B.C. Tourism Business Events, Workforce Support Receive Grants

Business events and workforce support initiatives, such as hiring and retaining employees, in the tourism sector will receive more than $9.3 million over the next two years as part of the Tourism Recovery Initiatives Action Plan.

The new Business Events and Conferences Restart Fund will provide up to $5 million this fiscal year and up to $3 million next year to help restart business travel. Funding will be provided to city destination management organizations that were significantly involved in attracting and hosting business events, conferences and exhibitions before the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible organizations will be invited to submit proposals to access this funding.

This investment will generate economic activity by drawing international visitors, who tend to spend more and stay longer, and often travel to other smaller destinations once their business travel is complete. Restarting business events also provides greater economic benefits for the services that support the sector, such as food services, audio-visual companies, event rental companies, event planners, and transportation companies that will subsequently benefit from the return of large conferences to the province.

To help address serious challenges to recruit and retain workers in tourism and hospitality, the Province is investing in human resources support for this sector. More than $1.3 million will fund dedicated human resources specialists in five tourism regions for two years. In partnership with the tourism industry’s human resources association, go2HR, these individuals will provide expert advice to tourism operators in each region, including workforce strategy, recruitment, onboarding, compensation, training, health and safety, and interpreting employment legislation.

In the coming weeks, go2HR will start recruiting in the Thompson Okanagan.

Government’s collaborative work to support the tourism sector continues and more support for marquee events, and tourism education and skills training will be announced soon.

Learn More →

B.C. Tourism Recovery Initiatives Grants

The Tourism Recovery Initiatives Action Plan is B.C.’s comprehensive plan to support the survival, recovery and growth of the sector. This action plan is part of government’s quick response to the Tourism Task Force’s recommendations that demonstrates continued commitment to the recovery and resilience of tourism in B.C.

Business events and workforce support initiatives, such as hiring and retaining employees, in the tourism sector will receive more than $9.3 million over the next two years as part of B.C.’s Tourism Recovery Initiatives Action Plan.

In response to the pandemic, the Province is investing in the restart of the business events and conferences sector, which was one of the hardest hit and may be one of the last to recover. This sector makes significant contributions to the provincial economy.

Business Events and Conferences Restart Fund

The new Business Events and Conferences Restart Fund will provide up to $5 million this fiscal year and up to $3 million next year to help restart business travel. Funding will be provided to city destination management organizations that were significantly involved in attracting and hosting business events, conferences, and exhibitions before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible organizations will be invited to submit proposals to access this funding.

This investment will generate economic activity by drawing international visitors, who tend to spend more and stay longer, and often travel to other smaller destinations once their business travel is complete. Restarting business events also provides greater economic benefits for the services that support the sector, such as food services, audio-visual companies, event rental companies, event planners, and transportation companies that will subsequently benefit from the return of large conferences to the province.

Regional Human Resources Specialists

To help address serious challenges to recruit and retain workers in tourism and hospitality, the Province is investing in human resources support for this sector. More than $1.3 million will fund dedicated human resources specialists in five tourism regions for two years. In partnership with the tourism industry’s human resources association, go2HR, these individuals will provide expert advice to tourism operators in each region, including workforce strategy, recruitment, onboarding, compensation, training, health and safety, and interpreting employment legislation.

In the coming weeks, go2HR will start recruiting on Vancouver Island and in the Thompson Okanagan, Northern BC, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and Kootenay Rockies tourism regions. The model was developed based on the success of the Tourism Regional HR specialist position that was created by Destination BC in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region in 2021.

Upcoming Announcements

Government’s collaborative work to support the tourism sector continues and more support for marquee events, and tourism education and skills training will be announced soon.

View Press Release →

Hell or High Water BC Disaster Relief Concert & Telethon Fundraiser | March 13, 2022

The founder of Rockin’ River Music Fest, Tourism Nicola Valley, and Eh Canada Travel have joined together to host the “Hell or High Water” live music concert and virtual live streaming telethon on March 13, 2022.

The event is a fundraiser to support the British Columbia communities and people impacted by the 2021 wildfires and floods. Proceeds will support people affected by the natural disasters around Merritt, Princeton, Lytton, and Abbotsford.

The event will be both in-person and virtually, with a live country music concert in Mission, B.C. at the Clarke Foundation Theatre and a live 12 hour live streaming telethon from 10 AM to 10 PM hosted in Merritt, B.C., including a live-stream of the music concert.

