Considering that I begrudgingly took the same grade 10 math course three times before I passed, it’s ironic that I work with numbers all day applying some form of analysis, forecasting, addition, subtraction, or percentage calculation to virtually everything I do.

It’s as basic as projecting how long it will take me to complete a specific task or commute to a meeting. On an even more obscure level, I have a habit of counting the number of people in a meeting or trying to estimate how many books are on the shelves of a used bookstore...but I digress.

Like many in our sector, a large part of my job revolves around facts, figures, research, data, records, and stats. And I appreciate receiving this type of information from various partners to help inform TIABC’s policy positions.

Case in point…at a sector engagement session (hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy) on the province’s impending recreation strategy and service transformation initiative, I keenly poured over a document that showed BC has more provincial parks than Alberta, Ontario and Quebec combined (1039 vs. 836). Among other things, I also learned the province oversees some 2283 recreation sites, 28,000 kms of managed trails and other public assets for residents and visitors to enjoy. But bragging rights wasn’t the real reason for the workshop. It was more about how we manage these vast resources going forward.

Attendees heard that the public service delivery of outdoor recreation hasn’t seen any substantive structural or functional changes for nearly two decades (or 240 months if you prefer). Moreover, a new approach is desperately needed to balance public interests, as well as for conservation and stewardship of valuable provincial resources. However, given the growing list of stakeholders and mounting issues on the land base, developing new policies and regulations won’t be easy or quick.

Among the concerns identified: there is increasing demand and in some cases, overcrowding of parks and trails, putting a strain on infrastructure and fragile ecosystems; wildfires and flooding have resulted in temporary closures or safety risks in many areas; there is limited research to quantify economic and non-market values of crown assets; trails and facilities are deteriorating; public access is insufficient or constricted; and for the tourism industry, provincial processes for permit approvals are cumbersome to say the least.

Government’s goal is to position the province and Indigenous communities to plan, develop and/or manage the diverse range of outdoor recreation opportunities going forward…which is all well and good provided it includes tourism…or as bureaucrats like to say, commercial recreation.

My colleagues from Wilderness Tourism Association, HeliCat Canada, Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association, and BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association were also on hand to ensure that tourism’s voice was heard vis-a-vis the future of outdoor recreation within each of the key focus areas: Cultural Connections; Vibrant & Resilient Communities; Physical & Mental Health/Wellbeing; Climate & Environmental Stewardship; Educational Value; Economic Contributions & Prosperity; Quality of Life for People of BC.

To be sure, issues such as access, permitting, land management, tenure security and many others were raised by our group. In fact, we have recent data that shows the magnitude of the problems, particularly on tenure renewal and security.

The province is planning another face-to-face meeting with stakeholders in Kamloops later this summer, as well as two virtual sessions to further inform the impending outdoor recreation strategy. More tourism operators and sector associations have committed to attend. If this is of interest to you, watch for notices or invitations via TIABC’s communication channels or those of government and our adventure tourism partners to ensure you’re registered and heard.

After reviewing the stats shared by the ministry at the session, I quickly determined it would take me nearly 17 years to walk all of BC’s managed trails and to visit every provincial park, campground, and protected area that government is responsible for.

If I was serious about doing it, my next step would be to evaluate all of the factors and develop a formula that takes into consideration the number of years until retirement, expected life expectancy, variables such as inclement weather, travel challenges, aging, inflation and daily living expenses, and many other elements. Without any formula in place yet, my rough calculation puts me at 85 by the time I finish. I suppose a more modest goal may be in order.

Happy Canada Day.

Walt Judas,

CEO, TIABC

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced today approved funding for a new redevelopment project. The news of a modernized Belleville Terminal will provide an improved travelling experience for ferry passengers.

With an approved budget of $303.9 million, the project is expected to be completed in time for the 2028 tourism season. The federal government has confirmed $41.6 million for the project. The Province is also in discussions with ferry operators Black Ball Ferry Line and FRS Clipper to determine their respective involvement in the project.

The improvements also mean that using pre-clearance, travellers will complete the U.S. customs and immigration process in Victoria and enjoy the convenience of disembarking in the United States with no further delays. Procurement will begin in the coming weeks.

