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Destination BC Directions: April 8, 2021
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Cherry blossoms in Vancouver (Tourism Vancouver/Vision Event Photography).
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Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant Supports Hospitality Businesses Affected by Recent Public Health Orders
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The BC Government has introduced the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant, which provides fully funded grants to hospitality and fitness businesses impacted by the recent provincial health orders. Grants between $1,000 and $10,000 are available to all eligible businesses that partially or fully closed to comply with the March 30 orders.
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New Public Health Orders in Effect through April 19
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In response to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the provincial health officer announced new public health orders that took effect March 30, and will continue to April 19. Updated guidelines include take-out or delivery service only at restaurants and bars, with outdoor patio service offered to immediate household or core bubbles; fitness centres restricted to one-on-one activities; and suspension of indoor worship services.
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New public health orders will continue until April 19, at minimum (Tourism Vancouver Island/Ben Giesbrecht).
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We stand with Asian communities in BC and around the world who continue to experience the traumatic effects of racism.
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It's Time to Stop Asian Hate
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Many of you have heard about, or experienced, the acts of violence and anti-Asian rhetoric that have escalated in recent months. Many members of Destination BC, our colleagues and industry partners, and residents of BC are directly impacted by this senseless hate. As a global tourism development and marketing entity, we stand with Asian communities in BC and around the world who continue to experience the traumatic effects of racism. We are committed to telling BC’s stories through diverse voices, and improving diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in all aspects of our work.
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Stay Local, Support Local: Take-Out & Outdoor Dining Guides
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While now is not the time to travel, there are still ways for British Columbians to have a safe, pleasant—and delicious!—spring season, all while staying in their own communities and observing the latest public health guidelines. To encourage locals to find safe and responsible ways to support local businesses, we’re curating a new Take-Out & Outdoor Dining Guide for BC Residents on HelloBC.com, and sharing related content on our owned channels. Want to share a food and drink guide for your community? Here's how.
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Northern Lights Estate Winery in Prince George is one of many businesses highlighted in our Take-out and Outdoor Dining Guides (Destination BC/6ix Sigma).
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The BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund application deadline has been extended to April 23 (Destination BC/Andrew Strain).
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BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund Deadline Extended
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The application deadline for the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund has been extended to April 23. Delivered through Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport, the $5 million fund offers non-repayable grant contributions of up to $45,000 to market-ready BC Indigenous businesses financially impacted by COVID-19.
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CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
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'Road Touring Boundary BC' shares several roadtrip-inspired itineraries for exploring the picturesque region.
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“Road Touring Boundary BC” Ready for Launch when the Time is Right
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Communities in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) have, for several years, taken a regional approach to tourism promotion. Since the beginning of the Co-op Program in 2016, the RDKB and Big White Resort have partnered to promote “Road Touring Boundary BC”, which outlines several road itineraries for exploring the picturesque area. When the time is right, the group will amp up awareness by promoting Highway 3 and Highway 33 as alternative ways to discover the outdoor experiences that make Boundary Country a place of invigorating, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
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New Mental Health Resources Available to Tourism and Hospitality Workers
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Employers and employees across BC who work in tourism, hospitality and community social service sectors can now access vital mental health resources through a new digital hub. The resource offers several tools to address workplace concerns like COVID-19 exposure, bullying and harassment, as well as workshops, webinars and information for workers to manage stress and build resiliency.
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Visit BC's Hub for Workplace Mental Health to find support and resources (Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe).
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Workers will be granted time off to receive their COVID-19 vaccination.
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Workers Granted Time Off to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
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The BC Government has made regulatory improvements under the Employment Standards Act to bring in job-protected leave for workers needing time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Full- and part-time workers can take time off to receive the vaccine, or take a dependent family member. The government is also exploring options to provide workers with paid leave while getting their vaccine.
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New Funding Announced for Inter-city Bus Operators and Regional Airports
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The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced new funding of $6.2 million to 20 inter-city bus operators and $16.5 million to 55 regional airports to help them stay open and continue providing essential transportation service to British Columbians. The investment will support operations between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.
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Applications Open for the Increased Employment Incentive
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Applications are open for the Increased Employment Incentive (IEI), which was announced as part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan. IEI earmarks up to $190 million for businesses that were able to hire new workers, hire back people who were let go, or increase workers’ hours during the last three months of 2020. The tax credit could amount to as much as $2,230 per employee, and is available to all employers in BC, with the exception of public institutions and political parties.
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New Funding Announced for Commercial Recreation Operators
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The BC Government is providing an additional $1.87 million to assist businesses that hold eligible tenures for fishing and hunting lodges, guest ranches, ecotourism lodges, seasonal campgrounds and other commercial recreation operators. Part of the initiative includes rent forgiveness for 438 operators that contribute significantly to rural economies, with an overarching goal of helping communities recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
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Fishing lodges are one of many commercial recreation operators receiving assistance from the provincial government (Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson).
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Ucluelet is one of 32 communities receiving funding to develop tourism infrastructure in the region (Destination BC/Jordan Dyck).
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Tourism-dependent Communities Granted Funding for Projects across BC
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Thirty-two communities that depend heavily on tourism revenue have received a combined $19.4 million through the Tourism Dependent Communities Initiative, part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan. Intended to generate jobs, create valuable assets for communities and attract more visitors in the future, the funding supports 46 tourism development projects, including updated trails for e-bikes and adaptive trikes, signage, solar electric-vehicle charging stations, and sea kayak touring. All approved projects must be completed by March 2023.
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CEBA Application Deadline Extended
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The Federal Government has extended the application deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), which provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to Canadian small businesses and non-profits. Applicants now have until June 30 to apply.
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Wage and Rent Support Rate Structures Extended
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The Federal Government has announced an extension to the current rate structure of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support, from March 14 to June 5. The maximum wage subsidy rate for active employers will remain at 75 percent; the maximum rent subsidy rate will remain at 65 percent; and Lockdown Support will remain at 25 percent and continue to be provided independent of the rent subsidy, providing eligible, hard-hit businesses with rent support of up to 90 percent.
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BC Residents' Public Perceptions: COVID-19 Travel and Tourism Wave 22 Report
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Destination BC is monitoring British Columbians’ current views on travel, and tracking travel and tourism behaviour intentions to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the industry
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This report is released approximately every two weeks to track opinions and intentions and watch how results trend over time.
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This report summarize the various research findings from Destination BC, suppliers, other tourism agencies and associations.
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COVID-19 Research Roundup: Week 39
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Our Research Roundup report is updated weekly with relevant research and articles related to the travel and tourism industry and COVID-19.
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2019 Value of Tourism Snapshot
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Our 2019 Value of Tourism Snapshot summarizes the economic contribution of tourism in BC, featuring useful indicators such as total tourism revenue, export revenue, GDP, employment and businesses. Note that each year sees a time-lag (e.g. 2019 estimates are available in early 2021) due to the availability of complete annual business data, as well as processing and review time.
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This snapshot summerizes the economic contriution of tourism in BC.
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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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What to Look for in a Booking Engine: New Guide!
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There are hundreds of tools claiming they can help manage online bookings for your business, but businesses aren't all the same! Our new Booking Engine Guide shares important criteria for you to consider when searching for online booking tools (hint: necessary features include ease of use, live inventory and transparent availability, confidence/security and social proof).
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There are a number of factors to consider as you introduce or improve your ecommerce experience.
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Golden Skybridge Slated for May 2021 Opening
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Golden will soon offer the highest suspension bridges in Canada when the new Golden Skybridge, a multi-season mountain experience, opens in May 2021. Soaring 426 feet above an expansive canyon in the Columbia Valley, the attraction boasts panoramic views of the Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges, with a rushing river and thundering waterfall below. Visitors can explore three kilometres of nature trails, along with a treetop village play park.
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When it opens in May, the Golden Skybridge will be home to the highest suspension bridges in Canada.
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WestJet is introducing 11 new routes in late June.
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WestJet Announces 11 New Routes across Western Canada
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WestJet has announced 11 new routes across Western Canada, with nearly all of them visiting communities in BC. The nonstop flights will be introduced in late June, and are intended to support economic recovery and sustain jobs in travel and tourism.
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Swoop Airlines is bringing new routes and ultra-low fares to BC.
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Swoop Airlines Expands Summer Schedule within BC
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Swoop Airlines has expanded its summer schedule, bringing new routes and ultra-low fares to BC. The expansion responds to strong advance sales and anticipation of demand from price-conscious travellers seeking to resume domestic travel when restrictions have been lifted.
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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 How to Understand and Interpret Financial Statements for your Business (April 13), which demystifies the process of maintaining financial records and interpreting financial statements; and Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses (April 20), which shares tips on spreading the word about your business. To access the webinars free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Destination Canada's updated messaging will align the tourism industry as we move through recovery (Destination BC/Boomer Jerritt).
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Destination Canada Releases Updated Messaging to Support Recovery
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Destination Canada has released new key messaging intended for use by the entire tourism industry, with an eye towards ongoing collaboration that supports economic recovery. Relevant for regional marketing, industry presentations or media relations, the updated document outlines proof points for each key message.
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Job Alert: Indigenous Tourism BC Seeking Executive Coordinator
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Indigenous Tourism BC is seeking an executive coordinator to provide senior administrative support to the House of Tyee, the Chair and the collaborative leadership team. The position will also offer administrative and logistical support for corporate events, and coordinate general administration of the ITBC office. Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter by April 23.
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Indigenous Tourism BC is seeking a new executive coordinator (Vancouver Island/Ben Giesbrecht).
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Support, Ship & Sip raises funds for hospitality workers and wine industry students.
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Order Wine Online and Contribute to the Support, Ship & Sip Campaign
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Township 7 Vineyards & Winery and the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) have partnered on the second annual Support, Ship & Sip campaign, which raises funds for hospitality workers in financial distress and contributes to a new wine industry education fund for students. To participate, simply purchase your favourite vino from Township 7 – the winery will donate $10 from every online order to the BCHF.
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Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) Virtual Spring Conference
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Between April 26 and 30, CWSAA will host a virtual gathering featuring riveting sessions and buzzy socials.
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The CWSAA conference content has been selected to complement that of Rocky Mountain Lift Association and National Ski Areas Association’s annual conference.
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Destination BC COVID-19 Communications
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Here's how to stay connected on the latest from Destination BC:
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If you have questions that can't be answered through the various resources on our website and official channels, please send them to covid19response@destinationbc.ca and we will work to address them.
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