Tomorrow marks the end of Emergency Preparedness Week in British Columbia. Although it hasn’t received the attention that Tourism Week did a couple of weeks ago, for me it was reminder to encourage our industry to review, update or develop emergency plans that support that safety of visitors, the viability of tourism businesses, and our reputation as a safe and welcoming destination. In the story to follow this message, you will see resources to help you not only prepare for imminent emergencies but guide your disaster preparation efforts for both the short and long-term. You’ll also find excellent information on various websites (e.g. Destination British Columbia, TIABC, the regional tourism associations - BCRTS), related to the four pillars of emergency management including crisis mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Walt Judas,

CEO, TIABC

With unseasonably hot weather forecast for most parts of the province this weekend and into next week, people are encouraged to stay informed about potential risks.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for unseasonably hot weather, which is expected to begin today and last through until May 16TH on the coast and May 17TH in the Interior.

People are encouraged to frequently monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Read the official announcement from the province HERE.

The province’s independent Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) has approved Uber’s application to transfer and obtain the existing ride-hailing licence held by ReRyde Technologies.

Uber submitted a request to the PTB in late August 2022 to take over the licence of ReRyde, a ride-hailer that was granted a licence to operate in areas outside of the Lower Mainland in August 2020.

Several years ago, the PTB gave Uber the green light to operate in the Lower Mainland but rejected its application for Kelowna and Victoria, saying it wasn’t “convinced there exists a public need for the service applied for.”

Mayors for both cities endorsed the service when the application announcement was made, collectively citing increased road safety and job opportunities, as well as increased benefits to tourism operators.

Read more HERE.

Air Canada reported today, passenger revenues in Q1 of 2023 more than doubled that of the same quarter in 2022 and hit a first quarter record of almost $4.1 billion. More than half of the increase came from international markets.

Air Canada also announced record Q1 operating revenues: $4.887 billion, 90% higher than first quarter 2022 and about 10% higher than first quarter 2019. The airline still incurred an operating loss in Q1 of $17 million, but state that it is a big improvement over an operating loss in the same quarter last year of $550 million.

Air Canada’s full statement about its 2023 Q1 financial results is available HERE.

Starting June 2nd, daily flights between Tofino and Richmond (YVR South) begin, with connections available from Victoria.

Daily complimentary shuttle service is offered between Harbour Air's Richmond terminal and YVR, providing convenient access for Tofino globe-trotters and for international travellers connecting to Tofino.

Pick-up/drop-off in Tofino is located in the heart of Tofino Harbour at the Tofino Resort & Marina Adventure Centre, just minutes from village.

More info including maps and hours can be seen HERE.

TIABC is pleased to release episode #7 in our Voice of Tourism podcast series. Host Walt Judas speaks with Angela Nagy, president and CEO of GreenStep Solutions, about the work GreenStep Solutions does to help organizations measure their sustainability importance, the importance of certification training, and where the tourism & hospitality industry needs to go.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism podcasts feature interviews with some of the most respected professionals in the tourism industry and have been developed to provide TIABC members and stakeholders with insightful content and a unique perspective on industry developments, policy directives, the work that sector associations are doing, and the opportunities that exist for businesses, communities, and government within the visitor economy.

Now Available on Spotify or the link below.

Hear from Rachela Pollock of Acera Insurance, a commercial insurance broker that specializes in outdoor recreation & adventure tourism. Rachela will discuss ways to have your insurance policy work better for you.

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Join us to learn about how presenting your tourism business or association in the best light to underwriters can make all the difference on your premiums, along with insurance tips & tricks, understanding current market trends, and how claims have impacted the tourism industry as a whole. You won't want to miss this informative session.

The popular Old Town gallery will once again be part of the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) experience for visitors when it reopens on July 29th.

Visitors to Old Town will see spaces such as the garage, train station, hotel, saloon, parlour, kitchen, print shop and Chinatown preserved as they were. Some spaces have been emptied to create opportunities for visitors to reimagine the storefront with a new perspective.

The reopening of Old Town is the first phase of a multi-year project to transform RBCM. Each phase will be informed by public engagement that invites people and communities to consider how spaces like Old Town and the First Peoples’ Gallery can be more relevant, inclusive and engaging.

Read the official announcement by government HERE.

TIAC President & CEO, Beth Potter, delivered the following message, thanking industry for their participation in National Tourism Week 2023.

Tourism Week is an annual invitation for all tourism partners to come together to champion and promote Canada’s destinations, tourism businesses, and employees – from coast to coast to coast. After more than two devastating years for tourism, border restrictions have finally been removed. The rebuilding of Canada’s visitor economy is now underway, but there’s a long way to go before tourism reclaims being the $105-billion economic powerhouse it was pre-pandemic. That’s why this year’s theme was CANADA: Powered by Tourism!