Donating to Hell or High Water includes opportunities to win prizes, such as:

• Two tickets to a Vancouver Canucks Game

• Golf & Stay Getaway

• Tickets to Rockin River Music Festival

• Two night stay at a Lakeside Cabin

• Tickets to a Calgary Flames Game

To learn more and donate, visit HellOrHighwater.ca.

Businesses can get involved as a Corporate Sponsor.

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Event Details

The event will feature 50+ musicians from across North America, including:

• George Canyon

• Loverboy

• Lisa Brokop

• Russel deCarle of Prairie Oyster

• Chilliwack

• Patricia Conroy

• Crystal Shawanda

• And more

Hell or High Water is a partnership between:

• Kenny Hess (Founder of Rockin’ River Music Festival)

• EH Canada Travel Marketing Group

• Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (Nooaitch, Coldwater, Shackan, and Cook’s Ferry Indian Bands)

• Tourism Nicola Valley

• Experience Nicola Valley

• Merritt Rotary Club

Update to Provincial Health Orders for Liquor Serving Establishments

On February 9, the B.C. Provincial Health Officer released additional guidance on how liquor-serving-only businesses can remain open by providing meals from external sources.

Liquor primary licensees that do not offer full meal service have been ordered closed since December 22, 2022. Since then, there has been considerable confusion from inspectors across B.C. on issues such as whether licensees could: 1) partner with a local pub, restaurant, or food truck to offer meals, or 2) remain open to serve liquor after closing kitchens for the evening, as is normal industry practice.

The order clarifies this process. ABLE BC and our industry partners worked directly with the PHO to bring about these necessary changes to support members who have been ordered closed simply because they did not have kitchens.

To summarize the changes:

1. A liquor primary licensee that does not offer meal service (ie bars and nightclubs) may enter into a Catering Partnership Agreement with one or more catering partners to offer full meal service.

2. A catering partner might include a food truck, catering company, or other food-serving premises such as a restaurant, pub, or quick-service restaurant.

3. Full meal service means offering a wide variety of food, which may include appetizers, main courses, and desserts, but not just appetizers, tapas, dessert, or snacks such as popcorn, nuts, or chips.

4. The licensee must maintain a record of sale of meals. This can be a copy of sales provided by the catering partner and does not need to include original receipts. This record must be available for inspectors at all times.

5. Catering Partner Agreements must be available for inspectors at all times.

6. Full meal service can be stopped up to three hours before ending liquor service.

7. The order, for catering agreements, now has the same expiry date as the Gatherings and Events order, February 16, 2022, except for Part D (Proof of Vaccination) which is still set to expire on June 30, 2022.

View Revised Order →

A guidance document will also be available soon to assist licensees in interpreting the order.

Minister Melanie Mark Addresses Tourism Community As Restrictions Ease

In an open letter to the tourism, arts, culture, creative and sport sectors, Minister Melanie Mark reflected on the challenges of the past two years and celebrates the people and businesses who have battled through the pandemic to keep their industries alive and the people of British Columbia safe.

On February 15, the Premier and Provincial Health Officer announced the lifting of many Provincial Public Health Orders, some of which have been in place to varying degrees for two years.

Minister Mark’s letter applauds the industries under her jurisdiction, and offers encouragement for a strong recovery and a brighter future.

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“Dear partners,

On February 15, 2022, the Honourable John Horgan, Premier; the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health; and Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Provincial Health Officer, announced the lifting of many of the Public Health Orders that were in place to keep us safe over the past two years. This announcement marked a change in tide and symbolizes a significant milestone in our collective fight against COVID-19 in British Columbia (B.C.) and a significant step forward for many of your businesses and the economy.

As of today, we can once again gather with the people who mean the most to us, indoors and outdoors, and at venues. We can return to restaurants and nightlife, tournaments, and important life events like weddings and celebrations of life. These are the activities that add meaning to our lives, and I am thrilled that we have come this far.

To be sure, the sectors that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport is responsible for have borne the brunt of restrictions designed to protect our health system from COVID-19. You are in the “people business” and have built your livelihoods around bringing joy and creating memories for visitors and the residents of our province. There is nothing quite like hosting large events or hosting travellers to our province and sharing with them the best of B.C., inspiring children through the power of sport, dancing to your favourite band, or expressing your creativity in front of a live audience. I know how hard it has been to be unable to do the things we all love, and I am deeply grateful for your resilience in the face of adversity brought about by the pandemic.

