January 11, 2024

Business Insights

From January 15 to 21, our CRM shows three events on the books, along with one additional conference at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The forecast for next week notes an increase in hotel bookings compared to the current week, as well as an increase in domestic air arrivals.

Destination Vancouver Events

On January 9, DOVF unveiled this year's participants – a whopping 380+ restaurants – and opened up reservations. Running over 19 days from January 17 to February 4, Dine Out continues to be one of Canada’s premier culinary festivals.

And Dine Out offers more than a table at a restaurant you’ve been eager to try. You can also choose from 34 unique events spanning sea foraging, brunch crawls, culinary tours, and the iconic 12th annual Street Food City happening from January 20 to January 28.

Dine Out is also hosting four MICHELIN Guide-recognized culinary teams as part of our 8th annual Vancouver World Chef Exchange.

In addition, our friends at the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association are offering an enticing deal: a $75 prepaid gift card for each night booked (up to 3 nights).

If you’re coming from farther afield, Air Canada is providing a 15% discount on the first 1000 new flight bookings to Vancouver from anywhere in Canada and the US during Dine Out.

Reserve your table or book your event. Happy Dine Out!

Opportunities for Members

Member Services Review (MSR): survey coming on January 15  

As part of the MSR, a survey will be arriving in your inbox on January 15 seeking your thoughts on how Destination Vancouver should evolve to best support the tourism sector and your business. This is an essential part of the input that Resonance will draw on for the final recommendations.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the engagement process so far. We’ve received valuable input from across ‘Team Vancouver’ including from community partners, our members, local tourism businesses, members of the Indigenous community, and interested members of the public.

We understand how often you’re asked for feedback but hope you’ll take part. Look out for an email next week from Lucas Pavan, our Membership Manager.

Help improve destinationvancouver.com  

As part of Destination Vancouver’s ongoing digital transformation, a major redesign of our website is currently underway. We’re looking for volunteers to test the new site navigation to make sure it is as intuitive and user-friendly as possible. The UX testing is online, quick, and easy.

Member News

Congratulations to Carol Lee, C.M., O.B.C. 

A shoutout to Carol Lee, one of our most inspiring citizens and Chinatown’s greatest cheerleader, on her appointment to the Order of Canada for “her transformational leadership and business acumen, and for her commitment to the revitalization of Vancouver’s Chinatown.”

The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest honours. It recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to our nation. Destination Vancouver is incredibly proud to have Carol as a member, as well as a partner and a friend.

Prince of Whales Achieves Biosphere Certification 

Prince of Whales has announced that their Vancouver, Victoria and Telegraph Cove locations have all received Biosphere Certification from the Responsible Tourism Institute.

This international sustainability certification reflects an organization’s dedication to environmental stewardship and commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. Learn more at https://www.biospheretourism.com/en.

Business Events & In-Market Activities

BestCities Alliance Global Forum
January 18-21, 2024 | Melbourne Australia

The annual gathering of industry thought-leaders, international associations and destinations that are members of BestCities Global Alliance. Global Forum Melbourne will explore how in-person meetings are critical to cultivating meaningful connections and purpose for meeting planners, associations and delegates.
Destination Vancouver lead: Michelle Taylor

Visit events.bestcities.net/globalforum-melbourne/

Destination Canada Business Events - Incentive Canada Winter Edition
January 21-24, 2024 | Banff & Lake Louise

Incentive Canada is one of Destination Canada’s signature events, providing opportunities to showcase Canadian destinations and create meaningful in-person connections with international incentive and corporate clients and agencies.
Destination Vancouver lead: Idy Wong

micebook EXPO 2024
January 29-30, 2024 | Convene, London UK

micebook EXPO is the flagship annual event to connect with UK and European event planners, offering education with powerful content and meaningful connections with exhibitors. This will be Destination Vancouver’s second time exhibiting at this annual event.
Destination Vancouver lead: Lois Wallis (our in-market UK rep)

Mexico Sales Mission & Client Event
February 6-8, 2024 | Mexico City

Vancouver-hosted M&C client events and sales meetings with key corporate and incentive third party agencies. 
Destination Vancouver leads: Luke Snyder and Margarita Valle (our in-market Mexico rep)

SFU Meeting, Event and Conference Services Joins MIND 

The Meetings & Conventions team is pleased to announce that SFU's Meeting, Event and Conference Services is now part of our MIND Partnership.  

This partnership with SFU reaffirms our commitment to bring together thought leaders to share knowledge and influence, promote innovation, and tell compelling stories which attract global meetings to Vancouver. Learn more about MIND at www.Mindpartnership.ca

We're Hiring!

Is someone you know looking for a career in a destination management and destination promotion organization? Destination Vancouver wants to meet dynamic, ambitious, collaborative and fun individuals to join our high performing team.

Current Positions:

• Manager, Corporate Communications
• Manager(s), Travel Media & PR
• Specialist, Travel Trade, North America