ITBC COVID-19 Advisory – Updated March 16, 5pm

Press Release

March 16, 2020

How ITBC supports the Indigenous tourism industry during COVID-19

COVID-19 is having a major impact on all our tourism partners.  ITBC alongside Destination BC, and all the other Destination Marketing Organizations in the province are in constant communication, sharing solutions on how best to support our Indigenous tourism Stakeholders during this uncertain time.

Indigenous Tourism BC, representing more than 100 market-ready Stakeholders and 204 First Nations communities, is committed to providing our partners with reliable, accurate and timely information related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We are obtaining the latest details from Provincial, Canadian and Global health authorities, and staying in close contact with related tourism organizations. We continue to participate in regular updates with Destination BC and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and a range of additional travel-related organizations.

BC Tourism Emergency Management Committee

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, the Tourism Emergency Management Committee (Indigenous Tourism BC, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, TIABC, Destination BC, BCDMO Association and Emergency Management BC) has initiated several actions to support businesses in making informed decisions amid this crisis, including:

• Working to inform government officials on the present and potential impacts of COVID-19 on BC’s visitor economy, as well as handling media interviews and monitoring/responding to social media posts
• Exploring ways to access resources or special dispensation to assist tourism operators through what is increasingly becoming a desperate time for the industry.
• Planning webinars with senior health officials (similar to the COVID-19 session at BCTIC 2020) to provide information and guidance to the industry on handling visitors, as well as to answer questions.
• Sharing information and resource kits that are currently in development by Destination BC, and Small Business BC, in partnership with Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture.

ITBC’s Response and Recovery Strategy

ITBC is taking a proactive role in supporting our Stakeholders by spearheading the development of the Response and Recovery Strategy, engaging with all levels of government to ensure the Indigenous tourism interests are both being heard and understood and to present tourism-led solutions to the Federal and Provincial Governments.

Recommendations Include:

• Indigenous Tourism Emergency Contingency Fund to help Indigenous tourism businesses deal with the immediate impact of COVID-19 on their operations and to help operators survive this extended period of uncertainty and loss
• Special one-time incremental funding for ITBC to boost marketing in key source international markets, as well as a Provincial Indigenous tourism campaign targeting the domestic market by promoting staycations

Connect with Us

ITBC is committed to advocating on behalf of the Indigenous tourism industry in BC. We urge you to connect with us.

• Join us as a Stakeholder. All fees are NOW waived during this uncertain time.
• Be informed as we adapt and change our Marketing and Experience Development tactics. Over the next weeks, ITBC will continue to reach out to our list of partners and Stakeholders to share and coordinate COVID-19 information and strategies.
• Fill out the ITAC survey so we can collectively gain insight into the challenges our Stakeholders are facing.

We are committed to maintaining dialogue. Please reach out to the ITBC leadership if you have any questions or concerns:

MARKETING AND EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Paula Amos, Chief Marketing & Development Officer at paula@indigneousbc.com

PARTNERSHIPS

Tewanee Joseph, Chief Partnership & Governance Officer at tewanee@indigenousbc.com

SPECIAL PROJECTS AND FUNDING

Henry Tso, Chief Financial Officer at henry@indigenousbc.com

ITBC encourages all Indigenous tourism businesses to visit regularly Destination BC’s up-to-date information on COVID-19.

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