The evening before Remembrance Day, I travelled to the Okanagan to celebrate a family member’s birthday. Because of a massive traffic jam on Highway 1 that stretched from Langley to Chilliwack, I rerouted to Highway 7 through Pitt Meadows, Deroche, Lake Errock, Harrison Mills and Agassiz, eventually arriving in Hope to continue the drive via the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy. 5) and connector to Kelowna.

 

Just past the Watershed, on the shoulder of the highway, there were remnants of the heavy snowfall from the day before. Fortunately, the road was clear for my entire journey and traffic was relatively light between Merritt and West Kelowna. After initially intending to stay through the weekend, I ventured home late Friday afternoon ahead of forecasted inclement weather. Other than some heavy rain and thick fog at the Summit, the skies were again relatively clear most of the way, as were the roads.

 

Thankfully, I returned home earlier than originally planned given the weather turned nasty shortly thereafter with the unfamiliar atmospheric river that tragically led to several deaths, as well as the loss of homes, businesses, access routes and so much more.

 

Although escaping any direct impact, this crisis rattled me given my travels on Highways 1, 5 and 7 just 48 hours prior to the disaster. While my timing was fortuitous, I felt awful for those that were completely unaware of the danger they faced and were subsequently trapped by collapsed infrastructure, mudslides, and washed-out roads. As the week unfolded and the world saw the images of the damage to the various highways in Southwestern BC and the island, as well as the flooded Sumas prairie and communities like Abbotsford and Merritt, the response was one of shock, sadness and urgency.

 

At the same time, it was encouraging and heartwarming to see and hear about the countless instances where people stepped up to help each other stay warm, dry and safe. Whether acting as an individual or business, if you were one of the many that sacrificed your own personal and financial well-being to lend a hand, you deserve a medal and a great deal of gratitude for your efforts.

 

I want to take the opportunity to commend the tremendous efforts of first responders, the provincial and federal governments, highway crews, engineers, construction workers, residents, churches, airlines, hotels, restaurants, angling guides, among others for not only rescuing those that were stranded, but for providing food, shelter, alternate transportation, clothing, toiletries, and other provisions to help those affected most.

 

Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend that along with the pandemic and wildfires, this is our third major crisis of the year and the third time the Province has been forced to issue a state of emergency for different crises. I’m not sure how much more we as residents or tourism business owners can endure. Even the notion of being essentially cut off for a time from family or visitors again, not to mention a shortage of supplies just as the holiday season approaches, is frightening in of itself.

 

Fortunately, I am well attuned to the needs of our sector during times like this thanks to outreach by you as members and partners. Through the Tourism Emergency Recovery Committee, as well as independently, TIABC is in regular contact with government to ensure we receive the latest guidance and information to pass along to our industry, as well as to make sure support services are in place or being contemplated for impacted tourism and hospitality businesses for the foreseeable future.

 

I’d appreciate hearing from you on impacts to your business or community. Text, email or phone me about how you’ve been affected or if you have recommendations that I can pass along to decision-makers in the context of relief and recovery. I look forward to hearing from you. I just wish it was under better circumstances.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC

As parts of British Columbia have been impacted by heavy rain and flooding, and the province prepares for additional drastic weather conditions, there are multiple highway closures and travel restrictions in place to ensure the movement of essential goods and services. In addition, there are temporary restrictions on vehicle fuel (gas and diesel) purchases.

Under the Emergency Program Act, an order restricting non-essential travel along severely damaged highways is in place for the following routes:

Travellers are reminded to please check DriveBC for the latest information on delays and road closures.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed that given the current situation in BC, travellers who must transit through the United States to get to their residence in Canada are exempt from the COVID-19 pre-arrival test, the test in Canada, and quarantine requirements. Pre-existing exemptions within the Orders in Council (OIC) can be applied to travellers in this situation:

Exemption – Pre-Arrival Test – By Land S1.T2.I20: A person who enters Canada to return to their habitual place of residence in Canada after carrying out everyday functions that, due to geographical constraints, necessarily involve entering the United States

Exemption – Quarantine S2.T1.I14: A person who enters Canada to return to their habitual place of residence in Canada after carrying out everyday functions that, due to geographical constraints, necessarily involve entering the United States

Exemption – Test in Canada S2.T2.I14: A person who enters Canada to return to their habitual place of residence in Canada after carrying out everyday functions that, due to geographical constraints, necessarily involve entering the United States

Additional Resources Include:

Business Supports:

Resources from the federal and provincial governments, community organizations and private sector on supports for businesses impacted by disasters are available here. 

As a result of the damages sustained from the storm earlier in the week, provincial Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) has been authorized for qualifying claimants, such as home owners, residential tenants, small business owners, farmers, charitable organizations and local government bodies, who are unable to obtain insurance to cover these disaster-related losses.

Information about Disaster Financial Assistance is available on the DFA web site. There you will find the DFA Application Form, ‘Disaster Financial Assistance Guidelines for Private Sector,’ information bulletins about DFA and insurance, and ‘One Step at a time – A Guide to Disaster Recovery.’

The deadline for Emergency Management BC to receive this form is February 12, 2022.

Destination BC has prepared a 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. 

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.

1). Share these resources with your staff and follow key social media accounts for the latest news. You can find them listed here.

2). Communicate with fellow businesses and neighbours in your community, share official information with them, and offer assistance if you can. Look after your community and take care of your neighbours.