For several years, TIABC has joined our members - Black Ball Ferry Line, Destination Greater Victoria, and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority - in advocating for funding and pre-clearance options for the Belleville Terminal.

With Canada Day upon us, BC Ferries is advising of delays and some cancellations on the route between Vancouver and Victoria as one vessel has been sent away for repairs. Those without reservations are being asked to walk on due to limited space and the shuffling of those with reservations to other sailings.

In anticipation of the busy travel weekend, BC Ferries says there will be more staff on hand at the Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay terminals to deal with long lineups.

BC Ferries says about 180,000 vehicles and about 500,000 total passengers are expected to be travelling this long weekend. Peak days are expected to be Friday, Saturday, and Monday.

Drivers and people travelling along busy highways this weekend are also encouraged to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times for a safer and more relaxed journey. Drivers should plan their journeys with extra time and be prepared for hot temperatures by packing lots of water, food and supplies for passengers and pets.

Porter Airlines has announced the airline is adding Victoria to its network, with flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

Victoria is the second city in the province that Porter serves with the new 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The E195-E2 has the lowest fuel consumption per seat and per trip among its class, and is the quietest single-aisle jet flying today.

Service begins on September 20th with one daily roundtrip flight. Connecting flights with Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John’s will also be available.

Read the official announcement and learn more about Porter Airlines HERE.

According to a report by Business in Vancouver (BIV) last week, BC is not attracting as many Asian visitors to the province as it did pre-pandemic.

Asian visitors to BC are key to helping the province's tourism sector recover from business disruption brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. New data from Statistics Canada last week show that the trend of fewer Asian visitors to BC is continuing. The number of Asians who visited Canada through BC in April was 42.3% below the number of those visitors in April 2019, before the pandemic virtually halted air travel.

The main reason for the decline in visits to BC in April from Asians, compared with April 2019, is that airlines are flying far fewer flights between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and mainland China.

Overall, there has been a significant increase in non-resident visitors entering Canada through BC, with 464,041 such visitors in April - up 59.6 %.

Visit Statistics Canada and learn more about international travellers to Canada HERE.

Wine Growers BC recently hosted a media conference to highlight climate-change and related freeze resulting in devastating short-term and long-term effects on BC’s wine grape crops.

Specifically, they wanted to draw media attention to the fact that BC wine grape crop yields have fallen as much as 30% below historical levels because of changes in BC’s climate. This was compounded by the devastating climate-change related freeze events in December 2022 resulting in a crop reduction of 54% - forecasted to result in $133 million in direct revenue lost to the BC wine industry with over $200 million in indirect economic revenue loss to suppliers, BC Liquor retailers, restaurants etc.

Included in their support messaging was:

Read the Media Release HERE.

The Tla’amin Nation has started work on a project to identify, protect, educate, and divert visitors from vulnerable archeological sites in Desolation Sound.

Hegus John Hackett says that the project is urgently needed: “We are proud of our territory and want to continue to share this special place with visitors in responsible ways. The fact is, 50 years and millions of visits after the establishment of the park, we continue to see the resting places of our ancestors damaged and pillaged. Since 2010 alone, eight of our burial boxes have been desecrated.”

The two-year project will include approximately 83 days of archeological assessment and is made possible with a $500,000 investment from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport – Destination Development Fund and with additional investment from Tla’amin Nation. The first phase of the project includes archeological mapping, site work, carbon dating and cataloguing of artifacts. This project team will also revisit 93 archeological sites recorded during the establishment of the park in 1973. The oldest of which is 7800 years old.

Learn more HERE.

Destination BC (DBC) has announced the formation of its inaugural Accessibility & Inclusion Committee (AIC), in compliance with the Accessible British Columbia Act and to support its work towards a more accessible and inclusive tourism industry.

The Destination BC AIC is composed of 13 individuals from across the province and will be chaired by DBC president & CEO, Richard Porges.

The committee’s role is to provide recommendations and advice to DBC on reducing barriers regarding its programs and policies relating to tourism marketing, development, and management. Destination BC’s application process and assessment approach were co-designed with those that have lived experience and various dimensions of diversity. Utilizing a thorough assessment, this inclusive process resulted in an intersectional group of individuals whose perspectives will support Destination BC in the meaningful implementation of the Accessible British Columbia Act.

