“On the road again…like a band of gypsies we go down the highway; we're the best of friends, insisting that the world keep turning our way, and our way is on the road again.” You may recognize these lyrics from Willie Nelson’s #1 country hit written for the 1980 movie Honeysuckle Rose.

On the Road Again popped into my head as I departed YVR for a quick trip to Cranbrook this past Tuesday following a visit to the Sunshine Coast, as well as Prince George last week. In fact, since the start of May and by Father’s Day, I will have visited every defined tourism region of BC except one.

Being on the road for business or personal reasons gives me the opportunity to see and experience first-hand what’s happening in individual communities and to learn from members and stakeholders what issues they’re dealing with that affect their individual businesses. I always walk away with a page of notes to review with TIABC’s Policy Committee and Board of Directors to help determine where we focus our advocacy efforts.

After meeting with Northern BC Tourism Association (NBCTA) CEO Clint Fraser last week, and then with NBCTA’s entire board two days ago (for convenience they met at Fairmont YVR) I learned of several concerns that need to be addressed with various levels of government.

For example, given the majority of visitors to the north arrive by car or RV, the ever-increasing cost of fuel is likely to be a barrier and reduce the volume of tourists they normally receive each year (& air travel is often not a viable alternative). The cost and/or availability of housing have become barriers to attracting desperately needed workers to address industry workforce challenges.

Supply chain obstacles are making it much more difficult for operators to obtain the goods they need, not to mention price increases (i.e. inflation) for virtually all products and services are affecting profit margins.

One NBCTA director lamented the lack of funding for over-used and damaged recreational sites and trails and also noted that in one area, there was but a single park ranger to monitor and oversee the operation of 48 provincial parks. The list goes on and on.

Many of these issues are not easy to resolve in short order. At the same time, government is keen to hear from TIABC and our partners with recommendations or solutions to the problems that need fixing. To help inform next year’s provincial budget, in my upcoming meeting with the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, I intend to pitch for increased resources for the tourism sector to manage future crises.

Among other things, I’ll ask again for the development of a parallel program to the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) for other tourism dependent communities throughout the province to receive funding for infrastructure improvements. In light of a recent decision around the potential use of Municipal & Regional District Tax (MRDT) in Tofino beyond the scope of marketing, projects, programs and affordable housing, I’ll plead for the retention of the provincial MRDT system for its original and intended legislated purpose. My third priority is dedicated funding for the regions to execute emergency management initiatives including preparation, mitigation, response and recovery.

Whether it’s the Kootenays Rockies, Vancouver Island, Thompson Okanagan, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, or Vancouver Coast and Mountains, many of the concerns I heard from my friends in the north earlier this week are similar and require attention.

At the same time, I am also encouraged by the many good signs that point to a rapidly rebounding visitor economy as bookings and revenues are up for many businesses and tourism-dependent communities through the spring and summer months, as well as into the fall.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned issues and other barriers, I am optimistic about the future of our industry as we rebuild after the pandemic. There is pent-up demand for British Columbia experiences, and as I’ve witnessed personally, the volume of people traveling around the province continues to increase month-over-month.

The last stop on my regional tour is the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, hopefully within the next few weeks. I can already hear Willie singing…"On the road again; goin' places that I've never been; seein' things that I may never see again and I can't wait to get on the road again."

Walt Judas,

CEO, TIABC

Random testing at airports will be temporarily suspended at all airports starting on Saturday, June 11th until June 30th, according to a joint statement today from Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault.

As of tomorrow, only unvaccinated travellers will be required to take a test upon entry into Canada. The change is being called a “pause”, with the suspension lasting from Saturday and June 30. The government could still bring it back.

Travellers who don’t meet the vaccine requirements may be turned away at the border, or be required to quarantine for 14 days or until their departure.

Click here for up to date information on COVID 19 travel testing and borders.

TIABC CEO Walt Judas was a guest of CKNW's Jas Johal on June 8th and talked about what the summer season may hold for the tourism sector, what recovery is currently looking like, and how demands may impact the industry in a positive way despite some ongoing challenges.

Click here to listen to the full interview.

In a recent survey conducted by Abacus Data, it was summarized that travel still isn’t ‘back to normal’ in the eyes of Canadians, and this feeling continues to drive our travel desires. More Canadians now believe it’s possible to travel without feeling like we are living in a pandemic (1 in 4), but three quarters still believe that if they want to travel in the next few months, it will feel like ‘pandemic travel’.

