August 11, 2021

• As of August 9, fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents can enter Canada for leisure travel. All travellers are encouraged to be fully informed of the pre-entry and on-arrival public health and testing requirements both federally and provincially. This includes the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app. Visit the Government of Canada's website for more details on travel information for US Citizens.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

Submit your Special Offers! #LoveVancouver

Destination Vancouver's #LoveVancouver campaign is going strong, and we want you to be involved! We invite our attraction, event, hotel, and restaurant members to share special offers for this promotion, by emailing your Membership Specialist.

Please also ensure your member listings are up-to-date, including the COVID-19 Amenity updates (via the Member Extranet).

INDUSTRY ACCOLADES

Vancouver International Airport receives Skytrax Award for 2021

Congratulations to our partners at the Vancouver Airport Authority!  The Vancouver International Airport was recognized as the "Best Airport in North America" for an unprecedented 12th consecutive year at the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

DESTINATION VANCOUVER NEWS

Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre July Overview

Our Virtual Visitor Centre team has been busy assisting visitors and locals through email, over the phone and through LiveChat on our website. Here are some insights and findings from July:

• With July 1st kicking off Step Three for recreational travel across Canada, the number of inquiries in July (780) were up about 25% from June (566).
• This change was reflected in the visitor origin as well, most of the inquiries originated from within Canada (60%) with close to half of those from Ontario; followed by residents of Metro Vancouver (22%); then US residents (14%); and rest of the world (4%).
• Primary inquiries from Metro Vancouver residents and those within Canada centred around:
  • Traditional Travel Related questions: Attractions, Sightseeing, and Adventure Recreation suggestions
  • Information on and getting to other areas of BC, such as Vancouver Island, Whistler, and Rockies. Many BC Ferries inquiries.
  • Accommodation suggestions
• Close to half of the inquiries from outside of Canada remain existing travel restrictions and the easing of restrictions. Followed by things to do, other areas of the province, and accommodation suggestions.
• For Canadians, the trend remains of travel this Summer, with 87% of travellers inquiring within six weeks of their planned arrival.
• For United States residents, many are also planning to arrive prior to the end of Summer (45%), while others were planning 2-3 months in advance of proposed arrival in Vancouver (24%),
  • Thanks in part to the announcement of border restrictions easing for fully vaccinated travellers, this is the first month in which the undecided traveller makes up small portion of inquiries, in July only about 1% of Americans were undecided on travel dates, in previous months it had been closer to 26%.
• Most potential visitors outside of North America still have no travel dates in mind or have expressed hesitancy about making confirmed plans.

Please continue to keep our team up to date on what is going on at your business, and what is upcoming, so we can provide timely information to prospective visitors. You can send updates to visitvancouver@destinationvancouver.com  

BUSINESS RESOURCES

MESSAGING GUIDANCE FOR BC’S TOURISM INDUSTRY

Destination British Columbia has created a Messaging Guide related to Step 3 of BC’s four-step Restart Plan. The toolkit includes marketing messaging, responsible travel infographics, and a comprehensive FAQ.

SAFER SPACES 21 JUMP START: A Collaborative Project between Destination Vancouver, Good Night Out Vancouver and go2HR

Recognizing that staff and patron comfort is critical to the economic recovery of the hospitality industry, Destination Vancouver, Good Night Out Vancouver and go2HR, have partnered up to create safer spaces in the tourism and hospitality sector.

This campaign, which is open for 6 weeks, encourages local establishments to sign-up for industry-specific training to help build staff and patron confidence. Learn tools and tips to help prioritize safety and navigate a variety of challenging situations.

Participating establishments will receive cross-promotion throughout the summer and an invitation to a safety skill sharing and social event in the Fall.

Here’s how:

• Sign up your establishment here
• Someone from go2HR and Good Night Out will contact you directly for follow up and set up your workplace training)

Please reach out to any of us if you have questions.

Judy Frankel, Communications manager, go2HR jfrankel@go2hr.ca

Stacey Forrester, co-founder, Good Night Out Vancouver education@goodnightoutvancouver.com

Gwendal Castellan, Sustainable Destination Manager, Destination Vancouver gcastellan@destinationvancouver.com

8 Easy Ways to Experience the Wilderness Near Vancouver

Experiencing nature in Vancouver is easy, and there are so many ways to do it. Walk across a suspension bridge, soar through the air in a floatplane, go for a laid-back hike, or get whisked into the mountains on a gondola. Use our list of easy ways to experience the wilderness near Vancouver to find even more options.

Music on Main Presents: Summer Pop-Up Concerts with Music on Main

Music on Main is thrilled to gather in-person for music in the park at their Summer Pop-Up Concerts series.

Fall Supper Club to Satisfy All Appetites

This fall, rediscover South Granville through a mouthwatering foodie adventure through Supper Club!

Vancouver Events: Outdoor Summer Market #onRobson

The wait is (almost) over! Join the Robson Street Business Association this August for their first-ever Outdoor Summer Market #onRobson.