Watch the Tourism Week video in partnership with Destination Canada HERE.

On March 3rd, Anna Pollock addressed the 2023 BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference delegates in Prince George and spoke on the topic of regenerative tourism. As the Founder of Conscious Travel, Anna has nearly 50 years of experience in tourism as an independent consultant, strategist, international speaker and change agent and is now an acclaimed thought leader in the emerging field of regenerative tourism.

Her presentation was extremely well-received and provided the audience with insightful data and and information on where we are now and the kind of change needed as we move towards a regenerative travel and hospitality economy.

TIABC member SKY Helicopters announced earlier this week that Kevin Pearce has been named President.

Kevin is a 30+ year Vancouver tourism industry professional, who began his career in hospitality, which led to management roles at Grouse Mountain and most recently, president and Co-Owner of Landsea Tours and Adventures.

Kevin is a board member for the Vancouver Tourism Industry Awards, is on the Economic Development & Tourism Committee for the City of Port Moody, and is a graduate of Capilano University, as well as the UBC Sauder School of Business. TIABC extends warm congratulations to Kevin as he embarks on this exciting new chapter!

Read the full announcement HERE.

If you're a skilled marketer who enjoys handling a wide variety of tasks, Tourism Richmond may have an opportunity for you! Whether you’re developing a campaign strategy, helping with PR needs, or reviewing copy for brand alignment, you can always be trusted to get the job done well. You compose strong well-written project briefs, develop and execute paid ads, craft content for digital and traditional channels. Attracting and engaging audiences with well-thought-out campaigns and programs is one of your strengths.

This role is primarily responsible for creating and carrying out integrated campaigns and marketing projects to elevate Richmond and its unique experiences for visitors, residents and other audiences. The right person for the role is a self-starter with strong project management, prioritization, interpersonal and communications skills.

Learn more and apply HERE.

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) is inviting applications to fill a vacancy on its Board of Directors left by departing member Ian MacPhee.

The ideal candidate must be a TIABC member in good standing, or for members who are a corporation, be a director, officer or senior employee or shareholder of such member in the business category.

TIABC's board composition is striving for 50% gender parity and 30% diversity.

Applications should consist of a one-page letter stating your interest in joining the TIABC board, your experience in BC's tourism sector and non-profits, and how you can support TIABC in our advocacy efforts. Please contact J.J. Belanger, Chair, TIABC at jj@crystalcove.ca for more information or to submit your application.

TIABC, along with our tourism and hospitality partners go2hr, and Destination BC, have collaborated to conduct a survey about the status of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) efforts of tourism and hospitality businesses around the province.

This DEIA survey is one initiative that supports the BC tourism industry’s continued learning journey as we collectively reflect on how we might better authentically represent communities in BC, understand how others encounter the world, and ensure tourism experiences are safe, accessible, and inclusive for everyone.

Please share this opportunity with your network(s) and help the survey team reach over 19,000 tourism and hospitality businesses, and various industry partners, across the province.

Congratulations to Tourism Fernie, who won the Community Project Award at the BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) Summit held recently in Penticton. They were recognized for their AmbassadorWILD & Sustainable Tourism Partnership Project. "This award recognizes a community or regional partnership that works together in on-going economic development work and activities."

Developed and managed by Tourism Fernie, AmbassadorWILD is an innovative program that supports sustainable tourism and recreation by helping to take care of important nature-based locations, collect data for quality decision-making, and promote safe and responsible front and backcountry recreation. A website for the program will be launched this year.

For more information about the award-winning program and the event please visit HERE.

Pictured left to right: Matt Mason - Community & Indigenous Relations Manager, FortisBC, Jikke Gyorki, Tourism Fernie Executive Officer, Amy Reid, Chair of BCEDA, Roly Russel, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce recently announced the recipients of The Chamber’s 2023 Greater Victoria Business Awards.

Finalists for the prestigious awards represented a range of future-thinking businesses, ranging from sustainable menstrual care innovators to electric planes to long-time local institutions.

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Congratulations are in order to TIABC member Mandy Farmer, CEO, Accent Inns and Hotel Zed for receiving the Chamber Award of Distinction.

View the video introducing Mandy Farmer HERE.​

Travel search engine, Kayak, has named Vancouver as the top city in Canada and North America for mindful travellers. 28 factors including sustainability, a destination’s popularity, accommodation, transportation, air quality and cost were considered to rank 167 cities worldwide. Kayak created this list for those who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint when travelling.

Ranked No. 1 in Canada and North America and 38 in the world, Vancouver’s accessibility by bike, trains and/or ferries, air quality score and availability of eco-friendly hotels, put the city on top for mindful globetrotters. Congratulations Vancouver!

See the full list HERE.