Since the very beginning of my appointment as Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, I was struck by your determination to manage through the pandemic and to keep people safe – your clients, employees, and broader communities. Time and again, you adapted your operations to protect people’s health, you shared best practices with your colleagues, and you stepped up as leaders even when times were very difficult.

I am immensely grateful for your ongoing engagement with Ministry staff and me, providing your advice, feedback, and recommendations. There is no doubt that we would not have weathered this storm as well as we have without your commitment to working in partnership with Government.

Together, we can now look towards a brighter future for everyone in our province. Because of your advocacy, we made investments in each sector to help lay a foundation for a strong recovery. We have much to look forward to this spring and summer, both in our personal lives and in the work we do everyday to make life better for people in our province.

I am looking forward to travelling the province this summer and getting to meet some of you in person, and experience firsthand the results of all your hard work. While I will not have the opportunity to meet all of you, I am committed to continuing the open and constructive dialogue we established over these past months. I believe that we have emerged from this storm more resilient, collaborative, and innovative than we were before.

On behalf of Premier Horgan and the entire B.C. Government, thank you for your sacrifices, hard work, and your dedication that allowed us to get this far.

I am your biggest fan. Let us keep paddling together.

Sincerely,

Melanie Mark

Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

BC Parks Additions Strengthen Protection of Wildlife Habitat, Ecosystems

Increased protection for diverse wildlife habitat, wetlands, and bolstering the natural legacy of existing parks are all parts of strategic land additions to strengthen B.C.’s system of parks and protected areas.

Legislation has been introduced to expand the parks and protected areas system, contributing to existing ecosystem conservation and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The additions, proposed through legislative amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act, include the following lands in the Thompson Okanagan region:

• Blue River Black Spruce Park (near Blue River): 59 hectares to protect a wetland and the ecological integrity of the North Thompson River.

• Edge Hills Park (near Clinton): 50 hectares to enhance wildlife connectivity and protection of the Fraser River bluffs.

• Okanagan Mountain Park (near Kelowna): 21 hectares to enhance wildlife connectivity and species protection, along with the addition of the Golden Mile Trail for recreation.

• Gladstone Park (near Christina Lake): six hectares to add additional shorefront lands on the north end of Christina Lake, which is an important kokanee spawning area.

To further protect lake values, 27 hectares of lake foreshore would be added to Christina Lake Park, Kootenay Lake Park, Gladstone Park, and Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park.

Boundary modifications to correct administrative errors and address safety issues would also be made at Big White Mountain Ecological Reserve.

This continues the Province’s efforts to enhance protection of wildlife habitat, better reflect Indigenous Peoples’ history and cultures in parks for a deeper understanding of connection to the land, and create more opportunities for camping and outdoor recreation.

During the past four years, more than 1,700 campsites have been added to provincial parks and recreation sites, including the new Skyview Campground in E.C. Manning Park, which has 62 fully serviced campsites available in winter and 92 sites in summer.

Learn More →

Portal for Federal Subsidies for Period 24 (December 19, 2021, to January 15, 2022)

The federal government announced that the application portals for business subsidy programs will open on the following dates:

1. Period 24: February 7, 2022

2. Period 25: March 1, 2022

Go to Portal →

Regulatory changes announced in December temporarily expand eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program. These changes would:

1. Apply to claim periods 24 and 25 (December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022)

2. Allow those entities to qualify if they are subject to a capacity-limiting public health restriction of 50 per cent or more

3. Reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25 per cent for those entities

Learn More →

As a reminder, the federal subsidies available are:

1. Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program

2. Canada Recovery Hiring Program

3. Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program

4. Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit

5. Local Lockdown Program

Alberta & Saskatchewan End Proof of Vaccination Requirement

Alberta

On February 8, Alberta removed the Restrictions Exemption Program (proof of vaccination) and capacity limits on venues under 500 capacity, and will allow for food and beverage consumption in seated audience settings for large events and entertainment venues.

View Press Release →

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is ending the Proof of Vaccination Requirement on Monday, February 14. The public health orders requiring masking in indoor public spaces will remain in effect until the end of February.

View Press Release →

B.C. Government Lays Out Vision for Post-pandemic Recovery in Throne Speech

On February 8, 2022, Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin read the Speech from the Throne, outlining the province's vision for the next year.

The B.C. government is focusing on getting through the rest of the COVID-19 pandemic while committing to invest in safe workplaces, new schools, and lobbying Ottawa for more money for health-care.

