June 09, 2021

• The federal government says fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents crossing the border into Canada will soon no longer be required to stay at a hotel for part of their quarantine period.
  
  Health Minister Patty Hajdu said the government is hoping to ease some restrictions in stages, starting in early July. Minister Hajdu said fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents will still have to take a COVID-19 test on arrival and have an isolation plan until their test comes back negative. This relaxation of the rules applies only to Canadian citizens who have obtained both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada. It does not apply to tourists.  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

#LoveToExplore

As of May 26th, a new phase of the ongoing theme #LoveVancouver was launched.  

Affectionately called #LoveToExplore, this new promotion has rolled out for June as the unofficial “Attractions Month” to correspond with the easing of restrictions and the launch of summer specials by our Attractions and Sightseeing members.  You can check out the landing page here.  

It's not too late to provide a special offer for this promotion by updating your listing via the member extranet and by emailing your Member Specialist. 

Thank you to our partners at the Vancouver Attractions Group and the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association for creating a Stay & Play package to encourage both overnight stays and visits to local attractions.  

The campaign is being promoted through a multi-media effort including blog posts, sponsored articles, PR and TV spots on Global BC and more; Plus, there is a #LoveToExplore Giveaway with an array of prizes available. 

A #LoveToExplore Toolkit  has been created to help members support and amplify the promotion through their own assets and channels. 

This promotion is designed to encourage locals (and British Columbians) to take a fresh look at our city’s anchor attractions and inspire residents to staycation for a summer in the city. 

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & RESEARCH

BC Resident Sentiment - Current Level of Welcome Towards Visitors

It is worth noting that this is the first wave of sentiment research conducted since the BC Re-start plan was announced on May 25.

Highlights:

Currently, 79% of BC residents feel safe travelling to nearby communities while 61% feel safe travelling within the province. When we look at inter-provincial travel, 62% of Albertans, 47% of Ontario residents and 52% of Quebecors feel safe travelling to other provinces in Canada. This is an improvement for all markets and is currently at the highest level for Alberta and Ontario since the beginning of this year.

In terms of welcoming visitors, BC resident sentiment towards welcoming visitors from all parts of Canada has increased significantly from previous weeks. Specifically, 69% are currently welcoming of visitors from nearby communities, while 52% are welcoming of visitors from other parts of the province. Although the welcoming of visitors from outside BC is modest at only 30% at the moment, this level of sentiment represents a significant increase from previous weeks.

TOURISM VANCOUVER NEWS

Tourism Vancouver seeking Marketing Specialist

Tourism Vancouver is delighted to be seeking a Marketing Specialist to join the Destination Promotion team!  This is a regular full-time position.
 
This is a multi-faceted, supportive, and cross-functional position, requiring a broad understanding of marketing and operational tools including administrative systems (CMS and CRM) and visual asset management (DAM) platforms. An understanding of marketing fundamentals, digital graphic design and production are all assets for this role. The successful individual is highly organized, driven by multiple deadlines, highly flexible and motivated by creative challenges in a learning environment. This new Team Member will be passionate about our members, our team, our culture and values and Vancouver!

Tourism Vancouver is committed to providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment.

MEMBER NEWS

#GranvilleIslandLuv

Over the last year, our members at Granville Island Delivery Co. have set aside a portion of their sales and have accepted donations to help support their community who had been greatly affected by the pandemic. They are thrilled to be able to give back and support their community, and have just awarded their $2,500 #GranvilleIslandLuv donation to local staple, Paper-Ya!

Fleurs de Villes ROSÉ Adorns Downtown Vancouver With Over 50 Spectacular Floral Displays June 11th-20th

Decorating the streets of Vancouver’s downtown core with beautiful floral art displays, the Canadian premiere of Fleurs de Villes ROSÉ will take place June 11th-20th. 

Sea to Sky Gondola Plans to Reopen June 11

The final milestone in the reopening process was the delivery of 25 cabins from the CWA factory in Switzerland. The cabins have recently arrived at the base and the team is preparing them to be installed on the gondola line. In addition, a new cable was delivered from Fatzer in Switzerland earlier this year. 

