Changes to health restrictions in both the Northern and Interior Health Regions, were announced this afternoon by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry in the wake of shifting COVID-19 transmission and case rates.

Region-specific orders for the Interior Health region will be LIFTED tonight and the region will be subject to the same rules as the rest of the province. Mask mandates, and Public Health Orders that impact the rest of the province will continue to apply to the region.

In the Northern Health region, restrictions will be EXTENDED and remain in place from tomorrow until Jan. 31, 2022 include:

The new restrictions apply to local health areas west of Kitwanga that had previously been excluded

Restrictions within the Fraser Health Region will continue.

Canada is reviewing its vaccine booster strategy, adding new countries to the list of nations subjected to federal travel restrictions, and is imposing new testing requirements on all air travellers coming from outside of Canada with the exception of the US, due to concerns over the Omicron variant.

Federal ministers and public health officials announced these three new steps today during an update on the latest measures Canada is taking in response to the variant of concern.

Those who are vaccinated will have to isolate until they get a negative result, and those who are unvaccinated will continue to have to isolate for the full 14 days and test on day one and day eight of their quarantine.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Canada is preparing for a “possible extension” of this policy to include the United States and the land borders if the situation evolves to the point that re-imposing further restrictions on Canada’s borders is warranted.

While it remains unclear just how transmissible and severe infection by the variant B.1.1.529 might be, Duclos said given that Omicron is highly mutated, the federal government is asking the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to quickly provide an update on its directives on the use of COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

The policy bans the entry into Canada of all foreign nationals who travelled to these countries in the last 14 days. Canadians, permanent residents as well as all those who have the right to return to Canada will still be able to return home but will face new measures upon arrival.

Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and BC all have detected cases of the variant, though health officials across the country are doing targeted testing of people who have travelled from the southern African countries subjected to the ban.

These moves respond to emerging questions over Canada’s Omicron response, though federal officials said today to expect the situation and federal policies to continue to evolve.

Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 won't be able to board a plane or passenger train in Canada beginning today, and a negative COVID-19 test will no longer serve as a substitute for most people.

The policy came into effect on October 30th, but the federal government allowed a short transition period for unvaccinated travellers who could board as long as they provided a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before their trip.

The stringent new requirement comes into effect as Canada reacts to the emergence of the new, highly mutated omicron variant of the coronavirus. The discovery of the new variant has prompted border closures and heavier screening in Canada and abroad over fears it could prove more transmissible. The risk related to the omicron variant is very high, according to the World Health Organization, but there is still a lot public health officials and scientists do not know about it.

While anyone coming into Canada or boarding a plane or train inside the country must be vaccinated, there are currently no quarantine measures in place except for people who have recently transited through southern Africa.

While many airlines have so far been doing random spot checks to ensure travellers are vaccinated, Air Canada and West Jet have confirmed they will ask for proof from everyone boarding in Canada as of today.

Click here for more information.

A reminder that effective today, fully vaccinated individuals with right of entry to Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada will not have to present a pre-entry molecular test.

This exemption is only for trips originating in Canada taken by fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act, who depart and re-enter by land or by air and can demonstrate that they have been away from Canada for less than 72 hours.

This exemption extends to accompanying children under 12, and individuals with medical conflicts to vaccination. Also effective today, Canada will expand the list of COVID-19 vaccines that travellers can receive to be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose of travel to Canada. The list will include Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN, matching the World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing.

The Government of Canada also recently announced that as of January 15th, 2022, certain groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada.

Starting today, vaccination will be required for travel within and out of Canada. A valid COVID-19 molecular test will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination unless travellers are eligible for one of the limited exemptions, such as a medical inability to be vaccinated. Travellers should contact their airline or railway company to obtain the necessary form and submit it in accordance with their carrier's approval process.

For more information, click here.

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Premier John Horgan, announced late last week that a committee of federal and provincial ministers who will work together and with Indigenous leadership to guide immediate and ongoing support to BC families, businesses, and communities affected by the extreme weather events.

The new committee will ensure the people of BC, including those in remote and Indigenous communities, have the immediate support and resources they need to deal with this challenging situation. It will also collaborate on recovery and rebuilding efforts, including by providing support to the sectors that have been most impacted by the crisis. The committee will work to build back from these extreme weather events in a way that better protects British Columbians from future climate events.

