November 17, 2023

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CEO MESSAGE

Last spring I was in the US Customs area at YVR waiting to be cleared before boarding a flight to Palm Springs. As one would expect, the border services agent asked me several questions including where I would be staying while in the U.S.A. I told him I was bunking at a friend’s place in Indian Wells but that wasn’t good enough. The officer wanted a specific address at which point I realized that I didn’t have it.

After frantically texting my buddy and thankfully receiving an immediate response, I proceeded to pass my temporary California address on to the agent. However, the border guard still wouldn’t let me clear customs because I neglected to include the all-important zip code. Following another desperate text to my friend, I was eventually able to begin my journey but not before plugging the full contact details into my phone for future reference. Turns out I needed the address three hours later when the cab driver at Palm Springs airport insisted on a street name and zip code rather than allowing me to direct her to my final destination.

Clearly zip codes are a big deal in America but the same goes for Canada for reasons I hadn’t considered until recently. As you know, in its simplest form a postal code (PC) is necessary to ensure timely delivery of a letter or parcel to someone in another jurisdiction. Within a tourism context, a postal code is vital for marketing or booking accommodation online, delivery of supplies to local businesses, financial transactions and more.

In recent months an issue concerning postal codes has come to my attention that I’ve been trying to help resolve. Seems that Big White Mountain, home to as many as 10,000 overnight residents and guests on weekends during peak ski season, does not have its own postal code. What’s worse, after many years of lobbying Canada Post, the resort continues to experience the runaround by the federal agency even though a PC was promised by year’s end.

Aside from the challenges I alluded to earlier, the absence of a postal code has cost Tourism Big White Society MRDT revenue, which in some instances was accounted for in a neighbouring community. Social media content generated by guests often shows the resort to be located in Beaverdell which obviously leads new visitors astray. Google businesses listings are inaccurate because post office box numbers are not recognized. Residents can't take delivery of medication and even have difficulty buying house insurance, renewing driver’s licenses, setting up utility payments, and other necessities that rely on a PC.

Big White Mountain's 2022 tax assessment was $1.6 billion. More homeowners are expected soon with $130 million in new construction and resort improvements underway. Over 900 seasonal employees work on the mountain during the winter months. For the size of the community and its corresponding infrastructure, surely it can’t be that difficult to establish the mountain as an independent resort municipality (i.e. separate from Kootenay boundary) with its own, unique PC.

I’m confident that at some point the collective efforts of many will pay off and Big White Mountain will have a dedicated postal code but why does the bureaucracy move so slowly for something so important? On the heels of the devastating wildfires in August, this situation is yet one more challenge for the beleaguered Okanagan tourism sector to try to overcome.

Recently I took the uncrowded but scenic route through a portion of Washington State to get to Abbotsford. I stopped for gas along the way at an old service station off the beaten path. When I plugged my credit card into the terminal attached to the gas pump, I received a message asking for my zip code. Because my Visa card is linked to a Canadian address and obviously I don’t live in the States, I couldn’t pay at the pump. My only option was to pre-pay inside the station, fill my vehicle with gas, then return to the attendant to reconcile the bill. It took me twice as long as I planned. As trivial as my gas station experience was, at the very least it reminded me of the residents and tourism businesses of Big White who face even more frustration every day without a simple postal code.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC

We Are Thrilled to Announce that Registration is NOW OPEN for the

2024 BC Tourism Industry Conference

After enjoying a record-setting pace for revenues and visitation prior to the pandemic, recovery of BC's tourism industry remains uneven. While some sub-sectors and regions of the province have performed well, others continue to lag for myriad reasons. At the same time, the opportunity for BC's visitor economy to grow and prosper is bright thanks to the resilience, determination and expertise of operators, communities, destination management organizations, sector associations and other stakeholders who are willing to work together to shape the future of the industry.

