As of today, September 7th, the federal government says foreign travellers who are fully vaccinated will be free to come to Canada as long as they are asymptomatic, have received either two doses of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccines at least 14 days before entering the country and meet other pre-entry requirements.

Before boarding, anyone at least five years of age and up — even if they are fully vaccinated — will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within 72 hours before boarding a plane. Antigen tests don’t count.

They will also have to upload their proof of vaccination into the ArriveCAN app either in English or in French before takeoff or they will not be allowed to board.

The new rules exempt travellers from the mandatory 14-day quarantine once they have touched down in Canada, but selected foreign nationals may be subject to testing upon arrival.

Nobody partially vaccinated will be exempt from the new travel restrictions, and neither will travellers who have received one dose and recovered from COVID-19.

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals are now eligible to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) reasons such as tourism; however, these individuals must:

Click here to review the new rules.

Walt Judas was a guest of CKNW's Stirling Faux over the weekend to speak about the US advisory suggesting travellers reconsider travel to Canada.

Walt also spoke about the opening of the US/Canada border and the observation by industry that there has not been a significant impact of US visitors to BC to date.

Click here to hear the complete interview.

TIABC CEO Walt Judas was a guest of CKNW's Mornings with Simi earlier today to speak about the easing of Canada’s travel rules to allow international travellers who have been fully vaccinated to enter Canada effective today.

In the interview, Walt noted that in the short-term, we may see some visitors from international destinations. However, the peak of the tourist season is almost behind us and we will likely not see a significant impact for the remainder of this year.

Click here to hear the full interview at chapter 5, 30:50 mark.

International travellers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are once again allowed onto Canadian soil but what could it mean for the tourism industry in BC? Walt Judas joined CBC's BC Today show this afternoon. He stated that while this new milestone is a positive move for BC's visitor economy and will create some certainty for businesses and operators to plan for the remainder of this year and 2022, it is tempered with the fact that much of the season is behind us.

Click here to hear the full interview.

The Province is launching the BC Vaccine Card, a digital or printed document that shows the stage cardholders are at in their COVID-19 vaccine progress.

The BC Vaccine Card will allow vaccinated people to conveniently and securely show their proof of vaccination at higher-risk social and recreational events and settings when new COVID-19 vaccine requirement rules take effect on September 13th. This will help increase vaccinations, while protecting people in these settings, keeping businesses open and allowing events to take place.

People can get their BC Vaccine Card online at gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard. Once verified, a person will be able to save a digital copy to their mobile device or print a hard copy to present along with their government-issued photo identification when entering designated businesses and events.

People without access to a computer and printer can get their card by calling 1 833 838-2323 at the Get Vaccinated call centre and get their printed copy mailed to them. They can have a trusted friend, family member or support person print their card for them. Or they can visit a Service BC Centre to get one.

The BC Vaccine Card will include a secure, individualized QR code and image showing either “vaccinated” or “partially vaccinated.” Businesses can either scan the QR code using a QR reader like a smartphone or tablet or visually verify the person’s proof of vaccination. A mobile QR code reader app will be released in app stores closer to Sept. 13, 2021 for businesses that choose to scan the QR code.

September 13: Partially vaccinated

October 24: Fully vaccinated

For more information, including step-by-step instructions visit here.

TIABC INTRODUCES WEBINAR WEDNESDAYS SERIES

Over the course of the next several months, TIABC will be presenting a series of webinars aimed at providing industry with information on relevant topics to help businesses recover from the pandemic. The subject matters range from rebuilding air travel, to diversity and inclusion in the workplace with presentations from experts in the field. The first of the Webinar Wednesday series is on September 15th.

As travel restrictions are lifted and people start to travel again, Serge Corbeil and Timothy Liu of Air Canada will share information about the current state of the airline and what lies ahead in the near future.

They will touch on rebuilding routes, Air Canada's network, and ways the airline and tourism industry can work together to bring back visitors to British Columbia from near and far.

Director, Government Relations, Local and Provincial, Air Canada

With over 25 years of government relations and communications experience in the private and public sectors, Serge is currently Director, Government Relations, Local and Provincial at Air Canada. Prior to joining Air Canada, Serge was Director, Government Relations for the Canadian Diabetes Association and before that worked as the Manager, Government Relations for Insurance Bureau of Canada. Before moving to BC, he worked as Press Secretary and Special Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Minister of Transport, and a Member of Parliament in Ottawa.

Serge is a member of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

Managing Director, Sales Planning & Effectiveness

Timothy Liu joined Air Canada in 2015 and currently holds the position of Managing Director, Sales Planning and Effectiveness. In this role, he leads the development of Air Canada’s sales strategies globally and is responsible for market planning, sales analytics, as well as overseeing sales program development, communication, training, tourism partnerships, and sales support. Prior to his current mandate, he was the Senior Director of Commercial Strategy, where he led Air Canada’s International Sales organization across forty markets on six continents and was also responsible for launching and ensuring the commercial success of Air Canada’s new international routes.

Date: Wednesday, September 15th, 2021

Time: 11:00 am (PT)

Click here to register for this event. After registration - you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Stay tuned here for updates on additional topics to the webinar series.

