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COVID- 19

All employers resuming operations are required to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan that outlines the policies, guidelines, and procedures they have put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their business. This plan follows the six steps outlined in the COVID-19 and returning to safe operation template developed by WorkSafeBC. Employers must involve frontline workers, joint health and safety committees, and supervisors in identifying protocols for their workplace. They do not need a formal plan in place to begin operation, but are expected to develop it while protecting the safety of their workers

BC is Currently in Step 3 of its Restart Plan

COVID-19 has created an ever-changing and unpredictable landscape for the tourism & hospitality industry.

BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan to bring BC back together.

Getting vaccinated is the most important tool supporting our restart.

With British Columbians achieving nearly 80% adult Dose 1 vaccine coverage and COVID-19 case counts continuing to decline, the Province safely moved to Step 3 of its four-step restart on July 1, 2021. British Columbia continues to take steps in safely bringing people back together, with the goal to transition into Step 4 of BC’s Restart plan, when it is safe to do so!

Tourism Restart Step 3 Toolkit

For a quick guide on communications, health and safety, workforce, and marketing in relation to Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, BC tourism businesses and partners can also refer to Destination BC’s Tourism Restart Step 3 Toolkit.

Refer to the Messaging Guidance until further notice, related to Step 3 of BC’s four-step Restart Plan. The document includes marketing messaging, responsible travel infographics, and a comprehensive FAQ.

The goal of Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan is to encourage travel to and throughout the province by Canadians.

TIABC Publishes “Know Before You Go”  Video Series

In the Fall of 2021 TIABC, published five videos highlighting the efforts that the tourism industry is taking to keep guests, staff, BC residents and visitors safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click on the images below to watch the videos about Restaurants & Food Services, Attractions, Bars & Pubs, Accommodations and Camping & RV’ing.

Joint Statement on Resumption of Travel Within BC

June 15, 2021 – Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; Brenda Baptiste, Chair, Indigenous Tourism BC; Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC; Ingrid Jarrett, President and CEO, BC Hotel Association; Anthony Everett, Chair of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat; and Richard Porges, President and CEO, Destination BC, released a statement on the resumption of non-essential travel within B.C.

Read the full statement

Tourism Task Force Presents Final Report to Minister

On December 9th, 2020 the Tourism Task Force presented its final report to the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, Hon. Melanie Mark, with a series of recommendations to support businesses and the workforce, and maintain confidence in travelers and communities.

On Sept. 18, 2020, Government appointed 11 business and industry leaders to a Tourism Task Force focused on identifying actions to help B.C.’s tourism industry recover from the impacts of the pandemic and put the industry on a path toward long-term growth. The task force was formed as part of StrongerBC, British Columbia’s economic recovery plan.

Over a period of almost three months, members of the task force gathered information on best practices from other jurisdictions and analyzed the impact of existing provincial and federal relief programs. The task force also held targeted consultations through a series of regional and topic-specific stakeholder roundtables and received presentations from 12 tourism experts.

Read the full statement

BC Government Announces COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan – September 17, 2020

Learn more at: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0052-001780

Find out more and download the full report at: strongerbc.gov.bc.ca

Keep up to date with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport announcements  here

View the TIABC and Industry Partners media release

Tourism & Hospitality Sector Seeks $680 Million Recovery Stimulus Package from B.C. Government 

On July 21, 2020 the BC tourism industry released a proposal for immediate and vital assistance for the sector hardest hit by COVID-19 and travel restrictions.

Download the full proposal here: Recovery Stimulus Package for British Columbia’s Tourism & Hospitality Sector

Read the media release and backgrounder here

On July 20, 2020, letters were sent to each MLA in British Columbia regarding this proposal.

Read the full statement
🍽️ What an incredible farm-to-table experience! Backyard Farm Proprietor and Chef Chris Van Hooydonk welcomed TOTA's Board of Directors and guests Walt Judas, Richard Porges (DBC CEO) and Scott Fraser (DBC Chair) for a memorable meal in Osoyoos this week.

