Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia

Using Nuu-chah-nulth and Coast Salish guides, Nala Adventure Tours offer visitors to Victoria a unique insight into First Nations’ culture and history onboard Heiltsuk canoes. The three and two hour tours take people through Songhees terriroty and concludes with Kwakwakawakw dancing and storytelling at the Mungo Martin Longhouse. Since it launch in September, the Nala Adventure Tours have already received rave reviews. Read more.

Congratulations are extended to the City of Coquitlam after the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC) presented two awards to the City in recognition of the innovation and usability inherent in their Ambassador Program and Passport tourism campaign. Coquitlam’s programs competed with submissions from 236 cities across Canada. The Coquitlam Ambassador program was first launched in January 2004 and provides city representatives with communication kits to take on their travels. The Passport tourism program is an attraction and events booklet in which visitors receive stamps when they visit the attractions listed. Read more.

The Ministry of Environment has reopened the Chilcotin River to anglers after data from the Albion test fishery indicated steelhead population estimates over 1,000. The catch-and-release steelhead fishery will be open until December 15, 2005, when the season ends. The section of the river open is from the confluence of the Chilotin and Fraser upstream to the confluence of the Chilko and Chilcotin. Read more.

In an article published in the Cowichan Valley Citizen on October 23, reporter Lexi Bainas notes that the Town of Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island is focusing on tourism as a integral componet of their revitalization strategy for the community. Consultants have been hired to review the community’s suggestions for development. A number of ideas have been put forward including “the use of local materials, adding pedestrian plazas, adding areas for the use of the community, maintaining a human scale with building heights of no more than four storeys, including residential and tourist accommodation in downtown plans and allowing minimal setbacks in commercial areas to keep a consistent streetscape.” Read more.

Northern BC Tourism Association will be hosting this year's tourism input sessions at 13 locations in Northern BC from October through November, 2005. The input sessions will discuss the tourism association’s projects and ask for input in the development of their 2006 Marketing Plan. The next sessions will take place in Atlin (November 8), the Northeast (November 14-17), Prince George (November 21). For more information or to register, call (250) 561-0432.

The Province of BC has submitted a proposal to the US government urging for the reconsideration of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requiring travelers to hold passports when crossing the Canadian-American border. With 72% of overnight entries into BC originating from America and only 34% of US citizens holding passports, the BC government expressed their deep concern over the potential impact on the BC tourism industry. For more information, click here.

The Council of the Advancement of Native Development Officers has launched a guide for community based tourism development called “Atiik Aski: Land of the Caribou”. Touted as an excellent example of cross-governments collaboration, the guide is a result of a partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of Mantioba, First Nations and Metis. It encourages eight best tourism development practices and offers a case study of the Northwest Manitoba Regional Tourism Strategy. The Department of Indian and Norther Affairs Canada encourages community and economic development practitioners to consider adopting the practises outlined in the publication. Read more.

According to a report published in The Business Review, the Business Council of New York State Inc. argues that the new US border regulations requiring passports for visitors crossing the Canadian border will cause “serious economic problems” for their region. During a federal hearing in Buffalo, the group noted that some 350,000 jobs in New York are supported by US-Canada trade. Moreover, it is estimated that cross-border trips from Canada to the US would drop by 3.5 million, effecting $785 million in damages. Read more.

October 25th marked the end of the 2005 Vancouver–Alaska cruise ship season for the Port of Vancouver. Initial results indicate a 2% decrease in the number of passengers in 2005 over 2004. In an attempt to regain the market, the US Direct program was initiated in June 2005. The program provided passengers with transportation from YVR to the cruise ship in an expedited immigration and customs clearing process. In 2005, 22% of cruise ship passengers participated in the program in 2005. Read more.

On October 24, 2005, Ms. Virginia Greene, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts for the province of BC, was appointed to the Canadian Tourism Commission’s Board of Directors. Ms. Greene was the Assistant Deputy Minister of the BC Ministry of Tourism from 1983 to 1987. She also worked on Expo 86 and played an important role in the establishment of a provincial network of tourism information centres. Read more.