Read the full announcement HERE.

BC Parks has just introduced a new feature to its camping reservation service that will provide email notifications when a previously booked campsite becomes available at a specific campground.

With the new “notify me” feature, people can sign up to receive as many as five alerts for any reservable campgrounds and dates. If a campsite becomes available for the desired date and location, people will receive an email notifying them that it is reservable.

For the 2023 season, campsites can be booked four months in advance of the arrival date. In addition, based on demand, eight campgrounds that were previously not reservable have been added to the reservation service, including Gwillim Lake Park near Chetwynd, Yahk Park near the Kingsgate border crossing and Allison Lake Park near Princeton. These campgrounds also have first-come, first-served sites.

Summer is camping season in BC, and whether you’re escaping the city for the day or sleeping under the stars, Recycle BC is encouraging visitors to leave nature the way they found it with Pack Lean Leave Clean.

Based on the ‘take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints’ maxim, the Pack Lean Leave Clean campaign was launched to raise awareness about recycling camping packaging, specifically flexible plastics. The campaign teaches campers how to prepare, pack up and sort recyclables, making sure our parks are beautiful for decades to come.

Join the pack. Recycle BC is inviting you to join the pack and follow their social channels, share tips, tricks and blogs, and learn more about how to minimize your waste and recycle your camping goods.

To learn more and/or access the Recycle BC community partner toolkit - Visit HERE.

the Great Taste of Canada

The Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA), launched earlier this week the Great Taste of Canada, a field guide to eats, hands on food experiences, and unique tastes of place across the nation.

Made possible through support from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), the Great Taste of Canada brings together more than 40 destinations, sector organizations and tourism stakeholders from coast to coast to share and tell stories of Canadian foodways and taste-of-place experiences.

Whether travellers are helping a beekeeper with apiary work, learning to filet a fish with an Indigenous chef or sipping their way through a new wine region, the guide will tell the stories of the people behind it all.

The Great Taste of Canada will provide travellers with the inside scoop on how to truly experience Canada's foodways.

Learn more and sign up your destination HERE.

As part of go2HR’s ongoing commitment to creating safer spaces, they have added some new resources to their website.

A new wallet card illustrating the 4 D's of Bystander Intervention, with easy step-by-step instructions about handling a challenging situation safely. Employers can print out these cards for their workers.

Employers can also download the 4 D's of Bystander Intervention poster and add it to the staff bulletin board for everyone to see and educate themselves on safe intervention techniques.

Use these new resources as part of a safety talk or pre-shift meeting to help raise awareness about this important topic.

Remember - Employers can create positive change in the workplace by using go2HR’s resources with practical tips on building safer spaces for everyone. Become an agent of change today and download and print out the wallet card and poster in the links below.

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is looking for highly motivated individuals to join their team as the 'Kootenay Rockies Regional Indigenous Specialist'.

The Specialist is responsible for the effective pathfinding, development and delivery of activities as outlined in the annual ITBC Action Plan and Capacity Building and Resilience Project. The specialist will support implementation of the ITBC capacity building project.

The Specialist collaborates and works with Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities and supports local and regional tourism partners to grow and enhance Indigenous tourism.

4VI is looking for a social media contractor to support their client services team with ongoing management of social media accounts, curating compelling, timely content for their Community Destination Marketing clients and private business clients, where required.

To learn more about the position and to apply, visit HERE.

4VI is looking for a social media contractor to support their client services team with ongoing management of social media accounts, curating compelling, timely content for their Community Destination Marketing clients and private business clients, where required.

4VI is looking for someone to align the content with marketing strategies and grow the brand and audience, and engage with a community of stakeholders and followers. Additional responsibilities include implementing content strategies and reporting to a set of benchmarks.

This is a part-time, casual, contract position with a starting commitment of approximately 15-20 hours per week. Contract could increase with additional client acquisition.

To learn more about the position and to apply, visit HERE.

A study was recently conducted by Sage Raymond, a C Bear Viewing Association (CBVA Level #3) Guide and owner of Wild Bear Lodge, Julius Strauss, and professor at Thompson Rivers University, on the Lardeau River (West Kootenay) of how tough the salmon declines are on bears and, by extension, the bear viewing industry.

