If living through a pandemic has taught us anything, it’s knowing who our true friends and colleagues are. You know the people I’m talking about. These are the individuals who reach out regularly to offer encouragement and support. They’re the ones who care about how you’re doing mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They send notes…or even better…call or drop by to check up on you. They even confide in or seek your counsel when they themselves are in a jam. To be clear, these are not the casual Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok friends who 👍 virtually everything you post.

Conversely, the pandemic has also taught us (at least for me) who we don’t want to spend time with anymore. You know the kind. They wake up in the morning, take one giant breath and don’t spot whining until their head hits the pillow at the end of the day. Sometimes their chronic complaining leads to other actions that you definitely want to distance yourself from.

I’m not referring to folks that gripe about the weather, traffic, or the odd ailment. Nor am I including people with strong views on politics, sports, current events, the pandemic, or other subjects. We’re all guilty of grumbling about something every day. I’m talking about those that have taken their bellyaching one step too far.

For example…the protesters that threw gravel at Prime Minister Trudeau while he was on the campaign trail. Or the demonstrators that recently marched outside hospitals to voice their opposition to masks and vaccines, blocking access for patients, ambulances, and visitors. The vitriol directed at health care workers, government, and Dr. Henry was reprehensible. Honestly, it doesn't bother me if people choose to be anti-vaccers, dislike a certain politician, or disagree with a government order, but to resort to childish tactics including violence is simply inexcusable.

Having spent the last 18 months looking at the data and hearing countless stories of hardship faced by business owners and tourism employees, I empathize with the fear and anger that many feel. I also appreciate the need for people to vent or direct their frustrations against someone or something. But there is a proverbial line that should never be crossed. Unfortunately, in many instances that line has been erased by making the disagreements personal. I’ve read several emails sent to decision-makers with language I wouldn’t repeat in a hockey dressing room. I often wonder how these missives help the sender's cause.

While I tend to show appreciation and give credit where credit is due, I’m not in the business of defending government. As an advocate for our industry, I’m often more like the official opposition given my role in either opposing decisions, asking government to do something they may not necessarily want to do, or criticizing policies. But at least I try to be civil about it.

From my perspective, instead of constantly complaining or protesting and ticking off the innocent bystanders, a better approach is to offer constructive solutions for whatever problem needs to be addressed. Government does not have a monopoly on good ideas so recommendations are certainly welcome from multiple sources. While the Province recognizes the right to protest and sees value in peaceful and meaningful demonstrations (as do I), when marchers compare the vaccine card regime with Nazism and North Korea-style dictatorship, or call for Dr. Henry to be locked up, it's not even close to a reasonable or valid option for consideration.

The vaccine card is intended to be a temporary measure to help reduce rising COVID transmission rates in the immediate term. Is the system perfect? Far from it. Is it an inconvenience? Absolutely. Is it necessary? Yes, if it means being able to keep tourism and other businesses open. Will it lead to other orders? Perhaps. Does government have all the answers? Dumb question. Does our industry have other recommendations for decision-makers to consider? Certainly…and as as one sector association among many, we’re providing feedback and advice nearly every day.

The irony is not lost on me that I’ve now vented for two minutes…or at least offered an opinion. However, I’ll leave it there for the day to spend time with close friends who like to laugh and aren’t going to bend my ear all evening long complaining about the PHO, the Prime Minister, lousy service, road construction, or myriad other topics.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC

There are new requirements for people to provide proof of vaccination in order to enter certain social and recreational events and settings. This will help encourage more people to get vaccinated, while protecting people in these settings, keeping businesses open, and allowing events to take place.

TIABC, BCHA, Indigenous Tourism BC, Destination BC and the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat have developed a new toolkit to summarize current guidelines, provide links to more information on topics like dealing with customers without proof of vaccination, and recruiting and training staff.

As we continue to move through the remaining steps in BC's restart plan, the toolkit will be updated with new and notable information. We trust it will be helpful as as we continue to assist businesses, travellers and visitors.