The majority also say this feeling will prevent them from making plans. 44% of Canadians say if they want to travel in the next few months, it will feel like travelling in a pandemic and that just isn’t something they are interested in. However, travel within Canada is looking up.

Additional highlights include:

Click here to read the full report.

In its recent Budget, the Federal Government stated that “to continue supporting Canada’s tourism sector, the Minister of Tourism will work with the tourism industry, provincial and territorial counterparts, and Indigenous tourism operators to develop a new post-pandemic Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which will plot a course for growth, investment, and stability.”

Government has initiated national consultations. TIABC's national counterparts...TIAC will be actively participating in these consultations, including drafting a detailed submission that reflects the tourism industry’s priorities for moving towards growth, investment, and stability.

To assist in this regard, TIAC asks that you complete the following survey before the deadline of Friday, June 17th. Your input matters!

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has advised that the Committee’s Budget 2023 consultation is now open.

The Committee has made some adjustments to the consultation process that are based on best practices observed from previous consultations and aim to make the process more efficient and accessible for all participants. This year, participants are asked to focus on three recommendations for the next provincial budget.

Opportunities to complete the submission form and the survey are open until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 24th on the link below. Please note that public hearings are full, and a waitlist has been established.

Canada’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 per cent in May, the lowest level on record, according to today's Labour Force Survey results from Stats Canada.

This included a jump in jobs for women as the country added 40,000 jobs last month.

The agency said that women across all age groups made up the bulk of hiring in May, with employment steady for men. The participation rate, which looks at workers employed or looking for a job, hit an all-time high of 85 per cent for core-aged women in May. Also to note, there was a rise in employment rate in accommodation and food services (+20,000; +1.9%) for a second consecutive month

The unemployment rate in BC has dropped to a three-year low of 4.5%, which is a rate not seen since July 2019. There are now nearly 100,000 more people working in BC than prior to the pandemic.

Click here to read the full report and survey results from Statistics Canada.

The Province and its partners are leading a review to ensure BC's Great Bear Rainforest remains preserved and protected while supporting sustainable forestry.

The Province has been working in a government-to-government partnership with First Nations and is seeking input from stakeholders to complete a five-year review of the implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM) in the Great Bear Rainforest.

The goal of the review is to identify and resolve issues and make improvements to the 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order (GBRLUO) in order to achieve ecological and social goals. Technical work is complete and, in advance of decision-making, the Province is releasing proposed amendments for public comment.

The engagement, which will be open for 60 days, will cover four key themes:

The 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order is managed under BC's Land Act and is the product of almost 20 years of negotiation. Following public engagement and government-to-government discussions with First Nations, an updated version of the GBRLUO will be developed.

Read the full announcement from the Ministry of Forests here. Learn more about the Great Bear Rainforest here.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) will begin the search for a new CEO after Ian Robertson announced his plan to retire in early 2023.

Robertson joined the organization in 2015 and has directed GVHA on key strategic goals and objectives during this time. Under his leadership, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has begun a path toward meaningful reconciliation with Lekwungen Peoples, improved the facilities it owns through infrastructure development and expansion projects, and sustainably managed cruise in Greater Victoria.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Robertson worked with business leaders to advocate for support for the tourism industry in the region. He also played a key role in the safe resumption of the cruise industry in Canada through his advocacy efforts at a municipal, provincial, and federal level with both industry and government partners.

Robertson will retire following a decades-long career, including roles with the Tourism Industry Association of BC and Rocky Mountaineer.

Congratulations are in order for two members of the talented go2HR team - Ginger Brunner (l) and Judy Frankel (r).

Ginger has been promoted from Senior HR Specialist to Manager, Industry Human Resources. In addition to providing HR support for BC tourism and hospitality employers, Ginger will also be leading go2HR's mental health team, working with their Workplace Learning Coaches - Psychological Health & Safety, and developing their partnership with CMHA BC.

Judy has been promoted from Manager of Communications to Director of Communications. She has decades of experience in broadcasting and communications and will continue leading the development of tools and information to support BC's tourism and hospitality community.

TIABC is proud to partner with go2HR and looks forward to working with Ginger and Judy in their expanded roles.

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) region are pleased to announce Tsunaxen, Willie Lewis as the Indigenous Specialist for the region.

Tsunaxen, Willie Lewis, is a member of the Squamish First Nation and is a cultural performer who shares his extensive knowledge of Squamish cultures and traditions as part of Spakwus Slolem (The Eagle Dancers).

