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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
December 2023 Newsletter
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A snowboarder carves a path down Whistler Blackcomb. | Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe
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The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains team is grateful to everyone who attended this year's VCM Industry Forum!
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Thank You for Attending the VCM Industry Forum!
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It’s a wrap on Vancouver, Coast & Mountains’ biggest event of the year! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the VCM Industry Forum on November 15, which was hosted at River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. From inspiring presentations to serious competition on the virtual bobsleigh leaderboard (shoutout to the Richmond Olympic Experience team!), we appreciate the terrific turnout.
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PacifiCan Launches Tourism Growth Program
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PacifiCan has launched a new Tourism Growth Program (TGP) intended to help small- and medium-sized businesses, tourism organizations, and local communities develop and grow tourism products and experiences that create lasting prosperity across the province.
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Apply for the new Tourism Growth Program by February 20, 2024.
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In the coming weeks, in-person information sessions will be held in Kelowna, Prince George, Victoria and Nanaimo, in addition to a virtual session streamed from Vancouver (check the PacifiCan website for details). Not-for-profit organizations and businesses are invited to submit applications until February 20, 2024.
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The VCM team is thrilled to be visiting communities across the region this fall and winter!
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The VCM team is on the road (and the ferries) to explore the region! Relationship-building is extremely important to us, along with seeing firsthand what’s happening in each of your communities. As of today, we’ve met with 23 communities and aim to finish visiting all 27 soon. In addition to making important connections, the team has been gathering information about each community’s approach to emergency preparedness, the steps they’re taking towards reconciliation, and strategic priorities for each area. This knowledge will also help to shape VCM’s three-year strategic business plan.
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Travel Media Relations & Travel Trade Update
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In 2023, VCM supported 32 travel journalists visiting the region beyond Vancouver and Whistler, garnering coverage in top titles like the Seattle Times and Canadian Geographic. We also supported community DMOs working with social media influencers, specifically to showcase festivals such as the Abbotsford Tulip Festival, Harrison Sunflower Festival and Squamish at Dusk. We will continue sharing the region’s stories in 2024, starting in January when we attend IMM North America to meet one-on-one with U.S. editors and freelancers.
To close out 2023, VCM will join forces with BC’s city DMOs, regions and Indigenous Tourism BC to train the team at Jonview, Canada’s largest receptive tour operator. We will also participate in the annual Canadian Inbound Tourism Association Plus (CITAP+) Winter Function, which brings together the tourism industry and receptive tour operators for professional development, a marketplace, and dinner.
For more information about VCM’s travel media relations and travel trade activities, or to share story ideas and new product updates, contact Heather McGillivray at [email protected].
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New Tourism Employment Projections Released
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Tourism HR Canada and The Conference Board of Canada have released the latest Projections of Tourism Employment in Canada, which offers a look at labour supply and demand through to 2027.
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Along with the full report are summaries for five tourism industry groups. I Tourism Maple Ridge/Chris Wheeler
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Video is best viewed on a mobile device.
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Vancouver Social Media Post Earns 5 Million Views in China
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Destination BC China recently launched a series of BC-themed videos through DBC’s social channels in China, each customized for that market. One of these videos, “Vancouver, a City Utopia to Nature”, was a swift success, racking up nearly one million views and over 60,000 comments/likes on DBC’s owned WeChat and Weibo channels in just two weeks. With amplification by influencers that DBC is working with, the video’s total views have reached five million. The 3.5-minute video showcases Vancouver’s appeal as a four-season destination with key experiences, along with highlights such as its diverse culture and sustainability.
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Spinal Cord Injury BC Celebrates VCM Partnership
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The VCM team was thrilled to join a recent event at the Vancouver Aquarium organized by Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCIBC). As part of the day, Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility and MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour, and other attendees participated in an accessibility assessment of the attraction and learned about the Nature4All app, which is being developed by SCIBC and the University of Northern British Columbia. VCM and SCIBC’s partnership aims to increase the number of HelloBC.com tourism business listings with accessibility attributes, thereby helping more people plan their trips with confidence.
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VCM and Spinal Cord Injury BC convened at the Vancouver Aquarium for an accessibility assessment and more.