The Prime Minister and Premier also announced that the governments of Canada and BC will match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross’ British Columbia Floods & Extreme Weather Appeal, which means that every $1 donated will become $3 to support those affected by the floods. Both governments will match individual and corporate donations for a period of 30 days which commenced on November 26th, and retroactively for donations received since November 17th when the campaign began.

Donated funds will support the range of emergency services the Canadian Red Cross is delivering to those in need, which could include providing cots, blankets, and clean-up kits to communities, upon request by the local authorities or government. In addition, donated funds will allow the Canadian Red Cross to continue to support evacuees, as they begin to recover in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Read the full announcement here.

Given the continued threats of flooding and the continued need of public safety measures under the Emergency Program Act, the provincial state of emergency is being extended until the end of the day December 14th.

Additionally, with coastal and southwestern BC dealing with heavy rainfall and ongoing risk of severe flooding, the Province is extending the temporary measure to prioritize fuel for essential vehicles and the provincial state of emergency.

The Province is extending a temporary measure to limit non-essential vehicles to 30 litres of fuel (gas and diesel) per trip to a gas station until December 14th.

Since the initial atmospheric river from November 14-16, a series of storms has worsened existing flooding and created new flooding and landslides in southwestern BC.

The fuel order applies to all fuel suppliers in the Lower Mainland-to-Hope region, the Sea-to-Sky region, Sunshine Coast, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. Essential vehicles will continue to have unrestricted access to fuel as required.

All current orders related to non-essential travel on highways 3, 7 and 99 remain in place until highways start to reopen. This includes:

On November 29th, Destination BC updated the Special Edition: Emergency Response to the BC Storm Messaging Guidance document which outlines key messaging, information, and resources for BC’s tourism industry. It includes guidance for regional and community/city destination marketing & management organizations, sector associations, and tourism businesses.

Please refer to the messaging guide for information on how you can support your community, residents, visitors, and each other during this difficult time. We will continue to update you with key messaging as the various situations arise.

Destination BC’s Know Before You Go page also includes key information resources for travelers and tourism businesses.

PreparedBC have additional resources and step-by-step guides to prepare tourism businesses and their staff for emergencies, with templates and tools to help operators easily plan a fast and effective response.

Businesses and organizations can help by sharing information and resources with staff, members, guests, and neighbours.

You can also volunteer with Emergency Support Services (ESS).

The NDP government’s decision to introduce a mandatory paid sick day requirement through a change to the Employment Standards Act will add to the significant payroll cost pressures BC businesses have been grappling with in the past few years.

Effective January 1st, 2022, companies, non-profits, and public sector organizations must provide at least five paid sick days per employee each year. The new benefit will extend to both full- and part-time employees. It replaces a temporary program introduced in May 2021 that provided three paid sick days. With the temporary program, the provincial government picked up the cost. Now, employers will be on the hook.

The case for paid short-term sick leave is compelling, particularly in light of the turmoil and hardship caused by the protracted COVID-19 pandemic. Most advanced economy jurisdictions have short-term paid sick leave as part of their labour and employment laws. The COVID-19 saga has reinforced the importance of maintaining safe and healthy workplaces. Among other things, this means ensuring that employees who are ill stay home. Without paid sick leave, the concern is that some employees who don’t feel well will come to work to be paid.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade estimates that mandating five paid sick days will cost BC employers a minimum of $500 million annually, and potentially more, depending on the extent of uptake.

Read the full article here.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has released its draft schedule for the 2022 cruise ship season in Victoria with the first ship in a Canadian port in two years arriving on April 6th, 2022.

Subject to further changes in the months ahead, there are currently 350 ship calls scheduled to arrive at the Victoria Cruise Terminal over the seven-month season between March and October, 2022. Based on feedback from regional and national port partners, GVHA is currently estimating that there will be 759,000 passengers, or close to the equivalent number from the 2019 season.

Health and safety measures and regulations will be determined by Transport Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada and will be in place for next season. This will include mandatory vaccination requirements for passengers and crew and COVID management plans and reporting protocols for all ships. On the ground, operations team members have been working with partners to ensure the safe movement of passengers upon arrival, both on the terminal and in the community. Planned measures will always meet both federal and provincial health requirements.

