Dear Hospitality Community,
This last week we hosted our first ever webinar to update the industry and stakeholders on our efforts against COVID-19 to date, as well as to host an open forum to discuss your most pressing matters. Thank you to all those who attended and shared your questions, concerns, and support. I'm encouraged to see the engagement from all corners of our province. If you missed the webinar, you can watch it
here
.
On the webinar we discussed the next steps for re-opening and the process for the development of best practices and protocols for the accommodation sector. This week we are working closely with Go2HR and the sub-sector working groups, to then submit to Govt for compliance with the BC Ministry of Health guidelines. Once approved, we will share these with you. Rest assured that properties of all forms, in all regions, are being included. The goal is to ensure we have safe work spaces and that we can garner consumer confidence to reopen, or open with the new best practices for our industry, and move forward to save our summer. According to Premier Horgan, June could be the local/regional travel test which, if it goes well, could result in BC residents travelling in BC and supporting our hospitality industry this summer, which could make an enormous difference to so many of our members and hospitality communities.
We are also working with the meetings and events sector to develop protocols, best practices, and communications to garner confidence and support for reopening meetings and gatherings in the last quarter of 2020. This sector of our industry is represented in every region of our province, and is critical to the solvency and recovery of our industry. We are also advocating to secure working capital for our businesses to support opening and reopening costs. These funds are critical to help put our industry in a financial position that will allow us to successfully re-open.
Thank you again for your continued participating in our surveys - we are continuing to share your valuable insights with government to help advocate on behalf of our sector.
Stay safe,
Ingrid Jarrett
President & CEO
BC Hotel Association
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BC COVID-19 Tourism Impact Survey
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British Columbia Regional Destination Management Organizations, in partnership with community tourism marketing organizations and the BC Hotel Association, are working to understand the current and potential future impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on businesses throughout the Province.
We know that the COVID-19 crisis is having a dramatic impact on all of our tourism partners. We are working with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture to ensure there is an accurate understanding of the effects of COVID-19 on your business today and hope to take a few minutes to ask you a number of questions about the current conditions and suggestions for your recovery.
Your response will be anonymous and it will enable us to better support businesses during this time.
DEADLINE, FRIDAY MAY 15th at 12PM PST
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What do you think of BC's Restart Plan?
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As BC's economy begins to reopen, the BC Chamber of Commerce is launching their third COVID-19 'Pulse Check' Survey.
The Chamber has been tracking the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC businesses via a series of surveys—done in partnership with the BC Business Council, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, The Mustel Group, and provincial members and stakeholders.
Survey results are shared directly with government.
As in previous 'pulse checks' they want to know the most recent impacts to your business, and the efficacy of existing government supports.
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To support BC's tourism industry through the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in BC’s Restart Plan, Destination BC has created a content tool kit. As more local (community) activities ease back in to our daily lives and additional tourism businesses begin to open to the public, they are encouraging BC residents to
hashtag
#exploreBClocal
.
During this Hyper-Local Travel phase, they want to encourage BC residents to get out and explore their backyards and, specifically, to support the tourism businesses that are already open with new operating measures in place, and those that are able to reopen after May 19 (while adhering to current health directives).
The tool kit provides some suggested messaging as well as content ideas for consideration as we collectively shift into the next phase. Access it via the link below.
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BC Hotel Association In The News
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Coronavirus pandemic has 30-40% of B.C. hotels facing...
The industry association representing B.C. hotels says 30 to 40 per cent of establishments could go under, if the novel coronavirus pandemic drags on. Many of the province's accommodation providers have shut their doors entirely, like Vancouver's ...
Read more
globalnews.ca
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B.C. hotels see shaky future, hope locals fill in for...
VICTORIA - Hotels, motels and resorts are pinning their hopes on British Columbians choosing to travel within their own province this summer, as they face the bleak prospect of many months without international tourists. As many as 30 to 40 per...
Read more
vancouversun.com
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B.C. hotels, resorts could start to reopen in June
VANCOUVER -- Hotels and resorts in British Columbia have been feeling the effects of the pandemic for months, with fewer travellers, bookings and nearly 65,000 employees' jobs at risk. Premier John Horgan said Wednesday, when announcing the plan...
Read more
bc.ctvnews.ca
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VIDEO: Business Matters: adapting to the new tourism reality
Typically, by this time of year, the water levels of Okanagan Lake begin to rise and so too does our population. As tourists flood our streets, many Okanagan businesses prepare to make the majority of their profits that will get them through the...
Read more
www.kelownanow.com
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