Dogwood Express Newsletter |
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In This Issue:
- 2021 BCLCA Annual Occupancy and Rate Survey Results Released
- Province Adjusting Paid Sick Leave Act
- I Have an Abandoned Car and/or Trailer Parked On My Property - How Can I Remove It?
- SUPPORT: BCLCA's "Auction 22" Raising Funds for Care Camps
- REGISTER: BCLCA Webinar and Town Hall Meeting on April 13, 2022 - 10:00 am – 11:30 am
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Dear BCLCA Member:
In a rapidly changing world, more people than ever are coming to understand the importance of time spent in our incredible outdoor spaces. This increase in popularity does not come without behavioural consequences; and out of an effort to positively direct these impacts, the Campers Code was born. The Code was launched in June 2021 and campers were asked to take the pledge and over 900 Canadians have answered the call – take the pledge at camperscode.com.
More search opportunities are coming, all in response to your feedback. Like to see more changes? Please email the BCLCA office with suggestions.
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2021 BCLCA ANNUAL OCCUPANCY & RATE SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
A survey of BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) members who have 10 or more campsites was conducted by Align Consulting Group in January 2022.
The BCLCA has conducted their annual occupancy and rate survey for several years. In 2020, the Camping and RV BC Coalition undertook the Pace-of-Bookings project through the summer months to better understand the impact of on-going Covid-19 restrictions that were impacting business. It was identified that gathering data for the whole year at the start of 2021 to complete the booking information obtained through the summer would be useful. As such, these two projects (annual survey and pace-of-bookings) were merged. This is the second iteration of the merged project.
In total, 112 operators responded to the survey representing a response rate of 39.0%.
Included in this report is the 2022 rates data provided for Super Camping. The purpose of the survey was to better understand the overall performance of private sector campgrounds in 2021. Based on this the research objectives were:
- Understand the bookings in 2021 compared to 2020;
- Gauge the occupancy rate for 2021 compared to 2020;
- Identify the market origin for 2021 compared to 2020;
- Measure changes in average rates in 2022 compared with 2021, and,
- Determine the outlook for 2022.
Some key findings:
Lock fees and dynamic pricing are not widely used. In fact, only approximately 1-in-5 responding properties reported using these (21% and 16%, respectively).
Efforts to minimize cancellations start with the cancellation policies; however, 4-in-10 (42%) characterize their policy as flexible while another 40% say their policy is moderately flexible.
The majority of bookings (52.2%) come from repeat customers.
In 2020, the pandemic drove the average length of stay of visitors notably higher than pre-pandemic. In 2021, we saw that visitors continued staying longer in one location and increased the length of stay up to 5.0 nights.
Average Maximum nightly rates are increasing for all site types in 2022 with Full Service and Tent sites increasing the most (up 5.5% and 8.2%, respectively over 2021 rates).
Average nightly rates range dramatically by region. The average maximum nightly cost of a Full-Service site, for example, ranges from a low of $39.83 in Cariboo Chilcotin Coast/Northern BC (were combined due to sample size) to a high of $75.38 in the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region.
Survey participants have already received a copy of the report. BCLCA members can request a copy of the report - please email [email protected].
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PROVINCE ADJUSTING PAID SICK LEAVE ACT
Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has introduced amendments to BC’s Employment Standards Act to address two issues that have been raised since the five days of employer-paid sick leave came into effect on January 1st.
1) For ease of implementation, the act is being amended to reference “calendar year," which standardizes the annual entitlement period for all employees regardless of the start of their employment. The total number of paid sick leave days per year will not be affected. It remains at five.
2) To ensure government’s intent that the paid sick leave entitlement is applied to all employees in BC, the clause that relates to collective agreements is being amended.
The changes will be effective upon Royal Assent, which is expected before the end of the current legislative session, to ensure the paid sick leave entitlement applies to the 2022 calendar year.
Click here to read the full announcement. |
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I HAVE AN ABANDONED CAR AND/OR TRAILER PARKED ON MY PROPERTY - HOW CAN I REMOVE IT?
Updated March 2022
This question and variations are posed to the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association a number of times a year by operators faced with removing an unwanted vehicle on their property. The operators pose the question as they are not sure what authority they have to act and who can assist them in removing the vehicle.
The answer lies in section 192 of BC’s Motor Vehicle Act, which actually includes details on how to handle the parking of vehicles without consent of the owner.