Government has stated that in the year ahead, they will also fight climate change, help communities adapt to extreme weather, make everyday life more affordable, and ensure sustainable, economic growth.

Specific actions the government will take in the coming months include:

1. Tying minimum wage increases to the rate of inflation;

2. Protecting people buying homes in a volatile market by introducing a cooling-off period on home purchases;

3. Helping prepare people for the jobs of the future with a generational commitment to develop the talent B.C. needs over the next 10 years to close the skills gap;

4. Moving forward on Reconciliation by working to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act through an action plan drafted in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples;

5. Recognizing British Columbians’ shared history by taking a major step towards establishing the first Chinese Canadian Museum in Canada and modernizing the Royal BC Museum; and

6. Improving management of B.C.'s land and resources by creating a new ministry to better support goals of reconciliation, economic development, and environmental protection.

The speech also sets up three significant announcements expected over the next two weeks.

Next week the province will be unveiling an economic recovery plan and provincial officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is likely going to announce an easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

In two weeks’ time, the province will present a budget charting the financial road map to fulfill the commitments made by the government. TIABC will be at budget lock-up in Victoria and will provide a synopsis on the implications of Budget 2022 on the tourism sector.

Learn More & Watch Recording →

Indigenous Tourism BC Launches Corporate Retreats, Experiences Campaign

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is launching a campaign to encourage corporations, organizations, and special interest groups to book retreats, meetings, workshops, and educational experiences with Indigenous tourism businesses in British Columbia.

B.C.'s Indigenous tourism operators provide both space and leadership for learning, reflection, and dialogue. This is a valuable means for organizations that are looking to implement Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action or for educators that are seeking to apply First Nations learning principles.

ITBC encourages everyone to participate and support Indigenous tourism businesses in B.C., representing the diverse and living Indigenous peoples and cultures in present-day B.C..

When finding new ways to conduct business and improve relationships with Indigenous Peoples and partners, organizations and their teams can both experience and learn from Indigenous-owned businesses that include accommodations, outdoor experiences, event facilities, food & beverage establishment, cultural centres, gift shops, and galleries.

Thompson Okanagan Indigenous services providers listed include:

1. Quaaout Lodge and Spa at Talking Rock Golf Resort - Chase

2. Jack Sam's Restaurant at Quaaout Lodge - Chase

3. Moccasin Trails - Kamloops and Kelowna

4. Nk'Mip Cultural Centre - Osoyoos

5. Kekuli Cafe - West Kelowna, Merritt

Learn More & View Indigenous Service Providers→

BC Hotel Association Encourages Accommodation Sector to Source Locally

The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) has launched a new video encouraging the province's accommodation sector to invest in local businesses and help build back B.C.'s economy stronger than ever.

Funded by the Government of Canada and delivered through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, the BCHA was among 88 applicants to receive a grant from the Shop Local initiative that encourages Canadians to spend their dollars locally to help businesses navigate through the pandemic beyond.

Learn More & Explore Local Businesses →

While the campaign is directed to accommodators, it's beneficial for all sectors to support local when possible. When sourcing new products or services, be sure to seek and consider B.C. and Canadian businesses.

Reasons for Companies to Shop Local

1. Contribute to Community Growth and Cohesiveness

2. You Can Buy It Where You Try It

3. Give Back to Your Community

4. Independent Businesses Help Give a Destination Its Distinct Personality

Largest Solar Power Wall in North America

Toronto is getting the largest solar power generating wall in North America!

A relatively recent innovation is changing these preconceived notions of power generation being ugly, the advent of photovoltaic walls integrated into building cladding opening up the doors for green energy production in the most unexpected places.

Known as building-integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV, these panels replicate the exterior finishes of typical buildings you see walking down any city street, all while harnessing the green energy of the sun. In most cases, passersby would have few clues alerting them to the eco-friendly power plants hidden in these panels.

Though it's still in its infancy, the technology is taking a big leap right here in Toronto, where an enormous 7,000-square-foot wall — the largest BIPV wall in North America to date — is being installed. The record breaking wall is expected to generate 90,000 kWh of energy for the building annually, slashing it carbon footprint in the process.

And while you'd think these systems would add astronomical construction costs to a new building, they're actually relatively cheap, and can pay for themselves through off-grid power generation in just a few years.

Green energy incentives like federal funding of $10 billion through the Canada Infrastructure Bank towards green power projects are among the policy moves from above that might be able to sway more movers and shakers to implement this tech in the future.

