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Tourism Resource Roundup | Connect, Restart & Build Forward With B.C.'s Support Network

Webinar Recording

To view a specific panelist, begin the video and select the “chapter” from the video play time bar.

As we approach the next steps of the BC Restart Plan and begin to welcome visitors back in British Columbia, the BC Tourism Resiliency Network is brought together a panel of tourism industry organizations to help industry leverage key resources towards resiliency.

Five B.C. tourism support organizations shared insights, opportunities, and other supports available for B.C. tourism businesses. Here are presentation summaries, slide decks, and the webinar recording for your reference:

Symphony Tourism Services

Symphony Tourism Services, a subsidiary of TOTA, provides research, marketing, and consulting services to businesses, communities, consortiums, government, events, and regional destination marketing organizations.

Managing Director Kelly Galaski shared:

  • Reports on changes in visitation to BC and travel sentiments

  • B.C. Visitor Origins and Market Segments

  • Research Resources provided by the BC Tourism Resiliency Network for each region

  • How to access custom research to better understand your visitors

View Slides

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BC Hotel Association (BCHA)

The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) works with government and regulatory authorities to help the hotel industry thrive.

President & CEO Ingrid Jarrett presented:

  • State of the industry by region

  • Advocacy efforts at the community, provincial, and federal level

  • Forecast for Canadian tourism recovery

  • Hospitality benchmarking through STR Reports

  • EcoFund eco efficiency funding program

  • FoodBuy monthly rebate cheques

  • Check In Canada listing for BC Accommodation providers

  • BC Restart Toolkit

View Slides

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Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC)

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is a non-profit, stakeholder-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry.

Samantha Rullin, Stakeholder and Marketing Coordinator, shared:

  • Overview of Indigenous tourism in B.C.

  • How to collaborate with ITBC

  • ITBC Tourism Roadmap

  • Considerations when working with Indigenous communities

  • Indigenous BC Trip Planner app to find nearby Indigenous experiences

View Slides

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go2HR

As the HR and health & safety association for the BC tourism and hospitality industry, go2HR exists to drive strong workforces and safe workplaces that deliver world-class tourism and hospitality experiences in BC.

Ginger Brunner, Senior HR Specialist, presented on:

  • COVID-19 & BC tourism labour challenges

  • HR Resources, Support & Consulting

  • go2HR Job Board

  • COVID-19 Safety Plan Reviews

  • BSAFE Training

  • BC Tourism & Hospitality LMI Research Project

  • SAFE Spaces Sexual Harassment Initiative

  • Workplace Mental Health Initiative

 View Slides

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Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna is part of a network of more than 80 CMHA branches that promote mental health for all, working to support the resiliency and recovery of people experiencing mental illness, including workplace challenges.

Aaryn Secker, Associate Director, Education & Health Promotion shared:

  • Key learnings from the pandemic for tourism employees

  • Challenges and opportunities to improve workplace mental health

  • BC's Hub for Hospitality & Tourism Workplace Mental Health

  • Workplace CARE Certification for tourism & hospitality employees, team leads, and HR professionals

View Slides

These organizations offer various supports to help tourism companies be successful in this time of uncertainty. This webinar will help tourism business managers to understand B.C. visitor trends and prepare for the coming season.


About the Organizations

Kelly Galaski, Managing Director

Symphony Tourism Services, a subsidiary of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, provides research, marketing, and consulting services to businesses, communities, regional consortiums, local and regional government, festivals & events, and regional destination marketing organizations.

View Slides


Ingrid Jarrett, President & CEO

The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) works with federal, provincial, and community government and regulatory authorities to ensure a positive operating environment for the hotel industry to thrive, particularly during economically challenging times. The BCHA advocates for hotel related issues, including taxation, tourism, marketing, corporate relations, labour, and consumer services.

View Slides


Samantha Rullin, Stakeholder and Marketing Coordinator

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is a non-profit, stakeholder-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry. ITBC works closely with tourism, business, education, and government organizations to help Indigenous tourism businesses in BC offer quality experiences and actively promotes these experiences to visitors and local residents.

View Slides


Ginger Brunner, Senior HR Specialist

As the HR and health & safety association for the BC tourism and hospitality industry, go2HR exists to drive strong workforces and safe workplaces that deliver world-class tourism and hospitality experiences in BC. They work closely with industry employers and other key stakeholders to provide support in the areas of Human Resources, employee training & industry labour market research & strategy. Programs and supports include BSAFE – Be Safety Assured For Everyone training, COVID-19 Safety Plan Reviews, the BC Tourism Job Board, mental health initiatives in partnership with the CMHA, regional HR support for Vancouver Coast & Mountains, sexual harassment education and training, and labour market information initiatives.

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Aaryn Secker, Associate Director, Education & Health Promotion

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna is part of a network of more than 80 CMHA branches that work to promote mental health for all, working to support the resiliency and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

CMHA has launched a virtual workplace mental health hub and upcoming employee and employer training, through a provincial project in partnership with BCHA, go2HR, ITBC, and industry stakeholders.

View Slides