Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia

Air Canada has reported a record load factor and increased passenger traffic for April, with the mainline carrier flying 83.5 per cent full during the month. The mainline carrier flew one per cent more revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in April 2008 than in April 2007, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 0.6 per cent, resulting in a record load factor of 83.5 per cent for the month compared to 83.2 per cent in April 2007 – an increase of 0.3 percentage points. Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, also flew with fuller planes during the month. Its load factor was 74.9 per cent, compared to 74 per cent in April 2007. During April, Jazz flew 1.1 per cent fewer RPMs than in April 2007 and capacity decreased by 2.3 per cent. On a consolidated basis, Air Canada and Jazz together reported a record load factor of 82.7 per cent for April, versus 82.3 per cent a year earlier. For the month, system traffic on a consolidated basis rose 0.8 per cent on a capacity increase of 0.4 per cent. “Air Canada carried more traffic and achieved a record load factor in April even though the month did not include the normal traffic boost from the Easter holiday this year. These results show we continued to attract new customers while managing our capacity well,” said Air Canada president Montie Brewer.

VICTORIA – A report containing 15 recommendations to create, maintain and expand recreational vehicle park development in B.C. has been presented to Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen. Click here...

A report released by the US-base Environmental Grantmakers Association recently (2008) investigated 'Ecotourism as a Conservation Strategy for Funders' and provides useful points of intervention for Funders. The Association was set up in 1987 and represents over 225 foundations from North America and worldwide including the Rockefeller Family Fund, the Ford Foundation and the Tiffany & Co Foundation to name a few.

The report suggests "the tourism industry has diluted the concept of ecotourism by adopting small, cosmetic, and often cost-saving steps rather than fundamental reforms that constitute socially and environmentally sensitive practices, and has become rampant with greenwashing, as companies attempt to ride on the crest of the ecotourism wave." With proper application ecotourism can be a very useful conservation tool. The report goes on to state that Foundations can play a unique and constructive role to assist the ecotourism sector in maturing as follows:
* Promote worldwide adoption of effective sustainable and ecotourism certification programs
* Support community-based ecotourism projects
* Use program-related investments to provide 'patient' or risk capital for projects that allows for longer holding periods and higher degrees of risk inherent in financing small or medium enterprises, and which allows for triple bottom line accounting with more distant time horizons
* Through travelers philanthropy

As quoted in the report "if tourism is to become an industry truly grounded upon sustainable development, it must all be based on ecotourism principles and practices."

Where do we stand on ecotourism principles and practices in Canada?

Author: Mike Robbins
Organization: the Tourism Company
E-mail: mrobbins@tourismco.com

Tourism Richmond announced that it has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, DC based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI).

In earning the DMAP accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence. Tourism Richmond is only the 2nd DMO in Canada to achieve this accreditation after Montréal.

"Tourism Richmond is honored to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation from DMAP," said Tracy Lakeman, Executive Director. "We are very pleased to be recognized in the destination marketing community for providing outstanding services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks in this field."

"By applying for and receiving DMAP accreditation, Tourism Richmond has demonstrated a commitment to quality programs and services," said Barry Biggar, CDME, DMAP Board Chair.
"Earning DMAP accreditation tells the Richmond community and potential visitors that your DMO has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well placed and their business in good hands."

DMAP accreditation standards cover a wide variety of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation and stakeholder relationships.

DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and a leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing.

www.destinationmarketing.org

Author: Elizabeth Kim
Organization: Spectacular Ink
E-mail: elizabeth@spectacularink.com

Vancouver is the fifth top destination in the world to host a sporting event, according to a report, entitled Ultimate Sports City 2008: Strategies For Successful Event Hosting. The city's global designation also makes it the top ranked city in the Americas. Melbourne, Berlin, Sydney and London all placed ahead of Vancouver in the world ranking, while Los Angeles was the closest American city, placing 8th.

The report, a summary of which appears in the April issue of SportBusiness International magazine, initially profiled 25 cities overall and selected them according to numbers and the importance of international and annual major sport events hosted or awarded between the period 2004 - 2012. The cities were then scored based on a number of categories including public sports interest, hosting experience, facilities, transportation, accommodation, government support, legacy, quality of life and marketing.

"This ranking shows that our city is already building on the opportunity to host the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and parlaying it into a legacy of building a reputation as a world-class sports tourism destination," said Mike Fox, Tourism Vancouver's manager of Sport Tourism Sales.

Among the major international sporting events that will Vancouver will host in addition to the Winter Games are the 2008 Vancouver World Triathlon Championships, 2009 World Police & Fire Games, 2009 FIS Snowboard World Cup, and the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships.

"The partnerships between government, the local community and marketing organizations such as Tourism Vancouver have a lot to do with this achievement," said Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan. "It reminds us again that one of the reasons our city is regularly ranked as one of the world's best cities is because of our world class citizens."

Author: Wendy Underwood
Organization: Tourism Vancouver
E-mail: wunderwood@tourismvancouver.com

(From The Globe and Mail, April 2, 2008)

Canada's two largest airlines have raised ticket prices while carrying record numbers of passengers, finding a sweet spot even as many carriers around the world struggle amid soaring fuel costs.

Despite the rocky economy, Air Canada and WestJet Airlines Ltd. have flexed their muscles to push through higher airfares, underscoring the duopoly that they enjoy on domestic routes.

A study by investment dealer Raymond James Ltd. shows that airfares jumped in the first quarter, with the average price for Air Canada's lowest fare category 9 per cent higher than in the same period in 2007.

Read more.

By SUZANNE GAMBOA
© 2008 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Congress has focused on fortifying the nation's borders to crack down on illegal immigration. But officials from border communities say more money and attention also needs to go to beefing up legal entry points for those who cross daily for business and pleasure.

Members of the Border Trade Alliance gathered for a two-day conference in Washington Monday to discuss the latest strains on cross-border traffic and commerce.

Some of the needs are as simple as placing bathrooms near inspectors' booths in Pharr so vehicle lanes are not shut down when an inspector needs to take a break, Maria Luisa O'Connell, Border Trade Alliance president, said Monday. Other needs will take more money, such as filling thousands of port staff vacancies.

The port needs have become more urgent as the administration has tightened security with tougher identification requirements for border crossers and heavy commerce that has steadily grown since the signing of the North America Free Trade Agreement.

O'Connell said border officials are reporting fewer vehicles and pedestrians crossing at bridges, but longer wait times. They fear longer wait times are keeping people from the border restaurants, hotels and shopping centers that thrive on cross border traffic.

But the needs far outstrip current funding for border infrastructure, O'Connell said.

The estimated cost for a new port of entry at Otay Mesa is about $550 million to $660 million. Customs and Border Protection estimates it needs $500 million a year for the next decade to handle security and cross border trade and travel, she said.

The General Service Administration's 2008 appropriations for border infrastructure and ports of entry total $339.5 million, O'Connell said.

Rep. Silvestre Reyes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, introduced a bill Monday authorizing $1 billion for the General Services Administration during 2009 to 2013 to improve existing ports of entry and border security.

He wants to add 5,000 more full-time Customs and Border Protection officers for ports of entry inspections over five years. It also authorizes more than 1,200 agriculture specialists and 350 more border security support personnel.

The legislation only authorizes the spending, the money will have to be approved through the appropriations process.

