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Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
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Falling for Stanley Park in Vancouver. (Destination BC/@vancitywild)
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Registration for the VCM Industry Forum closes Nov. 6.
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Last Chance to Register for the VCM Industry Forum!
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Time is running out to register for this year’s VCM Industry Forum! Attendees will learn the latest updates from Destination BC, and hear from a range of speakers discussing tourism trends, major events, sustainability, accessibility, and innovation. The Forum will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront in Vancouver. Register by Nov. 6, 2024.
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"Murder in a Small Town" is based on a series of novels by author L.R. Wright that are set on the Sunshine Coast. (Sepia Films)
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Sunshine Coast Shines in New TV Series
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Have you seen the new mystery series "Murder in a Small Town", starring Kristin Kreuk and Rossif Sutherland, which premiered this fall? It was filmed and set on the Sunshine Coast (a rarity!) and airs on Global TV in Canada. “It was such an idyllic, dreamy, gorgeous place to be our playground,” said Rossif Sutherland in an interview with The Vancouver Sun. “What a joy to be on a set and just look around and just be reminded of the wonder of nature. It was all around us... I fell in love in Gibsons.”
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Destination BC's Vancouver media event marked the organization's last media event of 2024.
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Travel Media Relations & Travel Trade Update
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On Sept. 11, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains participated in Destination BC’s final regional media event for the year, which took place in Vancouver. Following media events in Calgary and Seattle held in the spring, the Vancouver event connected over 40 local travel journalists and content creators with travel media professionals from across the province. VCM was well represented with Destination Vancouver, Tourism Whistler, Tourism Richmond, and Indigenous Tourism BC also in attendance to share story ideas for the coming year.
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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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Read this case study to learn how collaborative work with government and community can benefit tourism.
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Get Inspired by this City of Surrey Case Study
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Destination Canada has featured the City of Surrey in a case study inspired by the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) Region Destination Management and Development Implementation Guide. The guide explores the many ways that tourism destination management and development intersect with local government roles and responsibilities—an essential collaboration required for success. The City of Surrey case study provides a practical, high-level overview of the guide along with ways partners can adapt its concepts to their own destinations.
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Calling all Swifties! Share your Taylor Swift-themed event with Destination Vancouver for a chance to win concert tickets.
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Destination Vancouver: A Taylor-Made Opportunity
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Destination Vancouver is inviting local businesses to “shake it off” and submit their Taylor Swift-themed events and experiences. Select experiences will be featured on Destination Vancouver’s Taylor-Made Calendar of Events and businesses will be entered to win one of 10 pairs of concert tickets if they submit before Friday Nov. 1 (events submitted after this date will be added to the calendar, but excluded from the competition).
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This is your chance to start a "love story" with your community and make your event the talk of the town! **Note that this opportunity is not exclusive to Destination Vancouver members. Please share with your network!
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Share news from your destination or business with Destination BC by booking a product presentation.
(Destination BC/Hubert Kang)
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Book Your Product Presentation Today
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Destination BC wants to know what’s new in your destination or business! Destination marketing organizations, sector organizations, and tourism businesses are encouraged to book product presentations with the Destination BC team, which will in turn help us promote your products, as appropriate, through our channels. Product presentations are held three times a year, starting Jan. 28, 2025. Book yours today!
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The ITBC AGM in 2023 was a success. Join us again, Nov. 4-5!
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ITBC Annual General Meeting:
An Indigenous Tourism Gathering,
Nov. 4–5
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Register today for the Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) Annual General Meeting: An Indigenous Tourism Gathering, taking place Nov. 4–5. The event will be held at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in downtown Vancouver, located on the shared territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. This gathering offers a chance to reflect on the past year's successes while shaping the future of Indigenous tourism in BC. Registration closes Oct. 31.
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Travel agents from Australia explored the Rainforest to Rockies route, including multiple stops in the VCM region.
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Canada Specialists from Australia Tour VCM Region
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Destination BC recently partnered with Destination Canada Australia, Air Canada Australia, and Rocky Mountaineer on a Canada Specialist (CSP) fam from Australia to promote seasonal travel in Western Canada with Rainforest to Rockies. From Oct. 3–14, the CSP travel agents explored Greater Victoria, Vancouver, Banff/Lake Louise, and Calgary, as well as the Rocky Mountaineer, creating content throughout the trip. In Vancouver, they experienced Harbour Air, Landsea Tours, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Flyover, The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Cycle City Tours and Stanley Park, Vancouver Foodie Tours and Granville Island, Pan Pacific Hotel, and the Rocky Mountaineer Station.
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Participants in the travel trade and media fam explored VCM attractions like Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
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Destination BC Hosts Trade/Media Fam from China
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Destination BC recently welcomed a travel trade and media fam from China, who explored Vancouver, Banff, and Richmond, as well as the Rocky Mountaineer (Oct. 9–15). The fam—consisting of guests from Trip.com, 6renyou, Intriq Journey, Tunio.com, Voyage, and Comfort—was a joint effort between Destination BC, Destination Canada China, Air Canada, Rocky Mountaineer, and Banff/Lake Louise Tourism, and focused on seasonal growth and the Rainforest to Rockies route. Visitor arrivals from China to BC have shown signs of recovery from the pandemic, with travellers using alternative air routes such as Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, and Hong Kong.
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go2HR can provide one-on-one counsel for businesses.
(Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova)
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go2HR: It’s Time to Update Your Business’s Recruitment Strategy
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Is your business’s recruitment strategy capable of meeting your needs in the next year and beyond? With recent updates to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and summer tourism season behind us, go2HR encourages businesses in the VCM region to set up a one-on-one discussion with your Regional HR Consultant. From recruitment strategy development and compensation analysis to high school and post-secondary worker engagement opportunities, the team can provide your business with no-cost resources designed to attract, onboard, develop and retain your workforce.
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People with all abilities can access parts of the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack.
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Partner Spotlight: Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
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Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack is a remarkable wetland site located on the shores of Vedder River. With over 10 kilometres of relatively flat trails, an observation tower, and bird blinds, it’s an exceptional place to view wildlife. Much of this nature reserve is also accessible.
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“We want everyone to feel connected with nature and it is very important to us that our site be as inclusive and accessible as possible,” says Camille Coray from the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. “The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is home to one of the largest Pacific Great Blue Heron nesting colonies in the Lower Mainland, and provides habitat for many other species at risk that are protected through our ongoing conservation efforts.”
Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) assessed the nature reserve and were encouraged by what they saw.
“Visitors can explore the wide, gently sloping trails through the trees, and maybe even catch a glimpse of spawning salmon at the river's edge,” says Nancy Harris, SCI BC Regional Development Liaison and Access BC Lead. “The main building has an accessible washroom, automatic doors, and accessible parking within reach.”
The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region has an ongoing partnership with SCI BC to help tourism businesses update the accessibility attributes on their HelloBC.com listing. SCI BC assessors also identify ways the business can improve. To request this service, please contact [email protected].
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VCM tourism businesses are encouraged to donate to Spinal Cord Injury BC's Online Holiday Auction.
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Donations Needed: Spinal Cord Injury BC’s Holiday Fundraiser
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Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) is getting ready for its Online Holiday Auction and needs your help! The auction supports people with spinal cord injuries, or related physical disabilities, to adjust, adapt, and thrive in their daily lives. SCI BC is seeking donations of gift cards, gift baskets, merchandise, services, accommodations, travel experiences, and other fun items to auction off. If you have anything to auction, please contact Krystyna Pangilinan at [email protected].
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Burnaby Halloween Festival 2024 (Burnaby): The Burnaby Halloween Festival returns with over 25 thrilling events, including the mesmerizing Pumpkins After Dark, spine-chilling horror flicks, the Monster Dash 5K, haunted escape rooms, comedy nights, and more. Dates: Now until end of Oct.
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HollyDaze in the Heights (Coquitlam): This free, outdoor family festival brings the holiday spirit to Austin Heights with a fun-filled evening of live music, seasonal food, holiday shopping, kids' activities, and more. Date: Nov. 16
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Lights at Lafarge (Coquitlam): Coquitlam once again hosts Metro Vancouver's largest free outdoor lights display at Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park. Dates: Nov. 22 to mid–Feb.
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Holiday Season Events (Langley): Langley has a full lineup of festive events this holiday season, including Martini Town Merry & Bright, which transforms a film studio backlot into a vibrant holiday scene; Christmas in the Country, which offers a seasonal experience at one of North America's top equestrian venues; and GLOW, an enchanted forest promising an illuminated escape.
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New West Pass (New Westminster): Tourism New Westminster's new digital passport encourages exploration and engagement around the city by rewarding users with points to be used towards prizes. Participants can visit fascinating places, eat diverse food, and enjoy local events, while collecting points that can be redeemed for prizes. Participants can also enter the "New West Fans" Sweepstakes and a Grand Prize Sweepstakes, which includes a hotel stay, restaurant and attraction vouchers, and more.
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Our Neck of the Woods (Maple Ridge): On Saturday, Sept. 14, the City of Maple Ridge hosted its largest-ever community event as part of city's 150th anniversary celebration. The event attracted over 15,000 people. Learn more at MapleRidge.ca/OurNeckoftheWoods and follow the city's social media channels (@yourmapleridge) for updates.
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Public Art Swag initiative (Maple Ridge): Maple Ridge has dynamic art and a rich First Nations history. The City recently launched a Public Art Swag to promote its cultural offerings and increase awareness of the various public art pieces around the city.
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Shipyards Christmas Market (North Vancouver): The Shipyards Christmas Market features over 75 wooden stalls brimming with artisanal gifts. Guests can listen to festive music, skate on the ice rink, and indulge in seasonal treats like bratwurst, mulled wine, and hot cocoa. Dates: Nov. 29 to Dec. 24
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2024 Hope Trails Challenge (Hope): The 2024 Hope Trails Challenge offers an opportunity for businesses to engage with visitors and locals as they explore Hope’s most beautiful trails, then head into town for food and shopping. Dates: Now until Nov. 30
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Sunshine Coast Tourism AGM (Sunshine Coast): Sunshine Coast Tourism is embarking on the strategic planning process for its next 5-Year Strategic Business Plan (2026–2030). Partners can participate in planning workshops on Nov. 13 (Powell River) and Nov. 15 (Sechelt), as well as the annual general meeting.
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Responsible Recreation Survey Results
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Earlier this year, the Don't Love It To Death campaign invited residents of southwest BC to participate in a survey that assessed attitudes and perceptions around the topic of responsible recreation. The survey exceeded expectations, drawing more than 700 responses and almost 3,000 written comments.
The resulting report dives into the most concerning impacts on nature, wildlife, and communities. These insights will be used to shape Don't Love It To Death content and programming for the region.
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Results from the Responsible Recreation Survey are available in a new report.
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Supports and opportunities available to communities in the VCM tourism region.
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Understand your organization's role during an emergency or crisis. (Destination BC/Albert Normandin)
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Crisis Communication Planning Training Series
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Join an interactive, virtual series on Nov. 5 and 7 to understand your organization’s role during an emergency or crisis, within BC’s Tourism Emergency Management Framework. Facilitated by a crisis communications expert, the series will allow you to:
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Understand the elements of a crisis and how it impacts behaviour and response.
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Assess potential crises that could impact your destination or organization.
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Create tools and responses for use in a crisis.
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Put your new skills to work in a simulation exercise.
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You will also have the opportunity to engage with tourism professionals from regions and communities around the province to share ideas, information, and solutions to help in your planning process.
Note that this training is not suitable for tourism businesses. Due to limited capacity, only one representative from each organization will be accepted to participate.
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