With COVID-19 cases surging in the eastern Fraser Valley, the BC government is putting in place additional restrictions, starting on Wednesday, September 29th.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the changes at her weekly COVID-19 briefing earlier today.

Starting tomorrow, event organizers with capacities higher than 10 people indoors will be required to check vaccine cards for proof of full immunization. Proof of full immunization is not needed for indoor events elsewhere in BC until October 24th.

Read more from the Fraser Health Authority here.

As of yesterday, the BC Vaccine Card is the only acceptable proof of vaccination for British Columbians to enter certain businesses and recreational events.

The transition period, which allowed people to present their paper record of immunization received at the time of their vaccination appointment has ended.

People can get their BC Vaccine Card online and keep a digital copy on their mobile device by taking a screen shot or saving the digital copy to the device's photo album or downloads folder. Alternatively, people can print a hard copy to present when entering designated businesses and events.

Businesses can download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App from the Google Play and Apple App stores and use the app to verify customers’ BC Vaccine Card, or visually verify the person’s proof of vaccination. Government-issued photo is required for those 19 and older.

The BC Vaccine Card includes a secure individualized QR code and image showing the holder is either “vaccinated” or “partially vaccinated.” People are now required to have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine, and both doses by October 24, to enter these settings.

For more information and images of what the Vaccine Card looks like, click here.

If you're concerned about how the extinction of BC's wild salmon would impact BC's Super, Natural brand and your tourism business, you're not alone. Join former Premier Gordon Campbell, Wave's Edge Canada Group co-Director Lisa Stevens, and Wilderness Tourism Association CEO Scott Benton to hear about a provocative new campaign connecting the fate of the wild salmon to BC's tourism economy. You'll also find out how you can add your voice during Small Business Week (October 17-23).

Gordon was the 35th Mayor of Vancouver, Chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the 34th Premier of British Columbia, and Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. As Premier, he led the government’s Climate Action Plan, which included legislated greenhouse gas reduction targets, a carbon-neutral public sector, and the internationally recognized revenue-neutral carbon tax. Gordon has been recognized for his environmental, economic, and social leadership throughout his career. He is passionately committed to empowering younger generations to lead the way forward to a healthy planet.

Restaurants facing unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to be supported through the extension of the food delivery fee cap, which limits the total fees food delivery companies can charge.

The food delivery service fee cap is being extended under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act and will immediately follow the expiry of the current temporary order put in place on December 22nd last year under the Emergency Program Act. The current order was set to expire at midnight (Pacific time) on Sept. 28, 2021.

The order will continue to cap fees charged to restaurants from food delivery companies to 15%. An additional cap of 5% will also be extended for other related fees associated with use of the service, such as online ordering and processing fees. This will ensure companies cannot shift their delivery costs to other fees.

Small-delivery service businesses that serve less than 500 restaurants will continue to be exempt from the order. The order also prohibits delivery companies from reducing compensation for their drivers allowing employees to continue to be paid their regular wages.

The revised order is set to expire on December 31st, 2021, at which point it will be reviewed, taking into account the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full announcement from the provincial government here.

Thursday, September 30th is being recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. a day to honour the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit survivors of Residential Schools and commemorate those who did not return. For Indigenous Peoples and communities, this will serve as a day for remembrance.

This day will also give people a chance to recognize and commemorate the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice.

This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection or participation in a community event.

Learn more about the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation here.

As you are aware, BC's vaccine card program began on September 13th. The program requires proof of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter restaurants, movies, ticketed sporting events and many other non-essential venues.

As of October 24th, those aged 12 and up will need to be fully vaccinated to access those same services and venues.

ABLE BC and our industry partners want to better understand how the Vaccine Card has impacted your hospitality business. We need to understand how the Vaccine Card has impacted your revenue, expenses, and interactions with customers. Your responses will give us the real-world information we need to advocate for the government support you need to succeed.

Please complete this survey created by ABLE BC in partnership with the BCRFA, BC Craft Brewers Guild, Craft Distillers Guild of BC, Wine Growers British Columbia, Restaurants Canada, and New Wave Wine Society.

We know this is a difficult and contentious issue for many customers. If you or your customers continue to have concerns about vaccine cards, we encourage you to reach out directly to your MLA. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

Note: Individual results and any business information shared will be kept confidential. Results will be presented as aggregate data.

Canada is trying to use the lure of travel perks to convince America’s frequent flying elite to fly north on Air Canada as the country steps up efforts to revive crucial traffic from the United States.

Today, Destination Canada, has partnered with Air Canada and StatusMatch to launch a new status match program to encourage frequent American travellers to visit Canada. This limited-time offer marks the first time a tourism organization has used status-matching to entice visitors to travel to their destination.

COVID-19 has battered travel from Canada’s largest tourism market. During the first half of 2021, Canada had about 178,000 overnight arrivals from the United States, compared with 6.8 million during the same period in 2019, according to government data.

To help reverse that decline, government tourism body, Destination Canada has rolled out its first campaign targeting U.S. frequent fliers.

It is part of broader $14 million effort by the tourism commission to boost traffic after Canada recently opened its borders to vaccinated travellers. It is not clear how much the specific frequent flyer campaign will cost. It comes as countries ease restrictions on international travel, with the United States set to reopen in November to vaccinated air travellers from 33 countries.

For more information on the program, as well as frequently asked questions, please visit the Air Canada Status Match website here.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has been certified silver by the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business as part of its Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program.