President Bush's budget called for adding 539 Customs and Border Protection officers. Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, has called that number completely inadequate, adding up to about 2 new staffers per port. Her group has called for at 1,600 to 4,000 new Customs and Border Protection officers. CBP inspectors, agriculture specialists and immigration officers are covered by the union.

"It all enforces security that up to now has only been focused on between the ports of entry," said Reyes, D-El Paso.

In January, the Department of Homeland Security began requiring Americans to provide a government issued photo ID and birth certificate to enter the United States from Canada or Mexico. By June 2009, U.S. travelers will have to have a passport or other document approved by the federal government that proves citizenship to enter the U.S. by land or sea.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, held a hearing in El Paso in January on the longer border wait times. Thomas Winkowski, assistant commissioner over Customs and Border Protections Office of Field Operations, testified than that his agency could use additional staffing.

In a January report, the Government Accountability Office said CBP officers and managers told its investigators insufficient staffing is contributing to morale problems, fatigue, lack of backup support and safety issues.

A new Calgary-based Canadian airline will be trying to lure business travellers from Air Canada's executive seats, come spring.

Corporate Jet Air's all-business class flights will use Bombardier CRJ 200s, which have been reconfigured to 18 roomy seats from the original 50, and will launch with 3x daily service between Calgary and Toronto. Other business amenities include limousine service to and from the airports, access to a private lounge and check in only 20-minute before departure.

Customers are required to buy tickets in bulk: $16,000 for a package of 10 one-way tickets, good for a year, competitively priced against Air Canada's executive service and private jet charters. Tickets for individual flights will not be sold. Nearly 60% of Corporate Jet Air's capacity has already been sold, and to protect travellers, has been placed in a trust. Future expansion under consideration includes Vancouver-Toronto and Calgary-Houston.

Author: TOURISM staff
Organization: Canadian Tourism Commission

The number of U.S. travellers to Canada hit a record low in January, dragging overall travel to the country to the lowest level since 1972, when record keeping began, Statistics Canada reported Thursday.

Travellers made about 2.38 million trips to Canada in January, down 1.4 per cent from December. The number of trips from the U.S. hit 1.97 million, failing to reach two million for the first time on record. Same-day car travel from the U.S. also hit a record low of about 794,000 trips, the first time such trips have not totalled more than 800,000.

Even a record number of overseas travellers, at 391,000 overnight trips, was unable to compensate for the dip in U.S. travel. Only five countries — Switzerland, Hong Kong, China, Mexico and France — recorded increases in Canadian travel in January, with Mexico seeing the largest boost at 9.3 per cent. Japan saw the largest decrease in travel, dropping seven per cent.

The number of Canadians travelling outside the country also lagged in January, with roughly 4.4 million trips, down 0.2 per cent from the previous month. An estimated 653,000 of these trips were to overseas countries.

Same-day travel by car to the U.S. also dropped to 2.1 million trips, while overnight travel slipped by 0.2 per cent.

But Canadians did take a new record high number of overnight trips by plane to the U.S., with a 3.2 per cent increase to 525,000 trips.

The Canadian dollar averaged 98.9 US cents in January, down 0.8 per cent from December. The dollar's value also dropped against the euro and the yen during this period.

Tourism & hospitality educators, human resources professionals and others are invited to register today for the 2008 Tourism Educators Conference, May 8-10 at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Online registration is available at www.bctli.ca/main/?TEC, with an extended early bird offer until March 31st. Click here to read more.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown, has received the Hotel Association of Canada's Hall of Fame Award of Excellence for Humanitarianism. The Association highlighted the hotel's responsiveness to the local community, significant charitable accomplishments, and exemplary leadership and commitment in making its selection.

Click here to read more.

Tourism Vancouver Island is pleased to be working in partnership with the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games Society to assist in the successful implementation of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island from August 3-10, 2008. Click here to read on.

Woodgrove Centre, Vancouver Island's largest shopping centre has recently been awarded the Recognized SuperHost® Business designation by Tourism BC and is the first shopping centre in British Columbia to receive this honour. Click here to read on.

Come and have fun in 2008 as Nanaimo celebrates its rich cultural diversity and showcases its energetic and creative people by "Living Our Culture" through various art forms. See live music, dance, storytelling, theatre, cultural celebrations, art displays, demonstrations and workshops. Nanaimo's Cultural Capital program will make Canada proud to have Nanaimo as Cultural Capital in 2008.

Nanaimo was one of only four Canadian cities awarded the prestigious title in 2008. These national Cultural Capital awards recognize and support Canadian municipalities for special activities that harness the many benefits of arts and culture in community life. Designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2008 will enable Nanaimo to invest more in arts and culture, and promote, increase and improve cultural services. The investment will strengthen the economy, improve quality of life for residents and visitors, and enhance community identity and reputation. It provides opportunities to celebrate arts and cultural achievements and build a legacy of cultural development in the community.

As a Cultural Capital, Nanaimo will be "Living Our Culture" with five celebratory multi-event programs that involve a wide variety of cultures, disciplines and ages, engaging professional and amateur artists. Nanaimo will also introduce four legacy events that will build a lasting arts and cultural legacy in the community. You are invited to join this exciting and unprecedented year of celebration. There will be many opportunities for you and your family to enjoy all the activities and events of the Nanaimo Cultural Capital program in 2008.

www.nanaimoculturalcapital.ca

Author: Lana Kingston
Organization: Tourism Vancouver Island
E-mail: lana@tourismvi.ca

The Guide Outfitters Association of BC (GOABC) has registered a complaint with the BC Forest Practices Board regarding the negative impacts of excess salvage logging of mountain pine beetle infested stands, impacting land values and interests, such as wildlife habitat and visuals. The FPB report found that some of the complaints were valid, though it was difficult to establish situations in which specific violations occurred.
To read the report, click here. http://www.fpb.gov.bc.ca/complaints/IRC135/IRC135.pdf

The Union of BC Municipalities just released a report on local government spending initiatives on Phase 2 of the Community Tourism Program. Click here to read report.

The B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts has announced three new appointees to the Tourism BC Board of Directors: Laird Miller, Nancy Stibbard, and Chris Zimmerman.

To read the provincial government's press release, click here.

The BC Pacific Salmon Forum (PSF), an initiative of the Government of British Columbia, was founded in 2005 to direct and enable the Province to realize the vision of an inclusive fishery sector that is financially viable.

The primary focus of the research has been on the impacts of wild salmon populations due to aquaculture practices, particularly in the Broughton Archipelago on B.C.'s south-central coast.

The PSF has released its research findings for the 2007 research period, and has concluded that "...there was general acnowledgement that... sea lice infestations between 2001 and 2005 likely contributed to depressed productivity of pink salmon in the Broughton Archipleago. There was also agreement in the paper's predictions regarding extinction are depending on future management regimes."

To read more about the Pacific Salmon Forum, click here.

The 2008 B.C. Tourism Industry Conference concluded on Friday, February 20 with over 600 delegates taking advantage of three days of workshops, keynote speaker events, and the ninth-annual B.C. Tourism Awards.

This year's winner of the Foresight Sustainability Award is the Vancouver Aquarium, for its groundbreaking work on fish habitat conservation and strategies for promoting healthy populations of sea lions, whales and other Pacific Northwest marine mammals. The aquarium's Ocean Wise program also helps consumers with making sustainable seafood choices.

To read COTA’s press release on the 2008 Tourism Industry Conference, click here.