As a follow-up to the BC Economic Plan engagement session that TIABC participated in, the organization prepared a brief to Minister Kahlon (Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation) that provided additional feedback and suggestions regarding the three areas of focus in the session:

• Global trends in the industry

• Opportunities for industry innovation and growth

• Opportunities for the industry to assist with BC’s economic growth while promoting inclusion and sustainability

Against this backdrop of uncertainty, four clear steps were identified as emerging and being necessary for the recovery

and rebuilding of the global tourism industry.

The submission concludes by saying that despite the unprecedented uncertainly facing the BC tourism industry, TIABC remains optimistic for its future. The organization believes the industry can build back better with renewed dynamism and can regain its place as a major contributor to the provincial economy.

Read a copy of the brief here.

The Adventure Tourism Coalition (ATC) recently had the opportunity to meet with Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) to discuss the adventure tourism industry and our shared use of the land.

The meeting also referenced their presentation to Minister Cullen that supported the reorganization of FLNRORD into a Ministry of Forests and a Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The Adventure Tourism Coalition stressed that this is the perfect opportunity to create an Adventure Tourism Branch, like the Mountain Resorts Branch, where the All Seasons Resorts Policy is administered with great success. The Coalition sees this as a benefit to the province because through an efficient branch dedicated to adventure tourism, business security will increase, thus leading to significant economic benefits from a stable adventure tourism industry.

The Adventure Tourism Coalition urges the province to become a leader in land use policy.

Read a copy of the letter sent to government here.

With the most recent release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, the warning is clear: Earth is warming faster than previously thought, and unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, preventing irreversible warming and ultimate planetary catastrophe will be beyond reach.

If that doesn’t hit home, most of Canada’s populated areas are currently being impacted by an unprecedented level of fires, smokey skies, and poor air quality, and we know incidents of droughts, fires and floods will only worsen over time with climate change. Several Canadian tourism destinations and businesses, already devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, are now contending with cancellations due to forest fires, and thousands of Canadian businesses and families on evacuation order or notice.

Below are five key areas where political party platforms and the new federal government should be directing a portion of the billions of dollars that are earmarked to be spent on tackling climate change over the coming years. This support could come in the form of rebates, grants, zero interest loans, and changes to the federal Accelerated Clean Energy Investment Incentive program to support a broader range of project types related to clean and renewable energy, that could specifically benefit the tourism industry.

Please consider writing to your local Member of Parliament to advocate for these types of policies and programs, and ensure that your voice is heard in the upcoming federal election.

Note: Angela Nagy is the CEO of GreenStep Solutions. Through their Sustainable Tourism division, she and her team work with tourism businesses and destinations to help them measure, improve and certify their sustainability performance.

Read the complete blog here and take the Tourism Pledge noted in the following information.

BC Ferries revealed the names of its third and fourth Island Class ferries at a special naming ceremony at Victoria’s Point Hope Maritime. Island Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a are the newest vessels to enter the fleet, allowing two-ship service to begin on the Campbell River – Quadra Island route in 2022.

In keeping with maritime tradition, BC Ferries selected sponsors for each of the ships. These roles are important – each sponsor bestows the ship with good luck and protection for all those who travel on them.

BC Ferries is pleased to partner with the First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) once again to commission original artwork from Indigenous artists for the interior of the Island Class vessels.

BC Ferries looks forward to welcoming these ships into service in 2022.

Read the full press release here.

Despite the ongoing challenges our industry continues to face as a result of the impacts of COVID, TIABC is heartened to observe the strength, resiliency and innovative means taking place today. This Bulletin feature will share stories of how people, businesses and organizations, are doing things in an inspiring and way.

It’s been quite the 18 months for front-line and essential service workers, so Big White Ski Resort decided to give them a free ride.

The resort offered a complimentary, scenic chairlift ride ticket to those who have been working on the front lines through the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires. It offered the ticket throughout the Labour Day long weekend.

“It’s our way to say thank you,” Big White Ski Resort president and CEO Peter Plimmer said in a press release. “Big White is a family-owned company, and we all live in the valley of those that have been protecting us during the pandemic and wildfire season."

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.

St. Eugene Resort is located within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation in the heart of the East Kootenay Region. Located just five minutes away from the Canadian Rockies International Airport, the resort offers 125 rooms & suites, the Casino of the Rockies, a championship golf course, three restaurants, and a riverside RV Park.

A 10 minute drive from Cranbrook (20 mins from Kimberley) takes you along a leisurely and winding road until you emerge into the valley bottom, a branch of the Rocky Mountain Trench. Old elms line a courtyard leading the way to the Spanish-colonial styled Mission building. Twenty five of our rooms fill the Mission, and a deep history they hope you will discover throughout the photographs, paintings, and the on-site Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre.

Check here for more information about the St. Eugene Resort.

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.

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.

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. To ensure an equitable process, we are assisting DBC in the promotion of the program from September 7-17 to spread the word as widely as possible and give tourism businesses the opportunity to prepare their applications in advance.

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

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.

Join GreenStep for this free webinar to learn how your tourism business, and the planet, can benefit from assessing your business’s sustainability performance.

Improve your knowledge on sustainability, gain tips on creating an action plan, long-term goal setting, and how to engage your customers and staff.

Dates: September 21 @1:30pm or October 5 @10am

Open to any tourism business globally, register for free here.

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.

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.

Wednesday, November 17th 2021

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.

Prince George

TIABC and the BC Hotel Association are excited to announce 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.