Hence the reason why 'Shaping Our Future Together' is the theme of the BC Tourism Industry Conference in 2024. With both a 'knowledge and skills' track for workshops, delegates will not only be informed but able to apply their learnings within their own professional setting. Our goal is that in partnership, all elements of British Columbia's tourism industry will align to help the sector meet the challenges ahead but also create an environment to build back better than ever.

2024 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Visit our website to view the 2024 registration fees. Early bird rates are available with member and non-member pricing options. Full conference registrations include complete access to all conference sessions, workshops, silent auction, welcome reception, and the awards gala. Register at our early bird rate before January 17, 2024 to save $100 on your registration!

2024 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Program details will be available in the coming weeks on the conference website - HERE.

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION

Visit our website HERE to book your accommodation in our conference room block at the Fairmont Empress and learn more about different travel options to Victoria. 

Our sponsors are critical to what makes the BC Tourism Industry Conference a consistent success. Aside from helping to offset the costs of staging this event, sponsors deliver benefits to delegates that help grow their businesses, as well as BC’s visitor economy as a whole.

If your company is keen to connect with tourism leaders and stakeholders throughout British Columbia, we encourage you to partner with us.

If you have a unique sponsorship idea that you would like to explore, please let us know. We offer the flexibility to customize packages to meet your unique business objectives. Packages are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact us at: info@bctourismconference.ca

New Employment Standards Introduced For Gig Workers

The province announced yesterday that app-based ride-hailing and food-delivery gig workers will soon have new protections, including basic employment standards.

The proposed solutions were developed after extensive engagement with app-based workers, platform companies, labour organizations, business associations, the public and others. The solutions require legislative changes that enable new regulations to be developed. The changes will come into effect after legislation is passed and new regulations are finalized.

Under the new standards, drivers employed by app-based companies such as Uber and Skip the Dishes will be entitled to a minimum wage of $16.75 an hour, 120% of the provincial minimum wage, while actively out on assignment. Government estimates there are currently about 11,000 ride-hailing drivers and 27,000 food-delivery workers in BC.

Many of the standards align with the recommendations that TIABC and Restaurants Canada put forward in a joint submission as part of the consultation process although there are concerns about how much WCB premiums will affect delivery fees.

Read the official announcement HERE.

BC Tourism Operators Optimistic About Winter Season

As recently reported by Business in Vancouver (BIV), there is optimism that activity levels of many BC tourism businesses will remain high through the winter months.

There is some industry fear, however, that travellers have run out of savings that they accumulated during the pandemic, and are now pressured with interest rates at a 22-year-high and the lingering effects of a year and a half of high inflation.

If the higher cost of living prompts visitors to cut discretionary spending, some could forego vacations, say industry insiders.

BC's ski resorts are reporting strong season-pass sales and ski hill operators are optimistic that they will welcome large numbers of international visitors again this season. There is concern however, that visitors to BC could cut back on spending.

Read the full story HERE.

October Labour Market Information

Tourism and Hospitality Sector

As reported by go2HR this week - for the month of October, the Canadian labour market data from Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey and Qatalyst Research Group showed the tourism and hospitality sector continues to face challenges in employment and recovery, with variations across regions and sectors in the province, highlighting the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector.

From September to October 2023, the tourism and hospitality industry in BC experienced a 1.6% decrease in employment, resulting in a loss of 7,000 jobs compared to October 2019.

Key points:

Employment Trends:

• BC's tourism and hospitality sector faced a 1.6% decline in employment from September to October 2023, with 7,000 fewer jobs compared to October 2019. Regional variations in employment changes were observed, with increases in the Lower Mainland and Kootenay and a decrease in other regions.

Labor Force and Unemployment:

• The unemployment rate rose from 3.7% to 4.5% in October 2023, above pre-COVID levels. While sales of food services and drinking places increased, actual hours worked per week decreased, and hotel occupancy rates remained below pre-COVID levels.
• The sector continues to face challenges in employment and recovery, with variations across regions and sectors, highlighting the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note: Check out go2HR's Employment Tracker which also provides the most current tourism and hospitality industry data HERE.

Read the full Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey HERE.