New COTA Board of Directors

Kicking-off the conference was the COTA Annual General Meeting, which provided COTA members with an overview of COTA’s activities and financial situation for 2007, and concluded with the election of the new COTA Board of Directors. Elected to the COTA board for the first-time was Richard Floody, president of Good Times Entertainment, owners of TGI Fridays in Burnaby. Re-elected to the COTA Board were Jim Storie, past and present COTA Chair, Brenda Baptiste, Chair of Aboriginal Tourism B.C., and Craig Murray, owner of Nimmo Bay Resort.

To read COTA’s Annual Report 2007, click here.

To read COTA’s press release on its new Board of Directors, click here.

COTA Policy Development and Advocacy

COTA’s major policy development and advocacy-related initiatives in 2007 were focused on influencing changes in policy with the Government of Canada. On the Thursday of the conference, COTA met with the B.C. Caucus and select Cabinet Ministers with the Conservative Party of Canada, to present the B.C. tourism industry’s positions on various federal issues, including air access, borders, human resources, and others.

As part of the meeting with the Conservative Caucus, COTA also presented a summary of industry feedback that was provided during the COTA Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon. COTA solicited responses from attendees on tourism industry challenges, opportunities and successes in 2007, collated these responses and delivered them to the federal Conservative Caucus and provincial tourism representatives.

To read COTA’s briefing note on its policy priorities presented to the BC Caucus of the Conservative Party of Canada, click here.

To download a copy of COTA’s Federal Tourism Issues Book (Feb. 2008 version) click here.

To read tourism industry feedback provided as part of COTA’s Town Hall, click here.

Federal Budget 2008

On Wednesday, February 27 the Government of Canada tabled its budget for 2008.

The budget was relatively cautious, with few major spending initiatives announced or tax cuts / changes included.

The budget contained some items of interest to the B.C. tourism industry, including $75 million over two years for the Canada Border Services Agency to improve the flow of people and goods across borders, and $20 million over two years to assist with development of the NEXUS program and Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs). In addition, $22 million was earmarked for spending over two years on improving immigrant processing.

However, COTA notes that a number of its recommendations were not addressed in the budget. Notably, there were no alterations to the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (formerly the GST Visitor Rebate Program), no new spending allocated to the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), and no new spending on air transportation priorities.

To read the budget announcement from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), click here.

When the world's largest, most experienced heli-hiking company teams up with an accredited child-friendly retreat hotel in Canada's famed Banff National Park, there are serious memories to be made on this summertime family dream-vacation! Read on...

The Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC, has appointed Danielle Bourget to the position of Food and Beverage Manager, effective March 3rd.

With an MBA in Hotel & Restaurant Management from Universitie Toulouse Le Mirail, Ms. Bourget brings with her a wealth of knowledge as well as experience with top hotels and restaurants in Quebec and Western Canada and, to add a touch of spice, the Caribbean. Most recently, Ms. Bourget has been working with her husband, a chef, in their business, Café Vieux Montreal, in Victoria. Prior to that Ms. Bourget gained experience in management positions with Le Chanteclerc in St-Adele, Hotel Vogue in Montéal, Hotel Four Points, Laval, Pan Pacific Hotel Lodge, Whistler, and Marigot Beach Club on St-Lucia.

Author: Heather Jeliazkov
Organization: OvationPR

A pilot program announced by BC Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen comes as welcome news for the province's hospitality and tourism employers, who are struggling with a severe labour shortage.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) semi-skilled pilot project will enable hospitality and tourism employers to offer permanent positions to employees that have come to Canada as temporary foreign workers. Semi-skilled occupations such as food counter attendant and line cook were previously excluded from the PNP program.

"The BC government listened to our industry and clearly understands we are facing a people shortage, not just a skills shortage," says Mark von Schellwitz, Western Canada vice president for the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA). "This pilot project will allow some of the exceptional temporary foreign workers in the foodservice industry to succeed as new permanent Canadian residents. We're confident the program will be a success and these occupations will be added to the permanent PNP eligibility list."

In British Columbia, more than 168,000 people - or close to 8% of the provincial workforce - are employed in the foodservice industry, according to Statistics Canada. Labour market studies project an additional 32,000 to 44,000 foodservice industry employees will be needed by 2015.

Author: TOURISM staff
Organization: Canadian Tourism Commission

International Gateway Kelowna, Kelowna's premier English as a Second Language training facility is twinning with a number of local companies like Bellstar resorts to provide much needed assistance in the hospitality and service sector during the peak tourist season.

Students receive intensive English language training at IGK for 3-9 months before being placed in both paid and unpaid internship positions depending on their Visa status and skill level. Working Holiday and Work and Study Visa student can typically work and study for up to one year. IGK works together with the student and the host company to find the best match for each party.

Dale Lockhart, Director of IGK, has seen an increased need for seasonal workers in the Okanagan and he feels that international students may help to fill some of the gap. Dale believes that international stduents bring unique skills that can compliment any business. In addition to English, IGK students speak a variety of languages including: Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Czech, Italian and Mandarin Chinese.

During 2007, IGK students were placed at local restaurants, hotels, non profit organizations, retail shops, community centres, wineries and tourist attractions.

www.igcanada.com

Author: Dale Lockhart
Organization: International Gateway Kelowna

CKNW News reports that the best of BC and Canadian culture, business, tourism and industry will be on display at the BC-Canada pavilion in Beijing in anticipation of the Beijing games this summer.

Premier Gordon Campbell unveiled the pavilion's unique design and business partners recently. "It will be nestled near the forbidden city in Tiananmen square - 21-thousand square feet. It will welcome, we expect over 400-thousand visitors to its three floors of exhibition space and meeting places between May and September of this year."

BC companies will be given the chance to promote themselves and build relationships in growing Asian markets through the pavilion, according to the report.

Author: TOURISM staff
Organization: Canadian Tourism Commission

According to an article in the Globe & Mail, the Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games are pushing to be the first carbon-neutral Games, at a cost the organizing committee plans to cover in fundraising.

The David Suzuki Foundation had released a report outlining recommendations worth about $5-million to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions associated with the Games. The Globe & Mail quotes Linda Coady, vice-president of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee's sustainability project, as saying, "we're looking at it internally, and looking at creative ways to generate the funds". The report, commissioned and funded by VANOC, shows that air travel, transportation at the Games, and energy use are the three largest sources of emissions.

The report's figures were obtained from VANOC, which estimates the Games' total carbon emissions will be 328,485 tonnes.

The report also outlines how the organizing committee can manage greenhouse-gas emissions associated with the Games and meet its bid target, and recommends measuring and reducing carbon emissions and purchasing carbon offsets that are verifiable by a third party.

Author: TOURISM staff
Organization: Canadian Tourism Commission

On February 6, David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, and John Furlong, Vancouver 2010 CEO, unveiled the Vancouver 2010 Countdown Clock in Ottawa alongside Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The new clock is an enduring reminder to all who see it that in just two years, Canada will welcome the world.

Earlier in the day, James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, set the tone for the celebrations with a statement in the House of Commons declaring the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games as Canada's Games. "Let us all be inspired by the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games - the power to promote friendship and respect, stir dreams and tell a story about our country and our people," said Moore.

At the Countdown Clock unveiling event, Minister Emerson noted, "In two years, the eyes of the world will turn towards Canada on the occasion of the 2010 Winter Games. This is a perfect time to re-affirm our commitment to make these Canada's Games and to encourage all Canadians to get engaged as we prepare to host this once-in-a-generation event."

