Resources for the Tourism and Travel Industry
Tourism is a key economic driver for the PNWER region, averaging $71.4 billion per year in visitor spending. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly disrupted the tourism industry and highlighted the value of cross-border travel to the region.
During PNWER's 2023 Annual Summit in Boise, Idaho, the PNWER Tourism Working Group proposed the formation of a Regional Tourism Council. The Working Group asserted that more bilateral coordination between industry and government will enhance regional destination competitiveness, sustainability, and resiliency. Given that Tourism is a broad-ranging sector that reaches across cultural and socio-economic groups, the Working Group framed this approach as an economic development and destination management strategy, designed to inclusively build prosperity for the entire PNWER region. Recognizing that Tourism is a key economic driver for the Pacific Northwest United States and Western Canada, the PNWER Executive Board approved the formation of the Regional Tourism Council (RTC) to promote bilateral coordination between the U.S. and Canada and to facilitate timely dialogue and collaboration between industry and government.
While it is clear that the PNWER region has evolved into a world-class tourism destination, our regional tourism economy has both challenges and competitive advantages that would be better managed with coordinated regional tourism governance, under a framework of bilateral destination management. With COVID lessons learned, industry and government now have the opportunity to collaborate on the challenges of workforce, sustainable tourism dispersion throughout our vast geography, management of the complexity of tourism transportation, mitigation of the impacts of tourism on the climate, and contributions to the efficient operation of our international border.
For more information on the Regional Tourism Council Business Case, click here.
Check out the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboards below created in partnership with Destination Greater Victoria.
During PNWER's 2023 Annual Summit in Boise, Idaho, the PNWER Tourism Working Group proposed the formation of a Regional Tourism Council. The Working Group asserted that more bilateral coordination between industry and government will enhance regional destination competitiveness, sustainability, and resiliency. Given that Tourism is a broad-ranging sector that reaches across cultural and socio-economic groups, the Working Group framed this approach as an economic development and destination management strategy, designed to inclusively build prosperity for the entire PNWER region. Recognizing that Tourism is a key economic driver for the Pacific Northwest United States and Western Canada, the PNWER Executive Board approved the formation of the Regional Tourism Council (RTC) to promote bilateral coordination between the U.S. and Canada and to facilitate timely dialogue and collaboration between industry and government.
While it is clear that the PNWER region has evolved into a world-class tourism destination, our regional tourism economy has both challenges and competitive advantages that would be better managed with coordinated regional tourism governance, under a framework of bilateral destination management. With COVID lessons learned, industry and government now have the opportunity to collaborate on the challenges of workforce, sustainable tourism dispersion throughout our vast geography, management of the complexity of tourism transportation, mitigation of the impacts of tourism on the climate, and contributions to the efficient operation of our international border.
For more information on the Regional Tourism Council Business Case, click here.
Check out the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboards below created in partnership with Destination Greater Victoria.
Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard-Updated July 2023
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard-Updated July 2022
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard-Updated June 2020
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Click on the image above to read the PNWER COVID-19 Impacts Summary-Updated June 2020
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard-Updated 2019
Alaska
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Industry
Alaska Travel Industry Association-Alaska's leading statewide nonprofit membership organization for the Alaska travel industry Tourism Economic Impacts Survey-Alaska Travel Industry Association-Complete by August 5, 2020 Reopen Alaska Responsibly- Phased Reopening Plan |
Tourist/Traveler
Travel Alaska-Official State of Alaska Vacation and Travel Information COVID-19 Traveler Information-Information, health mandates, and advisories for anyone traveling to Alaska from the lower 48 and international destinations Traveling into Alaska?-Graphic from Alaska Department of Health and Social Services |
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Social Media/Marketing
Travel Alaska: Alaska Travel Industry Association:
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News
Alaska requiring negative virus tests for nonresident travel-Seattle Times--July 29, 2020 Clarification on 5-Day Testing Protocol for Travelers to Alaska-Alaska Travel Industry Association--June 10, 2020 |
Alberta
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Industry
Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism Travel Alberta Industry Hub Industry Partner Toolkit-Travel Alberta COVID-19 Resources Indigenous Tourism Alberta-Post COVID-19 Re-opening: General Tips and Best Practices Alberta's Relaunch Strategy-Safely staged COVID-19 recovery plan |
Tourist/Traveler
Travel Alberta-Official Website of Travel Alberta Indigenous Tourism Alberta-Non-profit organization devoted to help grow and promote authentic, sustainable, and culturally rich Indigenous tourism experiences |
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Social Media/Marketing
Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism: Travel Alberta:
Indigenous Tourism Alberta:
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News
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British Columbia
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Industry
Destination British Columbia Resources for Tourism Businesses-Destination BC Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia COVID-19 Updates-Tourism Industry Association of BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture BC's Restart Plan-Series of steps for reopening |
Tourist/Traveler
Super, Natural British Columbia-Official Travel and Tourism Information from Destination British Columbia Indigenous Tourism Association of BC- Non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry |
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Social Media/Marketing
Destination British Columbia: Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia
Indigenous Tourism Association of BC
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News
Victoria's restaurant scene bounces back with weekend lunch services and more- The Globe and Mail--September 2, 2020 |
Idaho
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Industry
Idaho Department of Commerce-Tourism Resources including COVID-19 resources, tourism research, and grant program COVID-19 Travel Industry Resources- ID Department of Commerce Toolkit Idaho Rebounds: Our Path to Prosperity- Stages of Reopening |
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Social Media/Marketing
Visit Idaho: |
News
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Montana
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Industry
Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development Guidance for Montana's tourism industry partners-Responding to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)- MT Office of Tourism and Business Development Recovery Dashboard-Gallatin, Madison, & Park County Areas- Dashboard broken down by sector. Tourism data can be found halfway down the page. Montana: Reopening the Big Sky- Phased Approach |
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Social Media/Marketing
Visit Montana: |
News
Montana’s Community Snapshot Testing Initiative: An Invitation to Businesses to Partner in an Early Warning System for Tourism and Gateway Communities- Montana Associated Technology Roundtables--June 11, 2020 |
Northwest Territories
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Social Media/Marketing
Spectacular Northwest Territories: |
News
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Oregon
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Social Media/Marketing
Travel Oregon: |
News
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Since mid-March, Travel Oregon has shifted its focus, redirecting programming to provide support to the tourism economy through the COVID-19 pandemic, which have included the following actions:
As counties across the state enter Phase 2, we are seeing travel slowly begin to increase– residents are venturing out, and out-of-state visitors are returning. Over the past few weeks, we have seen hotel occupancy increase – especially in counties in Phase 1 and Phase 2. As counties begin to welcome visitors back, our communication and marketing focus will begin to inspire Oregonians to explore their state and to help visitor and tourism-related businesses navigate the “new normal”.