This is a peer-reviewed, scientifically defensible quantification. The Lodge was seeing the salmon decline, hurting the Lodge due to lower bear activity.

In summary, "the results suggest that reduced Kokanee abundance also reduces Grizzly Bear presence, likely because bears seek out other, more available food sources, away from Kokanee spawning habitat. This pattern could limit ecosystem services provided by Grizzly Bears adjacent to spawning areas and it could have implications for bear management and conservation."

Read more on this study HERE.

Do you have exciting Camping in BC stories you want to share? The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) is always seeking guest storytellers who would like to share some of their best British Columbia travel and camping experiences.

If you have some great stories to share contact the BCLCA HERE for more information.

#CampinBC

The Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association (MBTA) was created to coordinate communities, resorts and industry partners and to pool resources in order to firstly help make mountain bike experiences sustainable at the local level and secondly more accessible to a variety of visitor markets. They are a stakeholder based organization that consists of communities, resorts and industry operators in BC that recognize the emergence and significance of mountain bike tourism.

The aim of the MBTA is to create a stakeholder based organization to realize their goal…Our goal is to have BC recognized for its world class sustainable trails and abundant mountain bike experiences that are supported by enthusiastic communities and resort operators offering high quality services.

Learn more about the MBTA HERE.

We strongly encourage you to consider membership or renew your membership with TIABC to support our important advocacy efforts on behalf of the entire visitor economy.

TIABC continues to identify your concerns, raise your voice, champion your needs, and push for support and programs while encouraging policy changes at both the provincial and federal level.

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.

Contact info@tiabc.ca for more information, visit our website HERE or the link below.

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) are happy to announce an exceptional offer to TIABC members! Effective now, TIABC members in good standing can enrol in TIAC’s Associate Program FOR ONLY $25.

TIAC is the national voice for the travel and tourism sector and acts on behalf of Canadian tourism businesses promoting and supporting policies, programs, and activities that will benefit the sector’s growth, development, and prosperity.

By visiting this link, you can become a TIAC Associate Member, enjoy access to a range of TIAC benefits and add your voice to National efforts.

Note: If you are already a TIAC associate member, you will receive a renewal notice before your anniversary date. If you are currently a full TIAC member, you already get enhanced advantages. You will continue to enjoy added benefits and savings over and above what is available to associate members, including the TIAC Member Advantage program at Rendez-vous Canada.

Contact info@tiabc.ca for more information or visit our website HERE.

Left to Right: Justin LaFontaine, Program Lead | Tourism Innovation Lab, Deborah Kulchiski, Mgr. Special Projects | TIABC, Alex Berlyand, BC Programs Coordinator | Tourism Innovation Lab, Walt Judas, CEO | TIABC

Earlier this week, TIABC met with the team from industry partner Tourism Innovation Lab to strategize on collaborative opportunities aimed at strengthening and growing BC's tourism sector.

TIABC continues to forge mutually beneficial industry partners and sponsors to ensure our organization maximizes the available resources that are critical to supporting BC’s visitor economy. Our partners' valuable contributions support TIABC’s mission and play a critical role in supporting initiatives that are dedicated to improving the quality and competitiveness of BC’s tourism sector.

The upcoming British Columbia Career Fairs & Training Expo, organized by Jobs Canada Fair, presents an exceptional opportunity for organizations to participate at no cost. Aimed at supporting Canada's employment market, this event invites your organization to attend and showcase your offerings. The career fairs will be held:

The Free Basic Booth Package includes an unfurnished 6ft table with one chair, allowing one representative per organization.

Learn more and register HERE.

Destination Canada will host its Annual Public Meeting (APM) virtually.

Join them as they look back at 2022, reviewing key highlights from Destination Canada’s work over the past year, and provide an update on the recovery.

The Destination Canada leadership team will discuss priorities for 2023: Where they are building success, making bold decisions, and a look at the work they are doing to build long term resilience.

Date: Thursday, July 6th

Time: 10:00 am (PT)

Learn more and register HERE.

Aimed squarely at the tourism and hospitality sector, the Propel Student Work Placement Program is helping the hardest-hit sector recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers post-secondary students opportunities to develop the work-ready skills required to secure meaningful employment upon graduation.