"With nearly two years from the opening of the 2010 Winter Games, the Olympic and Paralympic spirit and anticipation are spreading all across Canada," said Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia. "This clock in our nation's capital is a reminder of all that we have achieved in bringing the Games to B.C. and Canada, as well as the legacies that will be shared by all for years to come."

The Government of Canada is a major and committed partner in delivering successful, well-managed Winter Games in 2010. Total federal investment in the 2010 Winter Games is $578M.

Author: TOURISM staff
Organization: Canadian Tourism Commission

Victoria - British Columbia is launching a two-year pilot project aimed at foreign workers to help offset serious labour shortages in the tourism/hospitality and trucking industries, Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen announced today.

Read on...

A new brand and an expanded marketing strategy to attract more visitors and business investment has been unveiled by the Town of Osoyoos and Destination Osoyoos - the community's Tourism and Economic Development agency.
Read more...

Victoria Airport Authority today announced new non-stop service from Victoria (YYJ) to San Francisco (SFO) on United Airlines, beginning June 5, 2008.

Read on...

Skaters, bear lovers, swimmers, and local businesses did more than their share for charities over the Christmas season at Bear Mountain Resort, raising $10,000 in cash and adopting some 250 teddy bears for C-FAX Santa's Anonymous.

Throughout December, Bear Mountain Resort collected admissions to their outdoor Polar Bear Ice Terrace, located behind the Clubhouse, on behalf of Santa's Anonymous and Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Santa's Anonymous bears were adopted from Bear Trees that were set-up in the main lobby of The Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort and Spa, with well over 100 of the often-overlooked teen bear category purchased by Bear Mountain Resort staff.

Trendy wristbands for $2.00/each and gold lapel pins for $5.00/each both with the world "Family" were also sold during the holidays with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities first Family Retreat in North America located at Bear Mountain Resort. These unique gift or keepsake items will be sold throughout the year in the Golf Shop at the Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club. The funds from the sale of these wristbands combined with the monies raised from the skating admissions will be a continued effort to fundraise at the resort and give back to the local community.

Author: Sarah Milner
Organization: Tartan Public Relations

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced a Contributing Province/Territory Program (CPTP), which offers a structured avenue for all provinces and territories to participate in the 2010 Winter Games.

This program provides the opportunity for all of Canada's provinces and territories to showcase their uniqueness to a global audience of approximately three billion. VANOC developed this new program in response to interest demonstrated by Canada's provinces and territories outside of BC to allow for greater involvement in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Ontario is the first province to officially take part in the program, signing a memorandum of understanding with VANOC. The Government of Ontario identifies a number of potential areas of collaboration that will help VANOC successfully deliver on its mission to "touch the soul of the nation and inspire the world". Under the CPTP, Ontario will invest $5 million to support Canadian athletes, participate in the Cultural Olympiad and help welcome the world in 2010.

"Between (these memorandums of understanding) and the Contributing Province and Territory Program, we will ensure every region of Canada is showcased on the world stage and benefits directly from the power of the 2010 Winter Games," said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. "Through these programs, each province and territory that participates will create and gain from its own 2010 legacy -- a legacy that will last well after the Olympic and Paralympic Flames are extinguished."

Author: TOURISM staff
Organization: Canadian Tourism Commission

Bruce Constantineau reports in the Vancouver Sun that a US economy threatening to plunge into recession has BC tourism officials dreading the possibility of yet another year of falling US tourist traffic.

"We're concerned but the important thing is not to over-react prematurely," Tourism BC president Rod Harris said in an interview. "We have contingency plans available if the effect becomes more serious than we expect." He said a weakening US market could prompt BC officials to divert even more of their marketing dollars to Canadian markets, a strategy that began several years ago: "Western Canada looks to be remaining in pretty good economic shape so redeploying our resources into some near-in markets could be very important."

The B.C. hospitality industry came together to help its own this week, raising more than $110,000 at the B.C. Hospitality Foundation's (BCHF) Founders Dinner for hospitality workers without a financial safety net in times of critical need. Read more...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services officials today announced that they will not be requiring citizens of Canada and the United States to demonstrate proof of citizenship and identity when crossing the border into the United States.

As of January 31, 2008 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) discontinued the use of "oral declarations" at border crossings into the U.S. In the past, citizens of Canada and the United States were able to make an oral declaration of their citizenship while demonstrating identity with government-issued I.D. However, due to confusion and discrepancies in identification denoting citizenship, Customs officials have indicated that they will not enforce the new requirement until the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative rules are in place, in June 2009 or later.

For the CBC coverage of this issue, click here.

Vancouver, B.C. – go2, the B.C. tourism industry’s human resource association, officially announced today the launch of PROPEL, a new division of go2.

Recently branded as PROPEL, this division of go2 was sanctioned by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to take on an industry-driven training mandate for British Columbia’s tourism sector. The apprenticeship programs for cook, baker and meatcutter currently fall under the jurisdiction of PROPEL.

Labour shortages in the foodservice sector are at a crisis point and there is a severe lack of trained workers in the cooking field and other foodservice occupations.

With an ultimate goal of easing the labour crunch through increasing credential completion, PROPEL is gathering input from the industry on the program standards and delivery models to ensure the programs are designed to meet the needs of employers.

“We’ve done extensive research and employers have told us they want workers with more practical experience as part of their entry-level and apprenticeship training programs,” says Kate Dodd, chair of go2’s industry training advisory committee. “They want people who know what’s involved in the trade, and can hit the ground running.”

She adds that the students are looking for more on-the-job experience so they can understand the realities of the trade, earn while they learn, and complete the training faster so they can start their careers.”

Today, PROPEL was launched at the B.C. Foodservice Expo at B.C. Place as part of a black box cooking competition dubbed “The Culinary Face Off”. Working closely with the B.C. Chefs’ Association, the contest was designed to show the value of the practical experience that comes from on-the-job coaching and the industry working together to achieve results.

It pitted Kirk McLean, Vancouver Canucks Alumnus and co-owner of So.Cial at Le Magasin Restaurant against Colin Hansen, B.C. Minister of Economic Development, with coaching from prominent local chefs Jeffrey Van Geest, chef/owner of Aurora Bistro in east Vancouver, Robert Belcham, chef/owner of Fuel Restaurant on Vancouver’s west side and hands-on assistance of young chefs from the junior chapter of the B.C. Chefs’ Association, Max Wang (president) and Rachel Webster (incoming president).

Kirk McLean won the face off by one point. Hansen made an excellent showing and had much praise for PROPEL.

"We need a training culture in B.C. in order to be successful and that requires active involvement from industry," said Colin Hansen, Minister of Economic Development. "By forming PROPEL, the tourism industry's success can only continue to grow and the programs they offer will expand accordingly."

“Industry leadership like what we’re seeing from PROPEL is critical to the success of B.C.’s industry training system,” says Kevin Evans, ITA chief executive officer. “Apprenticeship is predominantly work-based, with about 80 per cent of training done on- the-job. Giving tourism and hospitality employers the opportunity to define the skills needed for success and productivity in today’s workplace will ensure that they get a positive return on their training investment.”

About the Industry Training Authority
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) was established in 2004 to significantly expand training participation in B.C. through the development of an industry-led training model. Industry Training Organizations (ITOs) are the principal way in which the leadership is being delegated and have been launched in six key B.C. industry sectors to date.

