Introducing the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Sustainability Playbook

We are thrilled to launch our latest industry resource, the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Sustainability Playbook, created for tourism businesses and destinations.

The Playbook guides users through a step-by-step process of measuring baseline performance and creating an action plan for improvement. Designed using global best practices and input from regional partners, the playbook includes tools and industry resources for quick implementation into your operations. Whether you are a team of one or many, the playbook will set your organization up for success on its sustainability journey.

DOWNLOAD THE PLAYBOOK →

It's a Wrap on the VCM Community Forum

The VCM team is still buzzing from last month’s Community Forum, held at the Civic Hotel in Surrey. The annual event provides an opportunity for the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains and Destination BC teams to connect with community partners and to share updates between all the organizations. This year’s agenda placed a heavy emphasis on sustainability in many different forms, including social procurement and regenerative tourism. Thank you to all the presenters for sharing their time and knowledge with us and to all of the communities who were able to participate. 

Stay tuned for details on the VCM Industry Forum this fall, which is open to all tourism partners in the region. Make sure you follow us on LinkedIn for event updates!

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Community Spotlight: Surrey

Speaking of Surrey, the VCM team was reminded of the exciting things that are happening in this community. Some highlights: 

• Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House recently opened in South Surrey. The name Totest Aleng was gifted by Semiahmoo First Nation and roughly translates to “learning house.” Various activities are being planned for this new gathering space.
• Discover Surrey has launched a new Street Food Trail, which is an extension of the Surrey Spice Trail. Make a day of it and hit all eight stops.
• If you’re looking for live music this summer, the Sounds of Summer concert series is taking place in multiple parks across the city. Check out the lineup and get some local recommendations on where to fill up your picnic baskets!

Chinese Canadian Museum Now Open

The Chinese Canadian Museum officially opened in Vancouver on July 1. The date is significant as it marked the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, also known in the Chinese Canadian community as Humiliation Day. The new museum is housed in the Wing Sang Building which was built in 1889 and is the oldest building in Vancouver’s Chinatown. As Grace Wong, the Museum’s Board Chair, said at the opening, “It is truly groundbreaking and momentous for Canada to have a dedicated museum that honours the history, legacies, and contributions of Chinese Canadians throughout the generations.” 

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Jericho Lands Update

The City of Vancouver is looking for feedback from the public on the latest proposal for the Jericho Lands. The Jericho Lands are a 36-hectare (90 acre) site located on the west side of Vancouver and owned by the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Canada Lands Company. The landowners’ revised site concept includes details on land use and housing, density and building heights, parks and open space, transportation, and public amenities

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Tla’amin Nation to Map
Desolation Sound Marine Park

The Tla'amin Nation has started a two-year project to protect culturally significant sites in Desolation Sound on the Sunshine Coast—the oldest of which is 7800 years old. The work has been made possible through the Destination Development Fund, with additional investment coming from the Nation.

“We are proud of our territory and want to continue to share this special place with visitors in responsible ways,” says Hegus (Chief) John Hackett.  “The fact is, 50 years and millions of visits after the establishment of the park, we continue to see the resting places of our ancestors damaged and pillaged.”

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We are Hiring! Join our Team

We are hiring two Senior Program Advisors for the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. These roles provide project management leadership to develop and support the implementation of integrated, strategic destination development plans. The application deadline is July 27 at 4 p.m.

WORK WITH US →

Hero Video for Don't Love it to Death Campaign

The Don't Love It to Death program, an initiative by the Sea-to-Sky Destination Management Council, has recently launched a new video to raise awareness about the negative impacts facing natural spaces and communities. The video, produced by TOPO Films, seeks to drive conversation and inspire residents and visitors to respect and protect the wild places they love. Launched ahead of the May Long Weekend, the video has since garnered nearly 500,000 impressions and over 100,000 video views across Meta and YouTube. The program continues to fuel and facilitate conversations about responsible recreation in our region and beyond. 

watch the video →

Did You Know Google's Universal Analytics is No Longer Collecting Data?

You may have heard about Google Analytics (GA) sunsetting their Universal Analytics (UA) program effective July 1, 2023, which means it is no longer collecting data; historical data will only be available until July 1, 2024. It’s important for all tourism businesses to install Google’s next generation of analytics, GA4, in order to continue collecting customer data. 

To support tourism businesses and operators with this transition, we’ve created a new Learning Centre resource, Everything You Need to Know about GA4, that outlines key details tourism businesses need to be aware of to seamlessly changeover to or install GA4. These two Learning Centre articles have also been updated to reflect the GA4 program:

• Using Google Analytics To Understand Your Audience
• Getting Started With Google Analytics And Social Media Metrics

learn more →

Colour Accessible Travel in Mission

The City of Mission has become the first city in BC to loan special glasses which can help people with colour blindness experience the vivid colours of nature, artwork, and outdoor activities in the community. Both indoor and outdoor glasses are available for residents and visitors to borrow at the Mission Visitor Centre. “We are thrilled to be able to make the glasses available through a free-loan program, and accessible to those coming to Mission and the Fraser Valley,” said Clare Seeley, Manager of Tourism for the City of Mission. “We have been working hard to begin to address accessibility needs across the spectrum and so far, have added accessible doors, a hearing loop, and now colour-blind glasses to our inventory, thanks to Federal Funding.”

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New Hotel Coming to Chilliwack

A new 150-room Marriott brand hotel is scheduled to open in Chilliwack in 2025, addressing the increasing demand for accommodations in the region. The Fraser Valley's accommodation occupancy for the first four months of 2023 averaged 77.7%, slightly behind Whistler and Vancouver Airport hotels. The need for hotel investment was recognized pre-pandemic during the creation of the Fraser Valley Destination Development Strategy, when partners in the region highlighted the lack of adequate hotel rooms as a key priority. The Fraser Valley Destination Management Council plans to promote the region's potential for hotel development at upcoming investment conferences.

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July 25 Webinar: Grant Writing Best Practices for REDIP Applications

The Government of British Columbia has recently launched the second intake of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), offering a great opportunity for rural and remote communities, First Nations, and not-for-profit organizations to submit applications to fund projects that strengthen and diversify their economies. This intake is open until October 30, 2023. Need help preparing your application? Join grant writers Mathew Wilson and Desiree Baker for a webinar on Tuesday, July 25 from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. to learn best practices, along with tips and tricks specific to REDIP. Please register in advance. 

REGISTER →