ICYMI - Episode #15 in TIABC's Voice of Tourism Podcast Series

Meet Lisanne Ballantyne, president and CEO of Tourism Kelowna and Paul Nursey, president and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria. Lisanne and Paul discuss tourism sector recovery following the impact of this summer’s wildfires, and some of the policy issues currently affecting the industry that require government attention.

Now Available on Spotify or the following link:

Indigenous Tourism Fund Micro & Small Business Stream to Help Indigenous Tourism

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has announced a $10 million investment from the Government of Canada through its Indigenous Tourism Fund.  

At the core of this significant investment is the Indigenous Tourism Fund Micro and Small Business Stream, and the intake is now open to accept applications. Its primary goal is to empower Indigenous tourism operators in Canada to meet Market Ready standards (as outlined through the Original Original Accreditation Program) and thrive in the ever-evolving tourism landscape. With the support of this program, Indigenous tourism businesses will have the opportunity to secure up to $25,000 in funding per business.

Learn more and apply HERE.

 Updated Emergency Messaging Guidance

Now Available

As the seasons and weather systems shift, emergencies can impact travel, visitors, and businesses at any time and potentially influence those who may be planning a trip to our province. Destination BC has updated their Emergency Messaging Guidance for industry.

The document outlines official emergency information resources, as well as suggested messaging, visuals, and actions for BC’s tourism industry during emergencies.

It can help tourism businesses navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions during emergencies.

Learn more and access DBC's Emergency Preparedness resources HERE.

BCHA's Mike Macleod Receives

Award of Excellence in Hospitality

Congratulations are in order to Mike Macleod, Director of Operations, BC Hotel Association (BCHA) who received the prestigious Award of Excellence last week at the 12th Annual The Times of Canada Diwali Gala. The event was held in collaboration with Western Community College and Mayor Brenda Locke of Surrey.

As quoted by the BCHA, "Michael's unwavering dedication and commitment to the hospitality industry has been obvious throughout his illustrious career and he continues to work tirelessly to create a thriving sector. We celebrate this proud moment for the BC Hotel Association!"

On behalf of the TIABC Board and staff - congratulations Mike on this well-deserving recognition.

Spirit of Hospitality Lottery

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that the 2023 Hotels to Help lottery is back! Renamed "Spirit of Hospitality" as it represents hospitality at its best!

Created by the Hotel Association of Vancouver (HAV) to benefit the BCHF, this year’s lottery offers three Early Bird packages and 11 fantastic prizes with an overall value of over $30,504. Tickets will be on sale until 11:59 pm on December 10th.

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

YVR Unveils Paper Planes Cafe

Delivers Inclusive Employment Opportunities, Elevated Travel Experience

Earlier last week, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Pacific Autism Family Network successfully unveiled the Paper Planes Café, an inclusive and accessible coffee bar at YVR and the first-of-its kind at a Canadian airport. The uniqueness of this coffee bar lies in its team, which is made up of individuals with a diverse range of abilities from the neurodiverse community.

This café is a testament to YVR’s dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible travel environment and represents a significant step forward in YVR's mission to serve its people and the community.

The primary goal of Paper Planes Café is to empower its staff by providing them with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce. Through this café, YVR and PAFN will offer up to six-months of training covering essential skills and expertise typical of the restaurant and service industry. This includes barista talents, food preparation, and customer service, all of which will prepare employees for a successful career in the hospitality field. Following the training, staff will also be supported in their job search in the community.

Read the official news release from YVR and learn more about Paper Planes Cafe HERE.

Prince of Whales Earns

Biosphere Certification

Prince of Whales has announced its achievement of Biosphere Certification, a globally recognized sustainability certification conferred by Biosphere. With this achievement, Prince of Whales is the first Biosphere Certified whale watching tour operator in the Lower Mainland, highlighting their dedication to sustainability and conservation in alignment with the company's fundamental principles. 