About go2
Established by the B.C. tourism industry in April 2003, go2’s mission is to assist the tourism industry address challenges in attracting employees and retaining its workforce in order to support industry growth. For more information about go2 visit www.go2hr.ca. For more information about PROPEL, visit www.go2propel.ca.

Anthony Everett, CEO of Northern BC Tourism is pleased to announce the appointment of Jillian Greenwood as Manager Industry Relations and Trade.

Based out of the newly created Northern BC Tourism Association satellite office in Prince Rupert, Greenwood will provide stakeholder relations for the region and will be responsible for the delivery of Northern BC's travel trade program.

An active member of the BC tourism industry, Greenwood was most recently the Director of Marketing for Tourism Prince Rupert, and her background includes roles in marketing, public relations and sales in both the private and non-profit sectors.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Jillian holds a Bachelor's Degree in European Business Studies from the University of Guelph, where she is currently completing an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and has studied International Business Management at the University of Montpellier, France.

An enthusiastic traveller with an adventurous spirit, Greenwood has lived in France, England and Fiji and is perfectly poised for her new position. "This region offers incredible experiences to both visitors and residents and I am constantly amazed by the people and places of the north" she explains. "I am very excited to work with our operators and stakeholders as we introduce northern BC to first-timers and showcase all the reasons to return - again and again."

"We are delighted to have this new satellite office of the Northern BC Tourism Association located in Prince Rupert," says Bruce Wishart, Executive Director of Tourism Prince Rupert. "This will help our organization work even more closely with the regional organization, but I also believe that having Jillian Greenwood located here will be of great benefit to the tourism industry in northwestern BC. The close relationships that Jill has developed with tourism stakeholders in this area over the past few years will help these people better capitalize upon the marketing opportunities offered by NBCTA."

www.northernbctourism.com

Mission Hill Family Estate makes another mark on the international stage. The Terrace Restaurant receives a prestigious honour that includes it in the company of the most renowned winery estates in the world.

In its February 2008 issue, Travel + Leisure magazine names Mission Hill Family Estate's Terrace Restaurant one of the top five winery restaurants in the world. In an article titled "Top Winery Restaurants" the industry leading publication refers to Mission Hill Family Estate as "the centerpiece of the Canadian wine tourism industry" and the Terrace as "one of the most glorious dining experiences around."

The international recognition places Mission Hill Family Estate's Terrace Restaurant in the most exclusive culinary company. This award follows the winery's proclamation as Canadian Winery of the Year by Wine Access Magazine in December 2007 along with a second consecutive vintage of its signature wine, Oculus, being sold out prior to its official release date. The highly allocated Oculus is widely recognized as one of the very best red wines produced in Canada.

The esteemed list of winery restaurants celebrated by Travel + Leisure magazine demonstrates the highest level of culinary artistry:

* Étoile at Domaine Chandon in California's Napa Valley - The restaurant at Domaine Chandon has a 30-year history and is lauded by Travel + Leisure for its friendly service, bucolic setting, and robust French-influenced American menu

* Buca Lapi at Marchesi Antinori in Tuscany, Italy - Fine dining at one of Italy's most legendary wineries includes "the finest steak in Florence"

* Hotel Marqués de Riscal Restaurant at Herederos del Marqués in Rioja, Spain - "Starkly urbane" décor is complemented by innovative cuisine

* Tokara Estate Restaurant at Tokara Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa - Travel + Leisure declares the cuisine to be "part South African, part French, and defiantly original"

Travel + Leisure is one of the world's premier travel magazines. A lifestyle publication devoted to exploring business and vacation travel destinations, it also focuses on leisure pursuits, hotels, restaurants, wines and spirits, and hobbies and entertainment. With a global readership of 4.6 million, its highly-regarded recommendations reach a wide audience and showcase destinations of the highest standards in the travel world.

In an effort to prepare for the Olympics, travel suppliers are encouraged to adapt new technology. As the Olympics draw near Stephen Joyce, President of the North American Chapter of the International Federation for IT, Travel & Tourism (IFITT), is encouraging all travel suppliers to start the process of finding technology solutions that will make their products and services available on the Internet, to visitors from around the world.

At the IFITT Enter 2008 Conference held in Innsbruck, Austria, over 250 tourism technology experts and researchers discussed the impact of technology on tourism and trends in on-line travel.

"What we are seeing now is that consumers are becoming more and more sophisticated in their use of the Internet. Based on current research, the majority of travelers coming to Vancouver for the Olympics will be making their bookings on-line. Travel suppliers who don't provide products on-line will not benefit from this shift." says Mr. Joyce. "In addition, travelers will be making their purchasing decisions over the next year and a half. If travel suppliers want to be part of the on-line booking trend, they will need to make the leap this year."

Local tourism organizations like Tourism Vancouver, Tourism BC, and others will all be working hard over the next sixteen months to showcase the lower mainland and the province as an exciting destination. Small travel suppliers represent the largest and most diverse sector of tourism in BC. Estimates indicate that there are around 1800 small tourism companies in the province with close to 80% of them having little to no Internet presence.

Mr. Joyce added "We have such a great opportunity to take advantage of the marketing that organizations like the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism BC, Tourism Vancouver, and others are doing right now. There are a number of powerfully simple technology solutions available to travel suppliers, many of which are developed right here in B.C."

The biggest hurdle for many suppliers is not the technology but rather their business processes. Researchers from Finland, Norway, and Spain identified that small travel suppliers often have a hard time structuring their product offerings in a way that makes them easy to purchase on-line. Before a travel product can be purchased on-line it must be organized in a simple straightforward manner. Mr. Joyce and IFITT are hoping to work with local tourism organizations to educate travel suppliers on new technologies and business practices and to encourage the use of technology in order to promote and sell B.C. travel products to a Global market that is already turning its eyes towards Canada.

www.ifitt.org

Confirmed speakers Peter Yesawich, John Furlong (CEO VANOC), Tamara Vrooman, (CEO VANCITY), Jim Faccette (CEO Canadian Airports Council) award winning journalists Heather Hanson and Kim Lisagor, and Dr. Roberta Bondar are examples of the exceptional presenters lined up for this year's BC Tourism Industry Conference, Feb 20-22, 2008 at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Truly the number one tourism industry networking event of the year, tourism key influencers will converge in Vancouver for this annual conference where decisions are made, relationships are built and in depth, insider knowledge is shared.

"We are seeing that markets are down, border crossings are delayed and finding skilled labour is an issue. Yet, many operators are telling us they are experiencing record results. It is a volatile time in our industry, with incredible opportunities on our horizon," says Council of Tourism Associations BC President & CEO, Stephen Regan. "We have worked hard at bringing the best minds to Vancouver, including students from across the province who are interested in working in the industry. This conference has built a reputation for being one of the best investments of the year for tourism operators and owners and we have worked hard to ensure the program this year continues to deliver."

Keynotes include an update on 2010 and the resulting human legacies that will continue to propel B.C. forward as a top tourism destination, and a review of emerging lifestyles and travel trends and the implications for marketing B.C. to the world, by perennial favourite Peter Yesawich. Concurrent sessions will cover recruitment and retention of valuable employees including reaching into foreign markets for skilled labour, how B.C. can lead in sustainable tourism, an update on the opportunities in aboriginal, sport, heritage and arts tourism, and the latest award winners will be announced at the eighth annual B.C. Tourism Awards.

www.bctourismindustryconference.ca

On January 24, nearly 200 people gathered to offer their best wishes to Lorne Whyte, who recently retired after serving as Tourism Victoria's President & CEO for 19 years.

