Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia

Now heading into its 8th year of publication, the Arts & Cultural Guide to BC team has called for advertisers for their 2006 issue. The Arts & Cultural Guide to BC distributes more than 100, 000 copies each year. The average reader is 49 years old with an average annual spending on BC travel of $3550. The Guide will be available at Visitor Info Centres, BCAA offices, BC Ferries, airports , cruise ship terminals, choice accommodations, galleries, studios and heritage sites around the province. For more information visit http://www.art-bc.com/.

Tourism at the Borders: Balancing Security and Hospitality is the first report in the Council of Tourism Association of BC's new BC Tourism Review Series. Sponsored by the Port of Vancouver and The Perimeter Clearance Coalition, the document offers a detailed analysis of current border crossing initiatives in Canada and the USA and how they are affecting the flow of visitors into Canada at this time. With over five million Americans visiting BC in 2004, borders play a vital role in tourism's development. For more information, click here.

Travellers on the Sea-to-Sky Highway will now be eligible to receive cell phone text message alerts when there are unscheduled delays effecting traffic. The program was initiated by the Ministry of Transportation and Weather Networks and is the first text message road alert system in Canada. The messaging system, which was designed specifically for the highway’s improvement project, will cost subscribers $0.25 for each alert. For more information on subscribing visit www.theweathernetwork.com/roadalerts

The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands has launched the second stage of their Integrated Land and Resource Registry Project (ILRR). The project makes available information online, at www.ilrr.ca, of over 240 different rights and interests that are possible on the BC land base. Corporate users with BCeID accounts can access the information, but not the names of private individuals holding interests in Crown land due to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The website’s new query search tool has enchanced the site considerably making it a more user friendly system. Read more.

National Geographic’s Traveler magazine has announced the results of a study on US and Canadian national parks. The study was based on a Stewardship Index developed by Traveler and National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations. After surveying some 300 experts in sustainable tourism, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site receive top accolades for its unique partnership between the Haida and Parks Canada as well as its light visitor traffic. One panelist described the area as “Beautiful and intact. A great model for other regions”. While Canadian parks overall received high rankings, Kootenay/Yoho National Park and Pacific Rim National Park received special recognition with the Kootenay/Yoho earning third place and Pacific Rim Park ranking 12th. To read the entire article, click here.

In light of the continuing rise in fuel costs, Air Canada has announced a change in its baggage allowance policies. Air Canada has limited international flights checked baggage allowance weight from two bags weighing up to 70lb to two bags weighing up to 50lbs. A fee will apply to those bags in excess of the weight maximum, costing $35 Cdn for North American trips and $60 Cdn for international flights. The maximum weight of a single bag is now 70lbs, changed from 100lbs. The new baggage restrictions will come into effect on all travel booked on or after August 29, 2005, for travel after October 11, 2005. For more information, visit www.aircanada.com

Travel and Leisure Magazine has named Vancouver Island the “Best Island” in the Continental US and Canada. The title was awarded to the Island after a survey was conducted earlier this year polling readers’ opinions on travel destinations. Vancouver ranked as the most popular Canadian city after being awarded 5th place in the top ten US and Canada Cities, up from 6th place in 2004. Victoria was also on the list at 9th place. The top North American hotels includes several British Columbian properties including the Aerie Resort at 5th place and Wickaninnish Inn at 6th place, both are located on Vancouver Island. The Wickaninnish Inn also ranked at 4th place for the top hotel spas in US and Canada. Aerie Resort achieved the top position for the world’s best hotels costing $250 or less. For more information , visit www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/index.cfm

Royal Roads University and Capilano College will jointly offer a new professional tourism training program beginning this October to help meet the tourism industry’s growing demand for qualified managers. The Strategic Leadership in Tourism program consists of five courses. Students will receive a graduate certificate awarded by Royal Roads and a post-baccalaureate citation in Tourism Leadership awarded from Capilano College. Students who wish to continue their post-graduate studies will be eligible to transfer into Royal Road’s Master of Arts in Leadership and Training program. The intensive six-month program combines theoretical and applied learning beginning with a five-day residency in Whistler starting Oct. 24, followed by six months of online learning. The split session format accommodates participants’ busy schedules, particularly during the tourism industry’s high seasons. The strategic leadership program is aimed at people who have three to five years of management or entrepreneurial experience in tourism, hotel management, hospitality or leisure and recreation services. For further details, click here.

