There are certain individuals in our lives that we rely on to help us personally and/or professionally to stay on track. For many of us that includes our partner, doctor, executive assistant, physiotherapist, best friend, accountant, family member, mechanic, counsellor, or any number of others that we simply couldn’t function without.

Since I started my role at TIABC, I have counted on one individual in particular to assist me with myriad projects and administrative functions…namely Laura Plant who has been an invaluable member of the team for many years. She’s been my right arm through thick and thin and has always responded to the needs of the organization, its board of directors, as well as our members and partners with professionalism and enthusiasm, no matter what the issue or opportunity. The list is endless of the little and big things that Laura does to keep the association functioning. I have often called her Radar O’Reilly (from the TV show Mash) who basically ran the 4077th mash unit and was always two steps ahead of both Colonel Potter and Colonel Blake.

So it is with mixed emotions that I inform you of Laura’s departure from TIABC at the end of June to focus on her thriving consulting business and to work on initiatives that she’s keenly interested in. To say that she will be missed is an understatement. At the same time, I’m comforted to know that she will continue to be a key and valued part of the tourism industry and will remain engaged with various members. I’ve extended the rest of this message to Laura for her departing words.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC

Laura Plant

TIABC Manager, Membership & Communications

With a focus on British Columbia outside the Lower Mainland and Whistler

For period May 1 - 31, 2021

The British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat, British Columbia Hotel Association, the British Columbia Destination Marketing Organizations Association, and the Tourism Industry Association of BC are continuing to leverage a collective business network to collect, collate and report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism businesses and to gather feedback on potential response and recovery measures.

This business intelligence was gathered through online and telephone surveys, based on a randomly selected list, with firms in five tourism regions of British Columbia from May 1st - May 31st. Near the end of this period, ‘circuit-breaker’ restrictions that began at the beginning of April were lifted on May 25th. Responses to this survey were collected both before and after these restrictions were lifted. A response rate of 30% yielded 240 responses. This represents a margin of error for the randomized sample-wide questions of +/- 5%, 9 times out of 10.

•The percentage of firms reporting business as usual is 17%, remaining similar to last month. 3% of firms surveyed are still closed for the season.

•About 53% of firms reported using less than half of their usual staffing capacity for this time of year. The average staffing level firms are operating with is 42%.

•Between 24-44% of firms reported being ineligible for major provincial and federal programs targeted for businesses.

•Most firms that take bookings in advance are receiving less than half as many bookings for summer 2021 compared to usual.

•Only 42% of businesses believe they are likely to be able to hire the staff they need for the summer season.

Click here to read the full report.

The 118-year-old organization that markets Vancouver to tourists, businesses and convention visitors, is rebranding as Destination Vancouver. It was previously known as Tourism Vancouver.

Destination Vancouver CEO Royce Chwin unveiled the organization's new name at its June 24 annual general meeting, held in front of a limited live audience of 50 at BC Place Stadium. The event was also streamed online.

With the new name comes a new mandate. Destination Vancouver plans to support Vancouver's tourism industry by developing experiences, while also promoting Vancouver in national, U.S., and international markets.

The role of Destination Vancouver will also be to help partners contribute to a common goal of building a more competitive destination, while also managing growth, and being socially responsible.

Click here to read the full story.

There is a loud voice of discontent from the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority about a lack of a plan to reopen the borders, and it also being echoed by numerous tourism and cruise ship organizations across the country. TIABC CEO Walt Judas joined CFAX Radio's Al Ferraby to talk about reopening Canada's borders.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Yesterday, TIABC CEO Walt Judas spoke to host Mike Smythe about the extension of border closures until at least July 21st.

He supported TIAC's recent comment that stated the border closure is a "gut punch" to the tourism and hospitality industry and gave examples in his interview about the ongoing hardships BC businesses continue to face around the province due to the closure.

Click here to listen to the interview. Note the 25:40 minute mark.

Back by popular demand! Join TIABC Monday, June 28th in welcoming our guests from Rogers Sports & Media. This webinar will take you through a Canadian broadcast overview – the facts and myths on media consumption - and show you where to find Canadian travellers.

10am to 11am (PDT)

15 minutes of Q&A at end of session

Brad Kubota - VP Local and Regional Sales Canada – Rogers Sports and Media. Based in Vancouver, Brad has over 30 years of national, regional and local sales experience. He represents a wide range of sports and media assets and tools including TV, radio, digital, out of home and research.

Peter Kambo – Senior Manager Media Insights. Peter’s extensive Vancouver agency experience provides clients with best in class media strategy, planning and buying expertise. While agency side his long list of clients included GM, Bell, BCLC, BC Honda and Destination BC.

Dan Lessons – Western Canada Digital and Out of Home Sales Manager. Dan began his advertising career in publishing in London. Now based in Vancouver and with Rogers for 10 years, he designs and oversees national, regional and local digital strategies for all levels of marketing needs.

Air Canada has just premiered "Ode to Canada", its new on-board pre-flight safety video set in some of the country’s most spectacular and iconic locations. The new video, takes customers on a stunning journey across Canada while depicting in unexpected ways the safety features of each aircraft.

