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COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
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- A new partnership will employ more than 1,400 tourism and hospitality workers in mass vaccination clinics. Tourism and hospitality businesses have already begun to call and train hundreds of staff who have been laid off due to the pandemic. Workers from these industries will provide their expertise and logistical support as non-clinical staff at immunization clinics to help move people through the clinics efficiently and safely. Municipal venue owners are also helping operate some clinics with contributions of staff, furniture and supplies. To read the full announcement, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021PREM0022-000539
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ADVOCACY REQUESTS Send a Letter to Your Local MP This morning the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses held a press conference calling on the Federal Government to continue to provide this much-needed support to our sector. This was accompanied by an open letter to Minister Freeland, which can be viewed here. This is a critical week to influence the Federal Budget. In April’s budget, we need a commitment from Government to support our hard-hit sectors until the end of 2021 and the very end of this pandemic. Visit HardestHit.ca to send a letter to your local Member of Parliament and show your support for our industry. Covid-19 Tourism Impact Survey
In collaboration with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat, the BC Destination Marketing Organization Association, BC Hotel Association, and the Tourism Industry Association of BC, Tourism Vancouver is focused on rebuilding our industry. In support of this, we seek your input to help us understand the continued impacts the pandemic is having on our industry. You can view previous survey reports here:
Resiliency Research.
By you completing this survey, you will be aiding us in sourcing the information that is critical to support our collective work moving forward. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey before it closes on March 31st.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS
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Update Your Amenity - New Product Info & Covid-19 Updates
As we prepare for the summer season, we would like to ask for an update on your products and services in order to provide accurate information to our key audiences (travel trade, meeting planners, media, and visitors).
We invite you to fill out the expanded COVID-19 Updates Amenity in the extranet to provide the following information:
- Operating Status
- Re-opening Date
- Covid-19 Safety Plan (please provide website URL)
- New 2021 Procedures for Visitors (text area)
- New 2021 Products or service updates, commissionable for Travel Trade (text area)
- New 2021 Procedures for Meeting Planners (text area)
- New 2021 Seasonal Products or Services (text area)
- New 2021 Product Images (file upload)
For new products or services, please include a description summarizing the key selling points that tour operators, meeting planners or visitors would need to know. If you have an image of your new product or service, please attach it.
Note: A new product could include a new tour, significant renovations, a new vehicle, a new addition to your business, new itinerary or package that you are offering.
These amenities will remain in the extranet for you to update as you have new product offerings. Please familiarize yourself with where to update them so we can make sure to share the latest updates with our key audiences when promoting travel to Vancouver.
Additional Notes:
Travel Trade
New products will be shared in presentation updates in the coming weeks to receptive tour operators, key trade clients and travel agents. They should be export-ready and valid for travel trade clients. A summary of all new product updates will be shared during meetings at RVC in May.
Meeting Planners
New product updates will help our Meetings and Conventions team to recommend your new products and provide accurate information to meeting planners considering Vancouver as a potential meeting destination.
Media
New products can be shared with key media as story ideas to promote Vancouver to various audiences.
Visitor Services
These updates will help our Visitor Services team to respond to questions from potential visitors that come through in our online chat service and provide accurate information.
We ask that you complete your amenity by March 31st, 2021.
If you have any questions about the New Product Info & COVID-19 Updates Request, please contact the membership team, Nastassja Dorotich or Lucas Pavan
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Help Show Your Love for Vancouver
Tourism Vancouver's #LoveVancouver campaign is designed to celebrate what locals adore most about their beloved city. The new #LoveVancouver landing page, complete with a love letter to residents, highlights the best of the city, including specials for locals, The Arts and Exhibits on now, attractions and activities, places to stay, along with chances to win Vancouver prizes.
If you wish to be featured in the current #LoveVancouver promotion, 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. Don’t forget to share the campaign with your own audiences, and refer to the Toolkit if you need tips for social, or image examples.
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TOURISM VANCOUVER NEWS
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#LoveVancouver Neighbourhood Blog Series
A new addition to the #LoveVancouver landing page is our new Neighbourhoods blog series. Showcasing the best of Vancouver, readers will find inspiration to explore the city with new discoveries and timeless favourites in our unique neighbourhoods. Read the first of the new series highlighting gems in Downtown Vancouver & Cambie Village and Point Grey Village & Robson Street.
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INDUSTRY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
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Invitation to participate in research on Impacts of COVID-19 on Gastronomic Businesses in British Columbia
Capilano University School of Tourism Management is conducting research on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on British Columbia's gastronomy providers. The intent is to gain insight into opportunities brought about by the pandemic that may have enabled businesses to build resilience, create economic opportunity, and/or positive social or environmental change.
Decision-makers involved in the direction setting of the business and operation are invited as research participants. Participants must be authorized to speak on behalf of their businesses. Participation is voluntary; upon approval, you will be expected to take part in a 30-45 minute virtual interview. A consent form and interview questions will be provided in advance. This study has been reviewed and has received ethics clearance from the Capilano University Research Ethics Board.