After record high fuel prices and security costs, Hawkair had to undergo an internal restructuring initiative to ensure its continued success. The initiative was announced on August 15, by Hawkair President Rod Hayward, which will see a 38% reduction in the airline’s operating costs. The airline will be suspending services to three new gateways in Alberta and BC and reducing their fleet from four planes to three. For further details, visit www.hawkair.net/page_2147487152.html.

Making Inroads: A Provincial Transportation Strategy for the BC Tourism Industry lays down the foundations of an inter-modal transportation network serving the tourist. This first-ever comprehensive account of tourism’s transportation needs contains pointed recommendations on the policies and funding options needed to keep tourists moving throughout the province. The publication contains the latest research and statistical analyses outlining transportation usage and spending for visitors to British Columbia, and is an essential guide for any industry or government official looking to improve their local or provincial tourism industry. Read more.

Tourism British Columbia and COTA are calling for nominations for the 2006 Tourism Industry Awards, which will take place on February 16, 2006 at the Penticton Convention Centre. The eight categories recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who have significantly contributed to the overall success of the BC tourism industry in various ways. This year’s awards include: Tourism Industry Leader of the Year, 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. Deadline for nominations is Friday, November 18, 2005. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges, and will be honoured at the Seventh Annual British Columbia Tourism Awards held during the BC Tourism Industry Conference in Penticton, British Columbia. This annual gathering of industry representatives is one of the most important events of the year for BC’s tourism industry. For award information and nomination forms, click here.

Tourism BC reports a decrease in US visitors to British Columbia during June 2005. US overnight custom entries to BC declined by 0.8% over May 2005, which resulted in a 3.4% decrease year-to-date. In contrast, overnight visits from Asia/Oceania increased by 1.3% producing 1.9% growth year-to-date. European visits continue to show strong results with a 10.2% year-to-date increase in overnight visits to the province. Overall, total international overnight visits to BC resulted in just 0.7% growth and a 0.9% decline year-to-date. The nations with the highest rates of increase in visitors to BC were Austria (26.7%), Mexico (25.8%) and France (24.9%). For more information on June overnight custom entries to BC and Canada, click here.

The BC Ministry of Transportation will be contributing $1.8 million to improve road safety on Highway 97. Nearly two kilometers of medium barrier and guardrail will be put in place near 103 Mile Hill to prevent head-on collisions. The area marked for the improvements has a history of head-on collisions. Work is scheduled to be completed this fall. For more information, click here.

The BC tourism industry fears that higher gas prices are forcing tourists in long-haul U.S. markets to book holidays closer to home or worse, in other countries. The worries stem from a report released by COTA that shows visitors in Canada are spending more money on gas and vehicle rentals, but less on air travel. According to the report titled “Making Inroads”, tourists in Canada spent almost 15% less on air travel in 2004 than in 2000. Net of inflation, they spent nearly 5% more on vehicle rentals and fuel in 2004 than they did in 2000. Read more.

After a CN train derailment on August 5, 2005 and the ensuing spill of caustic soda in the Cheakamus River, the Government of BC has placed an angling closure on the Cheakamus, Mamquam and parts of the Squamish River. The closure is due to concerns over the effect of the spill on existing fish stocks and the desire to see salmon return to their spawning grounds unhindered. The closure is in effect until September 30. For further information contact the Ministry of Environment at www.gov.bc.ca

On August 11, Air Canada announced an increase in passenger fares in order cover higher fuel costs. Fares for short haul flights up to 483 km will increase by $5. Seats on flights between 484-1608km will increase by $8 and flights over 1609kn will increase by $12. Cross border flights to America will increase by $12 each way. The new fares come into effect on the purchase of all tickets beginning August 12, 2005. The fare increases follows a previous announcement in June, 2005 of a $8 to $15 surcharge on all flights to cover higher fuel costs. For information, click here.

Minister of Environment Barry Penner has announced the creation of Mt. Geoffrey Escarpment Provincial Park on Hornby Island. The park comprises of 174 hectares of land including two kilometers of shoreline property. Located on the southwest shore of the island, the area contains hiking and recreation spots as well as endangered Garry Oak and Arbutus trees. The park is a result of a partnership between government, the regional district, the Land Conservancy of BC and Vance Hau-Hsin Link. The official opening will take place on Sunday, August 14th between 12pm and 3pm at the Leaf House in Ford Cove Orchard.

BC Ferries has begun the process of identifying possible contractors to take over the long term delivery of the ferry service on routes north of Port Hardy by requesting expressions of interest from operators. Under the Coastal Ferry Act, these requests for expressions of interests are required to determine if another company is able to provide better service. The process is expected to take 18 months. An independent auditor will oversea the process and ensure that everyone recieves fair opportunities to compete. For more information, visit http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/asp/.

