COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

• By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all households must limit gatherings to no more than your immediate household (people living at a home) plus a maximum of six others.
• The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is now available to businesses that have been operating out of a non-business account. Applicants have until December 31, 2020 to apply.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

REMINDER TO APPLY: WTTC Safe Travels Stamp

Tourism Vancouver has recently received the Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which allows travellers to pinpoint global destinations where they can experience "safe travels”. 

The Safe Travels stamp is a signal to visitors that our destination is safe to visit, which will help rebuild consumer confidence and trust. This will also make Vancouver look more attractive to both domestic visitors and international travellers when the borders reopen. Over fifty destination authorities from all over the world have been awarded the Safe Travel Stamp, including destinations in Canada.

How to Apply?
The Safe Travels stamp is based on self-evaluation and it is not a certification. Users of the stamp have confirmed that they have implemented and will ensure ongoing compliance with, the Safe Travels protocols.

TOURISM VANCOUVER NEWS

New Visitor Centre Hours

Starting in November, the Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre will be changing to their non-peak season hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:30pm. They continue to support and promote our community and assist those visitors currently in town, as well as those visitors planning their visit to Vancouver online and over the phone.

If you would like to reach the Visitor Centre, they can be contacted at visitvancouver@tourismvancouver.com or 604.683.2000

MEMBER OFFERS

BCHF Lottery: Our Beautiful Backyard

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) online lottery tickets are on sale until midnight on November 1st. Draw date November 2nd, 2020. Prizes for the “Our Beautiful Backyard” Lottery include first-class food, drink, and accommodations in Whistler, Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan.

Tickets are available in the following packages:
• 1 for $5
• 3 for $10
• 8 for $20
• 25 for $50

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Free Education Month at Small Business BC

Small Business BC, alongside our partners WorkSafeBC, is pleased to announce November is FREE Education Month at SBBC.

This means you can attend over 25 webinars, and Talk to the Expert sessions during this month – for FREE. Whether you are looking to start, grow a business, or build resiliency during COVID-19, their educational calendar for the month is stacked with informative and practical sessions that will put your business on the road to success.

MEMBER ACCOLADES

2020 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Award

Prince of Whales is pleased to announce that their Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver has been recognized as a 2020 Traveler's Choice Best of the Best Award Winner for Top 10 Experiences in Canada. This year, Tripadvisor and Viator partnered to pull together all the experience reviews, ratings and raves that travellers share from across the globe.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

GVBOT ECONOMIC RECOVERY SERIES: TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY IN A TIME OF COVID-19

The economic rebound of British Columbia hinges on the recovery of critical economic sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Tourism Vancouver’s CEO, Royce Chwin joins a panel hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade to discuss the short- and long-term measures, programs and priorities that will help tourism-reliant businesses survive today and transform our region for the future. Monday, November 2 at 12 PM.

Meetings & Conventions – A Fresh Perspective on Engagement

Canadian Society of Association Executives National Conference 
Nov 3-6, 2020 | Virtual  
National Conference will include keynotes, workshops, educational sessions, think tanks, virtual networking opportunities including virtual social events. 
Tourism Vancouver is a sponsor in partnership with the VHDA. Michelle Taylor will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter - November Hybrid Quarterly Education Event 
November 10, 2020 / 2:00PM - 5:00PM CST | Hybrid  
Join title sponsor Team Canada (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) for a PCMA GMC business update, networking, and games!  
Jackie Kavcak and Lacy Hawley will be attending virtually on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.  

PCMA Canada East – Virtual AGM & Awards 
November 18, 2020 / 4:00PM-6:00PM EST | Virtual 
PCMA Canada East presents: An evening guided by the stars, together shining a light on our industry. 
Michelle Taylor will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.  

MPI Chicago Area Chapter - Signature Luncheon 
November 24, 2020 / 11:30AM - 1:45PM CST | Virtual  
Join us virtually at MPI CAC’s 5th Annual 2020 Signature Luncheon, November 24, 2020. Speaker Dr. Rebecca Heiss will help attendees overcome evolutionary limitations - the ancient fears that hold us back, fears that we're often not even consciously aware we have. 
Lacy Hawley will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.