BC Tourism Businesses
The BC Accelerator Program is designed to help BC tourism businesses with limited experience in the travel trade gain valuable insights and connections. Participants will receive tailored export training and direct access to global travel trade specialists through a live marketplace activation. This event offers a unique opportunity to refine strategies, showcase offerings, and establish key industry relationships.
Phase 1: October 2026
Virtual Education & Training
Become Export READI™
TIAC’s Export READI designation is quickly becoming the national benchmark for market readiness in Canada’s tourism sector. It signifies international Buyers, with confidence, that your business has the export-ready knowledge, systems, and service standards to deliver a reliable international travel experience — from trade-ready pricing and distribution practices to cultural and market fluency. In short, READI is your signal to the world that you’re not just open for business, but ready for it: a mark of credibility that strengthens Buyer trust, elevates British Columbia and Canada’s reputation globally, and gives your business a competitive edge in international markets.
Virtual Sessions
A structured learning experience combining online modules, virtual sessions, and mentorship is being offered to select businesses. The virtual training sessions are scheduled over the course of four continuous mornings and attendees are encouraged to attend all sessions. Participation per business is for one associate.
| Dates: | Monday, October 26 through Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| Time: | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM PST daily. Total estimated instructional time: 16 hours (including breaks) |
| Location: | Online (Please note the sessions will not be recorded.) |
| Daily Assignments: | Participants will be asked to complete daily homework assignments (approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour) after the online sessions. |
Cost of Participation
As a Destination British Columbia-funded initiative, the majority of the costs for the training program will be covered by Destination BC. Sellers will be asked to register and pay a participation fee through Alternative Sales Strategy of $300 CAD plus taxes to ensure their commitment to the virtual training program.
Registration: The following steps are required to participate in the BC Accelerator Program:
- Fill out Expression of Interest Form by end of day, August 13, 2026. Destination BC will notify applicants of their selection status.
- Official Registration to the virtual training is now opened to approved businesses through the registration link above. All interested participants must register by 11:59:00 pm PST, Thursday, September 17, 2026. Final registration payment must be received by September 30, 2026.
Curriculum
The October 2026 virtual TIAC Export READI™ Training Program will support participating businesses in:
- Understanding the international travel trade ecosystem
- Building export readiness capabilities
- Developing travel trade ready products and pricing structures
- Increasing international market awareness and market targeting
- Creating effective travel trade sales and marketing materials
- Improving travel trade lead generation and partnership development
- Learning how to measure travel trade ROI and long-term business growth
- Preparing businesses to pursue the TIAC Export READI™ designation and national directory participation
Benefits
Businesses participating in the TIAC Export READI™ Training Program will:
- Better understand international travel trade opportunities
- Improve travel trade readiness
- Develop stronger export market sales strategies
- Increase confidence in working with tour operators and international buyers
- Build practical travel trade tools and resources
- Strengthen long-term international growth opportunities
- Be positioned to pursue the TIAC Export READI™ designation
The online training sessions include:
- Participant workbooks and toolkits
- Module quizzes and exercises
- Post-workshop coaching support of up to 30 minutes of consultation with Alternative Sales Strategy
- Post-workshop participant follow-up materials
For full details on cancellation and refund terms, please review the BCAP Cancellation & Refund Policy (PDF).
Phase 2: October 2027
Marketplace
Businesses that complete and pass the October 2026 online training will be invited to attend an in-person marketplace, where they’ll apply their learning through live appointments with travel trade specialists from key global markets.
The dates and location are still to be determined, however, participants are being made aware of the following:
- Marketplace Registration Fee: Participants will be asked to register separately to the marketplace and pay to confirm attendance in early 2027. Pricing to be confirmed, but the range of approximately $400–$500 CAD per business (plus applicable taxes) is to be expected.
- Travel & Accommodation Costs: The marketplace will take place in British Columbia, exact location to be confirmed.
- Participants will be responsible for their own transportation and accommodation for the marketplace. Destination BC is working to secure reduced hotel rates for businesses.
- Insurance: Participants will be responsible for arranging any travel-related insurance.