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Directions: News from Destination BC
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Camper Van Touring Glacier National Park | Glacier National Park (Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton)
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New Destination BC Marketing Campaign Promotes Fall Travel to BC Wine Regions
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Destination BC is celebrating the change of season with a new domestic marketing campaign in collaboration with Wine Growers of British Columbia, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and Regional and Community Destination Management Organizations.
From September 4 to November 1, BC and Alberta residents will be invited to slow down, savour the moment, and enjoy BC’s fall harvest in its nine diverse wine regions this fall.
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The “Fall Has it All” campaign seeks to educate visitors on the breadth of activities and destinations available in BC wine regions and inspire them to take a 2+ night trip this fall.
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Destination BC 2024/25 Ski Season Promotion Kicks Off in China
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Destination BC China, in collaboration with Deep Snow Club, one of the leading ski clubs in Southern China, unveiled the 2024-25 season ski campaign with three promotional events in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu. The events were attended by more than 200 guests, including ski club partners, target consumers, media guests and tour operators and featured Destination BC China’s representative, Jodie Hu, showcasing BC’s 13 ski resorts and city winter highlights.
Supported by airline partners Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, and Hainan Airlines with a combined 21 direct flights out of Hong Kong and one flight out of Shenzhen every week, this campaign will bring two ski groups of 80 guests to Whistler in February and March 2025 for a 7-night/8-day ski trip during the Chinese Lunar New Year and Tomb Sweeping holiday periods.
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More than 200 ski club partners, target consumers, media guests and tour operators attended events in China, showcasing BC’s 13 ski resorts and city winter highlights.
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Get Involved: BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative
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Project 1: Sustainability Roadmaps for Tourism Businesses
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This program provides free, one-on-one, tailored support to tourism businesses looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations, strategy, and storytelling.
The Fall 2024 intake is currently open, accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis until all spots are filled.
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Project 3: Sustainability & Climate Adaptation Data Framework
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This project is focused on establishing a framework to provide strategic direction for aligning industry policies, practices, and metrics. The data may be used by partners within the tourism industry, and beyond, to develop tools to help businesses respond to climate hazards, and encourage use of common sustainability policies and practices.
Framework implementation has begun, with the intention of moving from data collection to data sharing by March 2025.
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Project 4: Community Destination Stewardship Initiative
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This session will explore the intersection of climate resilience and Indigenous knowledge, looking into the invaluable wisdom and practices that Indigenous communities have developed to adapt and respond to environmental challenges.
The next workshop for eligible participants is on September 18, 2024 at 10am (PDT).
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Experiencing new travel trade ready products firsthand helps receptive tour operators more readily add them to their itineraries and media leave with story ideas to inspire their readers.
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Travel Media and Trade Clients Explore
The Great Wilderness
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Our Market Development team has been working hard to introduce key travel trade and travel media clients to The Great Wilderness, hosting two group familiarization trips (FAMs) in July in partnership with the Northern BC Tourism Association.
Both trips showcased attractions in the Peace Region, highlighting Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway in City of Dawson Creek, Tse’K’wa National Historic Site, Kinuseo Falls at Monkman Provincial Park, and other sites in the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark.
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In 2023, the community Visitor Centres served approximately
2 million visitors face- to- face at their physical locations and around their community, and through email, over social media and on the phone.
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Destination BC's Annual Visitor Services Conference:
November 28-29, 2024
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Destination BC’s Visitor Services team is currently planning and organizing the annual Visitor Services Conference, scheduled for November 28-29, 2024, in Vancouver.
This two-day event brings Visitor Centre Managers and members of their respective sponsor organizations from across BC to hone best practices in the delivery of visitor services, develop important partnerships that support tourism businesses in their communities, and hear from subject matter experts on topics including accessibility, sustainability, Indigenous relations, and more.
The conference provides support and opportunities to strengthen the Visitor Services Network Program, a Destination BC program comprised of 134 community-led Visitor Centres throughout BC.
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Join Destination BC's Tourism Marketing Committee
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Destination BC is seeking three representatives from the Kootenay Rockies, Northern BC, and Thompson Okanagan tourism regions for its Tourism Marketing Committee.
The initial term of each appointment is three years, beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2027, or otherwise as determined by Destination BC’s Board of Directors. Committee members may serve for one-, two-, or three-year terms, and may not serve for more than six years in total.
Interested applicants should visit our website for details on the role and to apply.
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Tourism Marketing Committee members work with Destination BC, our CEO and Board to develop a successful, dynamic and sustainable tourism sector for British Columbia.
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Cowichan “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program Launches
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Announced this week by local and provincial tourism partners, the “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants from the area with a tourism mentor, provide a $3,000 grant and additional partner support to help take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development.
Applications are encouraged from entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations based in the Cowichan Region from September 5 to November 12.
