On July 12th, the Government of Canada launched the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) to help tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.

Announced in Budget 2021, Canada’s Regional Development Agencies and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada are administering this $500 million national initiative across Canada. Western Economic Diversification Canada will deliver these funds to help position Western Canada to be a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by:

Indigenous tourism projects are important to Canada’s economic recovery efforts and a priority under the Fund, providing $50 million to specifically support Indigenous tourism initiatives.

To be considered eligible for this fund, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Tourism Relief Fund projects will focus on:

Click here for more details on the program, including types of eligible projects, deadlines, and the online application portal.

Click here for the application guide.

On July 13th the provincial government announced a significant liquor policy change: for the first time in our industry's history, private liquor retailers can sell to Special Event Permit holders.

With this change, the following licensees can sell liquor products to SEP holders:

The inclusion of Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores (excluding Sacramental Wine Stores), Specialty Wine Stores and Rural Licensee Retail Stores will provide additional support to liquor retailers and provide SEP holders with more choice in liquor selection and where they can purchase their liquor.

This change not only introduces a new revenue stream for private liquor retailers, it also corrects the previous policy of forcing consumers to purchase only from government's BC Liquor Stores.

For more information, please read the government news release and Policy Directive 21-15.

The Province has acquired more than 229 hectares of land intended to be added to seven provincial parks and one protected area. This includes rare grasslands in the Okanagan, a heritage river in the Cowichan Valley and the largest freshwater marsh in southwestern BC. They are among the unique ecosystems to gain more protection through planned expansions to BC's parks and protected areas system.

The newly acquired land is valued at more than $2.47 million and is located at:

The Province will now consult with First Nations' governments about adding these lands to the parks system, and will then undertake a number of additional steps to legally establish them as parks and protected areas.

British Columbia has 1,036 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas covering more than 14 million hectares or approximately 14.4% of the provincial land base. During the past four years, BC Parks acquired 1,144 hectares of land to expand provincial parks and protected areas.

Click here to read the 2021 BC Parks Land Acquisition report.

April 2021

As we can now make a more proportional comparison to April 2020, and are looking forward to more visitors arriving in the future, Destination BC has updated the format of their Briefing Note.

Included, is Statistics Canada which released the monthly report on international visitor arrivals (Customs Entries) for April 2021 on June 21, 2021. The data referenced in this release includes international overnight visitor arrivals (overseas countries and US) and includes same-day visits from overseas countries.

When reviewing the statistics, it is important to take into consideration 2 key factors; Canada closed its borders to foreign nationals and travel from the US was limited to essential travel only on March 18, 2020.

Click here to read the DBC report on international arrivals.

Destination BC continues to monitor current views on travel and tourism as well as track travel and tourism behaviour intentions. The purpose is to better understand the impact of COVID-10 on the tourism industry. The following are highlights from the most recent Tourism Wave 29, dated June 23rd.

▪ BC residents’ intent to travel to nearby communities has not changed considerably from the last wave (June 10) with 67% of BC residents intending to visit nearby communities in the next 4 weeks and 84% within the next 2-3 months.

▪ BC residents’ intent to travel for an overnight trip in BC in the next 4 weeks has increased again this wave, up to 37%.

▪ Measured every 2 waves, concern with welcoming visitors from specific regions in Canada shows BC residents’ level of concern has decreased significantly from 4 weeks ago.

▪ Results are quite different for indoor versus outdoor attractions – a mandatory mask policy is seen as more important for indoor attractions (49% selected it), but not seen as important for outdoor attractions (20% selected it). Additionally, having both vaccine shots is seen as more important for indoor attractions (35% selected it) than for outdoor attractions (22% selected it).

Click here to read the full report prepared by Insights West.

In view of the wildfire situation in parts of British Columbia, here are important resources for communities, destination marketing organizations (DMO's) and tourism operators to use to communicate with guests and prospective visitors.

Given the evolving emergency situation, the messaging guide, as well as respective websites will be updated regularly.

Check DriveBC's info about road closures, major events and transportation delays here

Click here for Destination BC's "Know Before You Go".

We encourage visitors and travellers to check in with the Visitor Centre in the communities they will be visiting for real-time, on-the-ground updates.

To report a wildfire (dial *5555 on a cell phone or call toll free 1.800.663.5555)

Of Note; TIABC co-chairs a provincial Tourism Emergency Management Committee that works on behalf of industry to address major crises such as wildfires.

The U.S.-Canada border has been closed since March 2020. With more and more people getting vaccinated in both countries, and things returning to normal, the "Open The Border Campaign" strongly believe it's time to start reopening the border so that Canadians and Americans can cross the border freely and businesses can get back to work.