Tourism BC has released its provincial tourism statistics for August, 2005. British Columbia saw a drop in overnight international visitors of 2.0%, but a drop of only 0.9% year-to-date. British Columbia fared much better than the rest of Canada, which experienced a decline in international overnight guests of 6.3% and 1.5% year-to-date. The largest area of loss for BC came from Nordic Europe (-19.3% but +16.2% year-to-date), Taiwan (-14.9% and -12.8% year-to-date), and Hong Kong (-23.1% and -2.4% year-to-date). American visits to BC continue to reflect a downward trend. In August, BC saw 3.4% less US visitors and 2.9% less year-to-date. Overnight visits from Europe showed positive results with 9.1% more visitors arriving in BC and 15.3% more in all of Canada. Read more.

November 18th, the deadline for nominations for the 2006 Tourism Industry Awards, is quickly approaching. If you know an organization that deserves province wide recognition, nominate them for one of nine categories including: Best Tourism Marketing Campaign, Environmentally Responsible Tourism Award, Tourism Media Award, Outside of the Box Award, SuperHost Customer Service Award, Technology in Tourism Award, Employees First Award, Sport Tourism Community Legacy Award. Don't miss out on this excellent opportunity to showcase some of the best of BC. For more information, click here.

The Royal BC Museum Corporation will be receiving $180,045 in funding to help digitize approximately 1000 images and 15 films for a virtual exhibition on the First Nations people. The exhibition “Thunderbird Park – A Transforming Landscape” will feature a collection of images of prints, tools, masks, totem poles, buildings, and more. For more information, click here.

On October 20th, the Federal Transport Minister Jean C. Lapierre introduced the Pacific Gateway Act in the House of Commons. The Act outlines a strategy on how the government intends to commit itself to the development of Canada as a Pacific Gateway. It establishes a Pacific Gateway Coucil which will be supported by a Vancouver based secretariat. Read more.

Accomodation
BC Stats is reporting a 3.2% increase in room revenue in May 2005. The North Coast and Northeast regions lead the province with increases of 20.9% and 33.7%. Vancouver Island/Coast experienced a decline in revenue of 0.7% and 7.2% in the Cariboo. Employment in the accommodation sector rose by 0.8%. Prelimenary figures show a decline room revenue in June in at least six of the eight tourism regions.

International Visitors
US entries into Canada along the BC borders actually rose in contrast to the rest of Canada. US same day visits increased by 5.5% and overnight travel increased by 4.1%. Overall, international overnight visits increased in May over April by 2.6% with the largest increase coming from South Pacific nations at 28.5%. Preliminary stats suggest a decline of US and overseas visitors in June over May by 0.3% and 0.1%.

Transportation
Vancouver International Airport experienced a 1.9% increase in traffic in May, but a decrease of 1.3% traffic in June. In May, Victoria saw a decline in air traffic of 0.7% but in June they saw a 1.3% increase. Despite the higher gas prices, 3.5% more vehicles were on the Coquihalla Connector in May. BC Ferries also had an increase in traffic with 0.7% more vehicles and 1.2% more passengers boarding their vessels in May. In June, figures indicate a 1.1% decrease in vehicles and a 2.2% decrease in passengers on BC Ferries.

Food & Beverage
Restaurant, caterer, and tavern receipts increased by 5.9% in May 2005. BC’s drinking places saw a 8% increase in sales. Employment in BC’s food and beverage sector rose by 0.7% in May over April, 2005.

For the second consecutive year, Conde Nast Traveler magazine has named Vancouver the “Best City in the Americas”. The cities are ranked according to ambience, culture, restaurants, lodging, shopping and friendliness. Vancouver hotels also received awards under the “Best Canadian Hotel” with Opus Hotel at 2nd place, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver at 3rd place, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel at 4th place, the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver at 6th place, and more. Vancouver Island was also declared the best island in North America, beating out Kiawah Island in South Carolina . Read more

Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge will be closed for five nights from 11:30pm to 4:00am during the evenings of Sunday, October 23rd, to Thursday, October 27th. The closure is to ensure safe working conditions for the placement of scaffolding along the structure. Anyone wishing to pass over the bridge will be advised to take the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing. Read more.

The Honourable Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue, has announced Phase 2 of the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code, a program geared at establishing standards for better customer service within the Ministry. Examples of service standards listed in Phase 2 include: Sales and hotel tax account registrations within two business days; Sales and hotel tax account clearances within five business days; Sales, hotel, fuel or tobacco tax refunds within 30 calendar days; and more. Read more.