Free Business Mentorship Sessions with Okanagan College Instructors

Okanagan College instructors are available to deliver virtual, one-hour individually tailored business counselling sessions based on expressed areas of need.

This service is offered free of charge through the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program, for a limited time. Mentors can provide support on a variety of leadership soft skills, business administration, and hospitality topics.

Register for an Okanagan College Mentorship Meeting →

Annual Shuswap Trail Alliance Virtual Fundraiser Now Open | Buy Tickets & Place Bids by Feb 20, 2022

The Shuswap Trail Alliance (STA) is hosting its much-anticipated annual fundraiser February 4-20, 2022.

The fundraiser includes:

• Online silent auction featuring local businesses

• 50/50 raffle – last year’s winner took home over $3,500!!

• Limited-edition STA toques, while supplies last

Funds raised will allow the Shuswap Trail Alliance to work with regional partners throughout the year. The funds are leveraged with matching grants, donations, in-kind contributions, dedicated community project budgets, and an extraordinary contribution of volunteer time to grow local greenway trails throughout the region.

Buy Tickets & Place Bids →

Through the generous support of businesses and individuals alike, last year’s Silent Auction raised over $57,000 in support of STA trail projects throughout the region.

The Shuswap Trail Alliance auction committee thanks and invites everyone throughout the region to participate in the Online Auction. They look forward to seeing you online for the fundraiser and in-person out on the trails.

More Investments Made in B.C.’s Tourism Infrastructure through CERIP Grants

More than 50 new tourism projects throughout B.C. are receiving a total of $21.3 million for shovel-ready infrastructure projects, including $4,814,989 for projects in the Thompson Okanagan region.

These projects are part of the second round of the 2021 Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) Destination Development stream.

These funds will strengthen tourism growth and develop emerging tourism opportunities, stimulating the recovery of B.C.’s post-pandemic visitor economy. Continued investments in destination development will increase employment and job creation, and establish more livable communities while enhancing residents’ quality of life and visitors’ experiences.

These investments in implementation-ready tourism infrastructure projects support the recovery and resilience of tourism by creating jobs and developing infrastructure that will attract visitors to B.C. communities in the near and long term.

Projects were chosen for their demonstrated tourism benefits to communities and British Columbians, along with new jobs, many of which will provide employment for apprentices, youth, new Canadians, women and Indigenous Peoples. Eligible applicants included local governments, First Nations and non-profit organizations.

Thompson Okanagan Projects funded by CERIP:

• O'Keefe Ranch & Interior Heritage Society - Glamping Park Establishment: Installation of glamping (glamourous camping) infrastructure, including visitor amenities, landscaping, building cabins.

• Summerland - Peach Orchard and Rotary Beach Washroom Upgrades: Peach Orchard and Rotary Beach Washroom Upgrades including winterizing and improving electrical service.

• Vernon - Vernon Visitor Kiosks: Construction of three timber frame visitor kiosks in Vernon to supply information on attractions, activities, arts, culture, and events.

• Greater Vernon Museum and Archives - North Okanagan Culture and Heritage Enhancement: Upgrades to the Museum facility, including Roofing, HVAC, and electrical and lighting issues, to protect collection items and enhance the operations of the GVMA, and create new COVID safe cultural event spaces.

• Kelowna - The Pandosy Public Pier - Entering New Waters: Pandosy Public Pier project to develop of an inclusive, universally accessible, and non-motorized public pier in Kelowna.

• Sun Peaks - Sun Peaks Centre Plaza Development: Upgrades to Sun Peaks Village Plaza, including picnic tables, firepits, game areas, Secwepmec Medicine Trail signage, pedestrian walkway improvements to allow safe, socially distant movement of people, and small stage area that will be based on a First Nations pit house theme.

• Coldstream - Coldstream Station: Construction of Coldstream Station, a central gathering place for the community of Coldstream and entry area to the Okanagan Rail Trail, including event plaza, parking, washrooms, visitor information, landscaping to support a world class destination rail trail adventure.

• Merritt & Nicola Valley Destination Marketing Society - Nicola Valley Mountain Biking Trails Project: Develop, design & build trail signs and information kiosks, in addition to Trail Technical Features such as ramps, berms and drops, at iconic mountain biking trail system.

• Kamloops - Performance Cycling Centre: Peripheral Tourism Infrastructure and Destination Trail Development for Kamloops. Creation of 3 new parking lots, garbage and washroom facilities, wayfinding signage, and information kiosks at key mountain biking trail systems.