The tourism industry has been effectively shut down for over a year. Canadian businesses bring in billions in revenue and show visitors what a beautiful place our country is. Without travelers, there is no tourism industry. Reopen the border immediately to allow travelers to safely cross!

While there are 30 organizations (including TIABC) listed as supporters on the microsite and over 1,100 letters have been sent, the campaign needs additional support.

Click here for more information on the campaign, and how you can support this important initiative.

TIABC Director and Sr. VP of Big White Ski Resort, Michael J. Ballingall was a guest of Mankiran Aujla's podcast on Spice, July 13th.

During the podcast, Michael J. spoke about the current situation of the wildfires in our province and how it is impacting many sectors of the tourism industry.

While the challenge presented by the wildfires comes at a time when the tourism industry is navigating its way through the pandemic, the industry and its sectors are working together to educate and support residents and visitor's.

He also noted it is reassuring to see that BC residents are travelling and exploring BC despite the wildfire situation, and where safe, are not discouraged to remain at their choice of vacation destination.

Click here to listen to the full podcast.

TIABC endeavours to keep our industry and members up to date with the various relief and recovery programs. In addition to the recently announced Tourism Relief Fund program, here is a list of federal funding programs currently available.

Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): Subsidy to cover a portion of eligible expenses until September 25, 2021. Also includes an additional Lockdown Support of 25% if your business was significantly affected by a public health order. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Aimed at sectors like tourism and hospitality, hotels, arts and entertainment, and will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and provide low-interest loans up to $1 million for up to ten years.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Covers part of your employee wages retroactively back to December 20, 2020 until September 25, 2021. The maximum subsidy is 75%. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525

Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): The new Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) is designed to encourage businesses to grow as the economy recovers, whether it’s due to hiring and re-hiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay.

Note: Your business can only claim the CEWS OR CRHP - here is a comparison between the two programs

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): $400 per week for 13 two-week periods between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021 for self-employed workers and those in the gig economy. Applications are handled through the Canada Revenue Agency. Hotline: 1-833-966-2099

First Peoples' Cultural Council Arts Program. Grants ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 for Indigenous B.C. residents open for the Spring 2021 intake.

British Columbians are encouraged to share their experiences with the province’s highways and road services to help the Government of BC continually improve transportation for everyone.

The 2021 survey has new questions about the services of the ministry, including winter highway maintenance, active transportation options, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement, passenger transportation licensing (including ride-hailing services) and COVID-19 travel information.

The survey also invites people to share their experiences interacting with ministry staff, including rating aspects of courtesy, fairness, information and accessibility, as well as response times and general satisfaction with services provided.

Data collected will be analyzed to understand how the ministry is supporting people in specific service and geographic areas. It will help the ministry understand how to best focus its efforts and resources for the future.

You can complete the online survey here

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that tickets for its first-ever online 50/50 raffle are now on sale. The raffle starts with a $1000 jackpot and will increase with every ticket purchased above and beyond until sales close on August 16th 2021.

The initiative is a fundraiser for the BCHF, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers in need.

The winning name will be drawn at noon on August 17th and will be posted on the BCHF website and social media shortly thereafter, pending notification to the winner. Funds raised by the event will be used by the BCHF to support hospitality industry workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member.

Click here to purchase tickets online, and view updated jackpot as tickets are purchased.

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 new Bulletin feature will share 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.

Opened in 1976, the Haida Gwaii Museum at Ḵay Llnagaay on Haida Gwaii has continued to earn an international reputation for showcasing historic and contemporary Haida art and culture. The underlying theme running through all permanent exhibitions is the complex link between the land, the sea, human beings, and the Supernatural Beings that give Haida Gwaii its unique natural and cultural character.

In March of 2020, the Council of Haida Nation declared a state of emergency and Haida Gwaii went into a necessary lockdown to keep all residents safe. As a result, tourism was shut down and the museum closed to the public until public health and safety conditions improved.

Confronting these challenges head on, efforts were placed on focusing to bring the Trading House online (as it previously had no online presence). Management also reached out to the Northern BC Tourism Association for additional support.

The Northern BC Tourism Resiliency Program supported the Trading House as they increased the sophistication of their marketing, implementing a search engine optimization and content marketing strategy that ensured the Trading House ranked well on google searches. The program is also helping the Trading House reach a wider audience.

The Trading House reopened their physical location early last fall, and today continue to promote the community and their history through their new online store which is now a critical part of the business going forward.

Click here for more information on The Trading House at Saahlinda Naay.

TIABC recognizes that many of our members have been supporting our organization's advocacy efforts for a very long time. In this feature, we are showcasing those businesses and organizations that have been active members for 10 years or more.

