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Directions: News from Destination BC
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The base camp lodging at Skeena Cat Skiing near Hazelton (Northern BC Tourism/Abby Cooper).
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The Visitor Centres receiving funding are part of our Visitor Services Network Program (Destination Vancouver/Kindred & Scout).
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Community-Based Indigenous Learning & Projects for BC's Visitor Centres
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We are providing $200,000 to 47 community Visitor Centres across BC through a new Indigenous Learning & Projects Grant for Visitor Services. This application-based grant program will help Visitor Centre staff in communities across BC by enhancing relationships and enabling partners to work collaboratively on projects, activities, and training that will foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture, history, and tourism products. Working together with over 50 First Nations, Visitor Centre projects range from Indigenous-led training programs for staff, Indigenous welcome and land acknowledgement signage, interpretive kiosks, digital content development, and more.
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Limited Space Available - Register for the Tourism Digital Academy Program in its Flexible New Format!
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New intakes for our Tourism Digital Academy are now open! Register for the free, eight-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses that want to build their knowledge and skills in digital marketing to an intermediate level. Designed for business owners or marketing team members, this comprehensive program provides actionable guidance that will help build a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, and analytics.
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Click here for more information on eligibility and our new more flexible format.
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The ITBC 'Spark' Program application deadline is Jan. 18, 2023!
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Program Aims to 'Spark' Indigenous Tourism Ideas Across BC
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We've partnered with Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and the Tourism Innovation Lab to launch the second ITBC “Spark” Program. The initiative will spark new Indigenous tourism ideas and experiences which authentically represent, celebrate, and promote Indigenous cultures, heritage, language, cuisine, and communities in BC. The program works by matching selected applicants with a tourism mentor, providing a $5,000 seed grant as well as additional partner support to help develop new tourism experiences.
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Congratulations Surrey/White Rock 'Spark' Program Winners!
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🎉Congratulations to the below Surrey 'Spark' Program Winners who successfully shared their new tourism ideas during the November 23, 2022 Finalists Pitch Session:
👏Kris Cu – Wildlife Photography
👏Lise Hines – With the Chef
👏Emily Hinrichs – Indigenous Themed Environmentally Friendly & Inclusive Playground
Each winner will receive $3,000, mentorship, and additional partner support to help bring their new tourism initiatives and businesses to life.
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We look forward to seeing these exciting new tourism experiences and offerings in the Surrey and White Rock area in the future!
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Read the full article online! (Destination BC/JF Bergeron)
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Haida Gwaii Press Trip, Exploring Indigenous Culture
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Our team hosted a group press trip in Haida Gwaii in September and, as a result of trip learnings and experiences, Afar Media recently published the article 'On Haida Gwaii, Exploring a Thriving Indigenous Culture.' The piece describes the spectacular beauty off the coast of BC, Haida culture, history, and eco-tourism initiatives in the local area.
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Invest in Iconics, A Dispersion Strategy to Differentiate BC on the World Stage
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As a tourism destination, BC offers something special: breathtaking natural scenery; Indigenous tourism that is unique to this province, world-class restaurants, cafes and hotels; experiences that engage, educate and inspire; exceptional arts, culture and sport; and, of course, a welcoming and diverse population. We want to inspire travel that benefits everyone and uplifts all communities in BC. We do this by creating brands for BC’s extraordinary places and routes that support strong and compelling storylines for how we want the world to see and think about the province. The Invest in Iconics Strategy is a long-term strategy to responsibly increase tourism revenue and visitation to BC through dispersion, using an integrated approach to place branding and destination development to competitively differentiate BC on the world stage.
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Learn more about the Invest in Iconics Strategy by visiting our corporate website (Malahat SkyWalk/Milen Kootnikoff).
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Download the updated Emergency Messaging Guidance document and share the responsible travel infographics on your social channels!
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Updated Emergency Messaging Guidance Now Available
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Our team has updated the Emergency Messaging Guidance document for BC's tourism industry with seasonal information. The November 2022 document includes new fall/winter responsible travel infographics, and outlines official emergency information resources for BC, and 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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Interested in this opportunity? Find out if your organization is eligible and submit an EOI form by 1:00 pm on Dec. 7, 2022.
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Destination Development Fund Expression of Interest Deadline Dec. 7, 2022
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The BC Destination Development Fund expression of interest deadline is approaching on Dec. 7, 2022! The Fund aims to support continued recovery and resiliency of the tourism sector post-pandemic by investing in tourism projects that:
✔Foster distinct and globally competitive destinations
✔Strengthen a year-round visitor economy
✔Increase community vibrancy and resident support for tourism
✔Support sustainability, accessibility and inclusion
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Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program Now Live!