• Travel is part of our DNA. It gives us something to look forward to. It brings us joy to experience new places, new tastes, and new ideas. It’s the perfect antidote to recharge, connect with friends and families and create new memories. Tourism is fueled by people who are passionate about their work, their jobs are vital to local economies across British Columbia.

• While vaccination records are required for specified events and licensed restaurants, and indoor mask requirements have returned, we are continuing to encourage British Columbians to safely travel across our province and to welcome our neighbours from coast to coast to coast, from the United States, and the rest of the world.

• As always, we are encouraging the travelling public to know the requirements that are in place before they go, and for tourism operators to let people know ahead of time what is expected in terms of current regulations.

As the tourism sector continues to opens its doors, there’s a growing demand for workers and opportunities for British Columbians looking for jobs to be a part one of the province’s most important sectors. There is an incredible variety of work with options to suit a wide range of skills.

Joint statement of: Brenda Baptiste, Chair, Indigenous Tourism BC; Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC; Ingrid Jarrett, President and CEO of the BC Hotel Association; Anthony Everett, Chair of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat; and Richard Porges, President and CEO of Destination BC.

The new COVID-19 vaccine requirement rules took effect as of yesterday.

People can get their BC Vaccine Card online at gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard. Once verified, a person will be able to save a digital copy to their mobile device or print a hard copy to present along with their government-issued photo identification.

People without access to a computer and printer can get their card by calling 1 833 838-2323 at the Get Vaccinated call centre and get their printed copy mailed to them or they can visit a Service BC Centre to get one.

The requirement will be time limited through to January 31, 2022, subject to possible extension.

You do not have to check proof of vaccination at indoor organized events with less than 50 people, except adult sports.

New requirements are being implemented through orders from the provincial health officer. New public orders for Gatherings and Events and Food and Liquor Serving Premises came into effect on September 13th. The province-wide mask mandate also remains in place.

The conditions in the previous public order remain in place, i.e., patrons must be assigned a table and shown to their seats, patrons must remain seated and not move between tables, and no dancing is allowed.

The public order has been changed to add requirements for checking/showing proof of vaccination at a wide variety of food and liquor serving premises. The order also describes where proof of vaccination is not required.

The public order is addressed to restaurants with table service, cafes, food primary or liquor primary establishments, including pubs, bars, lounges, and nightclubs, liquor manufacturing facilities that have tasting rooms with seating, and private clubs.

This order is not directed at: food or liquor serving premises which are located in airports or at BC Ferries terminals or on BC ferries, designated onsite liquor retail and dedicated sampling room areas without seating attached to a liquor manufacturing facility, a person providing or collecting take-out food, a person who delivers to or receives food in a place other than a restaurant, non-licensed premises with only counter food service where the food is either ordered and collected from a counter, or is ordered at a counter and delivered to the customer at a table or other place, non-licensed self-serve food areas, food courts, food trucks, drive-through, take out or quick service food services.

This Order does not apply to events as defined in the Gatherings and Events Order, or to meetings or conferences held in hotels or anywhere else. 

The public order has been changed to add requirements for checking/showing proof of vaccination at a wide variety events. The order also describes where proof of vaccination is not required.

People must show their proof of vaccination before entering a gathering of more than 50 participants in an inside place for social, entertainment, dancing, choral, musical, recreational, gambling, arts or crafts, or business purposes and includes a ticketed sports activity, concert, theatrical production, dance or symphony performance, festival, conference, convention, trade fair, home show, workshop, wedding reception, funeral reception not at a funeral home, and a sponsored, ticketed party; and a gathering of participants in an inside place for the purpose of an adult sports activity, or an exercise, fitness or dance activity or class.

Download the following new public orders:

Quick Links:

On September 13th, the provincial government announced that Interior Health is updating COVID-19 regional medical health officer orders to make it possible for larger events to go ahead in the Interior, as long as participants show proof of full vaccination.

The following updates have been made to the Interior region Gatherings and Events Order:

Check here for yesterday's updated announcement for Interior Health.

The provincial government also announced yesterday, the Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order for the Central Okanagan has been repealed. Establishments in the Central Okanagan must now follow the province-wide public order for Food and Liquor Serving Premises.