Qualifying employers are provided with a wage subsidy for each qualifying student hired through the program.

Date: July 17th

Time: 10:00 am (PT)

Learn more about the program and register HERE.

Vancouver 13th Annual Tournament

July 17 - Westwood Plateau

Victoria 9th Annual Tournament

August 23 - Olympic View

If you want to become a sponsor for any (or all) tournaments, contact Samantha at samantha@sasparilla.ca our Event Manager or Mike Macleod, Golf Committee Chair at mike@bcha.com

The 21st Annual Coast Hotels Shuhachi Naito Golf Classic will take place and will begin with a 12:00 Noon shotgun start in a Texas Scramble format. Last year, the tournament raised $80,000.00 for designated charities.

Date: July 13

Location: Tsawwassen Springs Golf Club

The two beneficiaries this year are once again the ALS Society of BC and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. Due to the success of this event, more than 50% of this year's playing spots have already been pre-sold.

Learn more and register HERE.

Ready, set, network! Join us for an evening connecting with your fellow women of WORTH. Why you need to attend:

You'll network with some influential women of recreation, tourism and hospitality - it's free! Plus, your first drink is on us.

You’ll learn about WORTH's upcoming programs and events and how you can get involved

You’ll have a chance to win great door prizes

Date: July 17th

Location: GLOWBAL, 590 W. Georgia St.

Time: 5-7PM (Speed Networking starts at 5:30pm)

Reserve your spot HERE.

A friendly reminder that the registration for the upcoming Hidi Nishi Classic Golf Tournament is now open!

Date: Wednesday, July 19

Venue: Tsawwassen Springs Golf Club - 5133 Springs Boulevard

Tee off Time: 12:00 pm (Noon) - subject to change

Format: Standard Tee off format

Please join in for a fun-filled day of golf and dinner! An optional activity will be available for non-golfers. Please visit HERE to learn more.

Suppliers sponsoring golfers and dinners will get priority in foursome and table assignments.

To Register: Email the CITAP+ office at info@citap.ca to be invoiced for your preferred activities/ sponsorships. Please indicate the number of individuals that will be in attendance.

The Abbotsford International Airshow has grown to become one of the Fraser Valley’s largest and most exciting annual events.

Dates: Aug. 11, 12 & 13

Location: Abbotsford International Airport

Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now! Early Bird ticket access is EXCLUSIVE to Airshow Insiders.

Learn more about the event performers and event attractions HERE.

The Northern BC Tourism Association will be holding their annual Summit, and you are encouraged to mark your calendar.

Date: October 11-13

Location: Prince George

Stay tuned for details to the event in the months ahead.

The highly anticipated second annual SPARK BC Hotel and Liquor Conference is back!

BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC) and the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) are joining forces once again to bring together industry experts in hospitality, liquor retail, and accommodation.

This event offers an unparalleled opportunity for liquor and hospitality businesses across BC to network with like-minded professionals, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights from informative sessions and speakers.

Date: October 16 and 17

Location: Anvil Centre, New Westminster

Learn more HERE.

The BCRFA BC Restaurant Hall of Fame is returning. The BC dining scene is recognized across the country as industry and trend leading.

The highlight of the evening is the 2023 BC Restaurant Hall of Fame awards presentation. This year’s inductees will join the almost 100 individuals whose contributions have been forever commemorated in the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame to date.

Date: October 23

Location: Italian Culture Club, Vancouver

Tickets to attend the Inductee Evening are now on sale and are available HERE.

The Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association will be holding it's 46th Annual General Meeting & Industry Conference. You are encouraged to mark your calendar.

Date: November 1-2

Location: Copper Point Resort - Invermere

Details to follow in the months ahead!

Be sure to save the date for Boating BC’s 2023 conference. There will be world class speakers, great discussions and amazing entertainment at the Cascades Casino.

Marina night will be on November 20th. Please mark the dates in your calendar - more information to be shared soon.

Date: November 21-22

Location: Delta Hotels by Marriott, 6055 Highway 17A, Delta

Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.

TIABC recognizes that our members, stakeholders and staff occupy the ceded, unceded and traditional territories of Indigenous Nations across British Columbia. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play on the lands that our Indigenous friends and First Nations ancestors honour and care for.