Destination Canada Traveller Segmentation Program

Destination Canada has released the Traveller Segmentation Program, which allows stakeholders to discover visitor behaviors and preferences to see what motivates, inspires, and drives travellers. This tool will enable more meaningful, targeted, and impactful marketing and destination management strategies.

Explore all the segmentation tools available in the new program.

BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Micro Grant Program

Starting January 7, 2025, tourism businesses, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations within the tourism industry can apply for a micro-grant of up to $15,000 for projects that reduce energy use, waste, water consumption, and more. This funding will support the implementation of recommendations in these businesses’ sustainability and climate adaptation planning.

DBC Learning Centre

Destination BC has a learning centre with free resources, tools, articles, videos, and guides including:

• Digital Marketing

• Experience Development

• Social Media Marketing

• Travel Trade & Travel Media

• Applying Insights

• Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Accessible Tourism

• BC’s Destination Brand Resources

Access the resources from the learning centre here.

BCTCRI Micro-Grant Program Intake Information Session

Learn more about the micro-grant funding available for tourism businesses to implement sustainability and climate adaptation plans or certifications.

Register for the Monday, December 16, 2024 information session here.

Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop

Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. These free sessions focus on strengthening relations and community connections.

Sessions will:

• Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.

• Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.

• Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.

Register now for sessions on January 14 & 16.

CRA GST/HST Information Session

The Canada Revenue Agency is holding information sessions on the GST/HST and how they will be applied during the GST/HST break.

English Information Session    
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024    
Time: 2:30 to 3:30 pm EST   
Location: Microsoft Teams Live (English)   
  
French Information Session    
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024   
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST   
Location: Microsoft Teams Live (French)   
    
You can also submit your questions to the CRA in advance using this link: GST/HST information session - Your questions for the Canada Revenue Agency.

Energy Conservation and Management Workshop for South Okanagan Hotels and Businesses

Join the RDOS, FortisBC, and the City of Penticton on November 15th for free a half-day interactive workshop to share and learn about energy conservation, management initiatives, various incentives, and other project supports available for hotels and businesses in the South Okanagan.

The upcoming workshop will address the following key topics:

• FortisBC Small Business Program

• Case Study 1.1: Energy Monitoring and Management at Tin Whistle

• Case Study 1.2: Analyzing Monthly Electricity Bills

• City of Penticton – Energy Programs

• FortisBC rebate and incentive programs

• Case Study 2: Retrofitting Building

• Case Study 3: Heat Pumps

• Case Study 4: Lighting Retrofits

The workshop will be held in person at the Penticton Lakeside Resort on November 15th from 9:00 -13:00 with breakfast included. 

Register Today for this Workshop.

Take the go2HR Employer Survey

Help go2HR shape the future of tourism and hospitality by participating in the Employer Survey. Insights from this survey will be used to better understand the key human resource, health and safety, and training issues and opportunities facing the tourism and hospitality industry in BC.

Respondents will be entered to win one of six $500 regional travel credits, which can be used for a BC world-class experience.

Please complete the survey by November 1, 2024.

Funding Opportunities Available

The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation has made a list of available funding opportunities for eligible businesses, organizations, and communities.

ETSI-BC Fall 2024 Funding Intake

The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior has announced its fall funding intake with $625,000 available this funding cycle for different projects.

Local communities, First Nations, economic development organizations, and industry groups within the Southern Interior of British Columbia are eligible to apply.

BCTCRI: Project One Fall Application Intake is Now Open

Project One of the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI)– Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for Tourism Businesses, provides free support to BC-based tourism businesses looking to include sustainability measures into their operations, strategy, and storytelling.

Applicants are connected with a program advisor who will work one-on-one with businesses to help them develop a customized plan to improve sustainability within their operations.

The Fall 2024 intake is now open and accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis.

Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® Workshop

In an effort to support community-based needs within the industry Destination BC (DBC) is running two free virtual training sessions titled “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®” these session aims to deepen Indigenous awareness and strengthen community connections.

These workshops will help attendees build:

• Indigenous Awareness

  &

• Indigenous Relations

Registration is now open for the fall sessions running on October 21, 2024, and December 5, 2024.

Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) Grant Intake Now Open

The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) is a grant launched by the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI), with a funding allocation of $33M per year. REDIP supports projects that promote the following: 

• Economic diversification

• Resilience

• Clean growth opportunities

• Infrastructure development

Learn more and apply for the third intake of REDIP. This intake will close on October 31st at 11:59 PM PST. 