A continued and top priority for the GVHA is the long-term viability of cruise in Greater Victoria. Work on sustainability initiatives, such as funding for shore power, has continued during the two years that cruise ships have been absent in Victoria. Collaboration between local industry partners, cruise lines, and levels of government has helped to ensure that when the industry returns in 2022, it will be able to build back with a renewed focus on economic development, sustainability, and social license within the city.

The draft 2022 cruise season schedule is available here.

TIABC has released it 2021 Advocacy Report Card, which details the advocacy efforts and achievements of the organization over the last year.

As noted by CEO Walt Judas in the report, "together with our sector partners, we’ve taken great strides in accomplishing many of our goals vis-a-vis securing support for the industry including tourism specific grants, a restart plan, and other measures to help the visitor economy survive and ultimately move beyond the carnage COVID-19 has left behind".

TIABC’s updated Advocacy Report Card represents the

additional work we’ve done in the past 12 months and offers a level of accountability to our valued members and stakeholders that guide and support our organization’s efforts each year.

We invite you to read our report and connect with us at any time at info@tiabc.ca for questions,

comments or recommendations on TIABC’s direction or priorities, as well as any other issues affecting your business.

Destination Canada released a new report, Tourism’s Big Shift: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry. The report identifies the key trends that will have the greatest impact on the travel and tourism industry in Canada in the next one to three years and beyond.

With more than 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, some of the potential long-term effects are becoming clearer while others are still emerging. Developing a collective understanding of these changes in the tourism industry and in consumer behaviours, as well as their potential implications, is key to the industry’s recovery. This new analysis of trends will help Destination Canada, and the wider tourism industry, adjust strategic areas of focus, mitigate risk, and maximize market opportunities helping our sector emerge stronger and more resilient.

For industry partners, tourism businesses and operators across the country, this trends analysis will also help inform their strategies and understand the key immediate changes anticipated as well as, the longer-term implications.

In short, in the next couple of years, travel and tourism will be more local and domestic, focusing principally on leisure travellers, facing increased competition, adapting to a digitalized society and continuously evolving.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to share its 2021 Mid-Term Report. The report highlights achievements including the launch of The Original Original domestic marketing campaign, on-going advocacy work with our federal partners including the completion of the Conference Board of Canada (CBOC) research, and a robust industry education and engagement program including the launch of nine webinars to name a few examples.

The Mid-Term Report provides a transparent look into the strategy and continued work ITAC is doing to stabilize and help grow ITAC member businesses and to ensure the sustainability of the provincial and territorial Indigenous tourism associations, as well as ITAC’s national operations.

Read the 2021 Mid-Term Report here.

After over seven years serving the ABLE membership, Danielle Leroux, Director of Membership & Communications will be moving on at the end of this year to pursue new and exciting opportunities.

With Danielle’s departure, ABLE BC is currently seeking a new Membership and Communications Coordinator. You can find details on how to apply here.

For more information on ABLE BC, and to visit their new website, click here.

On November 3rd and 4th, TOTA co-hosted the 2021 BCRTS Tourism Summit with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

As a virtual event, many aspects will live on beyond the days of the Summit and can be accessed until December 5, 2021.

You can still register, free of charge, to access the session recordings and downloadable resources. Feel free share this opportunity with others in your organization and network.

Learn more and access the webinar recordings here.

As an industry that continues to face enormous challenges during COVID-19, every once in awhile it's important to share a laugh, a good story, a beautiful image or an interesting anecdote to provide moments of levity during this most difficult time.

Due to the difficulties our industry has faced since early 2020, we have extended various payment options to members if required. Please contact Deborah to learn more about how we can assist you with your membership renewal, or if you are interested in becoming a member

We strongly encourage you to consider membership with TIABC to support our important advocacy efforts on behalf of the entire visitor economy.

There is no better example of what TIABC has done for you than in the last 18-months. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic TIABC has identified your concerns, raised your voice, championed your needs, pushing for support and programs while encouraging policy changes.

We thank you for your investment in our advocacy efforts. Our success depends on you.