Chris's culinary philosophy focuses on utilizing the freshest, locally sourced ingredients to create unique, tailored menus for each visit. With a commitment to true hospitality, the experience is marked by attentive service and a passion for showcasing the beauty of the South Okanagan.

Also pictured, Destination Osoyoos Executive Director Kelley Glazer, TOTA CEO Ellen Walker Matthews, and TOTA's Jane Parece. 

A huge thank you to Chris for providing such a delightful culinary experience! 🌿
🎉 Highlights from the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Conference in Victoria! 🌟

Close to 450 tourism industry professionals convened in Victoria last week for the annual 2024 BC Tourism Industry Conference, hosted by TIABC. Industry leaders representing businesses, sector associations, regional and community destination management organizations, First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as non-government organizations gathered for the two-day event. 

Anchored by the conference theme - Shaping Our Future Together - the outstanding program provided both a knowledge and skills track via plenary sessions and workshops. Here are just a few highlights:

▪️ Opening keynote speaker Shaun Boothe shared a unique and emotional celebration of some of the world's most influential cultural icons. His energy and messages set the stage for the entire event.

▪️ Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport kicked off the conference by welcoming delegates and sharing her own personal story of working in BC's tourism industry.

▪️ Plenary Remarks by Hon. Soraya Martinez Ferrada: Insights from the Minister of Tourism and Economic Development Agency of Canada highlighted the industry's significance.

▪️TIABC CEO Walt Judas engaged in a compelling conversation with Premier David Eby whose remarks underscored the vital role of the tourism industry in British Columbia, earning him a standing ovation.

▪️ Opening Reception at the Royal BC Museum

A big thank you to all our sponsors for making this event possible! 🙌
Join us in celebrating the remarkable winners of the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Awards Gala presented by @indigenoustourismbc! 🎉✨ 

Ten awards were given out to recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation within British Columbia’s tourism and hospitality sector. These awards showcased the province’s most exceptional leaders and positive change-makers this past year.

The winners of the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Awards are:

Business Woman of the Year Award - Sponsored by Prince of Whales
⭐ Winner: Ingrid Jarrett, @bchotelassociation 

Community Contribution & Impact - Sponsored by Tourism Richmond
⭐Winner: @princeofwhaleswhalewatching 

DMO Professional Excellence - Sponsored by BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS)
⭐Winner: @visitrichmondbc 

Employees First - Sponsored by go2HR
⭐Winner: @golfbc 

Inclusive and Accessible Tourism Experience - Sponsored by Destination BC
⭐Winner: Vancouver Aquarium

Indigenous Operator or Experience | Sponsored by Indigenous Tourism BC and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
⭐Winner: @homalcotours

Innovation | Sponsored by Tourism Innovation Lab
⭐Winner: @tourismnewwest 

Remarkable Experience | Sponsored by BC Destination Management Organization Association (BCDMOA)
⭐Winner: @nimmobayresort

Sector Association Excellence Award | Sponsored by Acera Insurance
⭐Winner: Sport Fishing Institute of BC

Sustainability Excellence | Sponsored by Nanaimo Airport
⭐Winner: @40knotswinery 

📸 @arkitekcreative
Insightful session at the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Conference with post-secondary educators discussing collaboration with the tourism sector! 🌍 📚 

Post-secondary educators Patrick Brouder (TRU), Farhad Moghimehfa (VIU), Dennis Innes (VCC), Jamie Noakes (TRU), Jason Johnston (TRU), Moira Mcdonald (Royal Roads), Michael Lever (FDU), Jarrett Bachman (FDU), Sarah-Joy Kallos (CapU) and Natasha Mrkic-Subotic (CapU), presented at a lunchtime session on how their post-secondary sections can and do work with the tourism sector.
🌟 Today at the BC Tourism Industry Conference in Victoria: TIABC CEO Walt Judas engaged in a compelling conversation with Premier David Eby. Premier Eby's remarks underscored the vital role of the tourism industry in British Columbia, earning him a standing ovation. 👏
🌟 TIABC CEO Walt Judas, along with TIABC Director Michael J. Ballinghall of Big White Ski Resort with Federal Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada who spoke on day two of the BC Tourism Industry Conference in Victoria. 🎤