The retirement party, held at The Fairmont Empress, was attended by past and present staff members, board members, industry colleagues and personal friends - all of whom gathered to offer their congratulations to Lorne and his wife Ayn Marie. City of Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe, Tourism British Columbia CEO Rod Harris, Tourism Victoria Chair Roger Soane and Past Chair Christine Stoneman, as well as Tourism Victoria's Interim President & CEO Melissa McLean were among those speaking at the event in honour of Lorne.

Lorne's 30 year tourism industry background also includes owning and operating successful companies throughout the Pacific Northwest in both the tourism publishing and distribution business.

Over the past two decades Lorne has been a true leader in the tourism industry. Under his tenure at Tourism Victoria a hotel tax was implemented in two Greater Victoria area municipalities, and Victoria's annual tourism revenues grew from $500 million in 1989 to more than $1.2 billion in 2007. Lorne also made it a priority throughout his career to forge strong partnerships with tourism marketing organizations throughout North America.

He served on the board of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Bid Committee, and was a major supporter in the formation of SportHost in Victoria, with Tourism Victoria as a founding member. Lorne also partnered Tourism Victoria's management and staff with the 1994 Commonwealth Society to create the Home Stay Program ensuring accommodation for all visitors that year.

After Lorne's retirement at the beginning of this year, Tourism Victoria's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Melissa McLean was named as Interim President & CEO. The organization is now fully engaged in the recruitment process, with the aim of naming a permanent President & CEO by late February.

News Release

For immediate release

Transat renews its program to support

sustainable tourism projects

Four projects to protect the environment and heritage

were accepted for the 2007 edition

Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world, with a strong presence in Canada and France, is renewing its program to provide financial support for sustainable tourism projects proposed by communities or not-for-profit organizations in any of the company’s approximately 60 destination countries.

The program, launched in 2007, is designed to help organizations that need financial support to develop projects with a sustainable tourism approach and that have the potential of increasing a community’s tourism possibilities. Projects are eligible for financial support of up to $50,000, or 35,000 euros, each.

“Our program achieved its objectives in 2007; that’s why we decided to continue it this year and to expand its reach,” said Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat. “The concept of sustainable development is gaining ground in the tourism industry, both in our source and destination countries. We are very pleased to support communities that are taking control of the preservation and enhancement of their cultural and natural heritage.”

Sustainable tourism entails respect for nature, as well as for host communities and their values; it combines positive socio-economic benefits for local populations with an enriching experience for travellers.

Transat is the largest tour operator in every region of Canada, with a strong market presence under the Transat Holidays, Nolitours and Air Transat brands, among others. It distributes its products through thousands of travel agencies, including under its own brands: Marlin Travel, Club Voyages, Voyages en liberté, TravelPlus, exitnow.ca and tripcentral.ca. In 2007, Transat sold more than a million sun destination vacation packages to Canadians.

With a major presence in France since the company was founded in 1987, Transat is the parent of tour operators Look Voyages, Vacances Transat, Brokair and Amplitude Internationale. Transat is also involved in holiday distribution in France through nearly 70 travel agencies operating under the Club Voyages and Look Voyages brands. In Europe, Transat also acts as an outgoing tour operator for travel from the UK to Canada (Canadian Affair) and an incoming tour operator in Greece (Tourgreece), in addition to selling packages and air fare to Canada in some 10 other European countries.

2008 edition of the program

Sustainable tourism proposals can focus on natural or cultural heritage, including the restoration, protection, conservation or improvement of a natural site or ecosystem, environmental enhancement or rehabilitation of an existing tourist site, restoration or development of a heritage or historic site or building, with a view to preserving it, as well as projects aimed at diminishing the negative impacts related to tourism. The application form and all details of the program can be found on Transat’s website (www.transat.com) in the “Philanthropy” section under “About Transat.” Applications will be reviewed and their merit established by two committees composed of Transat staff members in Canada and Europe. Applications must be received by this April 14, and the names of the selected projects will be announced in the fall of 2008.

Results of the 2007 edition of the program

In 2007, Transat announced on November 14 that it had decided to help fund four sustainable tourism projects in Canada and Cuba.

It is supporting the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada), which is working with the Cuban government on a three-year project to lay the groundwork for a sustainable tourism policy to help protect that country’s ecosystems.
It is funding a green-accreditation project being implemented by the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO biosphere reserve located in Ontario), aimed at the area's businesses and organizations.
Transat is joining forces with the Seigneurie des Aulnaies, the interpretation centre of the most complete seigniorial system in Quebec, for the implementation of its five-year plan to, among other things, protect and maintain its historic buildings and modernize its reception structures.
Finally, Transat is supporting the citizens group Les Amis du marais of Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly, near Quebec City, which has been working for the past 10 years to protect and develop the recreational-tourism potential of a marsh area and trail along the banks of the St. Lawrence River.

About Transat

Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, destination services, accommodation and distribution. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A)

– 30 –

The first enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs) to be offered in Canada will be made available to British Columbia residents. An EDL will enable its holder to use the card as adequate documentation for crossing land and sea borders once the requirements for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) are requird - which is expected to be June 2009.

Read more.

Canada's competition watchdog is recommending that Ottawa unilaterally open up the airline industry to foreigners as part of a rewrite of federal business laws under consideration.

Read more...

The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council presents the 7th Annual Tourism HR Forum.

The Tourism HR Forum brings together HR executives, educators and corporate trainers to discuss solutions to issues facing all human resource professionals. The Forum will focus on diversity, labour shortages, employee education and training, and recruitment and retention challenges. There will be excellent speakers and networking opportunities.

Dates: November 17-19, 2008
Location: The Fairmont Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB
Contact: Monique Robert
Please click here or send an email for more information.

Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announced a $14-billion public transit plan to be completed by 2020.

The plan calls for $14 billion in investments, including $11.1 billion in new funding, with the Province committing $4.75 billion, and the remainder from partners, including the federal government, TransLink and local governments.

Read more.

On Monday, February 11, find out how your company can help Olympic and Paralympics sponsors, national teams, sport federations, broadcasters and governments with their shopping list of goods and services for 2010.

Please visit the official 2010 Business Summit websit for more information.

The tourism industry is about to take centre stage as the City of Dawson Creek prepares to open the doors of the Encana Events Centre which is an integral component of the South Peace Community Multiplex.

Please click here for more information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Contact: Shelley Kean
Tel: 604.983.7596

MOU benefits Capilano’s tourism students and Tourism Vancouver in 2010

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)—Vancouver’s tourism industry and Capilano’s tourism students are the big winners in a unique partnership formed January 8 between Capilano College and Tourism Vancouver.

The innovative agreement will provide students in Capilano’s 16-month Tourism Management Co-op diploma program with a paid practicum with Tourism Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The students will assume leadership positions within Tourism Vancouver’s visitor services department, utilizing their skills to deliver and support exceptional spectator servicing at one of the many satellite visitor centres Tourism Vancouver will operate through the city during the Games.

“Before Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Olympic Games, Capilano began exploring ways that it could involve its students in real-life learning experiences during the event,” said Capilano’s president, Dr. Greg Lee. “This partnership with Tourism Vancouver will further our own Olympic strategy to “Educate! Participate! Celebrate!” by creating a phenomenal internship opportunity for our students.”