What this means for food and liquor serving premises in the Central Okanagan:

Click here for yesterday's updated announcement for the Central Okanagan.

As BC continues to battle the 4th wave of the global pandemic, new issues surrounding vaccination status continue to arise. These issues can often be quite challenging for employers to fully understand.

Indeed, one of the most critical issue facing employers today is the vaccination status of staff. Currently there is no provincial mandate for mandatory vaccination of staff outside of the health care setting. It is up to the individual business to decide on their own policy.

While it is widely accepted that vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective way of combating this virus, not everyone is vaccinated. Recent public health orders, notably, the provincial vaccination passport, will offer business a way to confirm the vaccination status of their customers, but questions about staff still linger.

How can an employer navigate this situation while balancing health & safety, human rights, privacy and other related legal requirements? While certainly challenging, it is not impossible.

go2HR has compiled a comprehensive suite of resources to help employers understand the issues involved better, and to help them decide on an option that would work best for them.

Wednesday's at 11:00 AM

The First of the Webinar Series is TOMORROW - Sept. 15th!

As travel restrictions are lifted and people start to travel again, Serge Corbeil and Timothy Liu of Air Canada will share information about the current state of the airline and what lies ahead in the near future.

They will touch on rebuilding routes, Air Canada's network, and ways the airline and tourism industry can work together to bring back visitors to British Columbia from near and far.

Director, Government Relations, Local and Provincial, Air Canada

With over 25 years of government relations and communications experience in the private and public sectors, Serge is currently Director, Government Relations, Local and Provincial at Air Canada.

Serge is a member of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

Managing Director, Sales Planning & Effectiveness

Timothy Liu joined Air Canada in 2015 and currently holds the position of Managing Director, Sales Planning and Effectiveness. In this role, he leads the development of Air Canada’s sales strategies globally and is responsible for market planning, sales analytics, as well as overseeing sales program development, communication, training, tourism partnerships, and sales support.

Stay tuned here for updates on additional topics to the webinar series.

Based on advice from emergency management and wildfire officials, BC's provincial State of Emergency, enacted to support provincial wildfire response, will expire at 11:59 pm tonight.

Cooler seasonal weather and precipitation, combined with the hard work of firefighters from BC, Canada and abroad to contain and extinguish fires, means that the province can allow the State of Emergency to end and return to a standard emergency response.

While the provincial State of Emergency is no longer required, the wildfire season is not over. It is vital that the public remain prepared and follow the continued direction of local authorities.

Read the full news release here.

 

Election Day is just six days away! Thanks to your work, our coalition has been making waves as we continue to press candidates to prioritize additional support measures for the industry. Since the election started, we have successfully secured support (though it varies in approach) from all political parties.

In these final days of the campaign, we have an opportunity to do one last big push to ensure that all candidates and party leaders understand the urgent need for continued and tailored support in order to preserve our industry and make it to recovery.

If you are short on time and can only do one thing, please just send this pre-written letter.

If you can spare more than one minute, please go the extra mile with an organic engagement.

Everything you need to assist you, including email and Tweet templates, key messages and how to find your candidates can be found here.

As you head to the polls, please also inform yourself as to party commitments to the industry. We have collected it all here.

As the summer season comes to a close, many business operators in destinations like Whistler, Sun Peaks and Big White are bracing for a busier winter season as international visitors return to Canada amid an ongoing staff shortage.

Business owners say the lack of international workers has been a particularly large burden. Canadian mountain towns have long relied on foreign workers using working holiday visas, a reciprocal scheme Canada has with other countries like the U.K. and Japan that allows young adults to easily obtain an extended visa for work and travel.

Visas have become more difficult to come by during the pandemic, and the uncertainty around COVID-19 has kept some people from moving to Canada as their own countries grapple with waves of the coronavirus. At the centre of the issue is the lack of Australian workers, who face restrictions from their government about leaving their country. Ski villages will face unique challenges this winter, as they seek enough staff to keep the resorts and all its facilities operating.

