Indigenous Tourism BC COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Indigenous Tourism BC Response

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone. Collectively, we follow the direction of health authorities to focus on the health and safety of our staff, families and communities. We continue to share and spread the message to stay home and social distance so we can slow the spread of COVID-19 in BC.

Connecting with Stakeholders to Learn Impacts 

Our relationship with Stakeholders, who are the Indigenous tourism businesses that are members with Indigenous Tourism BC, is crucial. We have been working hard to learn the impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous tourism businesses. Since March 2020, we have been:

• connecting one-on-one through phone and email
• conducting ongoing surveys to gather consistent data
• sharing relevant resources through our enewsletter and social media
• hosting weekly Stakeholder Calls and inviting guest speakers to share important COVID-19 business information
• updating a COVID-19 business resource page on our corporate website to share information specific to Indigenous tourism businesses.
• inviting Indigenous tourism businesses to reach out to us through email at [email protected] with questions and concerns
• launching the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Program to support Stakeholders with immediate, short-term needs

We continue to reach out and invite Indigenous tourism business to join as Stakeholders to ensure they are included in all aspects of COVID-19 support and recovery.

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Working with Partners for Recovery

Indigenous Tourism BC has been working with partners within BC and across Canada to share what we have learned about the impacts of COVID-19 and to support collaborative efforts to manage the uncertainty and financial loss of Indigenous tourism businesses during this crisis.

At this point, we understand from our Stakeholders that more support is required to survive post-COVID-19. For Indigenous Tourism BC, partnership and collaboration with our Indigenous, Federal, Provincial, tourism and health organizations will be imperative. Our goal is to share what we are learning about the impact to Indigenous tourism business, and work with partners as we move into the recovery phase.

ITBC has been in consistent communication with

• BC Assembly of First Nation
• First Nations Leadership Council
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Western Economic Diversification
• Lisa Beare, Ministry for  Tourism, Arts & Culture
• Destination BC
• Tourism Industry Association of Canada
• Tourism Emergency Management Committee
• The regional Destination Marketing Organizations,
• Aboriginal Financial Institutions and,
• following and sharing information from Health Canada, BC Public Health Authority and First Nations Health Authority.

COVID-19 Summary of Impact to Indigenous Tourism Business

We are still learning the impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous tourism businesses and, as tourism businesses in BC, including gas stations, accommodations, resorts, RV parks and campgrounds, transportation services, outdoor adventures, retail stores and gift shops, festivals and major events, artist studios, restaurants and culinary operations, outdoor adventures, golf, heritage sites, museums, and cultural centres.

Indigenous Tourism BC works with 125 Market Ready Stakeholders and the majority are small to medium sized enterprises. They are sole proprietorships, family owned partnerships, limited partnerships, corporations and community-owned businesses. Half of these businesses operate year-round, and half of them operate on a seasonal basis from May to October.

Impact to Stakeholders:

• 91% of the Indigenous Tourism BC Stakeholder’s have had to close or operate in a limited capacity
• 74% of businesses have had to lay off employees
• The Indigenous tourism industry is made up of Small to Medium size businesses that range from 2 employees to 275 employees
• 48% Seasonal Businesses (May 1 – October 1)
• 52% Year-Round Operations

Indigenous Tourism BC is reviewing the gaps that Stakeholders are experiencing with financial relief dollars that are now available, and also tracking short and long term needs that will be required for full business recovery.

Indigenous Tourism BC Marketing Plan 

Indigenous Tourism BC is planning a significant recovery campaign, in line with Destination BC, our provincial tourism partner and with the Province of BCs Re-Start Plan.

This campaign focuses on three phases Response > Recovery > Resilience.  We slowly move into the Recovery Phase and will promote a hyper-local campaign, encouraging locals to travel near-home. This campaign will accompany a Travel Responsible message, following Destination BCs Know Before You go message.

To take advantage of Indigenous Tourism BCs recovery and marketing plans, we urge Indigenous tourism businesses to join us as Stakeholders, participate in our COVID-19 Surveys and be a part of our weekly Stakeholder Calls. The next Stakeholder Call is scheduled July 8, 2020 at 10am.

COVID-19 Business Recovery Recommendations

As the BC economy begins to slowly re-open, Indigenous Tourism BC recommends three important steps:

1. Update your TripAdvisor and Google listings so customers know if you are open or closed for the season
2. Share your COVID-19 health and safety measures to build confidence with their customers and,
3. Reach out to local Indigenous communities, local destination marketing organizations and other tourism partners to help inform your business and marketing plans.

COVID-19 Business Re-Opening

As business in BC begins a gradual re-open, we need to remember the priority is the health and safety of our communities. The Province of BC has announced a phased approach in the BC Restart Plan.

First Phase

Essential business only and limited travel within your community.

Second Phase Mid-May 2020

Restaurants, retail stores, gift shops, museums, salons, spas, parks and beaches are able to open with proper safety measures. It is critical that safety measures are in place to continue protecting our families and communities.

Third Phase June 2020

Hotels, Resorts, Parks and some overnight campgrounds are able to open June 1, 2020.

Connect with Indigenous Governments

Many Indigenous governments across BC have implemented travel restrictions within their communities. If you operate business on-reserve, check in with local Indigenous governments to learn about their travel restrictions and share your business operations with them, especially as it relates to safety and sanitation measures.

Best Practices Guidelines for Indigenous Tourism Businesses

As we take the first steps to re-open, Indigenous Tourism BC is creating a Best Practices Guidelines for the Indigenous Tourism sector that follows the directives of the Public Health Office, First Nations Health Authority, and WorkSafe BC.

Sector Specific Guidelines

WorkSafe BC has COVID-19 safety information for the hospitality sector, the retail sector and the arts and cultural facilities that will be helpful for Indigenous tourism businesses. There is also a general Guide to Reducing Risk in the Workplace.

It is critical to continue following guidelines from the Public Health Office and First Nations Health Authority to keep yourself, your customers and your employees safe.

Indigenous Tourism BC COVID-19 Response

At this time, Indigenous Tourism BC is supporting the Indigenous tourism industry through the following actions to manage the uncertainty and financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Indigenous Tourism Emergency Contingency Fund to assist Indigenous tourism Market Ready and Export Ready businesses to deal with the immediate impact of COVID-19 on their operations and to help operators to survive this extended period of uncertainty and loss.
• Request Special One-Time Incremental Funding to boost marketing in key source international markets, as well as a Provincial Indigenous tourism campaign targeting the domestic market by promoting staycations.
• Shift the 2020/2021 Action Plan to address the COVID-19 crisis
• Collaborate and Coordinate with Key Partners to support Stakeholders through the COVID-19 pandemic.