C-19 BULLETIN - May 5, 2021
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Tourism Advisory Committee Reconvenes
to Discuss Recovery & the Summer Ahead
Minister Melanie Mark's Tourism Advisory Committee, that includes TIABC directors Barrett Fisher, Brenda Baptiste and Jennifer Burton, as well as CEO Walt Judas, met with Dr. Henry earlier today to learn more about the state of the pandemic, as well as the continued roll-out of BC's vaccination program.
Dr. Henry intimated that by the May long weekend, the province is expecting nearly two thirds of people over 18 will have been immunized (first shot), which bodes well for being able to expand our circle of activities over the summer including the possibility of small festivals or larger gatherings than at present.
While stopping short of suggesting specific dates on the lifting of all restrictions and opening up travel to domestic (i.e. all Canadians) and ultimately international visitors, Dr. Henry said that by the end of May more details on the (restart) plan are expected to be unveiled.
The Tourism Advisory Committee will likely reconvene again within the next couple of weeks to further discuss recovery measures and other ideas based on some of the Tourism Task Force recommendations that are being worked on but have yet to be implemented.
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Tourism Regions Receive Government Grants
As part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, the province’s six tourism regions have received a total of $13.6 million to create employment opportunities, attract new businesses and increase economic diversification within communities.
The Targeted Regional Tourism Initiative is one of three infrastructure investment programs for tourism as part of StrongerBC, including the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure program, Destination Development and the Tourism Dependent Communities Initiative. The approved projects must be completed by March 2023.
For a backgrounder listing approved projects and costs, visit:
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Calling all Tourism Champions:
May 23 – 30 is Tourism Week in Canada
This year’s Tourism Week in Canada is May 23-30. We know that Canada’s tourism sector looks different this year, as our sector is currently facing a particularly difficult time, and travellers from near and far are staying home. However, we still want to ensure we are able to come together and virtually amplify the importance of our industry.
That is why for Tourism Week 2021, TIAC and TIABC will be focusing on why #TourismCounts now more than ever. While there is a lot of uncertainty in the world, including our sector, right now we know that our industry is eager to come back as soon as possible and stronger than ever.
TIAC is leading the national campaign for Tourism Week in Canada from May 23 - 30 and will be sharing resources on the Tourism Counts site. Tourism Week is a seven-day event to recognize Canada’s tourism economy, and the impact it has on every community across the country. We are calling on Canadians to take the 2021 Tourism Pledge to travel In Canada. An invitation to come together as a country and support our local tourism destinations, businesses, and employees. _________________________________________________________________
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Tell Us Your Story
Eagle Eye Adventures is located in Campbell River. We bought the company in 2011 and my wife and I are the owners of the company.
In a normal year we have 10 staff - most of them full time.
Because our background is Dutch, (we’ve only been in Canada for 10 years) we spend our marketing dollars in Europe, with major travel agent such as Tui, Askia, Travel Home, GoCanada, and so on. Those are the booking partners that fill up the boats pretty much every year without any problems. We do advertise on Facebook and TripAdvisor as well for the locals.
Our revenue is normally over a million dollars, but with the borders closing last season and this season we are down by 85%, we cannot afford to stay in business much longer if these rules are not changing. That means 10 people will not be able to come back to work and their families will have to rely on a different source of income. The support programs take forever and are not sufficient enough to get out of trouble, we are getting down to the wire right now on abilities to keep paying our bills.
We have what we call combination tours, and we work together with 49North helicopters and book their tours in Europe for them as we do with Corilair Charters with the mail run they do in their float planes.
With the State federal and/or provincial government orders, directives and measures we are affected so that we are not able to do our job anymore, and we are on the verge of losing our business for good.
Eagle Eye Adventures donates about $10,000 to charities in our local community and we have not done that the past season and we are not able to do this again this season. It looks like the influence on our staff is huge as well, because they are not able to work as they normally did. Eagle Eye Adventures plays a key role in our community by bringing in people to our city and have them stay here, eat in restaurants, use hotels or RV places, buy groceries and so on. Due to the travel restrictions nothing is possible anymore, and we all lose.
Not being able to do any work, or get on the water, is very frustrating. I do understand that we need some restrictions, but I also see in the USA that everyone over the age of 16 is already vaccinated! Professionally I feel like a failure because I cannot provide for my family and my employees and it makes me restless and even depressed!
~Jos Krynen
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We encourage you to write your story using the format outlined on our website. Be as candid as you feel comfortable. By telling your story, you give us permission to share the information with government. We may also call on you to tell your story through social and/or traditional media channels, as well as via industry communiques.
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GreenStep Named
Emerging Rocket in the Cleantech Sector
TIABC member GreenStep has been recognized by Rocket Builders as an Emerging Rocket in the Cleantech sector for 2021!
Congratulations!
For a full list of businesses that were awarded, click here.
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TIABC Welcomes New Member
Chew On This Tasty Tours is run by tour curator, Lise, who currently offers three tours in Langley:
- Sip, Savour & Stroll in Charming Fort Langley
- Fort Langley Sips, Bites & Market Stroll
- Langley Sips, Bites & Murals Tour
Learn more at:
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Help Wanted
GreenStep's Sustainable Tourism Division in Kelowna is looking for a motivated and high performing manager to oversee the delivery of our Sustainable Tourism services to tourism destinations, business and related stakeholders. Check out the job posting to see if you would make a great addition to the team!
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Bookkeeper
Tourism Chilliwack is seeking a full-time, experienced and detail-oriented Bookkeeper to assist the Accountant in managing the day-to-day accounting functions. Excellent organizational skills, accuracy and confidentiality are necessary qualifications for this position. The ideal candidate for this position is a multi-tasker, reliable individual who is committed to producing work of a very high standard.
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Moments of Levity
As an industry that continues to face enormous challenges during COVID-19, every once in a while 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 be published in our C-19 Bulletin each week.
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Sustainable Sunshine Coast
May 11th 2-3pm (on Zoom)
Sunshine Coast Tourism is inviting their stakeholders for an engaging and informative 1-hour presentation to learn more about the business benefits of sustainable operations.
Learn practical helpful steps to save money, conserve water, support sustainable transportation for visitors and conserve energy. Learn how Sunshine Coast Tourism will profile participating businesses in social media and local press. Get web-badges, stickers and more when you take this year’s Water Pledge. 2 local $30 gift certificates will be raffled off to participants.
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Thursday, May 27th 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (PDT)
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s (TIAC) 2021 Tourism Town Hall will be in British Columbia on May 27th, in collaboration with TIABC.
Local small and medium businesses owners will have the opportunity to meet with TIAC, Destination Canada and tourism partners to better understand efforts being made on national tourism issues.
The Town Hall will allow tourism operators to provide first-hand input on issues affecting their business and the tourism industry in this time of COVID and provide feedback on government policy for the recovery and the rebuilding of our sector.
The Town Halls also provide a front-line forum exposure for governments, TIAC, Destination Canada and event sponsors to collaborate with small and medium-sized tourism business operators.
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Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our COVID-19 Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca. |
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