campaign partner toolkit that includes messaging suggestions and discounted media rates for tourism partners across the province.
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Visitors can share photos and videos of their BC travels on social media using the hashtag #exploreBC (Destination BC/Yuri Choufour).
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Share this update and the application process with your networks via LinkedIn, now!! (Cowichan River Lodge)
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📢Tourism Marketing Committee Applications for the 2023-2025 Term Now Open!
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Want to join the Tourism Marketing Committee (TMC) and work with us to develop a successful, dynamic, and sustainable tourism sector for BC? The call for applications for the 2023-2025 term is now open with a deadline of October 11, 2022. We are seeking six representatives for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2023. The TMC requires one representative from the following tourism regions: Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Northern BC & Vancouver, Coast and Mountains. Additionally, the TMC needs two representatives from Vancouver Island. No new representatives for the Thompson Okanagan region are required for 2023. Find out more about the skills/experience we are looking for and apply!
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Tips for Responsible Travel in BC Instagram Guide Now Available
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To further support visitor education and responsible travel in BC, Destination BC has put together a new Instagram Guide with tips to help visitors in BC leave a positive impact during their trip. The guide is available to view on @HelloBC's Instagram page, and will continue to be expanded over the coming months.
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Login to Instagram and read the guide! (HelloBC)
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For more information about Accessible Tourism, visit Destination BC’s Learning Centre (Tourism Chilliwack/Jennifer Kleingeltink).
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Accessibility Attributes on HelloBC
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Did you know visitors to HelloBC.com are able to search for accessible accommodation, attractions, activities, and experiences? Take part in Disability Employment month this September by ensuring your business appears in the search results. Highlight the accessible features available at your business and add your business’s accessibility features to your HelloBC Listing.
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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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Co-op Marketing Highlight - Take flight with The BC Bird Trail!
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This September brings the launch of the third annual BC Bird Trail campaign. Supported by funding from Destination BC's Co-op Marketing program, and through social media, blog posts, feature video, photography, and community engagement, the BC Bird Trail showcases diverse birdlife and habitats while highlighting destination management organizations (DMO's) through a nature tourism lens.
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Joining the flock for 2022/23, Whistler and Squamish are forming the Sea To Sky Bird Trail – with Langford and Osoyoos joining as independent Bird Trail Outposts. Looking to continue expansion with subsequent campaigns, the BC Bird Trail is seeking new DMO's interested in joining the program's twenty-plus partners ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
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📢Register for the Tourism Digital Academy Program!
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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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There are two fall intakes on October 4 & 11. Register today!
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Read the Executive Summary report to learn more.
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BC Invests in High-Speed Rail Study to Link Major Pacific Northwest Cities
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The Province is supporting the feasibility of a high-speed rail service connecting Vancouver, Seattle and Portland with a $300,000 investment in the next phase of the Ultra High Speed Ground Transportation Project. Results from pervious phases of the study show the project presents significant benefits, such as:
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Stronger trade ties between BC, Washington and Oregon;
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Economic activity equalling as much as $355 billion within the region;
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Creation of as many as 200,000 jobs;
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Between 1.7 million and 3.1 million one-way trips annually by 2040, with Vancouver to Seattle estimated at 25% of the total (425,000 to 775,000 trips).
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Public Input Invited to Share Input for Belleville Terminal Redevelopment
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As the Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project begins, the public is invited to participate in the engagement process by providing feedback via an online survey. The Belleville Terminal serves as an international marine gateway for passengers in Victoria’s Inner Harbour and feedback gathered will support the Province’s business-case submission for modernizing facilities/operations while also informing the detailed design phase if the project is approved. The project is anticipated to generate $257 million a year in visitor expenditures and support up to 3,200 regional jobs in 20 years, providing long-term economic benefit to the region.
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Complete the online survey by October 20, 2022.
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The Capital Region Tsunami Information Portal is a Regional Emergency Management Partnership (REMP) initiative.