Prince of Whales has consistently been a pioneer in sustainable tourism, exemplified by its membership in 1% for the Planet where they contribute a minimum of 1% of revenue to local conservation causes. The company is also actively working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, having set ambitious targets to achieve a 50% reduction per passenger by 2030, with a long-term goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050.

Learn more about the Pronce of Whales Biosphere Certification and commitment to sustainable tourism HERE.

Tourism New Westminster

Tourism New Westminster is the official Destination Marketing/Management Organization (DMO) for the City of New Westminster. The focus of the organization is to lead, develop and promote New Westminster by providing visitors with an authentic visitor experience that highlights the city’s unique attributes and provides sustainable economic growth through tourism to the community. 

Learn more about Tourism New Westminster HERE.

Would you like to be featured in our weekly Voice of Tourism, social channels and on our website? TIABC member testimonials provide visibility and exposure to the tourism industry and a wider audience for your business. If you want to be featured in an upcoming TIABC Voice of Tourism and other platforms, contact Deborah - deborah@tiabc.ca

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - Noon

Join go2HR for a workshop led by EDI expert Kristin Bower, where we'll build a framework for a more inclusive and equitable workplace. In this session, we will:

• Explore the Business Case for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Understand the impact on employees and clients.
• Identify Unconscious Bias: Discover why it exists, common examples, and its presence in the workplace.
• Examine Culture and Privilege: Delve into their implications for society and the workplace and their impact on bias.
• Learn Bias Mitigation: Discover strategies to reduce bias and apply these insights at work.

Don't miss this opportunity to foster understanding and conscious inclusion

in your organization.

MEET THE PRESENTER | Kristin Bower

Kristin brings over two decades of Human Resources experience creating equitable and inclusive workplaces to a wide variety of clients as an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) consultant. She was Vancity Credit Union’s first Manager of Diversity and has led work in the areas of EDI strategy development, disability and inclusive employment programs, mental health awareness and psychologically safe and heathy workplaces, inclusive leadership, intercultural competency, and unconscious bias training.

Kristin is the co-author of the provincially and federally funded Untapped Talent: B2B Guide to Innovative Hiring and Retention. She also works as an EDI editor for Pearson reviewing post-secondary level textbooks for inclusive language prior to publishing.

2024 Half Corked Marathon Ticket Lottery

Now Open!

Sign up now for your chance to purchase tickets

Wine glasses and running shoes at the ready! 

The perfect pairing heads for new heights during the annual Half Corked Marathon, taking place in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country. The lottery will close on November 20 at 11.59pm and winners will be notified the following day and will then have the opportunity to purchase tickets. Tickets cost $275 plus tax. 

Date: Saturday May 25th, 2024. 

If you’re keen to join us, CLICK HERE to sign up for the Half Corked Marathon ticket lottery.

BCLCA Fall Parking Lot Meeting

for Members

The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) is inviting their members to join in for the final session of their fall Parking Lot Series of Meetings.

Members will gather via zoom video to chat with the board and fellow operators about the summer business conditions. There is no FEE to attend but registration is required.

Date: November 23 - 9:00 am – 10:00 am Guest Speaker: Stan Duckworth, Pathfinder Ventures.

The session will be moderated by BCLCA President Jamie Cox, with other BCLCA directors in attendance.

Visit HERE to register.

IRCC Virtual Learning Series for Employers

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be offering a virtual learning series for employers in Fall 2023. The goal of this 4-week series is to help employers learn more about Canada’s economic immigration programs. Each week will feature a new topic and provide employers with an opportunity to ask questions. Employers may choose to attend one or all of the information sessions based on their interest and needs.

1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) & International Mobility Program (IMP) November 22nd, 9am (PST) 

2. Global Skills Strategy (GSS) November 29th, 9am (PST)

3. Addressing permanent labour needs December 6th, 2023 9am (PST)

4. Francophone Immigration December 13th, 9am (PST)

Learn more and choose the webinars to attend HERE.

Sport Fishing Institute of BC

Big Splash Raffle

The Sport Fishing Institute of BC (SFI) Big Splash ticket purchase deadline is coming quickly. 