Tourism, Sport, and the Arts Minister Olga Ilich announced a government contribution of $1 million to replace the glass roof of Victoria’s 80 year-old heritage building, the Crystal Garden. The funds came after concern was expressed about the durability of the existing glass roof and the discovery of unexpected deterioration of the structure. The site is currently undergoing renovations after the Provincial Capital Commission and Crystal Garden Partners Inc. agreed to a 10 year lease on the heritage building which used to be a swimming pool. The partners plan to reopen the building in May 2006 as the BC Experience. It will feature a $10 million interactive multi-media showcase of British Columbia and is expected to boost Victoria’s economy by $1.6 million per year. For further details visit http://www.bcexperience.info.

The tourism industry is facing an unprecidented labour shortages and the burden is on the operators to seek out solutions. With the 2010 Games approaching, labour demands are only going to increase. Without a prepared industry and a ready workforce, tourism products will suffer. So why is it so hard to find experienced and qualified people? At the root of the problem, there's a demographic shift that will result in significant skilled labour shortages in the next 10 years. For tourism, an industry that has always relied heavily on youth, this could pose a serious challenge. However, age isn't the only challenge facing the industry's workforce today. The tourism industry has a stigma attached to it that the jobs are low pay and entry-level. Read more.

According to the Conference Board’s Industrial Outlook: Canada’s Tourism Industry – Summer 2005, the national tourism industry is showing healthy results for 2005. Higher transportation fares and operators’ efforts to minimize costs are contributing to the increased profit results. Profits for 2005 over 2004 are anticipated to exceed $500 million. One of the largest sources of revenue will come from increased airfares. At the same time, curbs on hotel expansions will continue until the sector fully recovers which could result in revenue growth increasing faster than capital investment costs. The industry's growth is expected to continute with profit margins averaging 2.5% per year between 2006 - 2009. Acknowledged challenges to the industry's development include high oil process, security threats and new American passport requirements. For more information, visit www.conferenceboard.ca.

The Government of BC has initiated a program to educate tourists about the Pine Beetle. More than 70 interpretive signs are being posted at rest areas along 13 highways. The signs describe the stages of the beetle infestation, management strategies and forest regeneration plans. Informational brochures and posters are also available at tourist information centres and provincial parks in the regions affected by the attack. The Ministry of Forests and Ranges estimates that seven million hectares of land were infested in 2004. For more information on the Pine Beetle and Pine Beetle interpretative signs visit www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/mountain_pine_beetle/ .

Tourism BC indicators show growth during May 2005. Overnight custom entries to BC from the US declined by 1.7% over April 2005 and by 4.4% year-to-date. In contrast, overnight visits from Asia/Oceania increased by 2.2% and 2.0% year-to-date. European visits have shown strong growth over the past year with a 12% year-to-date increase in overnight visits to BC. Overall, total international overnight visits to BC resulted in just 0.9% growth and 1.5% growth year-to-date. The countries and regions with the highest rates of growth in visits to BC were Austria (36.5%), Mexico (25.9%) and Nordic Europe (24.4%). For more information on May overnight custom entries to BC and Canada, click here.

Hbc has begun selling official Olympic merchandise at select stores across the country. Hbc is the exclusive seller of the limited edition Vancouver 2010 merchandise until January 2006. A number of products have been developed including t-shirts, caps, jackets, umbrellas, and more. In the fall, Hbc will be releasing another range of items for the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. A percentage of all the sales from 2010 merchandise will go towards supporting Canadian athletes. For more information, click here

The World Tourism Associations has announced that the 2004 international tourism receipts add up to a record breaking total of $622 million US, a growth of 10.3% from the previous year. The Americas earned 21% of this income and Europe took the largest share of 52%. Income to the US grew by 16% and North American experienced its first year of positive results since 2001. Interestingly, the high rate of volume growth was disproportionate to the increase in receipts. The WTO equates this difference to a general trend towards a higher frequency of trips, but shorter stays, that result from the development of new transport systems and the opening of new routes that offer less restrictions and lower costs for travellers.

Jennifer Huitema has been appointed to the position of Director of Communications for Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Association. In the newly established position, Ms. Huitema will be responsible for the development and implementation of an in-region media program, designed to increase the organization's profile as well as position Vancouver, Coast & Mountains’ brand within all regional communications. For more information, visit www.vcmbc.com.