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The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) is a new grant launched by the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation (JERI). The fund provides up to $33 million to support rural economic development projects that promote economic capacity building, economic diversification, resilience, clean economy opportunities, and infrastructure development. Additionally, REDIP supports economic recovery and transition in communities affected by impacts in the forest sector.
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The REDIP Deadline for applications is Jan. 4, 2023 at 1:00 pm.
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Over 350,000 International Visitors Arrived to BC in September 2022
Destination BC’s latest International Visitor Arrivals figures show that 375,595 international visitors arrived to BC in September 2022. The top countries of arrival were the US (#1), United Kingdom (#2), Australia (#3), and Mexico (#4).
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This monthly publication summarizes customs entries data to British Columbia and Canada from selected markets of origin.
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This report monitors the current views of British Columbians on travel and tourism as well as tracks travel and tourism behaviour intentions in the context of COVID-19.
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More than 70% of BC Residents Value Community-Level Contributions of Visitors
Destination BC’s latest Resident Perception report shows that 75% of BC residents value the contribution visitors have on their local community
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Vancouver Island and the Coast have unparalleled assets on which to build – including the region’s world-class tourism attractions.
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New PacifiCan Offices and Expanded Footprint will Better Support Local Economic Development for British Columbians
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The Government of Canada has announced the official opening of new PacifiCan offices in Victoria and Campbell River, serving businesses and communities across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Central Coast, and Sunshine Coast. PacifiCan works with partners who are building innovative businesses, creating quality jobs, and supporting inclusive growth throughout our province. PacifiCan’s expanded footprint will help British Columbians build a stronger economy on Vancouver Island and the Coast through access to high-impact local investments and quality business advice.
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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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With over 300 Business Education webinars per year covering over 40 different business topics, SBBC is dedicated to helping you gain the business, financial, and digital literacy needed to develop your tourism business.
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Free Access to Small Business BC Webinars and Online Education
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We've partnered with Small Business BC (SBBC) to provide tourism stakeholders across the province with free access to SBBC’s webinars and online education to support COVID-19 recovery and help mitigate ongoing impacts.
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As a commitment to the 2SLGBTQI+ community, Accent Inns dedicates significant resources to support local queer-friendly community groups and organizations.
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Congratulations to Accent Inns on Becoming Rainbow Registered!
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Congratulations to Accent Inns on becoming the first hotel chain fully Rainbow Registered in Canada! All nine affiliated properties are officially Rainbow Registered with Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce. Rainbow Registration is a national Canadian accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses and organizations that outlines standards to ensure 2SLGBTQI+ visitors feel safe, welcomed, and accepted.
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Pan Pacific Hotel Properties in Whistler Win Awards
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Pan Pacific Whistler Hotels came out on top at this year’s World Ski Awards. Coinciding with its 25th anniversary, Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside was named Canada’s Best Ski Hotel for the 10th year in a row and for the first time, Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre received the award for Canada’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel.
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Pan Pacific Whistler is a haven of comfort with two thoughtfully designed properties nestled between Whistler’s majestic mountains and anchoring its vibrant village.
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Earlier this year, Air Canada won five honours for excellence in leisure and lifestyle travel, and the best of family travel from Global Traveler and its sister publication WhereverFamily.
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Air Canada Named Best Airline in North America for 4th Straight Year by Global Traveler
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Air Canada has been named the Best Airline in North America for the fourth consecutive year by the readers of Global Traveler (GT). The airline also won for Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness for the third consecutive year in the 19th edition of the GT Tested Reader Survey of the magazine’s readership of frequent business and luxury travelers.
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2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference & Awards
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Registration is now open for the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference! The conference will take place at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre from March 1 - 3, 2023. Early bird registration rates are available until January 19, 2023.
The 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards are presented by TIABC and the BCHA to recognize and celebrate the excellence, leadership, and innovation in BC’s tourism & hospitality industry. These Awards demonstrate a standard of excellence for operators and employees in the industry, showcasing the province’s best products, services, experiences, and people. Nominees can be self-nominated or nominated by other organizations/individuals. The awards nomination deadline is December 15, 2022.
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New 4VI Corporate Website Soft Launch
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4VI recently soft launched the new ForVI.ca website. Their updated website will help visitors gain understanding of 4VI's role as a social enterprise, their current social impact work, and vision to ensure that travel is a force for good. The site displays accessibility features to help advance 4VI's ongoing commitment to align with equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts.
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4VI is focused on four pillars of social responsibility: communities, culture, environment, and businesses.
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