Tourism Relief Fund

The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses, non-profits, and organizations to adapt operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. With a budget of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), including $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives, and $15 million for national initiatives, this fund will position Canada to be a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by:

• empowering tourism operators to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors

• helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by offering the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world

Tourism Relief Fund projects will focus on:

• Product development: For example, projects that enhance tourism experiences; help tourism businesses adapt to the “new normal” and modernize their offerings; and, encourage the adoption of more environmentally sustainable and inclusive practices.

• Destination development: For example, projects that position communities to take advantage of post-pandemic opportunities through strategic planning for medium- to long-term investments, as well as supporting destination development prospects in line with objectives set out in the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.

Applications will be accepted and funded on a continuous intake basis over the next two years or until such a time as the allocated funding is fully distributed.

Government of Canada Announces Easing of Border Measures for Fully Vaccinated Travellers

We look forward to welcoming back fully vaccinated American visitors as of August 9, and those from other countries on September 7.

On September 7, 2021, provided that Canada’s COVID-19 epidemiology remains favourable, the federal government intends to open Canada’s borders for recreational travel by fully-vaccinated travellers from any country. Fully vaccinated travellers are those who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.

As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for recreational travel. This preliminary step allows for the Government of Canada to fully operationalize the adjusted border measures ahead of September 7, and recognizes the many close ties between Canadians and Americans.

Fully vaccinated travellers must also:

• provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN (app or web portal) including proof of vaccination prior to departing for Canada (subject to limited exceptions);

• meet the pre-entry testing requirements;

• be asymptomatic upon arrival; and

• have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation in English or French (or certified translation, along with the original) ready to show a government official on request.

We encourage all tourism businesses to share information around this next phase of re-opening, so we can all be ready to welcome back visitors first from the US, and then around the world. Destination BC will update the Messaging Guidance for BC's Tourism Industry prior to August 9, but for now, here are some key messages to share with your partners:

• Visitors can feel confident in making travel plans as tourism businesses throughout Canada have made huge investments in new hygiene protocols.

• Canada’s adult population has one of the world’s highest rates of COVID-19 vaccination.

• Travel to Canada is going to be different than it was prior to the pandemic.

• We encourage all travellers to be fully informed of the pre-entry and on-arrival public health and testing requirements both federally and provincially. This includes the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app. Travellers should plan for extra time in the lead up, and upon the arrival of their trip.

• For the latest information on travel to Canada including the updated federal requirements and restrictions, please visit the Government of Canada's Travel and Tourism page.

In alignment, Destination BC will launch marketing campaigns for US and international markets beginning in August, with more details available soon. Throughout the pandemic, Destination BC has continued to work in lockstep with federal and provincial government partners, and any new marketing campaigns or existing campaign extension tactics will continue to fall in line with BC’s Restart Plan.

For the full announcement, please see the Government of Canada press release.

Related Government of Canada Information

• Backgrounder: Easing border measures for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada

• Backgrounder on international students

Associated Links

• COVID-19: Travel, testing, quarantine and borders

• ArriveCAN

• COVID-19: Summary data about travellers, testing and compliance

• COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance for aviation

IArT Kicks Off Meet Me On Bernard in Downtown Kelowna

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran sharing opening remarks for Meet Me On Bernard from the IArT stage, July 2021.

The Indigenous Artisan Trails (IArT) Mobile Gallery has relocated to Meet Me On Bernard, an open street animation initiative on Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna, meant to encourage active modes of transportation. From July 1 to September 6, 2021,  the street will be transformed to provide new opportunities for performances, public art, demonstrations, and programs, including the IArT Mobile Gallery.

IArT’s outdoor stage was utilized by the City of Kelowna, Downtown Kelowna Association, and Tourism Kelowna to kick off Meet Me On Bernard for the summer.

Kelowna is situated on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territory of the Syilx First Nations people. IArT highlights Indigenous art and culture, particularly from Indigenous artisan crafters and performers of the Thompson Okanagan region.

Featured Exhibition: Being Out On the Land: Feeds, Streams, and Captures

From July 6 to August 18, IArT is housing a digital Indigenous art exhibition curated by UBC Okanagan Assistant Professor Tania Willard as part of the Indigenous Art Intensive, in partnership with the Rotary Centre of the Arts. The exhibition, Being Out On the Land: Feeds, Streams, and Captures is a series of video works by artists Maureen Gruben (Inuvialuk), Krista Belle Stewart (Syilx), and Christine Howard Sandoval (Obispeño Chumash and Hispanic), following as the artists trace out pathways, trails, and positions of engaging with the indigeneity of land.

The outdoor stage will be used for Indigenous cultural performances. The schedule will be announced shortly.

Experience IArT

From July 6 to August 18, IArT will be located on Bernard Ave near Ellis St, with the exhibition open for viewing Wednesday to Friday, 12 PM to 7 PM and Saturday to Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM.

IArT will travel to Riverside Park in Kamloops on August 21.

For performance and location schedules, visit ThompsonOkanagan.com/iart

Several TOTA team members worked together to move the trailer from the Rotary Centre of the Arts to Meet Me On Bernard, including the wheelchair accessible ramp:

The team after disassembling the stage and ramp at the Rotary Centre of the Arts

Left to Right: Kieran Chalmers, Kelly Galaski, Amy Kneller, Shawn, Jenn Clute, and Jenna Labossiere

Kieran Chalmers and Jenn Clute

Kelly Galaski

Dakota Towing

Thank you to Dakota Towing for relocating the mobile gallery

Putting together the wheelchair accessible ramp

Mike Overend, Director of Destination Development

Sonja Gaudet, Regional Accessibility Specialist

Andrew Stauffer, Rotary Centre of the Arts, Community and Educational Programming Specialist

Some of the team after reassembling the stage and ramp on Bernard Ave

Left to right: Sonja Gaudet, Shawn, Amy Kneller, Kelly Galaski, Mike Overend

IArT on Bernard

Workplace Accessibility Grant: Applications Now Open

The Workplace Accessibility Grant program provides up to $1,000 in support to small business employers in British Columbia by providing direct financial assistance towards creating an inclusive work environment for persons with a disability(ies).

The grant can be used for the following (but not exclusively for):

• Environment: ramps, lighting levels, accessible washrooms, adaptions to vehicles, etc.

• Attitudes: anti-bias training

• Practices: training to review and amend interview processes, ASL interpreting for new staff orientation, accessibility audit of workflow, etc.

• Policies: funding for legal and consulting advice in revising policies, time for staff to revise policies, etc.

• Information and Communication: job task checklists in pictorial form, ASL version of policies, application forms accessible to screen readers, reprinting hardcopies of material in large font, Braille versions of documents, update web-pages for accessibility, etc.

• Technologies: purchasing software that enables production of accessible documents, flashing fire alarms for Deaf employees, specialized headsets, tablet for communication, laptop to allow some one to work from home, specialized tools, etc.

This Grant Program is available for companies with between 1 and 50 employees (both part time and full time), including yourself. Businesses must be based in and operate within British Columbia, and have been registered in BC at the time of submission.

1:1 Support to Share Travel Offers on HelloBC.com

Destination BC will promote Travel Offers as a “hook” to encourage potential travellers to explore a variety of BC experiences, attractions, and accommodations.

BC tourism businesses can list up to three "Travel Offers" at no cost. Offers do not have to be discounts. 

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program is offering free 1:1 support to set up your business listing and travel offers to display on HelloBC.com.