Help your guests:

Individuals can also help by volunteering. Emergency Support Services is a provincial program for local authorities and Indigenous governments to deliver services to the public in an emergency. They often depend on volunteers to coordinate these services for people forced from their homes because of an emergency.

Learn more by visiting the Province's Emergency Support Services (ESS) Volunteer page here. 

The Adventure Tourism Coalition recently sent a letter to Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General and Honourable Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport asking government to provide Angling Guides with Essential Service status to enable them to continue their work helping in the Fraser Valley.

The letter reminds both ministers that the increased incidents of extreme wildfire and flooding events have had a major impact on tourism businesses across the province and professional angling guides are helping to move people and supplies to and from remote communities along the Fraser River. They are also rescuing stranded pets and livestock in flooded areas up and down the Fraser Valley.

The Adventure Tourism Coalition has asked government to recognize these guides as an essential service and give them a travel exception so they can continue to help their fellow British Columbians in need.

Read the letter to Minister Farnworth and Minister Mark here.

Don’t miss this fascinating panel discussion with MOSAIC and HR West and the Vancouver Whitecaps, facilitated by go2HR to learn more about the practical steps employers can take to embrace the principles of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity and take the essential first steps to create a more inclusive workplace.

Indigenous communities, local governments and eligible organizations can apply for funding under the 150 Time Immemorial program for projects that promote and educate British Columbians about diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and resiliency.

The $30-million 150 Time Immemorial program is a partnership between the Province, the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation and Heritage BC. The partners will administer the program on behalf of the Province through application-based grants.

The First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation will distribute $7.5 million through the program to Indigenous communities and organizations, including First Nations councils and First Nations-led not-for-profit groups, as well as museums and cultural spaces with an Indigenous heritage focus. The First Peoples’ Cultural Council will administer and provide support for the program.

Eligible projects will support Indigenous Peoples’ efforts to be the rightful stewards of their cultural heritage, which is a fundamental principle in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Heritage BC will distribute $10 million to local governments, Indigenous governments and organizations, and not-for-profit organizations for projects that promote a diverse and inclusive society. Funded through Heritage BC, 150 Time Immemorial projects will focus on raising cultural awareness and recognizing B.C.’s diversity by honouring marginalized communities, including Indigenous Peoples, Black people and other people of colour, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and women.

Read the full announcement here.

Indigenous Tourism BC hosted its 2021 virtual AGM last week from the shared traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, and Squamish Nations. Brenda Baptiste, Chair of ITBC’s Board of Directors and TIABC Director delivered the opening remarks.

Following the conclusion of AGM business, a distinguished panel, including Brenda Baptiste, Richard Porges (DBC, President and CEO), and Walt Judas (TIABC, CEO), discussed creative use of technology, compassion, and commitment to truth as emerging essentials for tourism as a contributor to reconciliation in Canada. ITBC’s Senior Advisor, Tewanee Joseph, moderated the discussion.

Honourable Melanie Mark, BC Minister of Tourism Arts Culture and Sports, announced plans to distribute an additional $3 million in grant funding dedicated to Indigenous tourism via the Tourism Relief Fund.

The day ended in acknowledging the service of outgoing members of ITBC’s House of Tyee, including George Taylor, Inez Cook, and Chris Bower. In addition, staff, stakeholders, partners, and family members paid special tribute to the life of longtime board member Lillian Hunt, who passed away this year, and honoured her legacy and commitment.

Read more about ITBC and a summary of their AGM here.

TIABC CEO, Walt Judas was the keynote speaker at the Sunshine Coast Tourism AGM earlier this month where he provided an overview of TIABC's current priorities and advocacy efforts. This included insight to how COVID-19 has impacted the tourism industry in our province and the strategic approach TIABC has taken with government, sector associations and industry alliances to help mitigate the challenges communities, businesses and residents have faced.

The AGM was also an opportunity to learn more about the Sunshine Coast Tourism organization and review the years’ marketing, media, and financial activities – see what they have been up to and learn of the new initiatives for 2022.

Click here to view the AGM presentation by Walt Judas.

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.

The Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association is a member-based, non-profit society with the express purpose of drawing awareness and visitation to our region through collaborative marketing and events, educating the public on the agriculture, viticulture, and vinifera of the South Okanagan, and collaborating on methods of providing funding to meet these objectives,

Originally founded in 2006 as the South Okanagan Winery Association, in 2011 the 13 member wineries of Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association (OOWA) defined our constituted purpose and made application to register with the Province of British Columbia as a non-profit society. Since then,, the organization has grown to move than 40 member wineries.

Click here to learn more about the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association and Wine Country.

This webinar will provide tools for tourism businesses to develop and implement a sustainability management plan into their operations. Businesses will learn how to:

Date: Wednesday November 24th, 2021, 10:00am - 11:00am PST

Click here to register for this free event.

WorkBC Richmond, the BCHA, and the Richmond Public Library are pleased to connect job seekers and employers for an afternoon of engagement and networking at the Tourism and Hospitality Hiring Fair.

During this in-person, exhibition-format hiring fair, employers will have the opportunity to meet with over 200 candidates to cultivate employment interest, establish connections, and secure skilled workers.

Date and Location: Thursday, November 25 from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch (100-7700 Minoru Gate)

There will be ten 25 minute time slots with a maximum of 20 job seekers per appointment time. A maximum of 10 employers will be in attendance.

For more information please contact:

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: Monday, November 30th, 12:00 pm (PT)

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.

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.

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 ending on 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.