COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Today, the BC Government has launched a new grant program for small businesses. The new Launch Online Grant program is designed to help over 1,500 eligible small- and medium-sized B.C. businesses adapt to changes in consumer behaviour and pivot to market their products online. 

DBC Provincial Health Order Messaging Guidance

The current PHO strongly advises the public to avoid non-essential travel to, from and within the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Sea-to-Sky and Sunshine Coast areas until February 5, 2021. DBC has created messaging guidance for tourism entities located within Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health Regions. For more information about the latest Provincial Health Orders, click here. 

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.

Downtown Laneway Transformation Survey – chance to win $650 to Fairmont Hotel & Botanist

The Downtown Vancouver BIA is conducting a business member survey and your input is needed to inform our 10-Year Laneway Strategic Plan and Network. 

Submit your feedback before Monday, February 8 to be entered in a prize draw for a chance to win a $650 gift card towards the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel and Botanist restaurant!

TOURISM VANCOUVER WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

Webinar: Business Intelligence & Rebuilding Demand for Vancouver
Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 | 10:00am - 11:30am | Online via Zoom 

Please join the Tourism Vancouver team for a live, two-part webinar on Wednesday, February 10, 2021

1) Business Intelligence – Market and Consumer Insights
Time: 10:00 am to 10:45 am
This session will focus on:

• Current destination performance
• Key indicators of forward-looking demand
• Available traveller research highlights

Presented by: Eugene Chu, Manager, Research & Business Analytics

2) Rebuilding Demand for Vancouver
Time: 10:45 am to 11:30 am
This session will focus on:

• Key insights informing our marketing plans
• Creative concept and upcoming promotional activities
• How your business can align and benefit from upcoming promotions

Presented by: Candice Gibson, Manager, Marketing

BUSINESS RESOURCES

2020 Year-End Downtown Economic Snapshot

DVBIA report on Impacts of COVID-19 and downtown’s economic recovery. The pandemic’s impacts are global in magnitude and differ by region – even at the neighbourhood level. The DVBIA’s latest report examines the impacts of COVID-19 on downtown Vancouver’s street-level businesses, hotels, workplaces and mobility.

More grants available for B.C. businesses to upgrade to commercial electric vehicle fleets.

The ministries of energy and environment a news release on Monday February 1^st announced new rebates and supports are now available for businesses, first nations and municipalities. The $5.7 million program will bump up the size of the rebate already offered for the installation of EV charging stations.

Go Electric Fleets program, those eligible can get money back for installing level 2 and direct-current fast-charging stations for fleets of one or more electric vehicles.

This means up to $4,000 back for level 2 charging station installations, which the government says is about 75 per cent of the basic installation rate.

Additionally, businesses buying electric vehicles for a fleet can now get the same $3,000 point-of-purchase rebate that was already available to the general public.

Earlier this month the provincial government also announced a doubling of the incentive for the CleanBC Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive (SUVI) and Commercial Vehicle Pilot (CVP) programs. Eligible vehicles will have access to 33% of the cost, up to a maximum of $100,000 per vehicle, up from $50,000 maximum. 

Learn More:

To learn more about the suite of CleanBC Go Electric programming
To learn more about the Fleets program
To learn more about the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program
To learn more about the Speciality-Use Vehicle Incentive program
To learn more about the Commercial Vehicle Pilot program

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Meetings & Conventions – A Fresh Perspective on Engagement