The section reads:
Parking on private property
192 (1) If a motor vehicle or trailer is left without the occupier's consent on private property in a municipality, treaty lands or Nisg̱a'a Lands or for a period exceeding 72 hours on private property not in a municipality, treaty lands or Nisg̱a'a Lands, the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer is deemed to have authorized and empowered the occupier to be the owner's agent for the purpose of towing it to a place of storage and of storing it.
(2) The agent has a lien against the motor vehicle or trailer for all reasonable advances made or charges incurred in connection with the towing and storing of it in the course of the agency.
(3) The procedure respecting enforcement of the lien must be governed by the Warehouse Lien Act.
Storing
The Warehouse Lien Act allows storage facility operators to seize and sell a customer's vehicle to cover unpaid storage fees. So they can tow the vehicle to a safe compound and dispose of the vehicle under the act.
Towing
If the owner fails to retrieve the vehicle, you may use a towing company to remove the vehicle, but they have to deal with the lien to dispose of the vehicle and pay the fees. Towing companies may be reluctant to do this unless the vehicle has some value.
If you do use the towing company method to remove an unwanted vehicle, it would be wise to inform police of your actions to prevent any misunderstanding. Also, many towing companies will refuse to move the vehicle unless the police are notified first.
Some towing companies have a non-refundable administration fee for abandoned uninsured vehicles to cover the cost of tow and storage.
Recovering Costs
If you have the vehicle towed, the owner cannot recover it without paying the costs you incurred to have the vehicle towed and stored. If the owner doesn’t claim the vehicle, you or your agent can use the Warehouse Lien Act to dispose of it to cover your costs.
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SUPPORT: BCLCA's "AUCTION 22" RAISING FUNDS FOR CARE CAMPS
The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) is proud to once again support Care Camps of Canada by running the second annual online auction.
“Auction 22” starts on May 1st runs until May 29th and is full of wonderful things to bid on from Camping and Glamping nights, experiences, clothing to small appliances and more. Working together in 2021 the BCLCA raised $3,140.06 and our goal this year is to raise more, significantly more, in fact we are targeting $22,000.
Care Camps allows children living with cancer to have hope, happiness and the healing powers that come from attending specialized oncology camps where they can just-be-kids. The camp experience equips them with the skills necessary to meet the challenges they will face while fighting their disease.
As well as bidding on the auction, consumers and businesses can make a direct donation of $22 or more and we have a prize for a lucky someone who chooses to tap the donate now button.
A big shout out to all who are helping us send children with cancer to camp!
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REGISTER: BCLCA WEBINAR & TOWN HALL MEETING APRIL 13, 2022 - 10:00 am – 11:30 am
All BCLCA Members are invited to a FREE Zoom webinar and town hall cracker barrel to discuss operating in 2022.
60 Minute Webinar
Part 1 - Bullying and Harassment hosted by WorkSafe BC with Lynda Foran and Laura Gibbons. Bullying, harassment, and violence are occupational health and safety issues that pose a risk to the physical and mental health and safety of workers. This webinar will provide an overview of regulatory requirements related to these hazards.
Part 2 - Conflict Resolution hosted by Andrea Hinck, go2HR. “Best Practices on Preparing and Responding to Challenging Guest Interactions” This session, geared toward owners, managers, and operators, will provide information, tools, tips, and checklists around developing plans and setting frontline staff up for success when handling all guest communications including pre-arrival, during their stay, and if incidents arise.
Key takeaways include:
- Risk Assessment & Other Managerial Prevention Tasks
- Early Mitigation and Escalation Protocols
- Empowering Staff with Communication Techniques and On the Spot Hazard Identification
- Printable Checklists for Prevention Tasks, Pre-season & Mid-season Training, De-escalation Techniques, and Incident Response
30 Minute Town Hall Session
After the webinar, the event moves to a 30-minute question-and-answer Cracker Barrel led by Jamie Cox, BCLCA President who, along with other directors, will answer operational questions posed by operators. The cracker barrel is fully interactive, and operators can raise their hands to ask questions and chime in with answers or comments to elaborate on topics.
When: Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 10:00 AM Vancouver
Topic: BCLCA Webinar on Bullying & Harassment and Conflict Resolution
Register in advance for this event:
After registering, you will receive an email confirmation containing information about joining the Webinar/Town Hall. A reminder email will be sent one week prior and one day before the webinar commences.
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BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
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