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British Columbia is Inspired, and Inspiring: BC Books for National Read a Book Day
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BC is home to many diverse authors—and even more novel-worthy destinations. The following story embraces both, kicking off National Read a Book Day, September 6th, with a page-turning list of local authors and the places that inspired them.
Get inspired exploring the list on HelloBC.com.
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Just in time for National Read-a-Book Day, check out our
list of 8 great reads from, or inspired by, Super, Natural
British Columbia.
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NEW! International Visitor Arrivals - June 2024 Report
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Destination BC publishes International Visitor Arrivals reports, summarizing customs entries data to British Columbia and Canada from selected markets of origin, on a monthly basis.
The International Visitor Arrivals publication includes information for both the particular month and year-to-date, and includes percentage changes over the same period of the previous year. Data for June 2024 is now available on our website.
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Visit the BC Wildfire website for current information on wildfire conditions and fire restrictions.
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Campfire Ban Rescinded Across the Province
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Effective Wednesday, August 28, 2024, campfires are once again allowed throughout the province. Category 2 and 3 fires, which include the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and more, will remain prohibited in all regions at this time.
As always, it's important to practice fire safety when having a campfire, regardless of the conditions or time of year. Visit the BC Wildfire website for the most recent changes and more information on fire restrictions.
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The Province regularly adds land to the parks and protected areas system through the acquisition of private land and partnerships.
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BC Government Acquires Land to expand Okanagan Lake Park
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The Province, in partnership with the BC Parks Foundation, has invested $10.5 million to acquire 11.4 hectares of waterfront property. It is intended to be added to Okanagan Lake Park, a popular destination for beachgoers and water-sports enthusiasts.
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This Use Management Plan will help manage the significant visitation corridor receives and create a vision for the next 25 years.
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Share Your Voice: Berg Lake Corridor Visitor Use Management Plan Survey
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BC Parks is seeking public input as part of the “initial planning stage” to inform the development of a draft visitor use management plan for the Berg Lake Corridor.
The Berg Lake Corridor includes the well-known Berg Lake Trail and the surrounding area, including Mumm Basin, Whitehorn Mountain, Mount Robson, and Snowbird Pass.
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Last Call! Act Now to Secure Your Spot for the Tourism Digital Academy Fall Intake
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The Tourism Digital Academy is a FREE, eight-week program that helps tourism businesses develop their understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, analytics and more. The program includes live, virtual sessions, self-directed learning modules, and practical exercises to help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the world of marketing.
Only a few spots remain for the session beginning October 15.
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BC Marine Trails Code of Conduct
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BC Marine Trails has created a Marine Trails Code of Conduct to help outdoor enthusiasts to explore BC's marine environments responsibly, ensuring their preservation and protection for future generations.
While outdoor enthusiasts may be familiar with, and practice, the principles of Leave No Trace, the Marine Trail Code of Conduct addresses the unique approach needed to protect sensitive nearshore terrestrial ecosystems while paddling, camping, and exploring BC's coastlines.
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This is an opportunity to contribute to a landmark that will enhance Kamloops as a premier destination.
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Expression of Interest (EOI) Issued by Tourism Kamloops for Iconic Structure
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Tourism Kamloops is seeking an innovative and experienced team to help develop one or more iconic structures. The goals of the structure(s) are to enhance the city’s appeal and contribute to tourism growth. The resulting structure(s) will become an iconic attraction along BC's Rainforest to Rockies route and elevate Kamloops as a premier tourism destination.
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Camping Appreciation Weekend:
September 6-8, 2024
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The Camping Appreciation Weekend is a national initiative coordinated by the Canadian Camping and RV Council to say thank you for your patronage over the camping season, and to celebrate the camping and RV Lifestyle!
Campers can access special weekend events and rates from participating campgrounds.
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At the Heart of Canada’s Passenger Journey: VIA Rail's 2030 Vision
September 25, 2024
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The replacement of VIA Rail’s long-distance, regional and remote fleet across the country is the next important milestone in this transformation. This historic investment, granted in the 2024 federal budget, will define the future of passenger rail in Canada, offering a modern, comfortable, accessible, and sustainable experience to all Canadians from coast to coast.
Join the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and VIA Rail President and CEO, Mario Péloquin, on September 25 to gain further insight into how VIA Rail’s services in British Columbia fit into this 2030 plan and to learn more about VIA Rail's ambition for the coming decade.
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Please Join Us! 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference
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Planning for the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference has already begun, and you're encouraged to “Save the Date” for this must-attend conference. BC TIC will be held at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre from March 5-7, 2025. Destination BC is a proud sponsor of this annual industry event.
Stay tuned for updates on registration, conference schedule, travel & accommodation, sponsor opportunities, and programming. More information will be shared on the conference website at bctourismconference.ca shortly.
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