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Directions: News from Destination BC
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Vanderhoof Tourism and Cultural Centre | Vanderhoof (Northern BC Tourism/Andrew Strain)
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Link updated, Destination BC's Travel Media monthly report is available now!
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Destination BC Travel Media Coverage Report: June 2024
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Destination BC has a well-developed program to work with travel media – journalists or outlets who specialize in telling travel and lifestyle stories – to create exposure for BC as a destination of choice. Travel media relations is an essential marketing channel to tell our brand story, build awareness, and encourage travellers to visit BC.
In the month of June 2024, we tracked 26 pieces of coverage for destinations in the province with an estimated 5.87 million combined views.
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Destination BC hosted the Tourism Industry Webinar on
August 1, 2024. The recording is available now to re-watch or see what you may have missed.
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Missed the Destination BC Tourism Industry Webinar? Watch the Recording Now!
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Destination BC hosted a Tourism Industry Webinar on August 1, 2024 to update our partners across the industry on the current state of tourism in the province and the work being done across our various program areas.
The full recording is now on our YouTube channel to catch up on the many valuable updates we covered.
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BC Nominated for Wanderlust Reader
Travel Awards - Vote Now!
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Voting is open for the Wanderlust Travel Media Reader Travel Awards and BC has been nominated in multiple categories. In addition to voting BC for Most Desirable Region, you can also vote Vancouver Island for Most Desirable Island, Vancouver for Most Desirable City, and Canada for a number of write-in country categories.
Take a moment to vote and help recognize BC as a world-class destination!
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Tourism Digital Academy Now Accepting Applications!
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Tourism Digital Academy is now accepting applications for two intakes this fall! This free, eight-week, program is ideal for BC tourism businesses looking to elevate their existing digital marketing skills to an intermediate level. This program will help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the digital marketing world and succeed in your digital journey.
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This program is open to BC-based tourism businesses with active websites, a minimum level of digital marketing experience, and the capacity to dedicate up to ten hours per week. The Fall 2024 intake dates are:
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October 8 – November 27, 2024
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October 14 – December 4, 2024
Seats are limited to 25 per intake and are expected to fill quickly. Don’t miss your chance to apply for this application-based course to help tourism businesses flourish!
Have questions or need support? Contact Beth Sangara ([email protected]).
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BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative:
Supporting a Climate-Ready Tourism Industry
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The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI) is supporting BC’s tourism industry in addressing climate change impacts through a provincial partnership with Destination BC, the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, BC’s six Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs), and Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), working together towards a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector. Through four projects streams, the BCTCRI is helping tourism organizations contribute to the development of a clean, sustainable, and regenerative tourism landscape in BC.
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Project One: Facilitated Sustainability Planning for BC Tourism Businesses
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Congratulations to the 190 tourism businesses from across the province that successfully completed sustainability road maps through the first intake of Project One, launched in January 2024. Their dedication to sustainability is truly inspiring, and the BCTCRI team looks forward to seeing the positive impact on these businesses’ operations.
Mark your calendars! The next fall 2024 Project One intake opens for applications on September 3. Stay tuned for more details, and learn how to participate by visiting the BCTCRI Project One webpage.
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BCTCRI Project One offers free, personalized support to tourism businesses looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations.
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Project Two: Micro-Grant Program
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Since launching in January 2024, two micro-grant intakes have helped tourism organizations invest in sustainability initiatives as part of their business operations, including solar panel installations, electric bikes, cars, and snowmobiles, and rainwater catching and purification systems. Stay tuned for upcoming case study videos featuring some of these exciting projects!
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Project Three: Data Framework
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We're currently supporting the development of a sustainability and climate adaptation data framework that will create alignment in the tourism industry through policies and practices, common metrics, and data collection methods in the areas of sustainability and climate adaptation. Development is currently in progress, with more details to come.