Located on Vancouver’s waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop, the award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre offers one of the most beautiful settings in the world and convenient access to all the major visitor amenities in the downtown core.

As BC's flagship convention centre, the facility hosts more than 500 events and welcomes hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, while generating significant economic activity for the province.

Since opening in 1987, their mandate has been to generate economic and community benefits for British Columbia through the management and marketing of the province's premier convention and exhibition facility.

Click here to learn more about the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The month of July marks membership renewal dates for the majority of TIABC's members. 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.

During July and August, TIABC's C-19 Bulletin will be published twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays). We will continue to keep you informed of our advocacy efforts, government announcements, industry updates and any other relevant information to help you in your recovery efforts.

We continue to gather national, provincial, regional and community industry news, activities and events, and will be sure to provide additional updates should there be extraordinary news to share with our members.

Join Destination Vancouver for an informative and interactive session that explores how to create safer spaces in Tourism and Hospitality.

This session will start with an overview of the go2HR programs by Judy Frankel, communications manager at go2HR, and will include go2HR's upcoming programs including the BSAFE safety certificate program. The rest of the workshop will then be facilitated by Stacey Forester from Good Night Out Vancouver and will outline the basis for their education program for the prevention of sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence in the hospitality industry.

Date and Time: Thursday, July 15th, 10am - 12pm

Click here for more information and to register.

When closing up shop for the day you’d typically activate your alarm and lock your doors to keep your business safe. Now, as many businesses have transitioned to the 24/7 world of e-commerce, keeping your business safe means protecting yourself in a whole new way. Does your business have the right tools in place to protect against e-commerce fraud?

This webinar will explore potential risks your business may be exposed to when processing online transactions, “red flags” that can help you identify fraudulent activity, as well as tools and strategies at your disposal to help prevent fraud in the future. Join Marta Rzeszowska, Director, Product Portfolio, Online and Mobile at Moneris, to gain a deeper understanding of e-commerce fraud, and how you can keep your business safe.

Date and Time: Thursday, July 15th, 10:30 - 11:30 am

Click here for more information and to register.

Since entering Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan on July 1, COVID-19 restrictions have eased, stringent safety protocols have relaxed and accommodators and their employees have faced challenges ensuring they are operating in-line with current guidelines while continuing to build consumer confidence.

Join the BC Hotel Association and go2HR for a virtual information session that will outline best practices for hotel operations as we enter a post COVID-19 era.

Date and Time: Friday, July 16th, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Click here to register and submit questions.

Did you know that forging a path to sustainability not only helps our planet but can result in significant savings?

Join BCHA partner, Angela Nagy of GreenStep Solutions, where she will walk through how accommodators can best take advantage of the BCHA GoGreen Program to cut high fixed costs now and in the future, as a way to adapt, survive, and thrive after the impacts of COVID-19.

Participants will learn what the first three steps are in getting started, as well as immediate low and no-cost measures they can take to realize quick wins and early savings.

Date and Time: Thursday July 22, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Click here to register and submit questions.

Indigenous Cultural Protocols

Cultural Protocols, Empathy & Safety offers a facilitated de-colonial dialogue to support you or your organization to work through Nahanee Creative’s mini-courses and writing prompts together. In this two-hour workshop, you will create a Cultural Safety Plan of your own. While the teachings & critical Indigenous theory shared by Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee are grounded in Squamish world view, they are applicable across Indigenous Territories.

Date and Time: Thursday, July 22nd at 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Click here for more information and to register.

With the move to Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan and the prospect of moving to Step 4 by no earlier than September 7, our industry is expanding virtual meetings and once again opening their meeting room and conference room doors. We are pleased to provide you with updated information on the following industry meetings, conferences and events.

Thursday, November 18th

Details to the AGM including official Notice of AGM and registration will soon follow.

March 8 - 11, 2022

Prince George

Details to the conference including registration, accommodation and speaker highlights will be updated in Fall, 2021.

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. Feel free to share your photos, etc. with TIABC to share in our C-19 Bulletin.

From April 2020 to March 2021, TIAC and their partners, which included TIABC, delivered virtual workshops/webinars to over 4,000 participants, reaching over 30,000 businesses from coast to coast to coast. 

Self-Guided Webinars 

Developing Winter / Shoulder Season Tourism Toolkit

Made up of six learning modules, this webinar will give you actionable advice on how to define your strategy, develop products and experiences, build collaborative partnerships and more to boost seasonal tourism in your business or region.

Winter / Shoulder Season Consumer Demand Research Report

Get access to free tools and strategies to grow your business and tourism in your region at the ECE content hub: https://ecehub.tiac-aitc.ca/en/