Dear Accommodation Community,
Today, the provincial government announced its economic recovery plan in response to the the COVID-19 pandemic. The government recognized our industry as one of the hardest hit sectors and has committed $100 million dollars of funding.
Of the $100 million, $50 million will be allocated toward tourism-dependent communities, marketing for regional tourism, and a recovery strategy for Destination BC. The other $50 million will be directed to a Tourism Task Force that will make recommendations on how to spend that funding; this was an ask that we had specifically outlined in our recovery recommendations. In addition, the government will be allocating $300 million toward Business Recovery Grants for small and medium sized businesses.
Despite the funding not meeting our initial request, nor our industry needs, we are grateful that our industry has been recognized in this spending plan and acknowledge Premier Horgan's pledge that this is merely a first step toward long-term recovery. We look forward to working with the government on additional measures and will hold them accountable to that commitment. We are also working to clarify details surrounding today's announcement and will continue to keep you all updated on the what it means for you. Premier Horgan committed to an additional recovery investment in the budget which will be presented in February of 2021. At this time, our key focus is liquidity and ensuring our industry remains solvent through to next year.
Despite the funding our industry has received, we also acknowledge that there is significant work that of course still needs to be done. We will continue this work, advocating for property tax and BC Hydro relief, securing liquidity and low interest loans, along with an extension of the CEWS program for our industry federally.
We also recognize that many hotels are larger-sized businesses that may not qualify for recovery grants. Many of these larger hotel operators are located in the province's hardest hit regions, like Vancouver and Victoria, where revenue loss has far exceeded $1 million and hotels are at their most-vulnerable. It is critical that our voice and the reality of the lack of business, the lack of revenue and the ever increasing debt is actioned for these businesses as well as the small and mediums sized businesses earmarked for recovery funds.
We will continue to work on your behalf, and advocate always with you, our members and accommodation community, at the heart of what we do.
Stay safe,
Ingrid Jarrett
President and CEO
British Columbia Hotel Association
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Relief Funding Announcement.. |
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Today, the government of British Columbia, announced its economic recovery plan, outlining $1.5 billion in fiscal relief, of which the tourism sector will receive $100 million. We will be providing further updates as we learn more.
Please click the button below to view the full report on the spending.
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HAC Update: Coalition Effort to Extend CEWS Launches today at 10am |
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As you know, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program has been a critical lifeline for our sector and employees over the past 5 months. However, the planned decrease of CEWS support beginning at the end of September corresponds with the exact moment when our hotels will face a seasonal drop in demand.
We are relying on the mass of our coalition networks to make as much noise as possible. Today, we have two critical asks for you:
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Send a letter to your local Member of Parliament and ask your members and staff to do the same. It will take less than 1 minute to send. You can send a letter on our microsite: HardestHit.ca / DurementTouches.ca
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Spread the word on social media. Pre-written social media content can be found on our microsite: HardestHit.ca / DurementTouches.ca
The time to act is now.
Please watch for more updates in the coming days. Thank you for supporting this effort.
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BCHA Position on Revised Public Health Orders for Pubs, Restaurants, and Bars |
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The BCHA has recently sent a letter regarding their concerns surrounding the new Public Health Order which compels pubs, bars and restaurants to stop serving alcohol after 10 p.m. and in the case of liquor primaries, close their premises by 11 p.m. until further notice.
As Co-Chair of the Metro Vancouver Tourism & Hospitality Response and Recovery Task Force, and a representative of one of the hardest hit sectors in the province, the BCHA endorses a number of recommendations put forward for your consideration which are have outlined in the attached letter. Our hospitality and tourism industry is committed to witnessing the prosperity of our province, while protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors.
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As we face the current and potential future impacts of COVID-19, we continue to work with all levels of government, along with our key partners and industry stakeholders, to support the needs of our industry.
Since the initial impact of the virus was felt, we've been regularly collecting data and tracking progress to quantify this changing landscape. In order for us to better understand the ramifications the pandemic has had and action relevant change, we must continue to update this information.
Below is a 5 minute survey that we ask for your participation in as we conduct this vital pulse check. Your responses will help us continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to you and allow us to spotlight the severe impact COVID-19 has had on our industry, actioning real change.
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Upcoming BCHA Live Industry Updates |
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The BC Hotel Association is the voice of the hotel industry at the federal, provincial and community level. Ingrid Jarrett – President & CEO & Mike Macleod – Director of Member & Business Development cordially invite to share your voice, live and in person.
The content of the session will include the state of advocacy efforts in the province, recovery strategies for our Tourism and Hospitality Industry, emerging issues, industry best practices and member benefit initiatives. There will be plenty of time during the session for feedback and questions from you.
Please RSVP as Public Health Office Protocols will require us to register everyone in advance. Space in each venue will be limited due to physical distancing measures.
We can’t wait to be hitting the road soon to visit your community and we look forward to seeing you!
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Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit |
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Registration is now open for the 10th annual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit.
