A Message from BCHA President & CEO Ingrid Jarrett |
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Dear Accommodation Community,
Today, our partners at Hotel Association of Canada and Tourism Industry Association of Canada will be launching a new hardest hit campaign. With the continued uncertainty for a restart plan and a lack of border reopening information and uncertainty for travel for the summer of 2021, it has never been more important that all of you as leaders in the industry reach out to your MP and ensure that they understand the crisis that we are currently in. Without this federal government including continued relief for our industry in the budget which will be announced in April we will loose 30-40% of hotels across Canada. We cannot let this happen.
Extending the wage subsidy and the CERS relief measure is vital to be included in the upcoming federal budget.
Sample letters and social media details for you to send to your MP will be sent to you tomorrow, we are depending on you to amplify this with your local MP. Find your local MP here. Please call them, email them, educate them.
Stay safe,
Ingrid Jarrett
BCHA President & CEO
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Todays industry update includes:
- Updated Events Order: Training in the Workplace
- InnFocus Call for Submissions - Leaders of the Future Feature
- Business Recovery Grant Program Improvements
- Mark Your Calendars
- ABLE BC COVID-19 Crisis Communications for BC's Hospitality Industry
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TIABC FREE Culinary Tourism Webinars!
- Impact Conference 2021
- BC Chamber of Commerce 2021 Virtual AGM and Conference
- In the News
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For any questions please reach out to our team.
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Updated Events Order: Training in the Workplace |
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We have received inquiries from many of our members in regards to the guidelines for hosting training at your properties. In response to our request, updates were made last week in the gathering and events order – which allows in person training for onboarding, in preparation for the spring/summer season.
The Gatherings and Events order has been updated on page 12 to explicitly mention that health, safety and rehiring training is included in the occupational training exclusion i.e.
- 1. Subject to the provisions of this Part, a person may permit a place, other than a private residence or vacation accommodation, to be used for, or may organize or host:
- f. occupational training, including health, safety or re-hiring training, which cannot be provided virtually.
Additionally, we continue to advocate for the hotels that are providing safe shelter and supporting the government contracted hotels for returning Canadians to be added to the priority vaccination list in each health region.
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InnFocus Call for Submissions | Leaders of the Future Feature |
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Are you or someone you know a rising star in the tourism and hospitality industry? InnFocus Magazine is looking to feature a young change maker for the Summer 2021 issue in the 'Leaders of the Future Column'. Please reach out to Kelsey Millman at communications@bcha.com with your nomination, outlining:
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- The name and title of the nominee
- A short intro on why they would be a good candidate for the column
In our most recent issue of InnFocus, we celebrated Tania Chaisson, Operations Manager at Pemberton Valley Lodge. Read about Tania's commitment to her team, industry and how she has helped lead operations through the COVID-19 storm.
CLICK TO READ SPRING 2021 INNFOCUS
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Business Recovery Grant Program Improvements |
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As of March 4, 2020, the application deadline for the Business Recovery Grant has been extended to August 31, 2021 or until funds are fully committed, whichever comes first.
Additionally, businesses now only need to show a 30% revenue loss from March 2020 to time of application, when compared to the same one-month period the year before. These changes will ensure more businesses are eligible, while giving business owners the extra time they need to submit their applications.
We’ve also allowed for extra help with things like gathering the right documents during the application stage, or support with translation or interpretation services. Business can now get help throughout the process from a Small Business BC vetted professional service provider. This service will now be included in the up to $2,000 in additional government funding paid to the service provider.
Overview of changes:
- The Program has been extended to August 31, 2021 or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first
- Applicants no longer need to show a revenue loss of 70% in March or April 2020 when compared to the same one-month period in 2019
- Businesses that have applied to the Program will have their applications re-evaluated if they didn’t qualify because of the previous 70% revenue requirement
- Businesses that have been approved for funding are not affected by these changes
Please visit the Program website for full eligibility criteria, to watch an information session webinar, and to find grant information translations in easily shareable PDFs.
If a business in your community has any questions or needs help, including language translation and interpretation support, call 1-833-254-4357 or email BusinessRecoveryGrantProgram@gov.bc.ca.
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ABLE BC COVID-19 Crisis Communications for BC's Hospitality Industry
Join ABLE BC for a webinar on Wednesday, March 24 at 10:00 am: COVID-19 Crisis Communications for BC's Hospitality Industry.
Register here. The webinar is free for ABLE BC members and $25 for non-members.
The purpose of this 1-hour webinar, led by ABLE BC's Executive Director Jeff Guignard, is to help you know what to do from a communications perspective - with your staff and customers - if something happens.
Leave with a checklist of the 7 steps to crisis communications and communications templates to support you in case of an outbreak. Jeff will also share tips on how to speak with the media during a crisis and how ABLE BC can help you.
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The Tourism Industry Association of Canada in partnership with TIABC is happy to offer free online Culinary Tourism webinars to tourism operators and organizations
Five themed webinars will assist small and medium tourism operators and partners develop culinary tourism strategies to maintain their businesses and attract both domestic international visitors once Canada is ready to welcome them again.
Growing Agritourism Webinar
Thursday, March 25th at 8:00am PT (9:00am MT)
Exceeding Expectations Webinar
Wednesday, March 31st at 8:00am PT (9:00am MT)
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Impact Conference 2021
Please join us for an incredibly impactful 1.5 hours as we take a deeper look at the tourism recovery opportunities ahead:
- Marsha Walden, President and CEO, Destination Canada
- Keith Henry, President and CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and IMPACT Co-Chair
- Katie Briscoe, President, MMGY Global
Moderated by Paul Nursey, President and CEO, Destination Greater Victoria and IMPACT co-founder.
Wednesday March 31st
8:30am - 10:00am PT
Registration is free but all participants must register.
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BC Chamber of Commerce 2021 Virtual AGM and Conference
Friday May 28 - Saturday May 29
Time to block your calendars — the BC Chamber of Commerce is inviting you to its virtual AGM and Conference, taking place May 28-29, 2021.
During a year where connection means more than it ever has, this event brings together Chamber members from across the province to share what's on BC's mind, connect deeply about business priorities, and debate policies that will drive the BC Chamber's advocacy efforts for the years ahead.
Watch your inbox for more event details to be shared in the coming weeks!
Save the date — don't miss out!
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B.C. hotels continue to reel from pandemic as travel...
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) - Spring is here and while progress is being made on digging ourselves out of the pandemic, the accommodation and tourism industry is largely stalled. As events, weddings and overall travel are restricted or discouraged,...
Read more
www.citynews1130.com
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Alberta budget aims to double tourism by 2030
BOW VALLEY - The tourism sector will have a pivotal role as part of Alberta's economic recovery from COVID-19. As part of the 2021 budget, the province will create and implement an ambitious Tourism Recovery Plan that will aim to double tourism...
Read more
www.rmotoday.com
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