Jan 24, 2025
TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – January 24, 2025
TIABC
Before Christmas, a buddy of mine on long-term disability called to share some exciting news…not about his health but rather an old hockey card of all things. It turns out he struck gold after learning that he owns what’s known as a one-of-one, which is considered the rarest type of trading card and makes it especially appealing and valuable to collectors.
Prior to the conversation with my friend, I assumed the international trading card and sports memorabilia industry was dying since I hadn’t heard much about it in recent years. Boy was I wrong! Turns out it’s a $33 billion sector globally and expected to grow by 700% over the next decade.
While it’s unlikely that (in the trading card market) my pal’s original, undamaged, packaged collectible would fetch anywhere close to the $3.7 million paid for a one-of-a-kind Wayne Gretzky rookie card, his prized possession is nonetheless worth a lot to an avid collector and could generate a significant amount of income to cover his leave of absence.
So is it any wonder that Kelowna’s Players Choice Sports Cards and Collectibles, which caters to both locals and tourists, was again targeted in a smash and grab earlier this week. Thieves obviously knew the merchandise they stole was worth a lot.
Incidents like this in recent years led to the formation of the Save Our Streets Coalition (SOS), a grassroots group of individuals, businesses and organizations (including TIABC & members -Destination Vancouver, ABLE BC, BCHA, Pemberton Valley Lodge, Restaurants Canada, Rocky Mountaineer) that aim to work with all levels of government to find solutions to the rampant crime, vandalism and violence in communities all over the province.
At the inaugural Save Our Streets Forum yesterday, experts in mental health, justice, community services and policing joined local and provincial government officials to offer a series of ideas and recommendations to address disorderliness on the streets…including a more integrated approach between the justice and health systems to deal with chronic offenders that tend to be addicted, homeless or have mental health challenges.
Terry Yung, BC’s new Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services, was among the presenters prompting me to review the mandate letter that lists his priorities which include engaging with police, business associations, downtown resident associations, public safety advocates, and other interested groups on initiatives to strengthen safety in the province’s downtown core commercial areas, as well as rural hub communities that act as services centres.
In fact, the new mandate letters for all members of BC’s executive council direct cabinet ministers to make neighbourhoods and communities safer by working with law enforcement and social agencies to address street disorder, cracking down on organized crime, and ensuring repeat offenders stay behind bars.
As you can appreciate, the mandate letters for Minister Yung and Attorney General Niki Sharma contain even more public safety imperatives and it will be up to coalitions like SOS to not only hold our provincial decision-makers accountable, but also work with all levels of government to set targets and advance strategies with measurable results.
I’ve drawn your attention to Save Our Streets and this important subject a couple of times over the last year because the issue of crime is front and centre for so many tourism dependent communities and businesses, as well for visitors and residents.
Yesterday’s forum, that brought together some 150 leaders and advocates from across BC, was a positive and progressive step and hopefully a catalyst for action. If anything, it illustrated how complex the problems are and that any resolutions will not only take time, but also considerable resources and determination by all stakeholders.
As a kid I owned hundreds of hockey cards that I regularly traded, played knock downs with, or affixed to the spokes of my bicycle wheels to generate noise. Had I known then how valuable some of my collection would become, I wouldn’t have thrown them away but rather preserved and stored my cards like my buddy did to either pass along to my kids and grandkids, or to sell to a collector to help supplement my income in the event I’m on the sidelines for whatever reason.
Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC