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Directions: News from Destination BC
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Pond hockey on Green Lake in Whistler. (Destination BC/Andrew Strain)
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The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Launches: Apply Now for Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning
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The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI) recently launched to help BC’s tourism industry face the impacts of climate change and will play a vital role in harnessing opportunities to build a climate-aware tourism industry that is better prepared to proactively respond to climate-related threats.
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The BCTCRI aims to support BC’s tourism industry in developing a clean, sustainable, & regenerative tourism landscape. (Northern BC Tourism/Jeanine Philippe)
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The BCTCRI is comprised of four project streams, that invest in climate adaptation and sustainability planning for tourism businesses, micro-grants to help with implementation of climate adaptation and sustainability plans, development of a data framework to enable better insight-driven decisions, and new province-wide learning and training opportunities. This BCTCRI builds on the achievements of the BC Tourism Sustainability Network (BCTSN) – a collaborative sustainability support program for BC’s tourism industry that was initiated in 2022.
Apply Now - Project One: Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for BC Tourism Businesses
The evolution of the BCTSN program, now powered as the first project stream under the BCTCRI, is OPEN for applications on a first come, first served basis while spots last! Tourism businesses in BC can apply to receive FREE, tailored support to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations, with an experienced program advisor and supporting experts working collaboratively to develop a sustainability and climate adaptation roadmap and perform detailed assessments to identify the most impactful, customized measures for climate resiliency.
Future Projects
Later this month, starting on January 29, 2024, the BCTCRI will begin accepting applications for Project Two: Micro-Grants to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation. This second project stream offers micro-grant funding of up to $15,000 to tourism businesses that are eligible under the Program Guidelines and prepared to build on their sustainability or climate adaptation plan to implement a project or obtain a sustainability certification. An additional micro-grant intake is planned for fall 2024 to provide future opportunities for tourism businesses that need more time to prepare or enhance their sustainability and climate adaptation plan or road map. Project Three: Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Data Framework and Project Four: Community Destination Stewardship Initiative will launch later this year.
BCTCRI Partnership
The BCTCRI was created through a provincial partnership with Destination BC, the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, BC’s six Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs) – the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region, 4VI – and Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC). This initiative is being funded through a $3 million investment from the provincial Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, over two-years, as part of BC’s Destination Development Fund.
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Rainforest to Rockies Launches in the United Kingdom and Australia
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The new iconic brand, Rainforest to Rockies, is launching this month in the UK and in February in Australia with a full spectrum of marketing activities, including immersive technology, that will inspire visitors to travel to British Columbia. The BC Wall of Wonder is a public activation in London and Sydney with a 26-foot wide and 8-foot-high screen that lights up and reflects passersby in images of ever-changing landscapes of this iconic route from the coastal rainforest to the iconic Rocky Mountains.
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Rainforest to Rockies is launching in the UK and Australia!
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Rainforest to Rockies received a warm welcome in Hong Kong earlier this month.
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Rainforest to Rockies Pre-Launches in Hong Kong
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This month, Destination Canada China, Destination BC, Destination Ontario, Tourism NWT and Air Canada hosted a travel trade gathering in Hong Kong, including 25 key clients from Guangdong province and over 70 Hong Kong tour operators. During the event, Destination BC unveiled the Rainforest to Rockies (R2R) brand to positive feedback from travel trade guests, who expressed a strong interest in developing R2R itineraries and products this year. The brand exposure preluded the official R2R launch activities planned for the China market this March.
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Register Now for the January Intake of the Tourism Digital Academy
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The Tourism Digital Academy is a 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. From setting goals to building a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, and analytics, the program instills confidence and knowledge so participants can put their plans into action. The next winter intake starts January 23 and runs until March 13, with a live session taking place weekly. There are still spaces available, so register today!
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Register for the January intake of the Tourism Digital Academy today!
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Sign up for expert-led crisis communications training. (Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton)
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Elevate Your Crisis Communications Skills
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Destination BC is offering two Crisis Communications Planning training sessions this winter/spring, with a goal of equipping BC tourism businesses with the skills required to effectively communicate during crises, including emergencies, reputational issues, and more. The application-based training encompasses 10 hours of guidance over two days, and is led by seasoned crisis communications experts. Upcoming workshops will take place February 6 and 8, and April 16 and 18.
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Destination BC Becomes Rainbow Registered®
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Destination BC openly embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and we are proud to share that our organization is now Rainbow Registered® – an accreditation given to 2SLGBTQI+ friendly spaces. The accreditation signifies an ongoing commitment and effort to provide a warm and accepting experience for 2SLGBTQI+ employees and consumers through progressive policies and practices, with a program that stands at the forefront of efforts to promote 2SLGBTQI+ inclusivity in Canada's tourism industry.
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Destination BC is Rainbow Registered®!
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Ready to grow your business? Apply before February 20. (City of Quesnel/Bonnie Grenon)
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Apply Today for the PacifiCan Tourism Growth Program
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Are you a tourism business or non-profit looking to grow? Apply for the Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) Tourism Growth Program, an initiative designed to help small- and medium-sized businesses, tourism organizations and communities develop tourism products and experiences that create lasting prosperity. PacifiCan is accepting applications until February 20. In the coming weeks, information sessions will be held in Kelowna, Prince George, Victoria and Nanaimo, along with a virtual session hosted in Vancouver.
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Spring Camping Reservations Available at BC Parks
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Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your BC camping trip! BC Parks has opened its online booking portal, with visitors able to book a campsite four months ahead of their desired arrival date. This year, BC Parks has added Martha Creek Provincial Park to the reservation system, with 83 campsites available to book. In 2023, over 366,000 camping reservations were made – a 15 percent increase over 2022.
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It's time to reserve your BC camping site! (Tourism Revelstoke/Daniel Stewart)
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Your feedback can help to shape the Disaster Financial Assistance program. (Destination BC/Jordan Dyck)
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Public Input on Disaster Financial Assistance Deadline Extended to January 31
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Want to help shape and improve how the Government of British Columbia provides financial support following a disaster? Through extended public engagement, people, communities and small businesses are invited to share their experiences and provide written feedback by January 31 to help inform new policies for the Disaster Financial Assistance program. Input from BC's tourism industry can help ensure small businesses and communities are better supported following future disasters.
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Apply for the Workplace Accessibility Grant by March 31. (Northern BC Tourism/Marty Clemens)
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Workplace Accessibility Grant Accepting Applications Until March 31
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The Workplace Accessibility Grant provides direct financial assistance to small business employers in BC looking to create accessible work environments for persons with disabilities. Reimbursement grants are available up to $5,000 for eligible businesses that demonstrate how their project improves accessibility. Applications will be accepted until March 31.
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Funding Supports to Consider in 2024
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Seeking funding supports for your tourism business in 2024? Consider the B.C. Employer Training Grant program, which helps small, medium and large enterprises secure skills training for their workforces, including new hires. Employers can apply as often as needed and receive 80 percent of the cost of training, up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000.
Businesses can also apply for the Climate Disaster Response Fund, provided by Heritage BC and partners. The fund offers emergency assistance as a first step in assessing and addressing future challenges and the need for long-term climate adaptation and support. A total of $75,000 is available, with a maximum award of $8,000.
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Explore new funding resources to help your business shine this year. (Destination BC/@vancouverfoodie)
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