The visitor centres will provide a range of visitor services, including transportation, attractions, sightseeing, accommodation information and reservations, as well as being key distribution points for Olympic information. Capilano’s tourism students will be involved in all aspects of facility operation from facility management to personnel training to ensuring our international visitors receive information and services that exceeds their expectations in every way.

“This agreement with Capilano College will facilitate the delivery of a unique educational experience for Capilano’s students, as well as provide a well-trained professional staff for Tourism Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Rick Antonson, Tourism Vancouver’s president and CEO. “We also see this as a cooperative effort to develop future tourism leaders for the benefit of the tourism industry and the community as a whole.”

Uniquely positioned at the gateway of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and with its Squamish campus lying within the heart of the Corridor itself, Capilano was the first public institution to announce that it will be extending its reading break for the duration of the Games.

“By extending our reading break during the 2010 Games, our students will have the chance to gain the kind of real-life experience that could not be taught in a classroom,” Lee said. “We are prepared to help the 2010 Games, our communities, and most of all, our students, through this exceptional opportunity.”

With one of the oldest and best established tourism departments in the country, Capilano has been training students to enter the tourism industry for more than 35 years. More recently, the College has been working to make Squamish a learning destination for people from around the world. Programs such as Destination Resort Management and Wilderness Leadership are drawing students from across the continent. As host of the BC Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation, people have come to recognize that Capilano is delivering the types of quality programs and services that they need to succeed in today’s workforce.

Tourism Vancouver's focus is on building exceptional customer relationships with meeting planners, travel influencers, travel media and independent tourists. The organization's brand essence is about exceeding expectations.

-30-

Additional contacts:
Wendy Underwood
Tourism Vancouver
Tel: 604.631.2859

Casey Dorin
Capilano dean, Tourism and Howe Sound
Tel: 604.983.7586

Photo : Rick Antonson, president and CEO, Tourism Vancouver (left), and Dr. Greg Lee, president, Capilano.

Shelley Kean
Manager, Public Affairs
Capilano College
604.983.7596
skean@capcollege.bc.ca

Recognize Capilano as a regional university.
Lend your support at www.capilanonow.ca

The Province of British Columbia has eliminated mandatory retirement for individuals over the age of 65. This move is aimed at helping to alleviate the growing labour shortage in a number of key sectors in the province, including tourism.

To read the Government of British Columbia Press Release, click here.

LinkBC, a new organization launched by the BC Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation (BCTLI) and BC Centre for Hospitality Leadership and Innovation (BCHLI), has an exciting career opportunity. Please click here for more information.

The United States Congress has voted to delay the full implementation of WHTI border crossing documentation requirements for land and sea entries into the United States until June 2009 at the earliest.

It is also expected that January 31, 2008 will still be the date at which customs officials will no longer accept oral declarations of citizenship at border crossings. Individuals will be required to demonstrate proof of citizenship and identity after that date.

Read more.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) has announced that Vancouver, British Columbia will be hosting the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008 from October 27 to 29, 2008. For more information, please click here.

A new Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) has been created for Langley Township and the City of Langley. To read the press release for Tourism Langley, Click Here.

The United States has received approved destination status (ADS) by the Government of China. The designation will enable Chinese leisure travellers to visit the United States, whereas at present only business travellers are able to visit the United States and Canada. It is expected that the designation will take effect in the spring of 2008.

Canada began negotiations on ADS status with China prior to the United States, but remains the only major tourism destination in the world that has yet to receive the status from China.

Read more.

The Government of Canada has begun negotiations with the European Union toward the achievement of an Open Skies Agreement, which would remove restrictions on the number of flights operating between Canada and European Union member states.

COTA and its partners in the B.C. tourism industry have long sought increased air capacity to our province from key overseas markets, such as Asia and Europe, and we are pleased to see the commencement of negotiations with European Union officials. COTA has encouraged the Government of Canada to successfully conclude negotiations with the European Union and to expedite negotiations with the B.C. tourism industry's priorty Asia Pacific markets, including South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, China, India and others.

To read the Transport Canada press release, click here.

A group of B.C.-based citizens and tourism operators has petitioned the B.C. provincial government and the Canadian federal government to make changes to salmon farming regulations in order to safeguard B.C.'s wild salmon populations. The group urges all government agencies to begin requiring salmon farming companies to phase-in the use of closed containment pens in order to limit impacts on wild slamon populations.

COTA has stressed over the past two years its interest in ensuring the continued viability of both a sustainable aquaculture industry and the coastal tourism industry.

For more information on the petition visit the coalition's website at http://savebcsalmon.ca/.

On Thursday, November 15, 2007 U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Michael Chertoff, confirmed that enhanced driver's licenses will be acceptable alternatives to passports at land and sea crossings. The enhanced driver's licenses will be encoded with citizenship and identity information that will satisfy the requirements for identity and citizenship as laid out in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

The announcement confirms the initial announcement made by the DHS in the proposed rules for the implementation of the WHTI, which were initially released on June 20, 2007.

Because driver's licenses are issued by state and provincial authorities, the cooperation of provincial and state governments will be required to implement the new licenses. While no date has been set by the Government of British Columbia for the issuance of EDLs, it is expected that B.C. will be the first province in Canada to implement, early in 2008. The Washington State Department of Licensing has indicated that it will be the first U.S. jurisdiction to implement, beginning January 1, 2008. A number of other states are presently reviewing the technology and intend to implement later in 2008, including Oregon, California, and Texas - all key travel markets for British Columbia.

COTA has long supported the development of affordable and efficient alternatives to the passport for border crossings, and we applaud the efforts of all government agencies and stakeholders involved in bringing about this most recent change.

The final rules for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative are expected to be published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in December 2007. Stay tuned to the COTA website for more details.

Winners of the inaugural Canadian e-Tourism Awards were announced at a reception hosted by the Canadian e-Tourism Council at Vancouver's Science World on Thursday evening (November 8, 2007).

The UNWTO e-Tourism Climate Change Award, sponsored by Microsoft, was presented to Canadian Mountian Holidays. This first-ever award (and a prestigious "first" for Canada) is described by the UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) as an award for increasing awareness for climate change and its solutions through web-based tools which highlight destinations offering more climate-friendly tourism choices, triggering "innovative responses to tourists' consumption behaviour."

The Government of Canada has provided the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) with a one-time grant of $26 million over five years, to assist the CTC in maximizing benefits associated with Canada's hosting of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

While the provision of this funding will assist the CTC in enhancing the Olympic legacy, the $5 milllion per annum increase falls well short of that requested by COTA and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in the past. COTA and TIAC have sought a federal government increase in the CTC budget to $175 million per annum from its present level of approximately $75 million. This level of expenditure would align Canada with its international competitors such as Australia and New Zealand.

The Government of Canada signed on Wednesday, November 7 an enhanced air services agreement with the Republic of Singapore. The new bilateral agreement removes restrictions on the number of non-stop flights between the two countries.

The new agreement is a step in the right direction, as it replaces the former agreement which was somewhat more restrictive and required annual updating. However, the agreement falls far short of COTA's request for an Open Skies Agreement between Canada and Singapore. Because it is not an Open Skies Agreement, the new bilateral limits the ability of airlines from Singapore or Canada to carry passengers from third countries to Canada, such as potential visitors from countries such as South Korea and Japan - two of BC's largest Asia Pacific markets. This means that the only international carrier servicing the Singapore-to-Vancouver route, Singapore Airlines, will not be able to enhance capacity into Vancouver International Airport, as service along this route is only economical via Seoul, South Korea. Accordingly, Singapore Airlines will be unable to add any additional capacity into YVR from Asia Pacfic at present.