In general, travel is commensurate to what is open within the county. It becomes more flexible as more activities / businesses begin to open. In Phase 2 counties, where restrictions are easing, residents and visitors need information on how to visit these businesses and tourism-related activities safely. Travel Oregon has created resources including FAQs around reopening that are available for you to share with businesses in your community.
To drive statewide economic impact, we are developing a recovery marketing campaign that speaks directly to Oregonians and drives them to our website and social channels where we will have information about best travel practices during Phase 2 and compelling content tied directly to local business and lodging. This campaign is based on our shared experience that in times of crisis, people come together. Oregonians have a general desire to lift one another up. We plan to launch on Monday July 6 to drive in-state travel throughout the summer. We will share updates and materials through the Regional Destination Management Organizations and our industry e-newsletter.
Breaking down the resources by links:
- COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant - Providing over $800,0000 in grants to over 120 tourism businesses across the state. In total, 332 applications were submitted with 121 awarded in 30 Oregon counties. More than 90% of the funds are awarded to businesses in Oregon communities with fewer than 35,000 residents and more than 70% of the funds are dedicated to cover some portion of payroll expenses.
- Developed resources for hospitality businesses including an online toolkit, weekly newsletter, weekly travel data reports and led a business impact survey with Business Oregon and Small Business Development Centers.
- Early on, Travel Oregon focused our communication and marketing work towards supporting the Governor’s statewide message of first staying home and second staying local. We also worked with partners like Oregon State Parks on developing consumer-facing responsible recreation messaging as public lands began to reopen.
As counties across the state enter Phase 2, we are seeing travel slowly begin to increase– residents are venturing out, and out-of-state visitors are returning. Over the past few weeks, we have seen hotel occupancy increase – especially in counties in Phase 1 and Phase 2. As counties begin to welcome visitors back, our communication and marketing focus will begin to inspire Oregonians to explore their state and to help visitor and tourism-related businesses navigate the “new normal”.
In general, travel is commensurate to what is open within the county. It becomes more flexible as more activities / businesses begin to open. In Phase 2 counties, where restrictions are easing, residents and visitors need information on how to visit these businesses and tourism-related activities safely. Travel Oregon has created resources including FAQs around reopening that are available for you to share with businesses in your community.
To drive statewide economic impact, we are developing a recovery marketing campaign that speaks directly to Oregonians and drives them to our website and social channels where we will have information about best travel practices during Phase 2 and compelling content tied directly to local business and lodging. This campaign is based on our shared experience that in times of crisis, people come together. Oregonians have a general desire to lift one another up. We plan to launch on Monday July 6 to drive in-state travel throughout the summer. We will share updates and materials through the Regional Destination Management Organizations and our industry e-newsletter.
Breaking down the resources by links:
- Social Media Tiles: consumer-facing responsible recreation messaging
- Business impact survey
- Online resource toolkit
- Weekly newsletter
- Weekly travel data reports
- COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant - Providing over $800,0000 in grants to tourism businesses
- Consumer resources
Saskatchewan
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Industry
Tourism Saskatchewan Canada-Industry Website Coronavirus Information-Tourism Saskatchewan--Industry Ministry of Parks, Culture, and Sport Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan-Methodical and Phased-in Approach |
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Social Media/Marketing
Tourism Saskatchewan: |
News
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Washington
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Industry
Washington Tourism Alliance COVID-19 Links and Updates- Washington Tourism Alliance Safe Start Washington-Plans and Guidance for Reopening WEBINAR: Executive Speaker Series: Road to Recovery-Tourism-Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce--August 5, 2020 |
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Social Media/Marketing
Experience Washington: |
News
New data show it's still a mighty struggle for Seattle-area hotels-Puget Sound Business Journal--September 23, 2020 Newly Released State Tourism Statistics Mark Stunning Decline from Coronavirus Between 2019 and 2020- Washington Tourism Alliance--June 2, 2020 |
Yukon
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Tourist/Traveler
Travel Yukon-Official Yukon Tourism Website COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update-Travel Information from Travel Yukon |
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Social Media/Marketing
Travel Yukon: |
News
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Additional Resources
Council Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART)-International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Task Force aimed at providing practical, aligned guidance to governments and industry operators in order to restart the international air transport sector and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 on a coordinated global basis.
News
Regional Tourism Task Force
Action Items & Key Findings:
PNWER Regional Tourism Task Force: Briefing from the Cruise Industry- July 17, 2020
Watch the Briefing Here
View Presentation Slides Here
Watch the Briefing Here
View Presentation Slides Here