Among the locations and places featured are: BC’s North Shore mountains; Newfoundland & Labrador’s Gros Morne National Park; Manitoba’s Little Limestone Lake; Yukon’s winter; Ontario’s social hospitality; Northwest Territories’ Northern Lights; Nunavut’s vast expanse; Prince Edward Island’s Cavendish Beach; Alberta’s foothills; Saskatchewan’s wheat fields; Quebec’s art and

culture experiences; Nova Scotia’s Lunenburg; and New Brunswick’s Hopewell Cape.

Click here to view the video.

Whether you are new to camping or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, we all have a role to play when sharing the outdoor spaces.

To emphasize this, a group of government agencies and non-profit organizations from across BC’s camping sector collaborated with the Camping and RV BC Coalition on a new Camper’s Code. The code aims to highlight guidelines and expectations of camping; helping all campers, from families in RV's staying at private campgrounds to solo adventurers heading into the backcountry, to enjoy the outdoors safely and respectfully.

The Code consists of nine simple messages to inspire a sense of shared responsibility and an understanding of appropriate behaviour. Campers are encouraged to take an online pledge and to help inspire a camping culture that is rooted in common sense, respect, and sustainability.

Click here to learn more about the Camper's Code and to take the pledge.

With an extensive and ever-growing number of trails, visitors just might find the perfect ride in Fernie; most can be accessed right from town.

Mountain biking has become a year-round sport in Fernie with the addition of fat biking during the snowy months. Late April is typically the start of mountain bike season and goes right to the end of October, then fat biking starts in until end of March. Explore hundreds of local trails - primarily singletrack, in summer play at the Dirt Jump & Skills Park or head to Fernie Alpine Resort's Lift Access Bike Park.

Tourism Fernie reminds visitors to please follow trail guidelines. For the best up-to-date local trail information visit local bike shops when in town and visit Trailforks - Fernie.

Click here to view the video.

Whether travelling for overdue visits with family, long-awaited summer vacations or essential travel, waiting for the ferry is about to get more convenient for people as Wi-Fi service will soon be offered at 14 more BC Ferries terminals.

BC Ferries is receiving up to $1.5 million through the ministry’s Connecting British Columbia program. The grant will help cover the cost of bringing Wi-Fi coverage to minor route terminals, including public lounges, vehicle line-up areas and where possible, parking lots.

Wi-Fi will be made available at terminals serving people on east Denman Island, Buckley Bay, Heriot Bay, Whaletown, Descanso Bay, Alert Bay, Vesuvius Bay, Sturdies Bay, Bella Bella, Port Hardy, Long Harbour, Otter Bay, Lyall Harbour and Nanaimo Harbour.

Work to install and activate Wi-Fi service at the 14 terminals is expected to be completed by October 31st, 2021.

Click here to read the full story.

BC’s old-growth forests contribute far more economic benefit to society when kept standing, according to a new independent study released by the Ancient Forest Alliance.

The study compares ecosystem services including carbon storage/sequestration, recreation, tourism, coho salmon habitat, non-timber forest products like floral greenery and mushrooms, and research/education opportunities to timber harvest and concludes that society is better off when old-growth forests are protected rather than logged.

Using old-growth forests located in Pacheedaht and Ditidaht territories near Port Renfrew – where independent protesters have been blockading old-growth logging for ten months – as a case study, the analysis is the first of its kind on Vancouver Island and provides a striking example of the tremendous economic benefits should the province fulfil its commitment to protect old-growth forests.

The Ancient Forest Alliance is calling on the province to immediately halt logging in BC’s most at-risk old-growth forests and commit significant funding for First Nations’ sustainable economic development, as an alternative to old-growth logging, and Indigenous protected areas that conserve old-growth forests.

A Quote From TIABC CEO Walt Judas:

"Tourism is one of BC’s core industries and I’m confident that, as travel restrictions ease, we'll see the sector begin to recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic. Virtually every community throughout the province relies on tourism and the revenues and employment opportunities generated by visitors. Much of this growth is driven by international tourists keen to experience BC’s natural beauty, including our rare and majestic old-growth forests. With much existing and potential tourism value to be gained from old-growth, it makes economic sense to keep what’s left standing.”

Read the full report here.

Additional Highlights Include:

To understand more about Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan, click here.

TIABC recognizes that many of our members have been supporting our organization's advocacy efforts for a very long time. In this new feature, we will be showcasing those businesses, associations, organizations and DMOs that been TIABC members for more than 10 years.

Set on a rocky edge at the northern cape of Chesterman Beach, the Wickaninnish Inn is an aspirational destination. A few minutes south of Tofino on the Esowista Peninsula, the Inn is central to exploring the rugged wilderness of Pacific Rim National Park and Clayoquot Sound.

Immersive and captivating, the Wickaninnish Inn celebrates its rich heritage through attentive hospitality and the spirit of adventure. Perched between the ancient rainforest and the sea, the location offers unparalleled access to the true nature of Vancouver Island’s west coast.

Click here to find out more about The Wickaninnish Inn.

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. Feel free to share your photos, etc. with TIABC to share in our C-19 Bulletin.

Learn more at:

Self-Guided Webinars 

Developing Winter / Shoulder Season Tourism Toolkit

Made up of six learning modules, this webinar will give you actionable advice on how to define your strategy, develop products and experiences, build collaborative partnerships and more to boost seasonal tourism in your business or region.

Winter / Shoulder Season Consumer Demand Research Report

Get access to free tools and strategies to grow your business and tourism in your region at the ECE content hub: https://ecehub.tiac-aitc.ca/en/