Langford is a city on southern Vancouver Island and is one of the 13 component municipalities of Greater Victoria, within the Capital Regional District. The region has become the fastest-growing on Vancouver Island.

Through the City of Langford's destination management and marketing initiatives, their mission is to work with local businesses and residents and collaborate with partners to create a strong tourism economy that is sustainable and inclusive for all in the City of Langford.

Their team works to create destination brand awareness through inspiring and engaging marketing campaigns that motivate visitors to plan their trip to Langford or to host their events in their community.

Learn more about the City of Langford HERE.

We strongly encourage you to consider membership or renew your membership with TIABC to support our important advocacy efforts on behalf of the entire visitor economy.

TIABC continues to identify your concerns, raise your voice, champion your needs, and push for support and programs while encouraging policy changes at both the provincial and federal level.

Your support and engagement is vital to ensuring businesses, DMO's and sectors are united and speaking with one voice on issues that impact BC's tourism industry.

Contact info@tiabc.ca for more information, visit our website HERE or the link below.

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) are happy to announce an exceptional offer to TIABC members! Effective now, TIABC members in good standing can enrol in TIAC’s Associate Program FOR ONLY $25.

TIAC is the national voice for the travel and tourism sector and acts on behalf of Canadian tourism businesses promoting and supporting policies, programs, and activities that will benefit the sector’s growth, development, and prosperity.

By visiting this link, you can become a TIAC Associate Member, enjoy access to a range of TIAC benefits and add your voice to National efforts.

Note: If you are already a TIAC associate member, you will receive a renewal notice before your anniversary date. If you are currently a full TIAC member, you already get enhanced advantages. You will continue to enjoy added benefits and savings over and above what is available to associate members, including the TIAC Member Advantage program at Rendez-vous Canada.

Contact info@tiabc.ca for more information or visit our website HERE.

A Presentation and discussion on "Best Practices on Preparing and Responding to Challenging Guest Interactions 2.0".

Guest Speaker: Ginger Brunner, Manager, Industry Human Resources, go2Hr

Date: Wednesday, May 17th

Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am (PT) via ZOOM, Register HERE.

Aimed at the tourism and hospitality sector, the Propel Student Work Placement Program is helping the hardest-hit sector recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers post-secondary students opportunities to develop the work-ready skills required to secure meaningful employment upon graduation.

Qualifying employers are provided with a wage subsidy for each qualifying student hired through the program.

The next info session is:

Date: Thursday, May 18

Time: 10:00 am

Learn more and register HERE.

Join ABLE BC next week for an informative webinar on tipping, payroll taxes, and employment standards. Registration is free for ABLE BC members!

A recent decision of the Federal Court of Appeal has generated considerable attention and raised questions about what sort of gratuities must be treated as employee income and taxed accordingly. Other employment standards rules about who is allowed to retain gratuities and/or participate in tip pools add further complications.

Date: Thursday, May 18

Time: 10:00-11:00 am

Location: via Zoom

Tickets: FREE for ABLE BC members. $10 for non-members.

Learn more and register HERE.

With the busy summer season ahead, now is the time to think about how to keep your stress levels—and your team’s—in check. When work pressures increase and stress is not managed properly, it can lead to damaging effects both mentally and physically.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) and go2HR invite tourism industry partners from the VCM region to join this special webinar.

Date: Wednesday, May 31

Time: 10:00-11:00 am

Learn about stress, our body’s response to it, and strategies for better managing it. You’ll leave with evidence-based tools that you and your employees can use to help shift out of fight-or-flight response and promote that ever elusive work-life balance.

Learn more and register HERE.

The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) is hosting its 2023 Auction in the month of May. The auction will be supporting Care Camps in Canada.

Care Camps are founded by campground owners and help kids with cancer get to experience the healing power of the outdoors by sending them to specialized oncology camps.

Donations can be made through the auction by visiting the website linked below, up until May 31st.

If you would like to donate a gift card or a gift certificate for the auction, please email Darlene@bclca.com or call 604-908-5594.

Visit the website for more information HERE.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is pleased to offer sustainability training, workshops and support completely FREE to industry. Made possible with the generous support of the Government of Canada through the Tourism Relief Fund, TIAC has secured the services of experts in the field to deliver a valuable program.

The program will be offered in cohorts, supporting participants to go deeper in sustainability and receive guidance on how to align with the UN SDGs and find practical actions to make tourism a force for good. This is a great learning and networking opportunity, with offerings including:

Space is limited, so sign up today!

The Pathway to Net Zero Carbon training MasterClass will provide participants with the key steps to measuring the carbon footprint of their organization based on the internationally accepted Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, and how to uncover the opportunities to both reduce emissions and save money. It is broken into the following three steps:

Step 1: The Carbon Challenge - review GHG accounting and reporting standards, and methods.