OUT for Business (OFB) Mentorship Program

OUT For Business (OFB) is Canada's only national mentorship program for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, offering support through one-on-one and group mentoring sessions.

The program connects experienced business leaders with the next generation of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, fostering knowledge exchange and network building.

Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 cohort. This 10-month program encourages participation from individuals with intersecting identities.

For more information about OFB, contact Idara Effiom, Mentorship Manager, at idara.effiom@cglcc.ca.

Destination BC Tourism Digital Academy Registration Opens

Destination BC has once again launched the Tourism Digital Academy. The Tourism Digital Academy is a free, 8-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses who are interested in building their knowledge and skills in digital marketing to an intermediate level.

Designed for business owners or their marketing team members, this comprehensive program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance to complete your digital marketing plan. From setting your goals, to building a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, analytics and more – you’ll leave the program with the confidence and knowledge to put that plan into action.

Intake for October 8, 2024 - November 27, 2024 is now open!

Intake for October 15, 2024 - December 4, 2024 is now open!

Learn more and Register for this program by visiting Destinationbc.ca/Learning-Centre.

Cultural Competency Training

The Sncewips Heritage Museum is running a four-part series that will raise awareness of colonial issues and expand knowledge on Syilx worldview, the history of contact, current affairs, and the way forward.

The series runs on September 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 9 am to 3 pm.

Visit the Sncewips Events page for program details and registration opportunities.

Registration for BCTCRI Project 4 is Now Open - Climate Resilience and Indigenous Knowledge

The Community Destination Stewardship Initiative's Project 4, Climate Resilience and Indigenous Knowledge, aims to create a provincial network across BC to enhance climate resiliency and sustainability in community destinations and the broader tourism industry. The program provides comprehensive learning opportunities through workshops, discussions, and peer-to-peer engagements, offering essential knowledge and tools. It emphasizes sharing successes and lessons learned to promote collaborative growth and connects communities to resources, programs, and initiatives supporting sustainable business practices and community engagement.

This initiative helps advance BC’s sustainable tourism development by equipping communities to adopt sustainable practices, support local businesses in climate emergency preparedness, and reduce impacts from extreme weather events. Participants can join workshops on topics such as Climate Resilience, Sustainable Tourism, and Decarbonization, that you can choose to join based on your community’s needs. The program is available in various formats to accommodate different schedules, and encourages networking with other communities to exchange successes and practical solutions for sustainability challenges.

Eligible Participants for Joining the Destination Stewardship Network:

• Any community or community organization that manages visitors as a destination

• BC-based Community Destination Management Organizations (CDMOs)

• Municipal government staff

• First Nations and First Nation Economic Development Corporations

• Communities with any level of experience in managing climate change resiliency, adaptation, mitigation, or sustainability in tourism are encouraged to participate, regardless of their experience level

Learn more about the course at www.destinationbc.ca

Register for the Workshop Today!

Working with the Travel Trade: Six-Part Tutorial Video Series

DBC has developed a 6-part video series based on the previously written Working with the Travel Trade Guide,

These tutorial videos will help tourism businesses determine whether working with the travel trade is right for them, provide guidance on how to work with travel trade, and how local and regional Destination Management Organizations can help.

Destination BC’s Tourism Industry Webinar

Destination BC invites you to join them on Thursday, August 1st at 10:00 am (PDT) for an update on the state of tourism in BC and the latest on their key strategies and programs.

DBC will include updates on their latest marketing campaigns, travel trade and media relations, destination development projects, and more followed by a Q&A session.

BC Rivers Day Micro-Grants Funding Opportunity from ORCBC

This year, for the first year ever, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) is offering a limited number of small, one-time micro grants of $300 each to help outdoor groups host BC Rivers Day events in their community.

BC Rivers Day is an annual celebration held on the fourth Sunday of September to promote the importance of British Columbia's rivers and watersheds. It was established in 1980 by ORCBC and outdoor enthusiast and river conservationist Mark Angelo. 

With support from the BC Parks Licence Plate program and other supporters, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) is thrilled to launch the BC Rivers Day micro grant program. 

Learn more about the program and apply for the program visit ORCBC.ca.

Applications are open now until Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 11:59 pm.