#LoveVancouver Neighbourhoods: Victoria Drive + West 4th Ave

We’re getting down to the final weeks of our #LoveVancouver Neighbourhood series! It says something that we’ve been able to fill this many articles with outstanding YVR districts, and this week is no different. We’ll be headed to one of East Van’s hidden gem neighbourhoods, as well as a neighbourhood that’s been called the yoga capital of North America. So roll out your mat, do a few stretches, and let’s head out!

DESTINATION VANCOUVER WEBINARS & EVENTS

Webinar: Current Market Outlook and Available Travellers for Vancouver

Thursday August, 12, 10:00am - 11:00am

Please join the Destination Vancouver team for this live webinar

Webinar Agenda:
• Update on YTD destination performance
• Outlook for the remainder of 2021, including current bookings to date
• Consumer insights including highlights from the latest wave of Available Traveller research – travellers expected to lead the re-start/recovery of tourism.

Presenter: Eugene Chu, Destination Vancouver Team Member, Manager, Research & Business Analytics

Webinar: Leisure Marketing Updates, International Restart & Partner Alignment

Thursday August 26, 10:00am - 11:30am

Please join the Destination Vancouver team for this live webinar.

Attendees will gain insight from the following agenda items: 

• Insights from the latest wave of Available Traveller research
• Updates on consumer marketing efforts in local, BC and other priority Canadian markets
• Learn about partnered strategies to drive visitation from Washington state and priority US markets
• Updates on travel trade initiatives to prime audiences around the globe for the restart of international travel
• Learn how your business can get involved and benefit from these upcoming promotions

Presenters: 
• Candice Gibson, Destination Vancouver Team Member, Manager, Marketing
• Krista Alcazar, Destination Vancouver Team Member, Market Manager, International Markets

Meetings & Conventions – Generating Business in Today's World

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting

August 13 - 18 | Digital with in-person hubs
The ASAE Annual Meeting is where thousands of association professionals and industry partners gather to exchange knowledge, resources, strategies, solutions, and more.  Over several days of learning, growing, and finding inspiration, attendees are equipped with a year’s worth of support in their daily responsibilities as leaders in the association industry. Jackie Kavcak and Lacy Hawley will be attending virtually on behalf of Destination Vancouver.

Maritz Global Events (MGE) – NEXT&

August 18-20 | In-Person - Seattle, WA
First time event for the Maritz Global Events team since 2019 with the goal of gathering the event ecosystem – clients, MGE team members and supplier partners –

NEXT& plays off the increasingly popular “yes, and…,” originating in the improv comedy world. To MGE, it conveys great optimism, ideas and capabilities, as well as a safe laboratory to experiment with new and innovative ideas and practices.
NEXT& will reflect many of the changes our industry has been through, offering empathy, education and inspiration in flexible formats. This meeting will address, head on, priority challenges and leverage the attendees to create real world solutions that propel the industry forward.  Dave Gazley and Jackie Kavcak will be attending on behalf of Destination Vancouver.

SITE Texas Boots on the Ground

August 19 | Online
Want to know what is REALLY happening in incentive travel around the globe?  Join SITE Texas as we broadcast live fro the GRIT Production Studio Thursday, August 19th from 11:00am – 1:00pm CDT. This isn't your typical Zoom call, but a virtual experience! We will be hosting a global conversation with SITE colleagues from around the world on the state of our industry. We will hear from countries including Italy, Ireland, Canada, Great Britain, Dominican Republic, Australia, Spain & Portugal on what they are seeing and experiencing in their markets.  Owen Chiu will be hosting on behalf of Destination Vancouver.

Association Forum's Forum Forum

August 24-25 | Hybrid
Association professionals come to Forum Forward to prepare themselves for what’s on the horizon in the industry through quality education experiences, knowledge sharing, and networking with colleagues. This year’s event will mix the key components about this event you've come to know and love with a new, innovative experience to equip you with the tools to navigate this ever-changing world.  Lacy Hawley will be attending virtually on behalf of Destination Vancouver.

PCMA Visionary Awards & Client Events

August 24-27 | In-Person, Washington, DC
PCMA Foundation honors exceptional industry stars for their significant contributions to their organizations and the business events community. PCMA will be honoring the recipients of 2020-2021. The Visionary Awards will take place on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at the Hilton Washington, Washington DC. Proceeds from the Visionary Awards benefit the PCMA Foundation, which supports the industry and empowers students and professionals to advance in their profession. Destination Vancouver will participate with Destination Canada and also will attend other client activities in the DC area.  Jackie Kavcak will be attending on behalf of Destination Vancouver.

PCMA Canada West Student Information Panel

August 26 | Virtual
Are you a student that excited about a career in events and hospitality, but worried about the pandemic’s impact on the industry? PCMA Canada West is pleased to host a virtual student information panel that will feature some of the local industry’s top experts who will share their insights and experience and answer your questions!  Owen Chiu will be hosting this event on behalf of Destination Vancouver.