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.

BC Wine Industry Celebrates Direct to Consumer Shipping to Alberta

The BC wine industry welcomes the news that BC wineries can now ship directly to Alberta consumers, thanks to a new agreement between the provinces.

This comes at a perfect time as many Albertans visit BC wineries after the Calgary Stampede, marking an increase in summer travel for the Alberta market. Although the Alberta direct-to-consumer market is a small part of BC's wine sales, it is important for growth, offering high-end products and building customer relationships.

Industry leaders, including Wine Growers BC and Hester Creek Estate Winery, are pleased with the renewed connection, which supports BC wine tourism and the local economy. Wine Growers BC thanks both provincial premiers and local MLAs for their support in making this agreement possible.

Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses

GreenStep Solutions is hosting a webinar with FortisBC to introduce the FortisBC Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses program. Organizations can attend the 45-minute virtual sessions to learn more about the program.

About the Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses Program:

FortisBC is offering small and medium-sized businesses free customized energy advice, members can connect with Business Energy Advisors with a 15 to 30-minute consultation via phone call, video call, or in-person visit to learn about:

• Low-cost/no-cost tips to reduce energy use and operating costs

• Information about FortisBC rebates on high-efficiency equipment

• Support in getting quotes from contractors and applying for rebates

• Applying for retroactive rebates on equipment installed in the last 365 days

Register below to attend one of the free virtual informational sessions: 

July 23, 2024 @ 11:00 AM PST

August 6, 2024 @ 11:00 AM PST

Tourism Digital Marketing Essentials course is now open for enrollment

Enrollment is now open for eLearningU’s Tourism Digital Marketing Essentials. The course uses real-world examples of what visitors are looking for and how brands can utilize this information for digital marketing opportunities.

What to expect:

• 11 on-demand modules that cover all aspects of digital marketing

• Short, practical video lessons

• Real case studies and examples from tourism brands

• Downloadable templates and resources that you can use right away

• Hands-on exercises

• Feedback from your instructor on each exercise

• Ongoing support that you can access any time

• Earn your dual certifications upon completion

This all-new course is convenient and allows learners to earn a professional certification, so it is ideal for people who have already completed the Tourism Digital Academy or those looking for a course they complete on their own time.

For a short period, eLearningU is offering preferred pricing to interested BC-based businesses who can use BC300 to get $300 off the course fee.

For more information and to register for the program visit the eLearningU program page.

I-CEDAR program registration is open for new, existing, or ready-to launch Indigenous business ventures

The Indigenous Community Entrepreneurship Development & Action Recovery (I-CEDAR) program is a fully-funded training program for Indigenous BC Residents with a new or existing business.

The program runs for 14 weeks and focuses on planning and development in the domestic Indigenous tourism sector. Participants will attend 3 courses a week starting in September 2024, and once they have completed the program will have a fully developed business plan and a certification from the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.

For more information and to register for the program visit the I-CEDAR program homepage.

Indigenous Tourism BC Cultural Safety: Free Online Training Sessions on June 25 & 26

Cultural Safety Training is a two-day virtual session held June 25th and 26th, from 10am-12pm each day over Zoom, facilitated by Shelley Joseph from Ladders 2 Kindness.  

This course starts with a journey through Canada's history of colonization and oppression, and teachings of Indigenous ways of being. Participants will each develop actionable items to ensure they can provide trauma-informed and culturally safe services to and for Indigenous people.

We will delve into the intricate dynamics of lateral violence and lateral kindness, examining its roots in trauma and its manifestations, so we can move forward in the right direction for our common humanity.

It is a transformative journey, where Indigenous wisdom meets contemporary practice. Let’s build a kinder, more connected future together.

This workshop is provided by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and the Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative (ITTI), at no cost to participants.

Register →

Please extend the invitation for ITBC's Cultural Safety training to anyone in your network.  This is a great opportunity for a shared learning experience.

Eligibility for this course includes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people – all are welcome!  

Outdoor Recreation BC Guidance Toolkit for Engagement with Indigenous Communities

The Outdoor Recreation Council released a new guide offering recreation organizations a roadmap for advancing reconciliation objectives and tools for recreation organizations embarking on discussions and relationship building with First Nations at the community level.

The toolkit is part of an ongoing effort to provide guidance and resources to the outdoor recreation sector on working cooperatively with Indigenous governments and communities on outdoor recreation projects. The hope for the guide is to spark dialogue within groups and to help foster genuine collaboration within Indigenous communities.

Read the Guide

2024 Summer Travel Outlook for Canadian Destinations | Deloitte Report

With the arrival of summer, Deloitte has released the Canadian Summer Travel Outlook. The report provides excellent insights for Canadian destinations and tourism businesses.

Highlights include:

• Most Canadians (77%) expect to spend the same or more on summer travel this year.

• Safety, inclusivity, and accessibility are important to visitors: respectively, 88%, 52%, and 49% think about these concerns when planning a trip.

• Canadians find fitness/sports options, all-inclusive packages, nightlife options, beach/pool access, and personalized customer service lacking in travel destinations.

• 63% of Western Canadians are traveling within their own home region.

• 80% of Canadians prefer food and drink available from local farmers, chefs, wineries, and breweries

• Awareness of Indigenous tourism experiences is rising

• Canadians are generally positive about tourism within their own communities. 43% said the benefits of tourism outweighed the costs in their town or city. But another 43% said they were neutral on the issue – which means we all have work to do to educate people about the importance of tourism.

Water Conservation Toolkit

The Tourism Emergency Management Committee has created a Water Conservation Toolkit for the tourism industry, with resources, shareable graphics, tips, messaging, and steps that businesses and industry partners can take, to promote and participate in responsible water use.

Click here to access the full toolkit.