Despite the ongoing challenges our industry continues to face as a result of the impacts of COVID, TIABC is heartened to observe the strength, resiliency and innovative means taking place today. This bulletin section highlights our members, new members or shares stories of how businesses and organizations, large and small are doing things in a new way as they guide their enterprises through the pandemic crisis and beyond.

Elysian Projects was established by Sandra and Kenn Oldfield to give a hand up to BC wineries and tourism businesses. 

They work in a wide range of areas including organizational effectiveness, business analysis and planning, recruitment, mentoring and and innovative sales and marketing ideas. At the heart of every project they accept is the belief that people come first and from there, success will follow.

Click here for more information on Elysian Projects.

Rapid testing has long been seen as a possible tool to help employers manage COVID-19 in the workplace. However, until recently, these tests were not widely available and employers were unsure how to implement.

Safe Screen BC has been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to help businesses across the province access rapid antigen tests and set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for asymptomatic employees, in support of BC’s Rapid Point of Care Testing Strategy.

Safe Screen BC provides businesses with the toolkits, resources and guidance to help set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for employees and staff only. At this time, Safe Screen BC will not be able to support companies looking to conduct screening for clients, customers, patients, visitors and family members

Safe Screen BC is offering info sessions to employers throughout next week.

Please register here to find out more about rapid testing in the workplace.

New trade agreements and a competitive Canadian dollar make it an ideal time to extend your company's reach through the export of goods and services online.

World Trade Centre Vancouver is pleased to present Integrated e-Commerce Essentials (ICE), a workshop that helps businesses discover, learn, and create an integrated online strategy to drive global sales.

Integrated e-Commerce is growing twice as fast as domestic e-Commerce and expected to hit 6.4 trillion dollars by 2024.

By enrolling in the Integrated e-Commerce Essentials workshop you can:

Day 1 - Tuesday, December 7

Program: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Day 2 - Wednesday, December 8

Program: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Click here for more information and to register.

Join TIABC and the BC Hotel Association for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference as we 'Kickstart the Comeback' and gather in-person to learn, tackle issues, forge new relationships, and work toward resiliency in the face of one of the hardest years in our sector's history.

This year's conference will bring together hundreds of tourism owner/operators, hoteliers, destination marketing and management professionals, educators, government representatives, industry sectors, and other stakeholders representing all regions of British Columbia.

At the 2022 BCTHC, you can be part of an incredible opportunity to collaborate, share stories of success and resilience, acquire new research and best practices, be inspired for creative new projects and initiatives, and build bold ideas that will help kickstart the comeback of BC’s tourism industry.

Our sessions will explore some of our most important questions on issues that have impacted our whole industry:

We would love you to be part of our program! Do you have something you’d like to share with your industry colleagues? Submit a session proposal through our Call for Presentations! The deadline to submit is December 17, 2021. 

Hotel booking and travel details will be made available before the end of 2021.

Registration is set to open in early January 2022.

Visit here for more details including how to become a sponsor of the BCTHC!

Email us at info@bctourismandhospitalityconference.com

This year's VCM Industry Forum will be held virtually, via Zoom. VCM will be sharing the latest updates from Destination BC teams as well as featured guest speaker Carol Anne Hilton, Founder and CEO of the Indigenomics Institute. The registration deadline is:

Date: Wednesday, December 1st, 9:00 am - Noon (PST)

Register here for the forum and feel free to share the link with colleagues in your organization who would benefit from attending.

The informal industry networking event at Glowbal Restaurant (590 West Georgia, Vancouver) will follow later in the day from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. It is an opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues and the VCM team in-person, over light refreshments. Space will be limited for this event and will follow the latest health and safety guidelines.

Register for the networking event here.

Mark your calendar for a virtual conference hosted by the SFI. This year’s theme, the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative and BC’s Public Fishery, will be addressed by a range of speakers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Province of BC, the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the SFI.

Date: Thursday, December 2nd at 1:00 pm (virtual)

The annual SFI conference is well recognized as an important public fishery management and policy forum where elected officials, public servants and those in the sport fishing industry share their perspectives on trends, innovations and issues facing BC’s public fishery. Attendance and registration are free, with thanks to our sponsors as noted below.

Registration and additional information, including a detailed agenda, will be available as the date approaches.

