As you are all very aware the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly and responses across Canada are fluid.  While Canada continues to be a safe travel destination, we understand that COVID-19 is top of mind for travellers, businesses and residents.  Destination BC is adapting their information accordingly and continues to provide tourism businesses and travellers with official sources of information in a one-stop-shop approach here.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs).  Please contact nancy@tourismtofino.com if you cannot find answers to questions and we will source them for you.

  1. What do we do if a guest or employee is unwell?
    • Self-isolate person immediately in their room/home.
    • Call 8-1-1 where nurses will screen, advise if and where to get testing, and begin the tracking process. Note:  this is only for non-emergencies.   Call 9-1-1 for an emergency and 7-1-1- for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  1. Is Tofino General Hospital prepared?
    • Tofino General Hospital has testing kits and is well-prepared and resourced.
    • It will take between 1 – 3 days to receive test results.
  1. Where do I find information on workplace preparedness?
  1. Are there restrictions to domestic travel?
    • At this time there are no restrictions to domestic travel.
    • The Public Health Agency of Canada ( PHAC ) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada, but this could change rapidly. There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians aged 65+, with compromised immune systems and with underlying medical conditions.  PHAC continues to reassess the public health risk, based on the best available evidence as the situation evolves.
    • Travellers are urged to take safety precautions (frequent hand washing, social distancing etc.).
  1. How do we mitigate cancellations?
    • Travel providers including airlines, VRBO, Airbnb and Hotels.com are recommending that tourism businesses recognize that travellers are having to make tough decisions based on the safety of the people who matter most to them and recommend that in the spirit of good hospitality, businesses adopt a flexible cancellation policy and offer full refunds in the event that bookings cannot be rescheduled.
    • This approach will create good will with your customers and increase the likelihood of securing future bookings.
  1. How is Tourism Tofino responding?
    • Holding weekly conference calls with local tourism businesses to gather insights;
    • As the risk to travel in Canada is still rated as low by the Public Health Authority of Canada, we are continuing to run advertising in BC and Alberta. We are working closely with our agency to monitor this and can adjust quickly as needed and based on member feedback;
    • Have pulled all advertising from Washington State;
    • Monitoring social media and comments to manage Tofino’s reputation among consumers;
    • Re-allocating marketing funds for recovery stage – post COVID-19;
    • Regularly distributing information to local businesses, from official sources, through this blog;
    • Enhanced cleaning at the Visitor Centre.
  1. How is Tourism Vancouver Island (TVI) responding?
    • Gathering information from Island businesses to understand the on-going impact and keep the provincial government informed;
    • Evaluating current marketing campaigns and working with DBC to understand potential changes in campaign timing and activities;
    • Monitoring social media and comments to manage the Vancouver Island region’s reputation among consumers;
    • Developing potential research and recovery projects.
  1. How is Destination BC (DBC) responding?
    • DBC is the agency responsible for international marketing. They are proactively working with international tour operators to reschedule bookings post COVID-19 to recover lost business;
    • Gathering industry impact data;
    • Re-assigning international advertising funds to domestic markets;
    • Supporting the provincial tourism industry by providing up-to-date information, tools and resources for use by tourism businesses to navigate these challenging times.
  1. Other Frequently asked questions for you to consider in your businesses:
    • What is your property/business doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
    • Can I get a full refund for my booking because of the recent spread of COVID-19?
    • How are you monitoring the health of your staff and guests during this outbreak?
    • What if I need to self-isolate at your property?
    • What protocol do you have in place if someone at your property becomes ill?
    • What is the risk to me coming to British Columbia and staying at your property?
    • How are you managing the health of your staff and housekeeping team?

Thank you for your attention to these updates.   We are here to support the many Tofino businesses who are reliant on tourism during this quickly changing situation.  Please contact us if you require anything at all.