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Don't Love It To Death aims to reduce scenes like this at popular outdoor sites. I Recreation Sites and Trails BC
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Access the Don’t Love It To Death Toolkit
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The Don’t Love It To Death (DLITD) initiative launched in Summer 2022 as the creative platform of the Sea-to-Sky Destination Education Initiative, with the intent to drive conversation and inspire residents and visitors to respect and protect natural spaces. Since then, the program has introduced a new website, deployed a consumer email program, and established a social media presence. Now, jurisdictions – including those beyond Sea-to-Sky – can access a free toolkit containing social media content, poster print files, and brand elements. If your organization or community outdoor user group has messaging to share, reach out to [email protected].
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go2HR is BC’s tourism and hospitality human resource and health and safety association, and proud to have served the industry for more than 40 years. One of the most impactful ways go2HR supports the tourism industry is through tailored industry training programs, including:
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SuperHost® Service for All – an equity, diversity, and inclusion training course
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SuperHost Foundations of Service Quality – a customer service fundamentals training course
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FOODSAFE Level 1 by Distance Education – an accessible way to access the FOODSAFE program for remote communities
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Foundations of Workplace Safety – a young workers safety fundamentals training course
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BSAFE™ – a tourism & hospitality specific COVID-19 health and safety training course
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And more exciting projects currently under development
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Mural Project (Coquitlam): Features a series of murals with themes of belonging and diversity installed at high-visibility locations, launched in consultation with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and Coquitlam’s Cultural Services Advisory Committee. Date: Ongoing
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North Shore Bike Park (North Vancouver): Recently opened, North Shore Bike Park is the largest indoor bike park in BC and heading into prime riding season. Date: Ongoing
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Vancouver Christmas Market (Vancouver): Browse the market stalls, sip on apple cider or glühwein, snack on tasty treats, and enjoy festive decorations. Date: November 16 – December 24
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Winter In The Village (Steveston): Marvel at enchanting light displays, explore the Festival of Trees at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, see Santa arrive by boat, and indulge in limited edition Steveston Sips drinks. Date: November 23 – December 31
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Illuminate Maple Ridge (Maple Ridge): Encourages exploration of Maple Ridge's abundant offerings, including a candy cane self-guided tour through festively adorned streets, with a chance to win prizes. Date: November 24 – January 5, 2024
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Lights at Lafarge (Coquitlam): Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display. Date: November 24 until the end of February 2024
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Magic of Christmas Festival (Langley): Features a holiday artisan market with over 30 vendors, live entertainment, food trucks (including a beer truck), carnival games and a Holiday Light Walk, located at Timms Community Centre. Date: December 2
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2023 CPKC Holiday Train (Lytton): Train passes through Lytton at the CPKC TMS Building; afterward, visitors can sip hot drinks and donate to the Lytton Community Food Bank. Date: December 17
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Check out Whistler's new changemaker video series.
I Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson
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Whistler Introduces Changemaker Video Series
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Did you know Whistler is on a journey to reduce emissions below 2007 levels by 2030? The new changemaker video series highlights several businesses implementing sustainability initiatives as part of Whistler’s Big Moves Strategy.
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Resources from BetterTable.ca
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The resources below can help improve sustainable operations at your food and beverage business:
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Educate and train staff on sustainability issues with the BetterTable Academy (FREE)
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Unlock grant funding to access a FREE food audit ($4,000 value)
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Learn about changing policies related to decreasing food waste and increasing food security
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Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by understanding that 8-10% of GHG emissions are associated with food that isn’t consumed
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Become certified as a diverse supplier through CGLCC
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Accelerate Your Digital Marketing! Register Now for the Tourism Digital Academy Program - Space is Limited
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Register for the upcoming Winter Intakes of our Tourism Digital Academy (TDA) Program:
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Jan. 16 – Mar. 6, 2024
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Jan. 23 – Mar. 13, 2024
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This free, eight-week digital marketing program is for BC tourism businesses that want to build their intermediate knowledge and skills in digital marketing. Designed for business owners or marketing team members, this comprehensive program provides actionable guidance and live sessions with industry experts that will help build your understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, and analytics.
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