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Jun 21, 2021

Minister Kahlon Responds to TIABC Letter of Appreciation

Advocacy

Dear Walt Judas and Vivek Sharma:


Thank you for your recent letters regarding British Columbia’s (BC) Restart Plan. I am pleased
to hear your positive feedback on our approach to reopening the economy and moving towards a
new normal. The Restart Plan was developed with careful consideration for public health, for
the economic and social well-being of the Province, and in consultation with industry groups.
Our hope is that this will provide both local residents and international visitors with the
confidence to resume exploring our great province and its many offerings.


We recognize that the impacts on the tourism industry throughout the pandemic have been
considerable. In December 2020 we received the final report from the Tourism Task Force, and
its recommendations led to the $100 M tourism-specific stream under the Small- and
Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program. To date, the program has awarded grants to
thousands of BC businesses, of which 41 percent were tourism-related businesses. Throughout
the pandemic the Province has introduced further programs to support the sector, including:


• $53 M invested in community-based tourism infrastructure and destination development
to help recovery, create jobs, and spur economic development.
• the BC Major Anchor Attractions Program, which provides up to $50 M for rural and
urban anchor attractions and tour bus operators.
• $5 M through Indigenous Tourism BC for 140 Indigenous tourism businesses.
• BSAFE, a made-in-BC COVID-19 safety training program to ensure consumer
confidence for visitors, workers, and communities.


Budget 2021 includes an additional $50 M to support the tourism sector to continue to be a
destination of choice and an additional $20 M for further investments in community tourism
infrastructure. We will be working closely with tourism industry leaders on how to best allocate
these funds to help chart a path forward for the sector.

Thank you again for writing, and for your ongoing advocacy and professional approach to
supporting your sector.


Sincerely,


Ravi Kahlon
Minister

More Advocacy

TIABC is pleased to release its 2022 Advocacy Report Card, which details the advocacy efforts and achievements and synopsis of some of the organization’s key initiatives last year. 

Read now through link in bio. 👆
Tourism leaders cheer on the @canucks in the Rogers Suite. 🏒👏

L-R: Destination Vancouver's Royce Chwin, TIABC's Walt Judas, Tourism Minister Lana Popham, Sport Hosting Vancouver's Michelle Collens, TIABC Director/VCC's Dennis Innes, Indigenous Tourism BC's Henry Tso.

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc
Each year, on March 8th, people around the world celebrate International Women's Day and the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Today, TIABC salutes the women on our board and staff who are so valued, respected and appreciated by colleagues throughout the entire BC tourism industry. 

⭐ Brenda Baptiste
⭐Joanne Burns-Millar
⭐Pria Flanagan
⭐Miranda Ji
⭐Deborah Kulchiski
⭐Sandra Oldfield
⭐Sandra van Steijn 
⭐Fiona Wray

Thank you for your incredible contribution to our organization and to BC’s visitor economy.

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc #internationalwomensday #womenintourism #womensday #IWD2023 #embraceequity
Over the weekend, TIABC CEO Walt Judas, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry, and Sport Hosting Vancouver Senior Manager Michelle Collens enjoyed watching the Canada Sevens rugby tournament at BC Place! 🏉

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc #GreenMeansGo #rugbysevens #bcplace
What a great first day at the BCTHC 👏

We had an incredible first day in Prince George gathering with industry friends and experiencing the many wonders that the incredible Northern BC region has to offer!

#BCTourismandHospitalityConference #bcthc #conference #tourism #StayBC #BCTourismCounts #BCTHC2023Tourism
TIABC CEO, Walt Judas and @bchotelassociation CEO Ingrid Jarrett attended the @pgcougars game on the eve of the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference in Prince George. 🏒

#BCTourismandHospitalityConference #bcthc #conference #tourism #StayBC #BCTourismCounts