For enquiries and to participate, please contact Nazmi Kamal, nazmikamal@capilanou.ca, 604.723.4794.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
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Deluxe Virtual Event/Webcasting Studio opens
“The Station” (Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver Station) has been converted into an elegant studio for professionally produced virtual meetings, webcasts, AGMs and hybrid events. The Station has AV and theatrical lighting permanently installed to save installation costs. With 12,500 Sq Ft and 32 ft ceilings presenters can stay very safe re distancing and ventilation while recording professional webcast content and relaxing in our lounge.
Click here for booking info
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British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Public Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Service Rates Application
On March 5, 2021, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of the BC Hydro Public Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Service Rates Application.
In the Application, BC Hydro seeks BCUC approvals, on both an interim and a permanent basis, of time-based rates as set out in (collectively, Proposed Rates):
i. Rate Schedule 1360 for fast charging service at 25 kW stations at $0.12 per minute;
ii. Rate Schedule 1560 for fast charging service at 50 kW stations at $0.21 per minute; and
iii. Rate Schedule 1561 for fast charging service at 100 kW stations at $0.27 per minute;
the BCUC has granted interim approval of these rates, which will take effect on May 1, 2021. In addition, the BCUC has established an open and transparent public proceeding, which includes an opportunity for public comment and participation, to review BC Hydro’s Application and determine permanent rates.
Any parties who wish to participate in the BCUC's regulatory review process are invited to request intervener status register as interested parties or submit letters of comment. All submissions will be considered by the Panel in its review of the Application.
How to Participate
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Metro Vancouver will be increasing the pH and alkalinity of potable water supplied to the region in May 2021
The following article will be of interest to Hotels and Attractions with cooling towers, boilers, pools, hot tubs, spas and other mechanical systems in their buildings that involve supplemental treatment of the incoming water. As well as to restaurants, pubs and breweries that use water in the production of baked goods, drinks and other foods requiring fermentation.
Overall, this increase will have a positive impact, as it will help reduce thinning of copper pipes due to the corrosion from lower pH. Will also reduce green colouring and stains in sinks, tubs and grout.
Read Article, Page 12
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TOURISM VANCOUVER WEBINARS & EVENTS
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Webinar Recording: Support for Tourism Operators in Metro Vancouver & Getting Ready for Visitors
A review of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) Tourism Resiliency Program and new Spring Activator Resilience Program support.
Thank you for attending last week's 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 its three focus areas of Rebuilding Demand, Destination Stewardship & Advocacy, and Organizational Resilience. This webinar covered support programs, upcoming deadlines and opportunities to review qualifications and strategies to maximize support with a resilience advisor.
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INDUSTRY EVENTS
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Meetings & Conventions – A Fresh Perspective on Engagement
PCMA Canada West Educational Series: Experts @ Work presents Tyra Warner
March 25, 2021 | 11:30am – 1:00pm PST | Virtual
Join Tyra Warner while she deep dives into “Contracts and Negotiations in a Post COVID-19 World”. COVID-19 is novel in more than just a medical sense. It has made us consider whether and how to modify force majeure and cancellation clauses. Foreseeability is the new buzzword about force majeure and insurance. New issues regarding cleanliness, service, and safety call for new contract language. Where we used to want clarity, now we need flexibility. In this session, we will discuss how to negotiate the best contracts for existing meetings and for future meetings, all with the spectre of COVID-19 and an unclear future.
Owen Chiu will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver
PCMA Mix ‘N Quiz
March 25, 2021 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm EST | Virtual
Join your guest host, Jackie Kavcak from Tourism Vancouver, and wrap up Q1 with some fun and friendly competition! Mix ‘N Quiz is a virtual trivia night designed to relieve stress and offer a fun, casual way to network with your peers. It’s easy, it’s short, and most of all, entertaining. You spoke and we listened! This month, we’ve added more time for connecting with your friends and colleagues. Don’t miss the pre-game festivities and extended post-game chats. Build a team or sign up by yourself and be assigned to a team. Team name and all team players must be submitted to capital@pcma.org by Tuesday, March 23.
Jackie Kavcak will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver
MPI Ottawa Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID)
April 8, 2021 | 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM EST | Virtual
Join MPI Ottawa as they celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day online on April 8, 2021, where they bring together leaders from across the meetings and events industry, showcasing the impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on our industry. Meeting professionals across the world participate in this international day of advocacy.
Tourism Vancouver is an education sponsor. Michelle Taylor will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.
MPI Ottawa, MPI Montreal/Quebec, MPI Toronto - the EVENT
April 13-16, 2021 | Virtual
Three Meeting Professionals International (MPI) chapters have partnered together to offer their memberships something bigger and better. Bringing together three unique meeting communities will give event participants the chance to expand network circles while strengthening existing ones.
Tourism Vancouver is an initiative partner. Michelle Taylor will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver
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