COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

• As part of the Coalition of the Hardest Hit businesses, Tourism Vancouver is pleased to see that government has heard our industry's concerns and has moved swiftly to roll out the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). Businesses in the tourism, travel, hospitality, arts, festivals and business events sectors are unique and remain in crisis as they continue to face necessary public health restrictions.

Through HASCAP, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million. As of February 1st, the program will be open to applications.

• Premier Horgan announced in a media release last Thursday that the province will not impose a restriction on inter-provincial travel at this time.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

WTTC Safe Travels Stamp

Tourism Vancouver has an agreement with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp in our Destination. This is a globally recognized commitment to COVID Safety protocols and procedures, designed to build visitor and community confidence.

The more businesses in the Vancouver tourism service ecosystem that are participating the better we are able to communicate in the promotion of the city our commitment to health and safety during visitors’ journey to Vancouver.

75 Tourism Vancouver members have already received their Safe Travel Stamp! Reach out to our team for more information on how your business can apply for the stamp.

BUSINESS RESOURCES

LGBTQ2+ Market Ready Certification (Limited Time Offer)

LGBT+ Travellers can help Tourism Recovery.

• 90 percent of Canadian LGBT+ travellers intend to travel domestically amidst international travel uncertainty. 
• The community represents an estimated $12 billion leisure opportunity.
• LGBT+ travellers outspend their mainstream counterparts at 7x the average trip expense.

Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)  and Tourism HR Canada have partnered to offer a free certification program to help businesses realize the economic opportunity of LGBT+ travellers and build LGBT+ safe spaces across the country. 

VPD Trespass Prevention Program

Early last fall, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) started an initiative called the Trespass Prevention Pilot Project (TPPP), which allowed VPD officers to take proactive measures in removing trespassers from private properties without the need for service calls or direct involvement from an owner or property representative. This program began as a pilot project which included properties between the 600 and 1200 blocks of Granville Street, along with selected adjacent properties where street disorder and trespassing incidents were most prevalent.

The VPD has now been green-lit to enter the next phase of the TPPP which includes a downtown-wide rollout.  Any business or strata in the downtown core is able to register.  If interested, please contact Constable Woods for more information

DoorDash - Main Street Strong Pledge: Covid-19 Relief Grants for Restaurants

DoorDash today announced it would provide $1,125,000 CAD in local COVID-19 relief grants as part of its expanded grant program to help restaurants in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver. Restaurants will be able to apply to receive a $3,000 CAD grant to be used to offset costs associated with the ongoing pandemic.  Applications are accepted today through February 17th, 2021.  Selected restaurants will be notified by March 1, 2021 with funds distributed by early April. 

Eligibility criteria includes:

• Three stores or fewer currently operating
• $3million CAD or less in 2019 annual revenue per store
• employ 50 people or fewer per store.

TOURISM VANCOUVER WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE: Virtual Workshop: Business Intelligence & 2021 Marketing Program Overview

Feb 10 | 10:00 - 11:30am | Virtual

Details and Invite to follow

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Destination Canada

Business Events Recovery Signals Dashboard Information Session

February 4 | 9am-10am PST | Virtual

In follow up to Destination Canada's research webinar on December 10th 2020, and the launch of Canada's Business Events Recovery Restart Framework, you are invited to join Angela Trunzo, market intelligence analyst, to learn more about the recovery dashboards including:

• How to access the dashboards
• How to read and interpret the data
• How Destination Canada will use this information
• How you can use it within your own planning

Meetings & Conventions – A Fresh Perspective on Engagement

SITE Global Conference 2021
February 2-3 | Virtual

“Courage – the power within and among us”

Last January the SITE global community of incentive travel professionals gathered here Vancouver to explore how travel as a motivational tool is a powerful way for the business world to support the indomitable human spirit that seeks connections with others, opportunities to learn new things, chances to discover unvisited places.

This year, the online conference incorporates both live elements and the option to access the full programme at your convenience at all hours of the day via the online platform. In addition to the many scheduled sessions, you can network, explore the resource gallery and conduct meetings at a time that is convenient for you.

Come listen to what does incentive travel look like as we transition beyond Covid-19? When will it be safe to travel again? How do I ensure the travel experience is both safe and motivational? Do I need additional partners, expertise and skills to service my clients’ needs? In this conference you’ll meet the pioneers and the experts and get a chance to share your own successes. Attend and join this conference to hear and discuss where to spend your energy and place your resources right now. Michael Drake will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) CEO Meeting
February 8-10 | Virtual

Engineering and scientific societies play a crucial role in the development of the professions that are key to advancing innovation.  The Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), incorporated in 1977, is a professional society of chief executive officers and mid- to senior-level staff members of engineering, technical, math and scientific societies dedicated to leadership excellence.

The 2021 CESSE CEO Meeting is an annual gathering of 60-70 top association executives who explore new ideas and seek solutions to shared organizational concerns in an exclusive, intimate virtual meeting environment. The 2021 CESSE CEO Meeting on February 8-10 will deliver quality programming that will help CEOs grow as a STEM society leader through thought-provoking, engaging, and relevant educational seminars and break out rooms for networking. Tourism Vancouver is a Gold sponsor. Jackie Kavcak will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

CSAE Ottawa-Gatineau Tête-à-Tête 2021
February 10 | Virtual

Immerse yourself in “all things association” at Tête-à-Tête, now in its 31^st year. The schedule is packed with informative roundtable discussions, expert panel presentations and engaging speakers. Tourism Vancouver is a sponsor. Michelle Taylor and Michael Drake will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.