PAR silver organizations recognize the value of working with Indigenous communities and are able to point to outcomes that have made a difference. This includes investment in communities and people, employment programs, and business partnerships.

GVHA joined the PAR program in January 2019, reaffirming its commitment to its partnerships with Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, and the work ahead in Indigenous reconciliation. It began the process first by being PAR-committed, and then submitted their application for a PAR-certified designation in 2020.

In conjunction with the PAR silver certification, the organization is also releasing their Indigenous Relations Report, which will be published every three years and will align with PAR application periods. Since 2018, GVHA has committed to several initiatives and programs under the pillars of leadership, business development, employment, and community relations.

Highlights from 2018-2021 include the creation of GVHA’s Indigenous Business Directory, annual job shadowing programs for Lekwungen members, Indigenous cultural training for the Board of Directors and all staff, and the development of a new partnership with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. Click here to view the Indigenous Relations Report.

Read the full announcement from GVHA here.

We know staffing issues continue to plague our industry. Please help go2HR with a Labour Market Information Research Project. Participate in the survey today and enter into a draw for prizes valued at $1,500.

go2HR is the human resource and health & safety association for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry. Even before COVID-19, the industry faced some significant human resource challenges. We know those challenges will only increase as we emerge from the pandemic.

Our industry needs your help! We need to hear from a representative sample of employers across all sectors and regions of the province. We ask for 25 minutes to complete this survey. We want to hear about the impact of COVID-19 on your operations, the human resource issues you face, and what can be done to help industry in dealing with these issues going forward.

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) director is required for a two-year term.

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

• From the Business Membership category, two (2) directors 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

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.

Click here for more information on the benefits of becoming a TIABC member.

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 wish to thank them for their ongoing support.

Wellness Travel BC aligns their goals within the definition of "wellness tourism" - which is defined by the common goal of marketing natural assets and activities primarily focused on serving the wellness-minded consumer and those who want it.

Through their tag line, Renew. Rejuvenate. Re-Energize, their valuable resources include suggested experiences, programs, information and itineraries aimed at the wellness traveler in BC.

For more information on Wellness Travel BC, click here.

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.

Rapid testing has long been seen as a possible tool to help employers manage COVID-19 in the workplace. However, until recently, these tests were not widely available and employers were unsure how to implement.

Safe Screen B.C. has been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to help businesses across the province access rapid antigen tests and set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for asymptomatic employees, in support of B.C.’s Rapid Point of Care Testing Strategy.

Safe Screen B.C. provides businesses with the toolkits, resources and guidance to help set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for employees and staff only.

At this time, Safe Screen B.C. will not be able to support companies looking to conduct screening for clients, customers, patients, visitors and family members

Safe Screen B.C. is offering info sessions to employers through this week. Please register to find out more about rapid testing in the workplace.

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.

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

ABLE BC invites you to join in at a Government Relations and Advocacy Update.

Date: Thursday, September 30th, 10:00 - 11:00 am (PT) via Zoom.

During this free webinar, ABLE BC's Executive Director Jeff Guignard will provide an update on:

Click here to learn more and to register.

Vancouver has a reputation as a leader in sustainability and locals love to cycle. Each fall we celebrate two-wheeled transportation with Go By Bike Week. The event encourages everyone to bike to work, school, or shopping and includes community knowledge stations and lots of fun prizes.

The week-long initiative aims to encourage more people to choose biking for everyday transport. Biking is a fun way to get around while staying healthy. It also helps save money and reduces air pollution. Each trip that cyclists log also helps bike advocacy groups collect data to improve cycling conditions in Metro Vancouver.

Register online for Fall Go By Bike Week, then log at least one bike ride between September 27 and October 3. Any bike ride counts!

Click here to learn more and to register.

The Wellness Tourism Association is hosting their conference virtually again this year. There is still time to register if you want to stay up to date with the remarkable growth being experienced in wellness travel. No longer a luxury experience, as a result of the pandemic, taking care of one’s self is now mainstream.

By the ocean, a lake, or in the mountains, people need to get away to recharge in remarkable settings. Our province is blessed with wellness travel experiences more than almost any other destination in the world!

Dates: September 29 - 30th, 2021 (to be held virtually).

Click here for more information and to register.

On Day 1 of the election campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau made specific commitments to the hardest hit businesses.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) advocated throughout the election period for all parties to work with industry on;

Work on your behalf is far from over. We have a wide range of priorities we must tackle to bring the industry back to where it was pre-pandemic.

Please join TIAC President and CEO Beth Potter for a special Member TALK to discuss TIAC's post-election priorities and action plan, how you can engage and where additional support is needed.

Date: October 12th, 11:00am - noon (PDT)

Click here for more information and to register.

Join Northern BC Tourism Association for the Annual General Meeting.

The meeting will include an update from CEO, Clint Fraser, on NBCTA's work and the state of the tourism industry in Northern BC. The AGM will take place virtually on zoom.

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 - 1-2:30 pm (PT)

Click here to register.

ABLE BC's annual BC Liquor Conference is back for a sixth year. A portion of the tickets will be available to attend in person and the remaining will be available for virtual attendance. No matter where you are in the province - tune in and get the liquor industry data, trends, and policy updates you can’t get anywhere else.

Date: Monday, October 25th

Click here for more information and to register.

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.

Prince George

TIABC and the BC Hotel Association are excited to be hosting the 2nd annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference in Prince George next March.

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