Step 2: How to Measure Your Carbon Footprint.

Step 3: We will help the participants on “How to Set Carbon Reduction Goals & Prioritize Actions based on a Net Zero Goal”.

There are two more workshops scheduled for this program:

Okanagan 2nd Annual Tournament

May 18 - Harvest Golf Club

Vancouver 13th Annual Tournament

July 17 - Westwood Plateau

Victoria 9th Annual Tournament

August 23 - Olympic View

If you want to become a sponsor for any (or all) tournaments, contact Samantha at samantha@sasparilla.ca our Event Manager or Mike Macleod, Golf Committee Chair at mike@bcha.com

Focusing on the Fraser Valley, the Westcoast Wellness Show is returning with a strong focus on three pillars: physical, mental, and social wellness.

This event brings together local businesses, health practitioners, coaches, speakers, resources for the whole family, and tons of tips and tricks you can take home and put in motion right away!

Dates: May 12 & 13

Location: Coast Cascades Hotel & Convention Centre, 20393 Fraser Highway, Langley

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

A world-class conference that connects international buyers with Canadian sellers of tourism products, this year’s Quebec City event will bring together approximately 1,700 tourism business leaders for more than 30,000 one-on-one appointments, experienced-based luncheons, exclusive breakfasts, and engaging networking opportunities. Get your brand in front of an audience with influence at RVC2023!

Dates: May 30-June 2

Location: Quebec City

Learn more and register HERE.

This year’s AGM and Conference theme is Focusing Forward… Together.

Over the course of two days, public sector, private sector and Indigenous leaders will inspire us, challenge us to think outside-the-box and take steps to work together and chart a path to a future where businesses prosper, British Columbians thrive and communities flourish.

Date: May 31-June 2

Location: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, Whistler

Registration is now open! View the program and register HERE.

We are pleased to announce the dates for the next annual BCAC Conference. It will take place in Prince George, ("Base camp to the North" and home to YXS) at the "Courtyard by Marriott" hotel.

More information including conference theme, draft agenda, list of speakers, as well as hotel and travel partner recommendations is available HERE.

Questions or Sponsorships? Ask Dave!

The Art of Leadership Women focuses on the topics and trends most critical to leaders. This unique one-day conference features a riveting collection of world leaders, business icons, academics, and bestselling authors who inspire action.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn improved ways of leveraging their value, elevating their skills, and developing the strategies required to take their leadership and their organizations to the next level. This conference is not just for women, but for anyone who wants to champion change on behalf of women.

Date: June 6

Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

Sport Events Congress, the largest annual gathering of everyone connected to the over $7.4 billion sport tourism industry in Canada, is a 3-day interactive and educational event. SEC23 has been designed to help facilitate the recovery of sport hosting. The SEC23 program is interactive, educational, offers opportunities for business-to-business networking, and evening social events

Date: June 6th - 8th

Location: Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel & Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel, Richmond

Learn more and register HERE.

Future Borders Coalition (FBC) members are invited to the Annual General Meeting and Air-Cruise Intermodal Roundtable event in Vancouver.

Date: June 22nd

Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, SFU

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The roundtable picks up from where we left off in Ottawa in April, with a specific emphasis on Cruise to Air transfers and planning for FIFA World Cup 2026. The event is hybrid, so if you can’t make it in-person, please register to attend virtually.

Learn more and register HERE.

The 21st Annual Coast Hotels Shuhachi Naito Golf Classic will take place and will begin with a 12:00 Noon shotgun start in a Texas Scramble format. Last year, the tournament raised $80,000.00 for designated charities.

Date: July 13

Location: Tsawwassen Springs Golf Club, Delta

The two beneficiaries this year are once again the ALS Society of BC and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. Due to the success of this event, more than 50% of this year's playing spots have already been pre-sold.

Learn more and register HERE.

The Abbotsford International Airshow has grown to become one of the Fraser Valley’s largest and most exciting annual events.

Dates: Aug. 11, 12 & 13

Location: Abbotsford International Airport

Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now! Early Bird ticket access is EXCLUSIVE to Airshow Insiders.

Learn more about the event performers and event attractions HERE.

The BCRFA BC Restaurant Hall of Fame is returning. The BC dining scene is recognized across the country as industry and trend leading. Gather to celebrate the individuals and businesses whose vision, creativity and unbelievable hard work made this possible by inducting them into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.

Date: October 23

Location: Italian Culture Club, Vancouver

Tickets to attend the Inductee Evening are now on sale and are available HERE.

Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.

TIABC recognizes that our members, stakeholders and staff occupy the ceded, unceded and traditional territories of Indigenous Nations across British Columbia. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play on the lands that our Indigenous friends and First Nations ancestors honour and care for.