• Salmon Arm Economic Development Society - Salmon Arm Destination Development: Recovery, Resiliency, Rejuvenation: This project includes 3 tactics: Community Signage; Interactive Visitor Kiosk; Mobile Visitor Outreach

• Tourism Kamloops - Bold Visitor Services & Engagement Strategy: Install 10 interactive, digital kiosks at high-traffic, visitor touch points;

Learn More →

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Background

In February 2021, the Province provided $20 million for 54 projects specifically for tourism through the first round of CERIP. The second investment of $21.3 million in 2022 doubles this, providing a total of $41.3 million for the tourism ecosystem for more than 100 projects.

The Province is investing an additional $30 million over the next two years to continue investing in tourism infrastructure throughout the province. By helping communities enhance tourism experiences, B.C. will increase its ability to compete as a premium destination.

DBC Launches "Snapshot of BC Travel" Dashboard

Destination BC now summarizes weekly travel indicators in B.C. in a new interactive dashboard, revamping the “Snapshot of BC Travel” one page report. Key insights are available on a weekly basis and performance is captured in the following areas:

• Domestic overnight visitation to BC and the six tourism regions using mobility data;

• Hotel occupancy, ADR, and RevPar for BC and select BC communities from STR;

• Air capacity and air bookings to BC using ForwardKeys data;

The dashboard enables the user to access detailed views of each data source by clicking on the report headers from the summary view. The dashboard is updated every Monday.

View Dashboard →

The Backcountry Lodges of BC Association "Mountain Escapes" Podcast

Mountain Escapes is a podcast that aims to connect backcountry enthusiasts with the owners and operators of the Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) member lodges throughout B.C. In each episode they highlight a unique lodge through conversation with an owner. They also feature guest appearances by other influential backcountry enthusiasts and industry experts.

Host Brad Harrison has worked and adventured in remote settings most of his life. He’s owned and operated lodges, operated mountaineering camps and provided avalanche courses. He is the Executive Director of the Backcountry Lodges of BC Association.

In the latest episode, Brad talks to the owners/operators/guides of Mt. Assiniboine Lodge, Andre Renner and Claude Duchesne.

Listen to Podcast →

TikTok Vs Reels: Everything Hotel Marketers Need to Know

Social media app TikTok recently topped Google as the world’s most visited website. That impressive feat also cements TikTok as a top channel for hotel marketers. It’s simply no longer possible to ignore the reach and impact of this platform.

The growing popularity of TikTok’s short format videos has also led to copycats from competitors. The biggest is Reels, Instagram’s answer to TikTok. Both platforms feature short videos that offer a light-hearted way to inject fun into a hotels’ social strategy.

With both TikTok and Reels capturing outsized attention among social media users, check out this comparison article to learn to fully leverage both of these popular platforms in your hotel marketing strategy.

Learn More →

Hotel Footprinting a Free Online Resource for Hotels

About Hotel Footprinting

Hotel Footprinting is designed to help hotels to benchmark their footprint with other sample hotels in their region and market using real data supplied by the industry.

The tool offers two functions:

• Benchmarking: shows the carbon and energy footprint data for an example hotel across different market segments in different geographies. Includes comparison data per occupied room and per square metre of meeting room space.

• Footprinting: allows hotels to generate carbon footprint reports for hotel stays and meetings based on hotel capacity and location. These can be completed for single or multiple properties and support with corporate reporting.

The tool is available at hotelfootprints.org.

Who is it for?

Hotel Footprinting is designed to be used for free by any hotel anywhere in the world (where data is available). It applies to individual hotels or multiple properties.

The tool can support hotels to:

• benchmark their carbon emissions and energy usage

• prepare corporate reports for hotel companies or corporate client requests

• assist customers in their booking decisions

How was it created?

Hotel Footprinting was created in collaboration with Greenview. The dataset for benchmarking comes from the Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Tool (CHSB). Hotel Footprinting uses the methodology from our Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI).

Research Study: Access and Equity for LGBTQ2S+ Businesses in Canada

CGLCC, in partnership with the Diversity Institute at Ryerson University, is conducting a research study to explore LGBTQ2S+ business ownership in Canada, including trends and support needs of these organizations, as well as both economic and social challenges faced by LGBTQ2S+ entrepreneurs.

Participant Eligibility Criteria:

Participants must self-identify as LGBTQ2S+ and must be a founder or owner of a business that operates in Canada. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. 30 participants will be asked to participate.

Learn More & Get Involved →