As the VCM Indigenous Specialist, Willie will apply his expertise and experience towards advancing Indigenous tourism opportunities, primarily by providing responsive and respectful regionally-specific programs, services and projects. He will also grow awareness about the value of Indigenous cultural tourism with partners and organizations across the VCM region and beyond.

TIABC congratulates Willie on this exciting new opportunity and looks forward to working with him.

Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT community celebrates in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognizing the influence 2SLGBTQIA+ people have had around the world.

Pride Month is so important because it marks the start of huge change within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as the wider societal implications. Although attitudes and injustice still remain, we have come a long way and by continuing in this long standing tradition we continue to raise awareness, improve the attitudes of society and encourage inclusiveness.

One way to support National Pride Month is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment by applying for the Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program. Developed by Canada's 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism HR Canada, the program sets a stringent set of standards to ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ customers and staff feel safe, welcome, and accepted.

After working together for several years to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Kelowna Pride and Tourism Kelowna are happy to announce a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to officially continue this work.

Through awareness, education, and promotion, the two organizations plan to:

As part of this agreement, Tourism Kelowna plans to further enhance destination marketing activities, promote more events, create more articles supporting the community, and continue expanding the pride-related merchandise available at the Kelowna Visitor Centre, including Kelowna Pride’s products. In addition, Kelowna Pride will continue to extend awareness of Kelowna as an ideal place to host meetings and conferences, contribute to content to attract the 2SLGBTQIA+ travel market, and develop and execute inclusive community events and educational programs.

Read the full announcement here.

On behalf of TIABC and Board of Directors, we are pleased to acknowledge the following member. We appreciate their support and investment in our advocacy efforts. It's a pleasure to introduce them to our industry network and readership.

Top Cat Wine Tours & Charters is locally owned and operated, and their drivers ensure you have the best experience possible

They are industry leaders for wine touring in the Okanagan.

With a large fleet of vehicles, they can customize to your group size and has the most vehicle options and private custom tours

catered to your taste in wine.

Click here for more information on Top Cat Wine Tours & Charters.

We strongly encourage you to consider membership or renew your 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 27-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.

WORTH Association is excited to announce their first ever online auction is now LIVE! Click here to see all of the items up for bid.

Looking for that perfect Father's Day gift or a summer experience? Now's your chance to enjoy some guilt-free shopping for a good cause. Funds raised from this auction will support WORTH’s Mentorship Program, operating costs and educational programming for our community.

Interested in being a future donor to WORTH’s Fall auction? Email at info@worthassociation.com.

Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to offer free access for tourism business stakeholders across the province to online education supporting COVID-19 recovery.

You will learn how ask the right questions, collect key data and interpret that information to help you make strategic business decisions.

Date: June 17th, 1pm - 4pm (PT)

Register Here using coupon code: DBC3034

What if economic reconciliation were a means of transforming our collective economy from the current state to a desired future state? Economic Reconciliation is more than just normalizing relations with First Nations, it's about transforming the economy for all of our collective wellbeing. Step into the River offers a set of values, mind shifts and practices to support how practitioners, local governments, organizations, institutions and industry partners can engage in reconciliation to meet that desired outcome.

Sxwpilemaát Siyám (Chief Leanne Joe) a Hereditary Chief of the Squamish Nation and transformative storyteller and co-author Lily Raphael are sharing a path for economic reconciliation with the launch of Step Into the River: A Framework for Economic Reconciliation.

Date: June 20th, 2022 - 12:00 pm (PT), online

Click here to register for the lecture and the Q. & A. session that follows.

Fully Funded Virtual Hospitality Training for Professionals in the Thompson Okanagan Region, provided by TOTA and Okanagan College.

Online, with practicums and work experiences on site as required.

Application Deadline: May 22, 2022

Earlier this month Bill 10 became law, allowing for single-step certification of unions where the union can demonstrate the support of 55% or more of the bargaining unit. This single-step process makes it easier for unions to become certified.

We understand the significant impact this may have on your businesses, and we have already heard concerning reports of unionization efforts in cannabis and liquor retail stores. It’s important for owners to be aware of what this means.

Please join legal experts Ryan Anderson and Mark Bout from Mathews Dinsale for a webinar outlining what Bill 10 may mean for your business, and what you need to know about union organizing efforts.

Date: Tuesday, June 21st

Time: 10 am - 11 am via Zoom

Click here to RSVP and submit questions for the webinar, or email Ann Brydle.