American visits to Canada fell to its lowest level in over 25 years in August 2005. Stats Canada is citing higher gas prices and the rising value of the Canadian dollar as possible fators. Over July 2005, the number of America visitors in August fell by 5.9% showing a drop in both car and overnight travel. Since the beginning of 2005 US car trips have dropped 19.7%. Declines in international visits were also recorded from Hong Kong (-15.7%) and China (-8.7%). In contrast, Canadian trips to the US were up 2.4% over the previous month. Canadian trips overseas in August increased by 5.4% over July, the third highest level ever recorded. Read more.

On November 5, 2005, in preparation for the World Cup circuit that starts in Lake Louise, the Austrian Ski Team will meet at its North American training venue, Sun Peaks Resort in Kamloops. The team will be the first to train on the new Nancy Greene International Race Centre. The Race Centre features varied terrain, timing mechanisms as well as permanent safety netting. For more information, click here.

Staff of Victoria’s Hotel Grand Pacific have raised $4,360 for New Orleans’ recovery efforts from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The staff donated 50% of the total and the hotel contributed the other 50%. Hotel Grand Pacific is a member of the Preferred Hotels Group, who have agreed to match the final amount. The money raised will be going to the American and Canadian Red Cross programs in the region. For more information on the hotel, visit: www.hotelgrandpacific.com.

According to an article submitted by the Canadian Travel Press to the Canadian Tourism Commission’s website, Fairmont intends to build another Vancouver property across from the new Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The property will be a hotel as well as residential development. Fairmont would manage the 415 luxury rooms, which are expected to open mid-2009. The property will receive the Fairmont brand and boast spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and Stanley Park. Read more.

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is working with the Canadian Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to create a Canada Gay Tourism Taskforce. The Taskforce will discuss CTC and CGLCC objectives for 2006 programs and how to best tackle the niche market. The Taskforce will hold their first meeting on October 24th from 2:00PM to 3:00PM EST and interested parties may join the meeting via conference call. If you would like to attend, contact Yolaine Dupont by October 21st at dupont.yolaine@ctc-cct.ca

Northern Hawk Aviation, a charter flight company offering services between BC and Alberta, has suspended all air services unitl further notice. The company cites the rise in fuel costs and "unforseen operational expenses" as the main reasons for the shut down. The Airline is unable to provide information for those holding tickets, but a list of other airlines have been noted on their website with which they could reschedule. Read more.

On October 17th, the Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform announced the creation of a permanent BC Small Business Rountable. The Roundtable will be composed of 20 to 25 members and will advise the government on small business related issues. Read more.

On November 2nd join staff and industry at the Culinary Art Institute of Vancouver for the launch of Landings - Connecting Tourism Professionals and Tourism Employers. Complimentary Wine & Cheese will be avaliable as well as the opportunity to win exciting door prizes such as a Digital Camera and MP3 Player. Please RSVP by October 27th, 2005 to Nicole Chapman 778-772-5572 (n.chapman@gthiringsolutions.ca) or Rover Coltura 604-290-6152 (r.coltura@gthiringsolutions.ca). Read more.

On October 18, 2005, Squamish leaders of industry and education will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) geared towards transforming the area into a world-renowned vacation and learning destination. The Squamish Sustainability Corporation, the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, the BC Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation and Capilano College will all be endorsing the agreement. For more information contact Casey Dorin, 604.983.7586

Through the support of the Vancouver Agreement and the amalgamation of Fast Track to Employment and Partners for Economic and Community Help, the new non-profit, Building Opportunities With Business Inner City Society, will work to develop a long-term plan for economic development and job growth for Vancouver’s Eastside. Western Economic Diversification Canada has already invested $2.47 million in the project. Additionally, Bell Canada is committing $2 million in economic revitalization of the Downtown Eastside as part of its 2010 commitment. Read more.

Working closely with World Vision, Air Canada has dispatched a relief flight from Toronto to Guatemala City containing supplies for those suffering from the devastation cause by Hurricane Stan. To aid in the relief effort, NAV CANADA and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority have also decided to waive domestic overflight, landing and aircraft parking fees. Hurricane Stan’s torrential downpour was the cause of a series of mudslides and flooding which have already killed 652 persons with nearly 400 still missing. Read more.