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The Province and the Capital Regional District (CRD) Launch New Tsunami Information Portal
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The Province and the Capital Regional District (CRD) are launching the Capital Region Tsunami Information Portal to empower residents and visitors to make informed emergency preparedness plans and keep people safe during a tsunami. Residents and visitors of the Capital Region can visit the Tsunami Information Portal to see if they are residing, working in, or visiting a tsunami hazard zone. Knowing the tsunami zones helps prepare now to act later in the event of a tsunami following an earthquake.
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More Communities Benefit from Active Transportation Infrastructure
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Residents across BC and visitors will soon benefit from active transportation infrastructure improvements! More communities throughout BC will have increased opportunities to choose walking, biking, and other sustainable travel options as this year’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program is accepting applications until Oct. 21, 2022. Through the program, the Province partners with Indigenous, local and regional governments to make cost-sharing investments of up to $500,000 in infrastructure, including enhanced sidewalk safety, protected bike lanes and multi-use paths, and end-of-trip connections to public transit, and other services.
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Strong and accessible connections are essential for creating safe and eco-friendly travel options.
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Search the database today!
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Economic Development Funding & Grants
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Wondering what funding sources are offered by the Province of BC? Find financial support for your economic development initiatives by easily searching the free online database. There are a number of funding sources that tourism industry stakeholders (businesses, regions, communities, and sectors) may consider and the database is a great tool to explore available options.
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Learn more about eligibility criteria and apply online.
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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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Our Learning Centre provides access to resources and tools, best practices, workshops, and training programs for BC’s tourism industry.
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Learn about accessible design elements including typography, typeface, colour and more (Unsplash).
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Accessible Graphic Design
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If getting your message across is the goal of graphic design, shouldn’t it be accessible to the widest audience possible? Uncover some general rules you can follow regardless of whether you’re creating a website, social media post, digital ad, or poster.
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Discover why mountain bikers love to visit BC trails!
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BC Towns Rank Amongst Best Mountain Biking Destinations in the World
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This summer, Singletracks Magazine asked thousands of readers to nominate their favorite mountain bike destinations. Whistler, Squamish and Fernie ranked as some of the best global mountain bike destinations to visit based on their natural trails, alpine scenary and trail design.
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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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Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
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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 'Marketing for Small Business' (Sept 27) and 'Get Started with Email Marketing' (Sept 28). To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Learn about the unique history, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous peoples in BC.
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September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
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September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
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September 27 - World Tourism Day
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Presented by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), #WorldTourismDay (WTD) returns on September 27, 2022 with the theme #RethinkingTourism to inspire consideration of the role tourism plays as a pillar of sustainable development and future growth. #WTD2022 will celebrate global renewed tourism efforts to bring stakeholders and local communities together around a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient sector.
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Check out some of UNWTO's projects to restart greener, smarter and safer tourism.
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Primary campaign markets are Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Calgary, Toronto, Seattle, and San Francisco.
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Destination Greater Victoria Launches Fall 2022 Campaign
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Running from September 6 – December 4, 2022, Destination Greater Victoria is investing over $350,000 to attract short-term leisure travellers. The marketing campaign will emphasize Greater Victoria’s unique selling propositions, including its mild climate, one-of-a-kind draws, and culinary scene. The campaign will utilize social media channels, blogs, paid digital advertising, and television. Building on the previous campaign, while incorporating seasonal elements, Greater Victoria will be positioned as a “world apart” – an island destination with a unique style where visitors can be themselves.
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ITBC Seeks Tourism and Business Development Experts
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The Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) Alignment Strategy supports and enhances a prosperous Indigenous tourism industry that connects visitors to exceptional and authentic Indigenous tourism experiences in BC. ITBC invites experts in various fields to register in their database that will be shared with Indigenous tourism businesses, communities, organizations, and entrepreneurs. Experts will work to listen, understand, advise, and develop a clear action plan with Indigenous tourism operators in BC to improve their business recovery and potential.
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Learn more about the business support experts ITBC is looking for and how to apply.
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