Tourism Whistler said U.S. and international visitors account for roughly 60% of travellers to the resort in a normal year. As some restrictions return in the province due to COVID-19's fourth wave, the tourism board said it expects people to take a wait-and-see approach when they book for the winter season.

Read the full news report here.

Are you interested in playing a critical role in the long-term sustainable recovery and growth of BC's tourism industry?

Destination BC is seeking representatives for its Tourism Marketing Committee (TMC) for terms beginning January 1, 2022. Interested applicants should possess the following experience and skills, to complement those of the current members:

The Tourism Marketing Committee provides strategic advice to Destination BC's Board and CEO related to:

Each application must include the completed Application Form, including your resume and any other supporting documents you feel are relevant to the process. Applications are to be submitted in electronic form.

Applications must be received no later than 5 pm (PT) on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

Please submit your Application form to: Tatyana.Slavkova@DestinationBC.ca

Learn more about DBC's Marketing Committee here.

Deadline October 1, 2021

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors.

For the 2021-2023 term, TIABC is seeking a total of five (5) candidates:

• From the DMO category one (1) is required for a two-year term.

• From the Sector Association category sector two (2) are required for a two-year term.

• From the Business Membership category two (2) are required for a two-year term.

As per the bylaws, the Tourism Industry Association of BC requests that all nominations from members be received 45 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. All nominations for director positions therefore, must be received on or before October 1, 2021 by 5pm.

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) advocates on behalf of the 19,300+ tourism

businesses and 161,000 employees that work in every community and region of our province for the interests of British Columbia’s $22 billion+ visitor economy (2019). As a not-for-profit tourism industry association, TIABC works collaboratively with its members – private sector tourism businesses, industry associations and destination marketing organizations – to ensure the best working environment for a competitive tourism industry.

Please contact Deborah Kulchiski (Manager, Special Projects, TIABC) at deborah@tiabc.ca

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 feature will share stories of how people, businesses and organizations, are doing things in an inspiring and way.

Daisuke (Dai) Fukasaku has been adapting and flourishing since his arrival in Canada in 2007. In 2013, with a passion for fresh seafood and local ingredients, Dai opened Fukasaku restaurant in the Northwest fishing hub of Prince Rupert.

Fukasaku was the first sushi restaurant in BC to be 100% certified by Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program. Apart from the dishes he serves, the sake, craft beers, and wines—even the tables and chairs—are locally-sourced, as well.

Needless to say, the restaurant and hospitality industry has been one of the hardest-hit industries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Fukasaku has been no exception. With a nearly 60% decrease in revenue, a reduced operating capacity, and substantially fewer tourists to the region, this year could have spelled disaster for the restaurant and this well-intentioned entrepreneur.

It had long been Dai’s intention to diversify his company, working to downsize his restaurant, increase community marketing and promote his signature dressing for additional sales. The BCRTS Tourism Resiliency Program arranged a consulting session. Today, Dai is in the process of creating the community retail marketplace he had always dreamed of: a place where the local fishing industry could connect with restaurants, local consumers, and visitors.

Learn more about the Fukasaku Restaurant here.

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.

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.

Destination BC is launching Power Up! The application-based, digital mentorship program will provide 75 eligible BC-based, small and medium sized tourism businesses, sole proprietors, and non-profits across the province with free access to 1-1 digital audit and technical services designed to improve digital marketing activities and use of digital technology.

Businesses can choose one of the following service areas that they deem a priority for their business: digital strategy, SEO, website/booking engine/online store, email, social media audit and strategy, or digital advertising. The service costs will be directly covered through the program up to a maximum of $5,000 per participant and will include supporting educational resources for further learning and ongoing implementation in the future.

Destination BC expects this to be a very popular program. To ensure an equitable process, we are assisting DBC in the promotion of the program from September 7-17 to spread the word as widely as possible and give tourism businesses the opportunity to prepare their applications in advance.

The application intake will begin on September 20th. TIABC will endeavour to keep you informed of the application process.