The Canadian Tourism Commission, BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Fairmont Hotels, Air Canada, and Brewster have joined forces to promote Canadian travel products in China. Their joint efforts will include the development of a Canada Vacation Guide, a Travel Agent poster campaign, and an in-house travel agent training program. Brewster has had a presence in the Chinese market since 1998 and they have recently launched a Manadrin website providing information on travel to Canada including travel tips, visa information, an image gallery, suggested itneraries and more. Read more.

The Butchart Gardens celebrated its 50 millionth guest on October 6th, 2005. The lucky guest was Karin Matula of Fort Worth Texas who was visiting BC on her and her husband's 25th Wedding Anniversary. Greeted by VIP reception, she was given a personal tour of the gardens by David Clarke, a thirty-eight year employee of The Gardens, and received a special gift basket. Read more.

The Council of Tourism Associations met with the BC Competition Council in early October to solicit for greater inclusion of tourism interests during the re-examination of the competitiveness of the BC transportation system. Will Harding, Policy and Planning Officer advocated on behalf of COTA asking that US/Canada borders balance security and hospitality, Ottawa press for a new Open Skies Agreement with the U.S., and the launch a highways and attractions signage program in BC. To view a copy of the power point presentation, click here.

On Monday, September 26, COTA’s Chief Executive Officer Mary Mahon Jones made a presentation at the Union of BC Municipalities 2005 Conference on Community Tourism Programs. The presentation addressed a number of issues impacting tourism operations’ development including infrastructure, oil prices, exchange rates, research, workforce shortages, and more. To view a copy of the presentation including power point slides, click here.

Beginning next summer, on the 10th anniversary of the Discovery Coast ferry service, BC Ferries will begin a trial extension of their service to Bella Coola from Port Hardy concluding their sailing service mid-September as opposed to the beginning of September. Strong community support and increased ticket sales have contributed to BC Ferries' decision. Representatives from BC Ferries and coastal communities continue to discuss ways in which they can work together to improve services. Discussions have included new ships, more direct sailing routes, as well as year-round services. For further information, click here.

A survey released by the BC Chambers of Commerce and Community Futures reveals a forthcoming labour shortage, which could have a detrimental impact on BC businesses. Of the 1,318 small businesses surveyed, 44% reported difficulties in recruiting qualified employees. 53% reported that life skills (attitude, punctuality) were areas of shortfall. 29% of businesses said that technical skills were lacking in the workforce. 25% reported a shortfall among candidates of problem solving skills. Studies also forecast that by 2010, BC will experience a shrinking workforce for the first time in its history. Read more.

ICBC’s Auto Crime Prevent Program helps fund community programs that design and run programs aimed at reducing auto crime locally. Applications packages can be obtained by visiting www.icbc.com/Crime-Fraud/autocr_thefta_prevprogram.html. Examples of organizatins elidgable for funding include police volunteer groups, crime prevention groups, parking lot operators, mall operators and other business or community organizations. Read more.

More Canadians traveling within Canada are resulting in a 1.1% gain in national tourism activity for the second quarter of 2005, despite a decrease in international visitors of 1%. The drop in international visitors is mostly attributed to a decline in American day visits to Canada. Interestingly, while the number of American day visits have declined since 2003 by 22%, overnight visits have increased by 3.7%. Many attribute the decline in same day travelers to the value of the Canadian dollar which appreciated 21% over the same time period. Others argue that the high cost of fuel is contributing to this change in visitor behavour. Spending on fuel decreased by 0.3% in the second quarter after a 4.9% increase in fuel costs. Read more

The Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association (NRAHTA) and the North East Native Advancing Society (NENAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will facilitate First Nation tourism development in Northeastern BC within the context of the newly developed Aboriginal Tourism Framework.

The historic Memorandum of Understanding is in respect to “working collaboratively with the First Nations Families to facilitate their participation to ensure culturally appropriate visitor access to the history, tradition, development and future of the First Nation Families within the Galleries of the Living Museum along the Alaska Highway within the jurisdiction of British Columbia.” Read more.

Tourism spending is at its highest lever ever recorded with indicators demonstrating a 13% increase over the same period in 2003. Air transportation spending has contributed significantly to the increased spending with the industry reporting a 3.5% gain over the first quarter of 2005. Other areas of increased spending include accommodation (1.8%) and food & beverage services (0.9%). Combining all the tourism gains, tourism gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.2% in the second quarter. Read more.