September 22, 2023

View as Webpage

CEO MESSAGE

Prior to the pandemic, I played hockey at least once a week for decades but since 2020 I’ve hardly laced up the skates. My gear had been gathering cobwebs until I was recently recruited to rejoin a team I hadn’t played for since the late nineties. When I walked into the dressing room for the first time the other night I thought, “who are these old guys and am I in the right place?”

After the coach gave his usual pep talk on game strategy vis-a-vis forechecking, backchecking, taking lots of shots, and staying out of the penalty box, one of my teammates asked for everyone’s attention to provide instructions on where to locate the defibrillator (AED) if or when necessary. Wait, what? Am I really at the stage in my life where, aside from losing teeth or injuring a limb, the probability of an on-ice medical incident is relatively high?

Suffice it to say, I appreciated the team’s preparation in the event a player experiences a heart attack during a game. As you know, when it comes to safety, one can never be too prepared.

Similarly, in a business context one can never be too prepared for the next crisis. Case in point, our industry has been dealing with wildfires, drought, highways closures, political disputes, air route cancellations, rampant crime, and other major issues for the better part of 2023, let alone the last several years.

For the most part, the tourism sector has responded well during various crises but not necessarily in advance of emergencies. And although there is a solid tourism emergency management framework in place, lack of resources and organizational capacity, a disconnect between the tourism sector and local emergency support services, and multiple other factors have caused a series of problems that need to be addressed to avoid the same mistakes going forward.

Earlier this week at UBCM, Bowinn Ma, the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness BC told delegates that new emergency management legislation will be introduced in October and will focus on 13 different areas ranging from critical infrastructure and tools for response, to Indigenous authority in emergency management, and financial assistance in relation to losses from emergency events.

This legislation was to have been tabled two years ago but was postponed due to COVID. During the consultation period, TIABC took the lead on behalf the Tourism Emergency Management Committee ((TEMC) to submit a brief to inform the bill on behalf of the tourism industry. However, only one or two of our recommendations have been incorporated into the Disaster Risk Reduction, Response and Recovery framework to date.

Next week, the TEMC and the Tourism Emergency Response Team (TERT) will reconvene to capture lessons learned from various crises this year, as well as map out strategies and actions to advocate to government for additional resources to execute preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery measures, develop better communication processes during an emergency, employ technology solutions for accommodation to help displaced residents and visitors, conduct research to understand direct and indirect impacts of various crises, and more. Our goal is to ensure that many of our recommendations are incorporated as regulations at the very least.

Admittedly, every year there are new scenarios that catch us a bit flat-footed and playing catch-up in the response and recovery phase of an emergency, as opposed to focussing on preparation and mitigation in advance of a crisis. As you can appreciate, much work has been done by the TEMC and TERT in recent years but there is much more to do given that emergencies in one form or another are anticipated for the foreseeable future. Rest-assured, we’ll be working closely with and lobbying the province to advance our sector’s interests on this critical file.

Although I was comforted to know that my oldtimers hockey team keeps an AED on hand for every game, I also realized I’d never seen one used before. When I returned home from the rink I watched an online tutorial on defibrillators in case I ever need to use one on a teammate. Hopefully that won’t happen but one can never be too prepared for an emergency whether at home, in the backcountry, on the water, at work, at the arena, or wherever you happen to be.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC

TIABC Responds to New Report on

Short-Term Rental Impacts in BC

TIABC CEO Walt Judas told the Vancouver Sun earlier this week that the proliferation of short-term rentals in BC is keeping tourism businesses from hiring employees that they need to operate at full capacity because those workers can’t find places to live.

Read the full story HERE.

TIABC Comments on Impact to Tourism From India's Travel Advisory for Canada

In an interview with Paul James of Radio NL this week, TIABC CEO Walt Judas spoke about the Indian government's latest travel advisory and how a potential loss of inbound visitors from India would impact BC's tourism industry.

Listen to the full interview HERE.

TIABC Explains India Market to

BC's Visitor Economy

TIABC CEO Walt Judas explained to The Times Colonist earlier this week that the Indian market remains a small market for BC's tourism sector, accounting for about one to three percent of leisure travellers who arrive in BC annually and most are here to study or visit friends and family.

Read the full story and interview HERE.