Grand Prize and Final Prizes drawn on

November 25th, at 12:00 pm! Ticket purchase deadline—November 24th or while they last!

Tickets $20. Only 8500 Available.

View the list of prizes and visit HERE to purchase tickets.

Visas for International & Domestic Business Events in Canada

Update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• During this webinar the Special Events team from IRCC will provide the following information :
• An update on the current situation on visa processing
• An overview of IRCC's Special Events Services, including types of events that qualify and what it means to register an event with IRCC
• How organizers of international events hosted in Canada can support participants from visa required countries to ensure a successful event
• RCC guidelines on timelines for visa approvals by country

Date: Tuesday December 5

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM (PT)

Register for the webinar HERE.

National Tourism Job Fair

Tourism HR Canada, Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Baxter Media have partnered to connect tourism operators and job seekers from across the country with a new, virtual event: the National Tourism Job Fair. This free event will offer networking and learning opportunities

Date: February 1, 2024 (virtual)

The National Tourism Job Fair is set to revolutionize the way tourism operators and job seekers connect, by not only showcasing employment opportunities, but also providing access to insightful speakers and learning opportunities—all free of charge, thanks to support from the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund.

Led by TIAC, the virtual platform will launch in January 2024, allowing job seekers to explore career options and network with industry leaders. Attendees can look forward to expert-led sessions on industry trends, skill development, and strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of travel and hospitality.

Learn more HERE.

Boating BC 2023 Conference

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.

Date: November 21-22

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

Learn more and register HERE.

2023 Policy Conference & Big Splash Gala

The Sport Fishing Institute (SFI) will be holding its annual Policy Conference and look forward to this highly anticipated annual forum where elected officials, public servants and those in the sport fishing industry can meet, share their perspectives on the issues facing the recreational fishery and discuss expectations for the coming seasons.

Speakers have been lined up to address this year's theme; Changing Expectations and Changing Opportunities. The agenda is taking shape and will be made available before the event. For a sense of what to expect please visit the SFI Conference web page for details of last year's conference.

Date: November 24

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre

Following the Conference, also at the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Big Splash Gala will be held including fundraiser.

Early bird tickets now available until October 24th. Learn more HERE.

4VI Delivering Fall Industry Session

4VI, who serves as the Regional Destination Management Organization for the Vancouver Island Region, will be touring this fall to engage with communities regarding their work for Destination British Columbia and give an update on their shift to operating as a social enterprise. Topics covered will include destination and industry development, travel trade and travel media, and content development.

Attendance is free and attendees will have the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect with each other over local food and drink.

Ucluelet - November 30 - Ucluelet Community Centre

Time: 4pm - 7pm

We encourage anyone who is interested to register HERE for the nearest event to you.

CITAP Winter Event

CITAP+ is ecstatic to announce that registration for the 26th annual Winter Function is NOW OPEN!

Early Bird registration deadline is October 6th at 5 PM PDT.

The event will consist of a full day of events, including morning educational sessions and an afternoon marketplace and dinner reception.

Date: December 5

Location: River Rock Casino Resort Hotel

Please note that in order to receive preferential member pricing, your membership must be in good standing.

Learn more HERE.

Dine Around Stay in Town Victoria 2024

The off-peak season is a challenging time for the hospitality industry in Greater Victoria. The Dine Around and Stay in Town (DASIT) program has an important mission: to drive more traffic through Victoria business doors during a typically slower time of year.

Date: January 26 - February 11, 2024

Gala Tickets: Coming Soon

Learn more about the event, and how you can participate HERE.

Save the Date

2024 Annual Conference | BCAC's "Soaring Above Challenges"



The BC Aviation Council (BCAC) is excited to announce that the 2024 Conference is now scheduled! Mark your calendar now and check in with our draft event webpage closer to the date for more details including agenda, speaker profiles, sponsorship opportunities, activities (including add-ons), travel and hotel partners, and more.

Date: May 27-29, 2024

Location: Nanaimo

View the draft event agenda HERE.