Tourism

(Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)

OP-ED: 1 year into pandemic, B.C.’s tourism sector hopes for a light at the end of the tunnel

Only about 17 per cent of businesses have been operating as usual in B.C.

  • Feb 26, 2021

 

The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) sent out a sharply worded release late last week, in which it noted that the Tourism Industry Association of BC recently obtained a ‘legal opinion’ on the matter (Alex Passini photo)

Hotel associations push back against any potential ban on inter-provincial, non-essential travel restrictions

B.C. Premier John Horgan is seeking legal advice on banning non-essential travel

 

Tourism Langley Christmas December 2020 gift boxes were a sold-out success, the agency reported (file)

Tourism Langley gift boxes were a hit

Following sellout, there are plans to do more this year

 

(Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)

B.C. tourism industry welcomes relief funding, but some businesses still need reprieve

Until travel restrictions lift, the tourism industry will still face continued struggle, industry says

  • Dec 24, 2020
(Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)
A trail along Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, southeast of Kelowna. Photo: Tourism BC

OPINION: Hoping for broader support and better days ahead for tourism sector

Now as we turn the page on 2020, there is room for optimism

  • Dec 22, 2020
A trail along Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, southeast of Kelowna. Photo: Tourism BC
A box stuffed with goodies that supports local businesses and also helps charity is being offered by Tourism Langley, which annoumnced the offer on Dec. 3, 2020 (Special to Langley Advance Times)

A good deal and a good deed offered by Tourism Langley

Gift box revenues will support local businesses and the Langley Christmas Bureau

A box stuffed with goodies that supports local businesses and also helps charity is being offered by Tourism Langley, which annoumnced the offer on Dec. 3, 2020 (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Susie Grynol, president of the Hotel Association of Canada, speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 30, 2018. The tourism industry was generally pleased this week about news that Ottawa would offer relief for the struggling sector, with the exception of Canada’s major airlines, which are still waiting for more targeted aid. “The industry was at a breaking point, and there were some very important measures in the Fall Economic Statement yesterday that will provide a deeper level of support for this industry,” said Susie Grynol, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Tourism industry has mixed reaction to government aid measures

The government’s plan included specific measures for airports, such as rent relief

Susie Grynol, president of the Hotel Association of Canada, speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 30, 2018. The tourism industry was generally pleased this week about news that Ottawa would offer relief for the struggling sector, with the exception of Canada’s major airlines, which are still waiting for more targeted aid. “The industry was at a breaking point, and there were some very important measures in the Fall Economic Statement yesterday that will provide a deeper level of support for this industry,” said Susie Grynol, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Organizers of the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival have decided to end the event after more than 20 years. (Bob Friesen File Photo)

Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival is now self-guided tour

Photographers, birdwatchers quietly observe area eagles

Organizers of the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival have decided to end the event after more than 20 years. (Bob Friesen File Photo)
What do you see looking at this photo of Dan Sawatzky (back) and his son Peter (foreground)? Visual tricks will be hidden everywhere at the Hazelnut Inn, including the stone elephant’s head to the right that you may not have noticed at first glance. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)

Hazelnut Inn bringing themed hotel magic to Yarrow

A unique project by ImaginationCorporation.com will include three immersive story-themed suites

What do you see looking at this photo of Dan Sawatzky (back) and his son Peter (foreground)? Visual tricks will be hidden everywhere at the Hazelnut Inn, including the stone elephant’s head to the right that you may not have noticed at first glance. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)
Kennedy Lake is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, but more resources are needed to make sure those visiting the area are respecting their surroundings. (Westerly file photo)

Tofino-area First Nation considering closing doors to visitors again

Swamped with tourists, scared of COVID-19, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation says more support needed

Kennedy Lake is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, but more resources are needed to make sure those visiting the area are respecting their surroundings. (Westerly file photo)
Carver Ryan Villiers puts finishing touches on the lifelike chainsaw carving of John J. Rambo (played by Sylvester Stallone) before it was installed at Hope’s Memorial Park Aug. 14, 2020. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)

Sylvester Stallone gives shout-out to new Rambo chainsaw carving in Hope, B.C.

Sylvester Stallone, the star behind John J. Rambo, “very proud” of newly installed red cedar work

Carver Ryan Villiers puts finishing touches on the lifelike chainsaw carving of John J. Rambo (played by Sylvester Stallone) before it was installed at Hope’s Memorial Park Aug. 14, 2020. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)
Hesquiaht Harbour. (Hesquiaht First Nation)

Visitors and non-residents entering closed remote B.C. First Nation’s territories

With limited resources, they say they don’t have any authority or power to enforce the closures

  • Aug 6, 2020
Hesquiaht Harbour. (Hesquiaht First Nation)
A young visitor takes a look around Driediger Farm, one of many attractions Tourism Langley is promoting with a six-week marketing campaign called #LangleyFresh to encourage close-to-home visitors. It was announced Tuesday, July 28. (Tourism Langley photo)

VIDEO: Tourism Langley launches #LangleyFresh campaign to encourage close-to-home visitors

Theme is ‘reconnect and refresh’

A young visitor takes a look around Driediger Farm, one of many attractions Tourism Langley is promoting with a six-week marketing campaign called #LangleyFresh to encourage close-to-home visitors. It was announced Tuesday, July 28. (Tourism Langley photo)
Fort Langley National Historic Site. (Langley Advance Times files)

Interpreters and historic building access offered again at Fort Langley National Historic Site

Parks Canada attraction had been closed since mid-March due to coronavirus pandemic

Fort Langley National Historic Site. (Langley Advance Times files)
Visitors Center along Hwy 5 to the town of Valemount, B.C., with the Cariboo Mountain range in background. (Village of Valemount/Wikimedia Commons)

Northern communities welcome tourists as province opens to in-B.C. travellers

Officials have asked British Columbians to be careful as they travel this summer

  • Jul 6, 2020
Visitors Center along Hwy 5 to the town of Valemount, B.C., with the Cariboo Mountain range in background. (Village of Valemount/Wikimedia Commons)
B.C. accommodators need phone lines to light up as in-province travel given green light

B.C. accommodators need phone lines to light up as in-province travel given green light

Travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have decimated the tourism and hospitality industries

  • Jul 5, 2020
B.C. accommodators need phone lines to light up as in-province travel given green light
B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks about economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic at the B.C. legislature, June 17, 2020. (B.C. government)

B.C. Liberals criticize Horgan’s economic recovery plan for excluding tourism sector representation

The Economic Recovery Task Force began meeting weekly on conference calls in April

B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks about economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic at the B.C. legislature, June 17, 2020. (B.C. government)
Langley Chamber to host virtual town hall on local tourism industry

Langley Chamber to host virtual town hall on local tourism industry

Anyone is welcome to join through Zoom on Monday, June 29, to hear panel of tourism professionals

Langley Chamber to host virtual town hall on local tourism industry
The original Bedrock City in Bridal Falls, outside of Chilliwack. (Youtube image)

VIDEO: YouTube series explores Dinotown history

Theme park opened in 1975 and used dinosaurs from Maple Ridge attraction

The original Bedrock City in Bridal Falls, outside of Chilliwack. (Youtube image)
Arnold Tobler (left) is the owner and Jack Bensley (right) is the head brewer of Farm Country Brewing. (Langley Advance Times files)

Local craft breweries coming together to promote ‘Langley Loop’ tourism initiative

Brewers to appear as guests on Just Here For The Beer Radio, a radio program through TSN 1040

Arnold Tobler (left) is the owner and Jack Bensley (right) is the head brewer of Farm Country Brewing. (Langley Advance Times files)