TIABC Urges the Province to Establish an Air Service Attraction Fund

Earlier this week, TIABC submitted a letter to Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport,

Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure and Hon. Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance regarding support for an Air Service Attraction Fund (ASAF).

The letter explained that the idea of a merit-based ASAF could incentivize new domestic, intra-provincial and international air connections that would enable further trade and business relationships between British Columbia and other countries, and also draw new visitors to our province.

TIABC also stated an ASAF would also help mitigate the impacts of comparable programs undertaken by other provinces and states that are luring businesses away from BC and urged the Province of BC to establish a dedicated Air Service Attraction Fund as part of Budget 2024.

August Data Indicates BC's Tourism & Hospitality Sector on the Rise

go2HR recently shared statistics on employment in BC for the month of August. Over this period, BC's tourism and hospitality sector saw a 1.5% employment increase, totalling 367,500 jobs, which surpassed pre-COVID levels by 20,500 jobs compared to August 2019.

The report also noted most regions are rebounding except for Vancouver Island, which is still catching up. While the industry is bouncing back, many areas still need to regain their pre-pandemic employment levels fully as some sectors and regions still have elevated unemployment rates.

For more information, check go2hr's Employment Tracker HERE.

From a national perspective, Tourism HR Canada's August summary reports:

• Tourism employment took a slight tumble from July to August (-1.1%), but is still much stronger than the same time last year.
• Unemployment in tourism (5.4%) remained below the economy-wide average (6.3%, using seasonally unadjusted data).
• August employment in tourism accounted for 10.0% of the Canadian labour force, slightly below its share last month (10.2%) and in August 2019 (10.7%). Tourism employment overall was 98.4% of what it was in August 2019.

Learn more from Tourism HR Canada's Labour Market HERE and see below:

 Wine Sector Urged to Seek Government Support

to Continue WSSP Funding

Wines of British Columbia is reminding their sector that the second and final payments under the initial Wine Sector Support Program (WSSP) will soon be issued and the federal government has not yet committed to continuing the program funding which puts at peril our industry’s long-term survival.

At a time when the government is cutting program spending it is important that the industry send a strong message, supported by Members of Parliament, that continued WSSP funding is not just a priority, but a necessity.

Wine Growers Canada has provided resources to help identify your MP and links to letter templates, meeting instructions, talking points, and tips.

• Who is my MP? - Click here to identify your Member of Parliament and their contact information by entering your business postal code.
• Write a letter - Click here to view a suggested letter template. Click here to send the letter in WORD format to your downloads. The template can serve as a guide to include key messages and facts however it is most effective for you to relay the specifics of your situation.
• Request a Meeting - An in-person meeting is the most effective way to emphasize the importance of the issue. Click here for tips and suggestions for a successful meeting.
• Employee Letters - Click here for a suggested template for a letter from employees to relay the importance of continued WSSP funding on their jobs and community.

 Additional Resources Available | Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention

Additional guidance for the Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation is now available on the Plastics webpage. This guidance consists of four fact sheets that provide more details on the single-use and plastic items covered by the regulation, as well as acceptable alternatives.

The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation provides a framework to phase out certain single-use plastic items, as well as address waste and pollution in BC.

You can access these fact sheets using the following links:

• Shopping Bags
• Disposable Food Service Accessories
• Food Service Ware
• Oxo-degradable Plastics

For more information, visit the government website on plastics HERE.

ICYMI - Episode #11 in Voice of Tourism Podcast Series

Meet Scott Ellis, CEO and Executive Director of the Guide Outfitters Association of BC in episode #11 of TIABC's Voice of Tourism podcast series. Host Walt Judas speaks to Scott about the work they’re doing for members around the province, his thoughts on the grizzly bear hunt in BC, and better controlling wildlife activities.

Now Available on Spotify or the following link:

WCC Now Offers Bachelor of Hospitality Management Degree Program

Western Community College (WCC), is the first private post-secondary institution in BC in 18 years to be granted consent by the Ministry of Advanced Skills to offer a Bachelor of Hospitality Management (BHM) degree program. The new program aims to produce graduates to meet the growing demands of the hospitality industry, in a culturally diverse globalized community. Graduates will be able to generate innovative solutions for an industry undergoing continuous growth, expanding regulatory oversight, rapid technological acceleration, and an increasingly environmentally conscious audience.

