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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

Walt Judas spoke with TIABC Director Mike Retasket, former Chief of the Bonaparte First Nation, for his perspective on what this day means to Indigenous peoples and what it should signify to everyone else. 

What does National Truth & Reconciliation Day mean to you? 
 
Mike said: Orange Shirt Day or National Day For Truth and Reconciliation makes me realize there is so much work to do. So many things have happened to the Indian people there needs to be accountability. Who is it that needs to do the reconciling here? Reconciliation will require land, water, medicine, ceremony, language, culture, heritage, values and restitution. There are outstanding issues that will need to be addressed before truth and reconciliation hits the ground. It is this groundwork that requires commitments from government that can be measured so we ensure moving forward together.

#trw2023  #NDTR
🛫 Exciting News in the World of Travel! 🌎

TIABC CEO Walt Judas with the partners behind Airble, a new BC-based charter flight and tour app that allows customers to book on-demand and customized flight experiences for business or pleasure to hundreds of destinations.✈️🌟

(from left to right):
🔹 Saeed Golzar
🔹 Walt Judas
🔹 Sarvar Minwalla
🔹 Kevin Adlparvar

#Airble #TravelInnovation #NextGenTravel #BCtourism #BC
TIABC CEO Walt Judas with Hon. josie_osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation, along with @guideoutfittersassociationofbc's Scott Ellis and @cariboochilcotincoast's Amy Thacker at the Vancouver Cabinet office following a productive discussion on ways the tourism industry can more effectively work with government to achieve mutual benefits for both the visitor economy and resource extraction industries such as mining.
Your support matters to us! 🤝

Meet Will Harding, Founder of Travel Local and proud member of TIABC. Hear why his business recently became a member of TIABC and why he encourages other businesses and organizations to consider a membership.

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.

Join TIABC today through link in bio. 👆
TIABC CEO Walt Judas with Hon. josie_osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation, at the Fully Charged Live Canada exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. 🙌
🚁 Weekend vibes: TIABC CEO Walt Judas joined a heli-hiking tour in the Cariboo Mountains near Valemount with pilot Nadia and fellow adventure enthusiasts. A thrilling experience in BC's stunning landscapes! 🏔️🌲