BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative
Shames River | Northern BC Tourism/Jeanine Philippe
Launched in the 2023/2024 fiscal year and spanning two years, the BCTCRI pilot project received a $3 million investment from the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS) through the Destination Development Fund, to establish a foundational program to support a resilient tourism sector in preparing for and adapting to climate change.
Led in close collaboration between Destination BC, TACS, and tourism industry partners, the BCTCRI helps tourism businesses across the province adapt to the impacts of climate change. The initiative includes four key projects: supporting sustainability and adaptation planning, offering micro-grants to help implement those plans, building a shared data framework, and building province-wide collaboration through networking and knowledge-sharing. This pilot initiative and its projects have been designed to strengthen the climate resiliency of the tourism sector, aligning with the sustainability and adaptation goals outlined in the following provincial-level strategies:
- TACS Strategic Framework for Tourism 2022-2024
- Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy: Actions for 2022-2025
- Destination BC’s Corporate Strategy 2023-2025
The goals and intention of the BCTCRI is to ensure:
- BC’s tourism industry is better prepared to adapt to climate change.
- BC’s tourism industry is using a standard set of tools to track, measure and improve sustainable practices and climate adaptation initiatives.
- Foundation is set for a long-term sustainability and climate adaptation approach for the tourism sector in BC.
PROJECTS
Project One: Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for Tourism Businesses
Project Two: Micro-Grants to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation
Project Three: Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Data Framework
Project Four: Community Destination Stewardship Initiative
📢Applications for the Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for Tourism Businesses project are closed at this time. Work is underway to determine next steps for the future of the program, with a continued focus on strengthening climate resilience and sustainability for BC’s tourism industry. Updates will be shared as they become available. Continue to check the BCTCRI webpage and stay tuned for updates.
This program provides free, tailored support to tourism businesses in BC that are looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations. An experienced program advisor and supporting experts from Destination BC’s extensive network will work with organizations to develop a sustainability and climate adaptation roadmap and perform detailed assessments to identify the most impactful, customized measures for climate resiliency. Learn more →
📢Applications for the Micro-Grant Program to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation are currently closed. Work is underway to determine next steps for the future of the program, with a continued focus on strengthening climate resilience and sustainability for BC’s tourism industry. Updates will be shared as they become available. Continue to check the BCTCRI webpage and stay tuned for updates.
This program provides micro-grant funding up to $15,000 for eligible tourism businesses that are ready to build on their sustainability or climate adaptation plan to implement a project or obtain sustainability certification. Projects must be non-planning related, and include infrastructure enhancement, equipment purchases, or development of new systems that support previous planning processes. Learn more→
Project 3 directly relates to BCTCRI goal and intention #2: BC’s tourism industry is using a standard set of tools to track, measure and improve sustainable practices and climate adaptation initiatives. Learn more→
Project 4 is designed to establish a provincial network across BC, enhancing the management of climate resiliency and sustainability within community destinations and the broader tourism industry. The program offers comprehensive learning opportunities through workshops, discussions, and other engaging formats, providing communities with essential knowledge and tools. Learn more→
OUR PARTNERS
The BCTCRI and its representative projects are developed and delivered in collaboration with partner organizations, including the six Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs), Indigenous Tourism BC, and the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport working together to meet the goals of this initiative.
Get in Touch
To find out more or ask questions about the BCTCRI or any of the four projects, contact us at [email protected].
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