WCC looks forward to esteemed organizations like yours welcoming their students to complete their practicum as part of the Bachelor of Hospitality Management (BHM). This may also create an opportunity for you to consider their students for potential employment in your organization after the successful completion of their practicum.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Hospitality Management Program HERE.

TIAC Calling on Members to Judge 2023 Canadian Tourism Awards

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is calling on members from the Culinary and Travel Media sectors! This is your chance to recognize and celebrate the achievements of businesses and individuals in the Canadian tourism industry by volunteering to be a judge for the 2023 Canadian Tourism Awards.

Join the growing panel of industry professionals to evaluate the amazing work and nominations that have been submitted to be awarded in the Culinary Tourism Experience category or the Travel Media Professional category.

Learn more and apply HERE.

Participants Needed for the Omineca Recreational Fishing Survey

The Ministry of Forests and the University of Northern British Columbia are seeking participants for the Omineca Recreational Fishing Survey on angler preferences and diversity. Survey results will help to understand and manage opportunities for recreational fishing in the Omineca Region.

Please take a few minutes to complete the fishing survey HERE.

Job Opportunity | Tourism Abbotsford Executive Director

Chemistry Consulting Group has been retained by Tourism Abbotsford Society to assist in searching for an Executive Director to lead their growing organization. 

Position Overview

Reporting to the Board of the Tourism Abbotsford Society, the Executive Director will formulate and lead the execution of strategic and business goals to ensure the continued growth and success of the mandate of the organization. The Executive Director will oversee the strategic marketing campaigns and visitor engagement programs for the region while educating residents and their elected representatives on the contribution tourism makes to life in Abbotsford. The Executive Director will advocate for the tourism industry’s needs and for improvements to infrastructure and experiences that visitors and residents alike will enjoy.

Learn more and apply HERE.

REMINDER | DBC Emergency

Messaging Guidance

A reminder to visit the Destination BC (DBC) website to access the latest Emergency Messaging Guidance and learn more about official emergency information resources for BC as well as suggested messaging, infographics/visuals, and actions for BC’s tourism industry partners during emergencies.

DBC has compiled resources and tips to help tourism businesses navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions during emergencies.

Step-by-step guides are available for download to help prepare tourism businesses and their staff for emergencies, with templates and tools to help operators easily plan a fast and effective response.

Learn more HERE.

Nominations Open for DGV 2024 Board of Directors

Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) is now accepting nominations to serve on their 2024 Board of Directors.

A DGV Director involves significant responsibility and time commitment, and Directors are expected to participate collaboratively in meetings and events while working to advance tourism in Greater Victoria.

Please click THIS LINK to access the Nomination Package listing the Board positions up for election and outlining the Board election process.

Completed forms and other materials required for nominations must be received by Destination Greater Victoria no later than 5:00pm on Friday October 6, 2023.

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) Governance Committee is seeking qualified individuals for the 2023-2025 term that are dedicated to the success of the Association and will support its principles as a member of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is made up of a maximum of 13 directors consisting of 11 directors elected by the active members. TIABC is seeking a total of five (5) candidates for the 2023-2025 term:

• From the DMO category one (1) is required for a two-year term.
• From the Sector Association category two (2) are required for a two-year term.
• From the Business Membership category two (2) are required for a two-year term.

TIABC strives for 50% gender parity and 30% representation of other under-represented groups including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, people living with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2 community.

If you are a TIABC member in good standing, have a strong understanding of the tourism industry, significant expertise, and industry knowledge and are currently involved in tourism or destination management, we invite you to apply. 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. Deadline for application submissions is Monday, September 25th at 5:00 pm (PT).

To receive the TIABC Board Nomination Form, or If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Deborah Kulchiski at deborah@tiabc.ca or p. 604.530.9979

NOTE: The TIABC 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held virtually, Thursday, November 9th at 10:00 am. Registration is now open HERE.

Thompson Okanagan Launches "Travelling Out" Program

Travelling Out in the Thompson Okanagan (TOTO) is a collaborative program between Visit Penticton, Tourism Kelowna, Tourism Vernon, Destination Osoyoos and Tourism Kamloops, which fosters inclusivity and celebrates diversity,

Travelling Out in the Thompson Okanagan (TOTO) aims to inform the 2SLGBTQIA+ community of all of the exciting and welcoming experiences to be had in the Thompson Okanaganand aims to promote the Thompson Okanagan area as an exciting and welcoming place for all.

