COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

• The federal government has extended the ban on cruise vessels until February 28^th, 2022.
• The Hotel Association of Canada has published a detailed FAQ on the new accommodation and quarantine measures announced by Prime Minister Trudeau on Friday, January 29^th.  For more information on selection criteria and to apply to become a listed hotel visit the Government of Canada Website.

  Criteria and Application

• Beginning on Monday, February 15^th negative COVID tests will be required for land border crossings. Canadians returning to the country at a land border without a required test can be fined up to $3,000.

DBC Provincial Health Order Messaging Guidance

• The current PHO strongly advises the public to avoid non-essential travel until further notice based on direction from the Provincial Health Officer. Destination British Columbia has created messaging guidance for tourism entities located within Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health Regions.

  DBC Messaging Guidance for Industry

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

#LoveVancouver - Tourism Vancouver Campaign to Rebuild Demand

As of this Friday, February 12^th, Tourism Vancouver will be soft-launching a promotion to engage with locals – first by asking them to share what they love about Vancouver in video, photos or text; and then through a month-long contest on Global BC’s morning show, BC1 and their online channels as well.

There will also be a special feature – a Valentine to locals – which will publish this weekend, reminding Vancouverites how important they are to the vibrancy of our city.

Throughout the spring, and as restrictions ease, we will have a corresponding ramp-up of marketing to promote our attractions, restaurants, accommodations, exhibits, sightseeing, shops and neighbourhoods.

The key to this promotion will be a hub on www.tourismvancouver.com which will focus attention on our safe Vancouver experiences and what specials and offers are available to locals.

If you wish for your business to be featured on this microsite, you can do so by updating your member web listings (through the extranet) and your own business websites to ensure content is current, your status (open/re-opening soon) is clear, and to highlight whatever new or special offers are available. This information will be pulled into the microsite from your member listing.

It is also helpful to send a note to our membership team to ensure they are also aware of your offerings.

We recognize the sizable investments and work that has been done by our industry to not only be safe but to create experiences that add to the vibrancy of our destination. Tourism Vancouver will continue to support and promote your businesses and offers through all of our owned channels and other means, as much as possible, and in accordance with PHO orders. 

#LoveVancouver Member Toolkit

We're excited to continue to support our member businesses through a new multi-faceted and phased marketing program called #LoveVancouver, launching on February 14 and continuing into the summer months while following current Provincial Health Orders.

Through lively, engaging content that leans into our nostalgia for "normal" and reminds us how good it feels to be together, we will tell our shared "love story."
We'll show that Vancouver has been worth the wait and that supporting local businesses now will ensure that the Vancouver we love and miss can return to us, with more heart than ever before.

Download the #LoveVancouver Member Toolkit and learn more how you can support the program.

Order Collateral: Tear-Off Maps

Much like many of you we are looking to reduce our costs, one such cost is the storage of our existing tear-off map inventory. We still have stock of tear-off maps and are looking to liquidate this existing stock as much as possible. 

If you think you will require tear-off maps for use in 2021, and would like to place an order, please send an email to visitvancouver@tourismvancouver.com by Tuesday, February 16^th, 2021.  Please include how many packages you would like to order. Each package contains 10 pads of 100 maps. Based on quantity and convenience, we can then determine a suitable pick-up time and location. 

Metro Vancouver and Downtown sides of map for your reference.

BUSINESS RESOURCES

PostMedia Solutions - Social Media Webinar

TOURISM VANCOUVER NEWS

Tourism Vancouver Distribution Centre to Close

As a cost saving measure Tourism Vancouver has made the decision to permanently close the Distribution Centre located in south Vancouver.

• For those members who use our tear-off map. There is still stock of our 2019/20 tear-off maps, we are looking to liquidate this existing stock as soon as possible. If you think you will require tear-off maps for use in 2021, and would like to place an order, please send an email to visitvancouver@tourismvancouver.com by Tuesday, February 16th, 2021, please include the number of packages you would like to order. Each package contains 10 pads of 100 maps (1000/package). Based on quantity and convenience, we can then determine a suitable pick-up time and location.

A new map will not be produced prior to the Summer of 2021.

• For those members with brochures in the Visitor Centre. The current brochure stock at the warehouse has been sent to our Visitor Centre for use this upcoming Summer. With our Visitor Centre closed at the moment, we will announce in eNews when the Visitor Centre will reopen and be ready to start receiving your new 2021 brochures. If you have questions prior to then please email visitvancouver@tourismvancouver.com
  

TOURISM VANCOUVER EVENTS

Recap - February 10th Webinar: Business Intelligence & Rebuilding Demand for Vancouver

Thank you for attending today's two-part webinar as part of our ongoing series of complimentary programming that we are providing you this year in support of our 2021 Business Sprint and it's three focus areas of Rebuilding Demand, Destination Stewardship & Advocacy, and Organizational Resilience.  The webinar was intended to share the insights that we are using that drive our business decisions, and to ensure that as a tourism community we are aligning our goals, objectives and strategies as we move towards rebuilding our tourism industry in Vancouver.

A pdf of each presentation along with a full length video recording are linked below.  Part 2 begins at the 49 minute mark of the video.  You can also find additional resources and previous webinar recordings in the member section of our website.

Part One: Business Intelligence: Market & Consumer Insights

Part Two: Rebuilding Demand for Vancouver

INDUSTRY EVENTS

BC AdventureSmart Webinar - Snow Safety Education: Backcountry

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 6:30pm - 7:30pm PST | Virtual
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm PST | Virtual
This webinar is intended to foster awareness of the risks associated with backcountry travel, focusing on how to be prepared and stay safe in unmanaged spaces. If you're planning a backcountry adventure this winter on snowshoes, hiking with friends, ski touring or split boarding, this presentation's for you.
Topics include:
- Trip Planning: making a plan and leaving a trip plan.
- Training: physical abilities, backcountry training, avalanche awareness, emergency rescue, wilderness first aid, navigation, communications, route finding.
- Taking Essentials: proper clothing & footwear, emergency signalling gear, shelter, communications, light sources, etc + season and sport-specific gear.
- What to do in an emergency
Recommended for: Backcountry users; snowshoers, hikers, ski tourers, split-boarders, backcountry campers, families, adults, youth. Register for one of the two sessions, above.

Meetings & Conventions – A Fresh Perspective on Engagement