As the sector recovers from the impact of global pandemic and climate events and builds for the future, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport is taking the opportunity to reflect and learn from these circumstances and to explore what B.C.’s visitor economy can look like in the next decade. With the launch of the new Strategic Framework for Tourism in B.C. this past spring, the Ministry is engaging the sector in a conversation about the future of tourism and what enabling factors are needed for success in implementing the framework.

As the President & CEO of the BC Hotel Association I have been invited to participate as a member of the Advisory Committee to represent the interests of the accommodation sector and share our collective perspectives on this important work. For more information about this work please email tri@gov.bc.ca. We encourage our members to continue to reach out to our team to share their perspective via our contact page.

At the start of Small Business Week, the Government of Canada is celebrating small businesses that helped the BC tourism industry recover. The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced over $1.2 million in PacifiCan funding to 11 projects led by small businesses in the B.C. tourism sector. This announcement comes on the heels of additional funding, announced October 14, geared toward revitalizing tourism and enhancing visitor experience across BC, with funding delivered to Harbour Air, Yervana Services inc., go2HR, and Uniglobe Specialty Travel Ltd.

Rainbow Registered is the only national accreditation for LGBT+ friendly businesses and organizations. Developed by Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and Tourism HR Canada, Rainbow Registered businesses and organizations meet a stringent set of standards to ensure LGBT+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted.

Government of British Columbia is investing an additional $50 million to build a new home for the Vancouver Art Gallery, protecting and supporting the expansion of a cultural and tourism icon in BC. The new Vancouver Art Gallery will be a multifaceted facility featuring an Indigenous community space, theatre, library and research centre, artist studios, child care, restaurants and retail space. The project is expected to generate 1,000 permanent jobs in the tourism sector.

Taking place November 15 on Granville Island, SPARK is a first-of-its-kind industry conference that will bring together BC's liquor and hospitality industries and stakeholders for a day of networking, education, and critical industry and economic updates. Featuring TWO tracks plus a member-exclusive joint lunch & political update session at Dockside Restaurant, and a joint industry reception.

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