Learn more about Travelling Out HERE.

Accent Inns

Accent Inns is a family-owned, BC hotel chain with "a big personality and a bigger heart." Their Do Not Disturb signs will make you LOL, the inclusive pet policy will mean you can travel with your whole family, and the rubber ducks are designed to be plucked from your room and taken home with you!

There are five locations in Victoria, Vancouver Airport (Richmond), Burnaby, Kelowna, and Kamloops.

Learn more about Accent Inns HERE.

Would you like to be featured in our weekly Voice of Tourism, social channels and on our website? TIABC member testimonials provide visibility and exposure to the tourism industry and a wider audience for your business. If you want to be featured in an upcoming TIABC Voice of Tourism and other platforms, contact Deborah - deborah@tiabc.ca

BCLCA to Host Fall Parking Lot Meetings

for Members

The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) is inviting their members to join in for their fall Parking Lot Series of Meetings.

Members will gather via zoom video to chat with the board and fellow operators about the summer business conditions. There is no FEE to attend but registration is required.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email via zoom containing information about joining the meeting. A reminder email will be sent one day before the event.

Confirmed Dates and Topics for Parking Lot Series Meetings:

• September 27- 9:00 am – 10:00 am - Summer 2023 Season Learnings
• October 26 - 9:00 am – 10:00 am - Guest Speaker from Go RVing Canada
• November 23 - 9:00 am – 10:00 am Guest Speaker Stan Duckworth, Pathfinder Ventures.

The sessions will be moderated by Jamie Cox, President with other directors on the BCLCA board in attendance.

Visit HERE to register.

NK'Mip Cellars Hosts Inagural Gala

You are invited to join in for the First Annual National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Fundraising Gala benefitting Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Date: September 30

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm (PT) - VIP Reception 5:30 pm

Silent and live auctions, gourmet wine and food

stations, live music, raffles and much more!

Tickets are available online HERE.

2023 Small Business Week Summit

The BC Chamber of Commerce annual Small Business Week Summit celebrates BC's small and medium-sized businesses and allows them to engage directly with subject matter experts and thought leaders on topics that are important to them.

Designed to be current, relevant and practical, a carefully curated program of four virtual sessions will provide businesses with the opportunity to learn, ask questions and access valuable resources. 

• October 16, 8:00 am - 9:30 am; Making Sense of Today's Economy: How Businesses Can Navigate Uncertainty & Find Opportunity
• October 18, 8:00 am - 9:30 am; Transform your Organization with AL
• October 19, 8:00 am - 9:15 am; Business Reconcii-ACTION
• October 20, 8:00 am - 9:30 am; Business as an Engine for Good: Growth, Resilience, Impact

Tickets are complimentary, and each session will be hosted via Zoom webinar. Learn more and register HERE.

BC Hotel & Liquor Conference

The second annual SPARK BC Hotel and Liquor Conference is back!

BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC) and the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) are joining forces once again to bring together industry experts in hospitality, liquor retail, and accommodation.

This event offers an unparalleled opportunity for liquor and hospitality businesses across BC to network with like-minded professionals, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights from informative sessions and speakers.

Date: October 16 & 17

Location: Anvil Centre, New Westminster

Learn more HERE.

Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association

AGM & Conference | Registration Open

The Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association will be holding it's 46th Annual General Meeting & Industry Conference.

Date: November 1-2

Location: Copper Point Resort - Invermere

For more information on the conference and to register, visit HERE.

International Symposium on Destination Stewardship

Destination Canada is excited to be hosting the International Symposium on Destination Stewardship.

Dates: November 6 - 8

Location: Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec

This three-day event will bring together global thought leaders, stakeholders, partners, and knowledge keepers from diverse sectors for a unique discussion on redefining tourism and destination stewardship. 

Building on the excellent work already taking place in this space, the Symposium will explore how we can transform ourselves into destination stewards, while unpacking how a regenerative approach to tourism can have a positive impact on residents, their communities, culture, economy, and the environment. 

Learn more and register HERE.