COTA has long requested that the Government of Canada sign a full Open Skies Agreement with Singapore, and is hopeful that this new agreement with Singapore may open the door for a a more flexible and responsive agreement in the near future.

October 5, 2007 (Vancouver) - Tourism British Columbia and the Council of Tourism Associations (COTA) are calling for nominations for the 2008 Tourism Industry Awards, which will take place on February 21, 2007 at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver.

Do you know of a tourism business practicing industry excellence? Be sure to nominate them for one of the nine categories:
•   Tourism Industry Leader of the Year, sponsored by Tourism British Columbia
•   Best Tourism Marketing Campaign, sponsored by The Vancouver Sun
•   Environmentally Responsible Tourism, sponsored by British Columbia Magazine
•   Foresight Sustainability Award, sponsored by COTA
•   Tourism Media, sponsored by Delta Hotels
•   SuperHost® Customer Service, sponsored by SuperHost
•   Technology in Tourism, sponsored by Telus
•   Employees First, sponsored by go2 – the resource for people in Tourism
•   Sport Tourism Community Legacy, sponsored by 2010 Legacies Now

Find award nomination forms and criteria on Tourism BC’s corporate website at www.tourismbc.com. Previous nominees may resubmit as appropriate. Please visit the Tourism BC website for further information.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will be honoured at the Ninth Annual British Columbia Tourism Awards held during the BC Tourism Industry Conference in Vancouver. This is one of the most important events of the year for BC’s tourism industry. For more information on the BC Tourism Industry Conference, visit www.bctourismindustryconference.ca.

Deadline for nominations is November 30, 2007.

Several British Columbia locations and resorts were singled out for recognition in the 20th anniversary magazine edition of the Conde Nast Travellers' Readers' Choice Awards, including Vancouver, Victoria, Vancouver Island and a number of our province's resorts.

Read more.

COTA is pleased to announce that the City of Campbell River has won the UBCM Excellence Award for Partnerships in Tourism, for its work in developing the Weiwaikum Cruise Ship Terminal Project.

The Weiwaikum Terminal is the only First Nations cruise ship terminal in the world, and has begun servicing major cruise lines from around the world. With plans to increase the number of calls from four full-sized ships in 2007 to 30 per year in 2015, the terminal will provide a boost to the local tourism industry, and showcase Campbell River's First Nations community to the world.

The award was sponsored by COTA and Tourism British Columbia, and rewards a local government that has demonstrated excellence in partnering with external agencies to deliver a tourism product.

To read more about the UBCM Excellence Awards, click here.

The Council of Tourism Associations of BC (COTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chemistry Consulting Group, Business and Human Resources Consultants, as managers of the BC Tourism Industry Conference February 20-22, 2008 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. The team at Chemistry has been involved in many different aspects of the conference for over ten years. Project Manager is Frank Bourree, Conference Coordinator is Nora Cumming, assisted by Charles Shier, Christine Stoneman, Lasha Elkuf and Kim Osborne.

The theme of the conference this year is “Creating an Environment for Success” and we have a goal of 750 delegates.

COTA would like to acknowledge the support of Patricia Cashin, the conference coordinator for the past several years, and to thank her for her ongoing assistance, even into retirement!

Please direct all inquiries regarding the 2008 conference to Nora Cumming at n.cumming@chemistryconsulting.ca or (250) 382-3303 ext. 204.

Conference planning is well underway, and a Call for Proposals for presentations at the conference has already been released. To review the Call for Proposals, click here.

COTA staff member Peter Larose has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Resources North Association, formerly the MacGregor Model Forest Association.

Resources North will build tools and approaches that improve integration of the needs of resource-dependent northern communities with the activities of land and resource sectors, including tourism.

The Association recently received a $1.5 million grant from Natural Resources Canada to address the economic revitalization and diversification challenges facing northern communities.

For more information on the Resources North Association, click here.

On September 23, the Honourable Stan Hagen, B.C. Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts announced that the Province will be investing $5 million over the next four years into B.C.’s Aboriginal tourism industry.

The funds are being provided to the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (ATBC) to support the implementation of the Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Blueprint Strategy, which is focused on the development and marketing of Aboriginal tourism businesses, training and skills development, in addition to fostering community economic development and cultural preservation.

It was also announced that the B.C. government, the Squamish Nation and the ATBC signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will expand the highly successful Squamish Youth Ambassador Program as a model for Aboriginal tourism training throughout the province. At the signing, the group announced a goal to train 210 Aboriginal Youth Ambassadors in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

By 2012, the Aboriginal tourism industry is expected to contribute over $50 million to B.C.’s economy, up from approximately $35 million at present. A sustainable Aboriginal tourism sector with diverse products in communities in every region of the province is recognized as one of the major focuses for achieving the target set by Premier Gordon Campbell to double tourism revenues in B.C. by 2015.

For more information, click here.

The Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada today announced improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. These improvements will make it faster for employers in British Columbia and Alberta to hire foreign workers when there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the position.

To read the Government of Canada's press release, click here.

Royal Roads University has recently launched two graduate-level diploma programs targeted primarily at tourism industry professionals seeking to upgrade their skills.

The new programs include the Graduate Certificate in Tourism Leadership, and the Graduate Certificate in Destination Development.

For more information on Royal Roads University's tourism programs, click here.

COTA's recent activities relating to air transportation and tourism were highlighted in the front page feature article of Business in Vancouver magazine's September 11-17 edition.

To read the article, CLICK HERE.

COTA is very pleased to announce that Brenda Baptiste has joined the Board of Directors, effective Wednesday, September 12, 2007.

As a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band, Brenda graduated as a Registered Nurse specializing in Aboriginal health with a focus on community development, and worked with the Osoyoos Indian Band in the area of community health.

Later, she was the responsible for the development of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, including managing Phase 1 of this operation, and playing a key role in the planning and development of the second and final phase of this centre.

In recent years, Brenda’s focus has been to actively promote tourism as a foundation for socio-economic development within Aboriginal communities.

As the Chair for Aboriginal Tourism B.C., Brenda’s focus has been to actively promote tourism as a foundation for socio-economic development within Aboriginal communities, and has committed her time and energy to the development and promotion of the Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Blueprint Strategy for B.C. Brenda also serves as a regional director for the national board of Aboriginal Tourism Canada, and participates in various national and regional committees to support and promote Aboriginal tourism opportunities, including committees for the North American Indigenous Games, B.C. First Nations Economic Development Strategy, National Aboriginal Art Gallery, “Telling Our Stories” First Nations Summit initiative, CTC E-Commerce Committee and other committees that foster a growing, vibrant Aboriginal tourism industry.

Brenda also works as a contractor to Tourism British Columbia to support the development and to promote awareness of the provincial benefits of a strong Aboriginal tourism industry that will enhance the cultural and branding identity of British Columbia. She also continues to work with the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation as a business advisor, and project manager for a new initiative, the Osoyoos Indian Band Centre for Aboriginal Community Enterprise – a leading edge leadership training program that is inspired by the innovative economic development model of the Osoyoos Indian Band.

Brenda replaces Dave Donaldson on the COTA Board of Directors, who has been appointed the Dean of the Algonquin College Faculty of Business in Ottawa.

Please welcome us in joining Brenda to the COTA family as we work together to advance British Columbia's reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism throughout the world.