B.C. tourism task force to seek input on recovery ideas

Ten business and industry leaders have been appointed to a new task force focused on helping B.C.’s tourism sector bounce back from the pandemic.

“There is no question that B.C.’s tourism businesses have suffered considerably due to COVID-19, which is why I’m so thankful that the members of this new task force have stepped up to help address the challenges head on,” Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said. “I am confident their vast expertise will be instrumental in putting tourism in B.C. back on a solid footing.”

Members of the Tourism Task Force have varied backgrounds including business, labour and the not-for-profit sector. The groups will seek innovative and creative ideas from stakeholders, experts and the public about how to help B.C.’s tourism industry recover in the short, medium and long term.

The group will also solicit input on how the industry can become more sustainable in the future. A final report will be presented to the minister by Dec. 31, 2020.

Tourism Task Force members include:

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• Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO, Vancouver International Airport (chair)
• Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC
• Brenda Baptiste, chair, Indigenous Tourism BC
• Nancy Small, chair, BC Destination Management Organization Association, Tourism Richmond
• Ingrid Jarrett, president and CEO, BC Hotel Association
• Rod Harris, adjunct professor, Royal Roads University
• Glenn Mandziuk, vice-chair, Minister’s Tourism Engagement Council, and president and CEO, ‎Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
• Richard Porgess, interim president and CEO, Destination BC
• Amy Thacker, chair, BC Tourism Regional Secretariat, and CEO, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association
• a representative from the labour sector, to be named.

The province is allocating $50 million in the Economic Recovery Plan to implement new measures that result from the Tourism Task Force’s work.

In 2018, tourism contributed over $20.5 billion in revenues to B.C.’s economy.