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Project Four: Community Destination Stewardship Initiative
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Eligible participants can mark their calendars for the next virtual network workshop, Climate Resilience & Indigenous Knowledge, on September 18th, 2024, at 10 am. Co-hosted with Indigenous Tourism BC, this workshop will explore the wisdom and practices Indigenous communities have developed to adapt and respond to environmental challenges. Learn more and register here.
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Emergency Preparedness Graphics
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There are a variety of resources available to help you prepare for emergencies and communicate with visitors.
The Tourism Emergency Management Committee has created a library of visuals for industry members to share through their channels to promote responsible visitation and emergency prevention.
These graphics can be used on their own or paired with one of the suggested messages in the Emergency Messaging Guidance document.
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Province Supports Search-and-Rescue Teams for a Safer Backcountry
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The Province is providing nearly $6 million to the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) to provide ground search-and-rescue (GSAR) groups the continued training, equipment, and resources they need to keep people safe.
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Clean-up efforts recently undertaken by Maple Leaf Adventures and members of the Heilstuk First Nation in Bella Bella through support from the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative.
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Province Invests $8 Million for 17 Projects Under Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative
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The Government of BC, in collaboration with small businesses, non-profit organizations and First Nations, is tackling marine debris and plastic pollution along B.C.’s coastlines, while supporting economic development and jobs for people through new funding for the Clean Coast, Clean Waters (CCCW) Initiative.
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Watch the Canadian Tourism Data Collective webinar recording to learn how your tourism business or organization can harness the powerful data products available.
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Canadian Tourism Data Collective Webinar Recording - Now Available!
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Destination Canada recently hosted an industry webinar exploring the Canadian Tourism Data Collective’s dynamic features and products and showcasing how tourism partners can harness the powerful data products and derived insights to boost Canada’s competitiveness, enhance alignment, and fuel economic growth through data-driven decision-making.
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Hotel Construction in BC Hits Record-high Levels in Q2 of 2024
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The Q2 2024 Canada Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report published by Lodging Econometrics showed a significant rise in hotel projects and rooms, reaching record-high levels with substantial year-over-year growth, indicating growth in the hospitality sector.
At the close of Q2, there were 322 projects building a total 40,297 rooms in the country's overall pipeline. BC set a provincial record, accounting for 59 of those projects and 8,439 rooms.
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Hotel construction in BC is at record-high levels according to Q2 Report. (Destination BC/Tanya Goehrin)
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View of Skaha Lake in Penticton from above. (Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)
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Visitor 'Thrilled' by Accessible Chairs, Mats at Sudbury Beach in Penticton
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Edna Carley, a resident of BC's Sunshine Coast, was road-tripping throughout Thompson-Okanagan and Similkameen, and was drawn to Penticton after learning about the accessible chairs and mats installed at Sudbury Beach.
“I was thrilled to pieces to know that this was here for people like me who can't walk on the beach,” said Carley.
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Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park (Destination BC/Max Zeddler)
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Helmcken Falls Viewing Platform Reopened to Visitors
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Tourism Wells Gray has announced the full reopening of the newly renovated viewing platform at Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Park. As of July 26, 2024, more visitors than ever can view the majestic falls following, thanks to a $2M investment from BC Parks.
The new viewing platform was designed with accessibility as a priority, including resurfaced pathways between the parking area and viewing platforms, fully accessible washrooms, picnic tables and benches, and added space for mobility aids placed strategically to ease access to the viewing areas.
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WORTH Academy - September 9, 2024
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Women in recreation, tourism, and hospitality in the Sea to Sky and Fraser Valley are invited to accelerate their leadership ambitions and grow professionally alongside other self-identifying women through the WORTH Academy, a free, 12-week leadership course.
The application deadline is August 26, 2024.
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Destination Dialogues: Rethinking Experience Development in Canada's Destinations - September 12, 2024
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Destination Dialogues is a virtual event designed to inspire, inform and empower rural destination development professionals. This free, 90-minute webinar hosted by Destination Canada will explore how destinations have been developing innovative visitor experiences to attract the right guests and support sustainable revitalization.
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