TIABC would like to remind industry of the Safer Spaces course: Creating Sexual Harassment-Free Workplaces in BC's Tourism and Hospitality Industry. This free online course has been extremely well-received by industry as it addresses one of today's concerning topics and supports employers and supervisors in creating workplaces that are free from sexual harassment.

go2HR is offering a free webinar on Challenging Guest Interactions and Preventing Workplace Violence for industry associations to share with their members.

Challenging guest interactions can include worker harassment, verbal abuse and, in escalating situations, even physical violence.

The webinar is a 45-minute session and can be a stand-alone webinar or added to an existing meeting. In the webinar, your members will learn:

In addition, your members will gain access to tools, checklists and resources that they can personalize for their business and use for worker training.

Connect safety@go2hr.ca to learn more about the webinar and schedule your presentation!

Come say hi at the Oceans Week booth on Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria on June 12th where Pacific Wild will be stationed alongside the whale watching and conservation group Eagle Wing Tours.

Date: June 12th - Join anytime between 10:30am-3:00pm.

Come meet ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, in Penticton for a discussion of:

We look forward to meeting you face-to-face to hear about the issues that matter most to you and your businesses.

Location: Penticton Lakeside Resort, 21 Lakeshore Drive W

Date: Friday, June 17th

Time: 3:00-5:00 pm

Click here to RSVP

You are invited to join in remotely for the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BC Cycling Coalition.

Date: Monday, June 20th, 6:30 to 8:00pm, via Zoom.

Please register here. You must be a member of the BCCC in order to vote.

Mark your calendars, the 2022 CITAP AGM. Online registration will open in early June, so please stay tuned! There will be no cost to attend the meeting.

Date:  Wednesday, June 29th

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM (PT) via Zoom

CITAP Board of Directors Openings for the 2022/23 Election:

Prior to the AGM, on June 21st, CITAP will give all candidates the opportunity to address membership as part of their campaign via Zoom. To update your profile, please log in to your CITAP account on the website.

For further information, please contact CITAP office at 604.247.1997 or citap97@citap.ca. 

Date and Location: Victoria | June 13-16

This year’s conference theme is Regenerative Tourism: Building Resilience. The conference will focus on recovering efforts of the global tourism and hospitality industry and communities to regenerate tourism in the post-pandemic era and at the same time to increase resilience to crises, sustain resources, and distribute more fairly tourism benefits.

Join us in Victoria or attend virtually!

Click HERE to learn more and to register.

Wine Growers British Columbia along with Wine Growers Canada, Wine Growers Ontario and Wine Growers Nova Scotia are pleased to invite you to attend the annual Canadian Wine Growers Symposium and Annual Awards Ceremony.

The symposium will have high profile speakers addressing emerging political and market trends and impacts of the pandemic, followed by the host organizations Award Ceremonies.

Virtual Event

Date: Monday, July 11th, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Registration is complimentary to industry professionals

Click HERE to learn more and to register.

The 2022 Canada 55+ Games are coming to Kamloops August 23rd–26th.

The Canada 55+ Games is a large multi-sport event with over 2500 participants competing in 26 different events.

The Games focus on the social, physical and psychological well being of the participants through participation in a multi-day event. The Games are held over four days and participants must qualify through their provincial 55+ games competitions.

The Games offers opportunities for enrichment, fulfilment and improved quality of life provided by participation in a broad variety of athletic, recreational and social events. Although the very nature of the Games is to declare a winner or winners, the aspect of winning is secondary to the social side related to reuniting with friends from Games past.

The culmination of WGBC activities, including marketing, communications, advocacy and more over the Fiscal Year 2022 will be reported on in the Annual Report released at the Annual General Meeting. As quorum is critical for this meeting to proceed, please add this date to your calendar.

Date: Wednesday, September 7th - 10am - noon

Virtual Event: Add to calendar HERE

Sport Tourism Canada and Edmonton Events have announced that Sport Events Congress 2022 will be held November 2-4 in Edmonton.

SEC22 promises to be everything that attendees know and love about Congress – interactive, educational, opportunities for business-to-business networking, evening social events (including an Edmonton Oilers NHL match-up at Rogers Place). View the preliminary schedule here.

Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.

TIABC recognizes that our members, stakeholders and staff occupy the ceded, unceded and traditional territories of Indigenous Nations across British Columbia. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play on the lands that our Indigenous friends and First Nations ancestors honour and care for.