Join the BC Hotel Association, GreenStep Solutions, and FRESCo Building Efficiency to learn about two FREE programs that are available to accommodators – the BCHA GoGreen program and Fortis Rental Apartment Efficiency program.

These FREE and complementary programs will help operators save water, reduce their carbon footprint, and improve their energy efficiency while saving money!

Take this opportunity to sign up!

Date: Tuesday, September 21 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Register and submit questions here.

Join GreenStep for this free webinar to learn how your tourism business, and the planet, can benefit from assessing your business’s sustainability performance.

Improve your knowledge on sustainability, gain tips on creating an action plan, long-term goal setting, and how to engage your customers and staff.

Dates: September 21 @1:30pm or October 5 @10am

Open to any tourism business globally, register for free here.

The provincial fisher management and recovery initiative is beginning its planning phase in the fall of 2021. Over the next year, draft stewardship scenarios will be developed for both the Central Interior (recovery focus) and the Boreal (management focus) populations. The intention is that by September 2022 the draft scenarios will be made available for use by landscape and operational-level planning processes to support the integration of fisher with management for other values.

To develop the draft fisher stewardship scenarios, the Province of BC will be hosting a series of webinars to exchange information and discuss key questions. First Nations, stakeholders and government staff are invited to participate in the webinars. Participation in all webinars is anticipated to involve 15-20 hours from October 2021 to June 2022.

Join the following online session where you can ask members of the provincial fisher team questions about the webinar series.

Date: September 20th, 3pm - 4pm (PT)

Zoom Link:

Open to any tourism business globally, register for free here.

The Destination BC Tourism Digital Academy is a free, eight-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses interested in building their knowledge and skills in digital marketing to an intermediate level.

Applications for the next two intakes (October 4 and October 11) are now open! Space is limited and past intakes filled up quickly. Don’t miss this free opportunity to take your marketing skills to the next level!

Learn more here.

With this year's theme "Rural, Resilient & Looking Forward", the provincial conference will be held in Revelstoke, BC.

This is an in-person event.

Dates: September 20 - 22.

Click here for more information and to register.

Elections will take place electronically during the period of August 23rd to September 7th. The results of this election will be announced at the Association’s Annual General Meeting.

Dates: October 13th, 2021 (to be held virtually).

Click here for more information and the official Notice of Nominations.

The 2021 Boating BC Conference Early Bird Registration is now available.

This year’s theme “New Horizons – Building our Industry” will look at a post-pandemic recovery and how the recreational boating industry can build on the surge of interest from consumers over the past 18 months and continue the momentum. Thought leaders from our industry and beyond will provide insights into growing your business for success.

This is a great opportunity to reconnect with industry peers in a safe environment. Provincial health protocols will be in place, including the requirement for everyone to have a BC Vaccine Card.

Don’t miss this must-attend event. Get your tickets early and save! Early bird deadline is Thursday, September 30. Register Now

Dates: November 23rd and 24th

Click here for tickets that are now available online.

Under the theme, Forging Canada’s Tourism Future, this year's Congress will have an amazing line-up of valued experts, innovative panels, enriching content and robust networking opportunities you can only get in person.

Thinking of registering in person? You’ll enjoy additional sessions that are only available live.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED: TIAC Members who register by September 10th - SAVE $100 on in-person registration.

Dates: November 30th and December 1st.

In-person registration includes:

Click here to register and to view the programming being offered at this year’s Congress.

Wednesday, November 17th 2021

Kamloops, BC

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

Dialogue and recommendations will be captured from this annual conference of thought leaders to produce the IMPACT Conference Proceedings Paper in 2022.

As conference organizers, they believe through conversation, inspiration and collaboration they can position Canada as a global leader in sustainability and innovation in tourism and drive a competitive advantage for the future. This is the legacy they hope to create from the IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference.

DATE: January 23 - 26, 2022, Victoria Conference Centre

Details to the Conference including registration will be provided late in August, 2021.

Prince George

TIABC and the BC Hotel Association are excited to announce the 2nd annual Tourism & Hospitality Conference will be taking place in Prince George next spring.

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