Is your organization heritage focused (including but not limited to a museum, science centre, or art gallery)? You may be eligible for funding to hire a student or recent graduate through the Canadian Museums Association’s Young Canada Works Programs.

The Canadian Museums Association delivers two of four Young Canada Works Programs which supports hiring post-secondary graduates. These programs provide up to 75% of the salary for a student or recent graduate.

Talent MATCH has partnered with the Canadian Museums Association to bring you this free info session featuring Louise Pitre, the YCW Program Officer for the Canadian Museums Association, who will explain how the program works and how to apply.

Date: December 7th at 1:00 pm (PT).

Note that the application for these programs is due on January 21, 2022.

Click here to join this free session.

Destination Canada is hosting its Annual Public Meeting. While 2021 has continued to present the tourism industry with obstacles and setbacks, the easing of border restrictions and new vaccine mandates have led to positive progress for Canada’s visitor economy.

Hear about the impacts of the past year, and the vision for a more competitive sector to rebuild the tourism industry, both domestically and internationally.

Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - 10:00 am - 11:00 am (PT)

Click here to learn more.

Understanding Our Role In Truth and Reconciliation

2021 has opened our eyes to the atrocities that Indigenous peoples in Canada have endured over the last century. Although on the road to Truth and Reconciliation, Canada’s journey has just begun. At such a pivotal time in our nation’s history, we all must understand how to take meaningful steps towards a fair future for all.

In this Master Series event, hear from a panel of Indigenous leaders on how our industry can follow the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action through the delivery of our events. Through open dialogue, this event will help us to take a positive step towards reconciliation by understanding and respecting the interests of Indigenous peoples on whose lands we meet.

Date: December 8, 2021, 2:30 - 5:00 PM (PT)

Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place

Click here for more information and to register.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada's (TIAC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET virtually – please note details for the virtual call will be sent shortly.

To access the proxy vote or nomination form, click on the following:

These documents and the link to register to the AGM require you to log in to your membership account with TIAC.

If you have forgotten your login information to access benefits or renew your membership, click here and input your email address and check your inbox.

The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains team, managed by Destination BC, is collaborating with The Forum, to create a tourism program tailored specifically for women-led businesses and entrepreneurs.

The two-day virtual program will provide expertise and resources to support women in tourism, delivered by The Forum and other subject matters experts in January 2022.

The Forum is a BC-based national charity whose mission is to provide self-identified women entrepreneurs with the resources and community they need to succeed in business.

The free, application-based virtual program will take place over two days on January 13 and 20, 2022.

Applications will be accepted until December 15, 2021 at 4:00pm PST or until all available spots have been filled. You are advised to apply early as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Learn more in the Applicant Information Package and Apply Here. 

The dream to create a legacy for sustainable and regenerative tourism in Canada is stronger than ever, and we need your voices! Join in on a national conversation on sustainable tourism, as delegates and speakers explore and compare models for tourism recovery. Hear from some of the most creative and innovative experts in the business and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.

Date: January 23 - 26, 2022, Victoria, BC

The deadline for IMPACT 2022 Early Bird Registration is NOVEMBER 30th.

RVC+ is going hybrid in 2022! The new format will bring back in-person attendance, while also incorporating a virtual component, creating opportunities for more of industry to engage and make appointments with international buyers, travel trade media and Destination Marketing Companies.

The in-person portion of RVC+ will be a buyer-seated marketplace in Toronto, Ontario. This will be Canada’s RVC and hosted by Destination Canada and TIAC, creating an exciting opportunity to welcome international buyers back to Canada and showcase the beauty of this country, as well as the meaningful travel experiences offered across each province and territory.

Dates: May 24th - 27th, 2022

Learn more about Rendezvous Canada 2022 here.

TIAC launched its Elevating Canadian Experience (ECE) program to provide tourism stakeholders with free learning resources in culinary tourism and tools for the winter/shoulder seasons.

The ECE program provides content ranging from strategy development to practical tools and tips - all designed to help grow and adapt your tourism business as an operator and build tourism capacity in your region as a destination partner.

The latest module "Embracing Canada’s Winter and Shoulder Season" has been developed to assist tourism operators and destination partners in broadening the shoulders of your tourism season and provides valuable insights, worksheets, tips and strategies.

Click here to learn more and to download the Toolkit.