Playland Opens June 11!

In light of the Province’s recent re-opening plan, and with approval from local health authorities, Playland looks forward to welcoming locals from the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley for the opening weekend, starting the evening of June 11. 

June’s Vancouver Hike of the Month: Bowen Lookout

This year Vancouver’s North Shore mountains have a heavy snowpack, which means we will have to wait a bit longer to hike some of the trails to the higher peaks. But why not warm up for the summer hiking season with a hike to Bowen Lookout at Cypress Provincial Park? It’s a short hike to a beautiful viewpoint. In early June there will be just a few snow patches that should disappear by the end of the month. 

Adrenaline, Nature and Immersive Escapes: Stress-busting Experiences in Vancouver

With more people receiving their COVID-19 vaccines every day, there’s hope we can enjoy the type of summer we’re used to: spending time outdoors, visiting our favourite parts of Vancouver, and seeing our loved ones. 

Tea in the Window Returns to Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Notch8 Restaurant at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, downtown Vancouver’s “Castle in the  City,” looks to relaunch its Afternoon Tea in the Window service starting Monday, June  7th, 2021. 

Oakridge x Pac Rim Patio Offers A Fresh Concept For Al Fresco Dining

Fairmont Pacific Rim has partnered with Oakridge and Westbank, to offer a unique outdoor pop-up patio experience this summer. 

3 Places to Experience the Thrill of Ziplines and Ropes Courses Around Vancouver

Fly through the air, balance on swinging obstacles far above the ground, and walk on suspension bridges through the forest canopy. Check out these three places to experience the thrill of ziplines and aerial ropes courses around Vancouver. 

Vancouver’s Mutual Attractions

There’s a myriad of reasons you’ll want to add Vancouver’s attractions to your list of must-dos this summer. And a darn good time is only one of them. If we can support them now through this difficult time, we can ensure they can continue to do so much for us, whether that’s providing a positive outlet for youth in our city, conserving our incredible natural surroundings, or simply upholding the fabric of our unique culture. 

TOURISM VANCOUVER WEBINARS & EVENTS

Tourism Vancouver Webinar: Understanding Social Procurement and the Potential Social Enterprises Have to Support Tourism Sector Recovery

Thursday, June 10 | 9:00am - 10:30am | Online via Zoom

As we work to rebuild the tourism sector, social procurement is a tool that can help to meet labour needs and create positive impact in your community. Explore how you can look to your supply chain for opportunities to include social enterprises: purpose-driven business with diverse and inclusive hiring practices. By working with a social enterprise, you help create impact and you will be able to access new avenues for employees.

Participants learn how to consider social procurement as a way to create impact in their communities and find partners to solve challenges for their businesses.

Facilitator:

• Gwendal Castellan, Manager, Sustainable Destination Development, Tourism Vancouver

Speakers:

• Tori Williamson, Director of Education and Communications, Buy Social Canada
• Judy Frankel, Communications Manager, Go2HR
• David Greaves, Director of Opportunities, Mission Possible Enterprises Inc.
• Iris Ting, Manager Social Enterprise, Binners Project
• Sean Miles, Employer Engagement Manager, Open Door Group
• David Eddy, CEO, Vancouver Native Housing Society & Skwachàys Lodge

SAVE THE DATE: Tourism Vancouver's 118th Annual General Meeting

Take notice that the 118th Annual General Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Convention & Visitors Bureau, doing business as Tourism Vancouver will be held:

Date: Thursday, June 24, 2021
Time: 3:30PM - 5:30PM
Location: BC Place Stadium (Hybrid Virtual)

The following formal business will be considered at this meeting:

• Presentation and approval of the agenda and minutes from the October 29, 2020 AGM
• Presentation and approval of the audited 2020 financial statements & appointment of auditors
• Presentation of the 2021-2022 Board of Directors
• Reports from the Board of Directors and CEO

A formal agenda along with an invitation to register will follow after June 15th.

Meetings & Conventions – Generating Business in Today's World