Since 2010, CWB Franchise Finance has been hosting the Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit. Although the format looks a bit different this year, we are honoured to continue to bring the industry’s leaders together with this Summit. We feel now, more than ever before, it is important to come together as an industry to connect, collaborate, and innovate.
During the week of November 2nd, we will host a series of four complimentary virtual Summit sessions. Join restaurant owners, operators, chain executives, franchise operators, investors, lenders, and key suppliers from across the country for series of thought-provoking discussions. CEOs and executives from leading brands along with industry experts, will share their perspectives on the future of foodservice in Canada.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- 4 days
- 4 sessions
- 15 speakers
- Audience Q&A
- A digital copy of the 2020 Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry Review for all registrants
SUMMIT SCHEDULE:
- Monday, November 2: The Foodservice State of the Nation Presentation
- Tuesday, November 3: The CEO Panel – Restaurant Leaders Reflect
- Wednesday, November 4: Investment, Finance and Development Panel Discussion
- Thursday, November 5: Technology in Foodservice Panel Discussion
Learn more about each session, the speakers, and register for 1 or all 4 complimentary sessions today.
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With this year’s impressive lineup of speakers, topical sessions, and virtual access for participants, the 2020 event promises to be one you don’t want to miss.
We look forward to seeing you there, virtually.
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Royal Roads University piloted the Tackling COVID-19 Resource Forum in early April. As a volunteer team of Royal Roads University faculty, industry professionals, and students, they have focused on providing free access to practical information and, more importantly, to provide a forum for discussion and to crowdsource innovative ideas and solutions. The team is building on this good work for another few months, exploring the issues and topics most relevant to the sector in the short, medium, and long term.
The BC Resource Forum is offering panel presentations on some key topics. Here are the first three:
· September 24: Shifting Operations: Perspectives from Three Hoteliers
· October 8: Marketing with Scarce Resources: Insights from Tour Operators
· October 22: Business Recovery: Viewpoints from Financial Advisors
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BCHA is committed to ensuring our industry recovers, and one key success factor is how a continuous cost reduction approach is embedded in a property. In British Columbia, for an average food business, the costs of wasted food are worth 7% of annual revenues. Unlike other cost reduction approaches, the solutions are easy, affordable and scalable.
The success of The PLEDGE on Food Waste and associated savings opportunities fits perfectly with our sustainability ambitions. We invite you and encourage you, as General Managers, and for your Marketing and Food & Beverage teams to join us. BCHA and Rethink2gether will be hosting a webinar to share insights on how food waste prevention can help BCHA members cut on rising food costs, slash food waste and stand out from the crowd.
In this presentation, you will learn:
· How wasted food is impacting your bottom line
· How you can boost your profitability during tough times
· How The PLEDGE on Food Waste works with case studies around the world
· How public decision-makers in BC are taking action to change the legislation
At the end of the webinar, participants will be invited to receive free resources, a free consultation, and a free trial of 60 days for a food waste monitoring technology.
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GreenStep
GreenStep provides corporate sustainability consulting, software and certifications, helping businesses go green to reduce their impacts, save money, and meet the growing demand for responsible business.
GreenStep’s EcoFund program helps hotels invest in large energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction projects that save money while reducing their carbon footprint. Hotels that participate in the EcoFund program will also receive:
- Help obtaining budget pricing quotes for top identified projects
- A prioritized list of energy conservation projects based on budget, ROI and payback
- Support selecting contractors for prioritized projects
- Support applying for rebates for completed projects
- Creation of an annual energy, carbon footprint, and cost reduction report
- Creation of an annual project spotlight to communicate completed projects and related reductions in environmental impacts and carbon footprint
- Where appropriate, support accessing the FortisBC Commercial Custom Design incentive program
- Guidance to work towards achieving Energy Star Certification
- Help setting a science-based carbon reduction goal
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BCHA & GreenStep EcoFund Program Webinar Recording
Thank you for joining us yesterday for our webinar in collaboration with GreenStep outlining GreenStep’s EcoFund Verified program and how it can help members get ahead of rising energy costs, save hundreds of thousands of dollars on energy and carbon taxes, and increase the value of your business; all while meeting the growing consumer demand for responsible business.
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COVID-19 economic recovery: B.C. spreads $1.5 billion...
The B.C. government on Thursday unveiled its wide-ranging economic recovery plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with support for job retraining, a tax break for businesses, and funding for a new tourism task force.
Read more
globalnews.ca
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B.C. tourism and travel bear brunt of pandemic economic...
In looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the economy, one broad sector stands out for the extent of the damage inflicted on businesses and their employees: tourism and travel services.
Read more
biv.com
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As part of our education pillar, BCHA continues to offer new courses and webinars from our education partners. Through our education series, BCHA members and hospitality professionals may access tools for continued growth within the hospitality industry at a significantly reduced price. We encourage you to take this time to explore the courses below: |
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Click here to sign up for any of the upcoming courses or webinars or learn more about all the education BCHA has to offer.
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