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Oct 9, 2022

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – October 7th, 2022

TIABC

CEO MESSAGE

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’ve been talking turkey with many members in recent weeks during my travels across the province. While at the Canada West Ski Areas Association BC-Yukon Fall Division Meeting at Sun Peaks this week, as well as the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Whistler last month, I took the opportunity to connect with sector association partners, DMOs, and operators to discuss issues that affect their stakeholders or businesses.

Not surprisingly I heard about workforce and housing issues as primary concerns. More importantly, members offered policy recommendations for TIABC to advocate for. For example, an extension to wage and rent subsidies offered by the federal government during the height of COVID would be extremely helpful…only in this instance paid directly to workers to assist with the high cost of living in many parts of the province.

Similarly, in housing challenged communities where some outside workers travel up to two hours from neighbouring towns, a transportation subsidy or dedicated vehicle (e.g. bus or van) would be welcome given how long and expensive commutes prompt many people to quit their jobs after only a few months.

Still with housing…while TIABC has been advocating for some provincial oversight and additional powers for local communities to enforce regulations vis-a-vis short-term vacation rentals, I heard one tourism leader say that implementing more rules or restrictions won’t necessarily compel owners of multi-million-dollar homes in his community to rent to long-term tenants instead of temporary visitors. Because of problems with the residential tenancy act, owners would rather leave their suites empty than deal with tenant problems.

In a meeting with a few sector association members in Kamloops, I learned that we’re regressing instead of progressing on the issue of secure land tenures for operators in the adventure tourism sector, largely due to new government policy and misalignment of decision-making authority (i.e. Forests ministry instead of Tourism ministry).

Although none of the aforementioned issues are insurmountable, a strategic advocacy approach by TIABC and our key sector partners is necessary to achieve desired outcomes that help our industry in its recovery and growth objectives.

While I’ll continue to talk turkey with stakeholders during my ongoing travels in the coming weeks, there will be an additional opportunity in the form of a member survey that will allow our sector partners, DMOs and businesses to identify top priorities and give TIABC its advocacy marching orders for the foreseeable future. Watch for the survey in your inbox next week and please take a few moments to respond.

In the meantime, in spite of our challenges we have much to be grateful for. I trust you’ll take the time to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends this weekend. Gobble gobble.

Walt Judas,
CEO, TIABC

Related Posts

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