The Government of British Columbia has extended the provincial State of Emergency through to the end of the day on September 14th, to support the ongoing co-ordinated response to the wildfire situation and to ensure public safety.

As of this morning, 233 wildfires were burning in BC, with 21 evacuation orders affecting approximately 3,754 properties. There are 77 evacuation alerts affecting approximately 6,073 properties.

Current fire conditions may lead to continued severe fire behaviour and the potential for more evacuations. While extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act are not needed at this time, the declaration gives the Province the ability to move quickly, if the need arises.

Click here to read the full announcement.

The U.S. State Department is advising American travellers to reconsider travel to Canada due to a high level of COVID-19 in the country and has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. Before planning any international travel, US citizens are asked to review the CDC's specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.

The U.S. government has also posted several resources for travellers if they decide to travel to Canada that include:

An article published by CTV News on August 25th noted the vaccine proof requirement will also apply to tourists visiting BC. According to the province, those from within Canada must supply a vaccine record that’s “officially recognized” by their home province or territory, along with government ID. International visitors can display the proof they used to enter Canada, and their passport.

TIABC Chair, Vivek Sharma, said the group has been advocating for some kind of proof that people can produce for easing travel.

“So we’re completely behind this,” he said. “I think it’s the right thing to do.”

However, because not every province has a vaccine passport system, there are still questions about the different kinds of documentation.

“Clarity around how our inter-provincial guests will produce the proof, that’s the clarity that I think more businesses are looking for sooner than later,” Sharma said. “Yes, there’ll be some pinch points and some learning curves around it, but it’s a short-term pain for long-term gain.”

The province will be creating a website and a call centre so people can get their cards before September 13th.

Read the full story here.

In a recent industry wide survey conducted by TIAC with respondent representation from tourism businesses in every province and territory, the following is a summary of the highlights.

View State of the Industry survey results here.

TIAC also conducted an industry wide survey on proof of vaccination. Two questions were raised;

1). Do you support the notion of a proof of vaccination?

2). Proof of vaccination should be used in which context? (See below for results in following order)

The following summary reflects the most recent report from Destination Canada on the latest on how Canadians across the country are feeling towards visitors including an overview of each province and territories' updated travel related guidelines. A summary of British Columbia perspectives is as follows:

Compared to the previous week, feelings of safety towards all travel destinations have remained stable. While feelings of safety towards in-province destinations have been stable for the past 4 weeks, feelings of safety towards other parts of Canada have fluctuated with a downward trend during the same period.

Compared to the previous week tracked, sentiment has remained stable towards visitors from all destinations. While declines from the previous week tracked have stabilized towards all in-province visitors and all international visitors, levels continue to trend downwards towards visitors from other parts of Canada.

Read the full report here.

Earlier this week, Destination Canada released their National Tourism Indicator report for the first quarter of 2021. The report shows the gravity of the effect the pandemic has had on our industry.

Tourism demand fell 51.5% year-over-year to $8.6 billion in the first quarter of 2021, after a 54.8% decline in the fourth quarter of 2020. 

While, the Canadian economy turned the corner and its GDP expanded for the first time since the start of the pandemic, growing 5.8% year-over-year or 6.9% relative to the first quarter of 2019, tourism GDP continued to lag far behind and was 53.4% less than the first quarter of 2020 and 59.3% less than the first quarter of 2019.

These insights continue to emphasize the importance of domestic travel as the tourism industry works to rebuild. Domestic tourism contributed 97% of total tourism expenditures, well above the pre-pandemic share of 78% (2019 Q1).

Encouraging Canadians to continue to travel domestically as restrictions begin to ease is crucial for the recovery of our sector.

Read the full report here.

FOR VISITORS: Know before you go. Find current travel restrictions, wildfire info, and other key visitor information on Destination BC's consumer website, HelloBC.com. Learn more.

NEW – updated August 18: The Government of BC has issued a request for visitors to avoid all non-essential travel to or through wildfire-impacted areas. To learn more about what defines an “impacted area”, what to tell visitors, and the key information resources available, see Destination BC’s Wildfire Messaging Guidance.

Destination BC has also prepared Emergency Messaging Guidance to help the tourism industry navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions during emergencies, available here.

BCLBC is excited to announce the launch of their newly designed website!

The organization wanted to make the refreshed website more user-friendly and easier to navigate for their community's ease and convenience, while highlighting the opportunity for backcountry adventures available through their 32 member lodges.

From planning to arriving in the backcountry, the BLBCA is dedicated to providing resources to ensure safety is a key component to your backcountry experience. We'll continue sharing our tips and resources to empower you to embark upon awe-inspiring adventures throughout British Columbia’s inimitable backcountry.

They have also been creating engaging content for you and are excited to share that they will be releasing brand new podcasts in the near future. This will include hosting conversations with lodge owners and guests throughout British Columbia, giving you more insight and insider access to the backcountry - from wherever you listen.

Visit www.blbca.com to check it out!

As party leaders criss-cross the country with announcements and election promises, TIABC will continue to provide you with up-to-date information on commitments made to the tourism industry.

In an effort to engage candidates in the issues that matter to BC's visitor economy, TIABC has produced a Guide to the 2021 Federal Election as a tool for members to use over the coming weeks. It offers a number of suggested questions to ask local candidates in your riding. The guide will be updated as new issues arise. Feel free to submit your questions to info@tiabc.ca to be considered for inclusion in future versions.

TIABC is pleased to see the inclusion of tourism support commitments in the Liberal, Conservative and NDP platform announcements thus far. Click the links below to learn more:

Download the TIABC Guide to the 2021 Federal Election at: www.tiabc.ca/2021-election-guide

British Columbia’s province-wide electric vehicle (EV) charging network will get four new sites in the coming months.

The number of EV charging stations throughout the province is growing rapidly. BC now has over 2,000 public Level 2 charging stations and 200 public fast-charging sites, with over 480 fast-charging stations.

This fall, government is installing four new electric vehicle charging station sites. Each site will host two fast chargers and one Level 2 charger (total of 12 charging stations).

Westcana Electric Inc. will build the new EV charging stations. The project is expected to be completed by late December 2021. All four charging sites are expected to be open to the public beginning in 2022.

Since 2018, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has installed EV charging stations at 22 locations along B.C. highways. These four new projects will bring that total to 26. The ministry is also exploring charging options along Highways 20 and 97 to further support electric vehicle owners in rural and northern B.C.

Click here to read the full announcement.

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.

Dedicated to education and conservation, the Greater Vancouver Zoo is home to many rescued, donated and orphaned animals. The mission of the Greater Vancouver Zoo is to inspire appreciation of our ecosystems and support conservation efforts by engaging the community.

Discover the sights and sounds of 140 species on 120 acres in the heart of the Fraser Valley.

COVID-19 POLICIES

The Greater Vancouver Zoo for the indefinite future will be a predominately one-way experience, clearly marked and outlined to ensure an easy, understandable, and fulfilling visit.

Check here for more information about the Greater Vancouver Zoo.

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.

During July and August, TIABC's C-19 Bulletin will be published twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays). We will continue to keep you informed of our advocacy efforts, government announcements, industry updates and any other relevant information to help you in your recovery efforts.

We continue to gather national, provincial, regional and community industry news, activities and events, and will be sure to provide additional updates should there be extraordinary news to share with our members.

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.

ABLE BC and Ballistic Arts invite you to join us for a free webinar.

At last! British Columbia and the rest of Canada are opening back up. That's great news, but how are you going to best take advantage of this for your business?

Will you marketing tactics that you used during the lockdown work now that the economy is reemerging? What new initiatives should you think about and what should you avoid?

Join us on this one-hour webinar 'Lead Generation and Marketing Tips for BC's Reopening' with expert Ted Lau, CEO of award-winning Ballistic Arts, and podcast host of Marketing News Canada.

Date: Wednesday, September 1, 10:00 am PT

What you'll learn:

The economy is reopening, are you ready? Register here for the free webinar.

If you are unable to attend live, a webinar recording will be sent to everyone registered.

Writing a business plan provides a roadmap to success for your business. It will outline your goals and the steps you will take to achieve them. This seminar will take a deep dive into the various aspects of a business plan and the key questions you need to address in each. You’ll identify the gaps in your plan and the areas you need to develop further. You’ll also find out about business plan reviewing and how it can take your start-up to the next phase.

Join John Baxter, Small Business BC Business Planning Advisor, for this seminar where you will learn the key components of a business plan and leave with a framework for moving your ideas to the next level.

Date: Wednesday, September 8th at 9:00 am

Don’t forget to download Small Business BC’s Business Plan Template to get started.

Click here to learn more and to register.

September is Disability Employment Month in BC. It’s a time to celebrate and recognize inclusive employers and the important contribution people with disabilities make in the workplace. Join us to learn how small business owners like you can receive financial assistance towards creating an inclusive work environment for persons with a disability(ies).

This session will cover information about the Workplace Accessibility Grant Program, what the grant can be used for, how the program works, program eligibility, and the grant application process.

Date: Thursday, September 9th at 11:00 am

Click here for more information and to register.

In this free two-part webinar series, learn how to sell online successfully through Amazon. Topics covered include a step-by-step overview on getting started, how you can grow and scale your business, and top tips and considerations for launching your presence on Amazon.

Date: Wednesday, September 22nd, 1:00 – 2:00 pm PST

Click here for more information and to register.

As with the successful Spring event, the Fall Colours Event will invite RTO Members to attend complimentary* organized Zoom presentations provided by “Pods” of Seller Members in the form of regional educational sessions. Q&A networking opportunity will be at the end of each of the 30-minute sessions.

BC and Alberta: September 14th, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm PST

Deadline for sponsorship registration is August 6th.

Deadline for submitting presentations is September 3rd.

Click here to register or contact info@citap.ca for more information.

Have a business strategy or research project in mind? Mitacs' matching funds can help! Talent MATCH is hosting a free info session with Mitacs.

Date: Wednesday, September 22 at 1:00pm (PT).

Mitacs is bringing their Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program back for a second year! The BSI connects students from academic institutions with businesses and nonprofits to support innovation. With the guidance of an academic supervisor, these interns provide technical expertise on everything from operations to finance, to marketing, to intellectual property, and beyond to help businesses develop and implement their innovation roadmap—and Mitacs funding will support you to bring these students onboard!

Both the BSI and Accelerate programs will match an organization’s funding towards the project, up to $7,500, which covers a student’s stipend.

Click here for more information and to register for this free event.

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 the move to Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan and the prospect of moving to Step 4 by no earlier than September 7th, our industry is expanding virtual meetings and once again opening their meeting room and conference room doors. We are pleased to provide you with updated information on the following industry meetings, conferences and events.

Mark the weekend of September 10-12 on your calendar, as Canadian campgrounds coast-to-coast participate in the 2021 Canadian Camping Appreciation Weekend.

The Camping Appreciation weekend is a national initiative coordinated by the Canadian Camping and RV Council to say thank you for your patronage over the camping season and we encourage you to come out and help celebrate the camping and RV Lifestyle!

Read more click here and book your campsite.

UBCM’s Executive and staff look forward to welcoming delegates from across the province to the 2021 UBCM Convention. This year’s event is just over a month away, and over the coming weeks they will be detailing the workshops, keynotes and policy discussions that will feature at this year’s meeting.

The plenary will feature the Honourable Murray Sinclair, Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There will also be an array of thought-provoking workshops that will include sessions on forest policy modernization, cybersecurity and housing affordability, and the need to rethink emergency preparedness, wildfire risk and climate action in light of extreme heat events.

Date: September 14 - 17.

Click here for conference information and to register.

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.

Boating BC is pleased to announce they will be hosting their annual Boating BC Conference. This year’s theme will be “New Horizons – Building Momentum/Building Our Industry”. Watch for more details to come.

Dates: November 23rd and 24th

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.

TIAC Members who register by September 7 SAVE $100 on in-person registration.

Dates: November 30th and December 1st.

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

Thursday, November 18th

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.

March 8 - 11, 2022

Prince George

TIABC and the BC Hotel Association are excited to announced 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.