Hello all,
The whole of the tourism system in Canada has mobilized to help businesses cope with the impacts of COVID-19 and this post will provide you with links to new and updated tourism resources, tools and research that can help you navigate your way to recovery. Tourism Tofino continues to be available to assist you and connect you with the regional, provincial and national tourism support network, so please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tourism Vancouver Island is committed to supporting the survival of nearly 3,500 tourism businesses on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the launch of the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program. The program provides tourism businesses with meaningful, hands-on guidance and support to navigate the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptation and eventual recovery including financial, HR and legal challenges you may be facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more and register for the program, please visit the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program website at https://tourismresiliency.ca/victrp/ or call the Help Line at 1-855-722-9036 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm).
British Columbia’s Regional Tourism Secretariat – Social Media Toolkit
The Regional Destination Management Organizations of British Columbia (as a group BC’s Regional Tourism Secretariat) have partnered to bring tourism businesses some guiding help during this time. While it’s not safe to travel now, we can all inspire our social media followers to visit when the time is right, re-injecting vigour into our tourism industry. In fact, going dark on social media during a time of crises can have a negative impact on your brand.
Download this Social Media Toolkit to help you provide ongoing virtual experiences to your followers and share what you love, and maintain engagement during this challenging time.
COVID-19 Tourism Impact Report
With the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture the British Columbia Hotel Association, The BC Destination Marketing Organization Association and the B.C. Regional Tourism organizations are collecting excellent data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on B.C. tourism businesses. This data is and will continue to inform response and recovery measures. View the most recent report at COVID19-TourismImpactReport-April19
News and updates about COVID-19 are being served to us faster than we can take it all in, and with many new resources becoming available each week, it’s hard to know where to start. Destination BC is still the ‘go to’ place for the information you’re looking for including consumer messaging tips , and information on Provincial and Federal support programs, the latest health and medical information, industry resources and travel and transportation information.
The Tourism Industry Association of BC is our champion and is working tirelessly with many sector organizations, DMOs and businesses to advocate for Provincial Government programs and services to lift our industry up at this trying time. Stay in touch by subscribing to their regular newsletter here.
As the destination marketing and research organization for Canada, Destination Canada is responsible for mitigating the impact of COVID-19 to our visitor economy through response and proactive recovery planning. They engage and co-ordinate their plans with provinces, businesses and destinations. View their phased approach of Response, Recovery and Resilience. Their COVID-19 Research will inform each of these phases. Join their webinars and find find information on Federal and Industry support programs here.