For current updates on issues impacting the hotel community follow BCHA: |
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Dear Accommodation Community,
Yesterday, we were thrilled to announce our new financial leadership and revenue management series, Fast Track your Future. This education series offers nine online courses aimed to equip your leadership team with the tools and knowledge needed for financial recovery and resiliency in the wake of COVID-19.
Beginning December 1st, this highly flexible program can be seamlessly integrated into a busy schedule as the sessions are each only one hour. Pre-recorded, you can watch them at a later date and share with your entire team. We are excited about how this program will help our accommodation community and hope each of you seriously consider signing up by November 20th. More information on the program and registration is available here.
Since the COVID pandemic began, we have been regularly collecting data through our monthly pulse checks to generate a better understanding of where our advocacy priorities are needed most. We thank our survey respondents for the time they take to aid us in this work. The results of October's pulse check have shown very little change in expected occupancy across the province citing an average of 33% forecasted through to Spring 2021. Detailed results below show regional stats around BC still sitting at much lower numbers than needed and similar results to what we have seen previously for where our focus is needed.
As we look to the season ahead, we have seen significant results for our ‘Venture West’ campaign supporting Tourism Victoria and our pilot project with Tourism Vancouver Island. With snowbirds across Canada already planning to travel west this winter, this ‘Venture West’ campaign is designed to provide the educational tools needed for Snowbirds to safely travel and plan ahead for their visit. The enthusiastic participation from you, our accommodation community, along with the current climate for winter travel throughout British Columbia indicates an opportunity for additional campaigns in other regions of the province. Our team is working hard, building the partnerships and working towards educating snowbirds on how to safely travel across BC for long-term stays. In the great outdoors, wide open spaces It is of critical importance that everyone understands the protocols, and safe travel commitment that must be adhered to by all travellers, prior to their departure. It is of course, peoples behaviour not complying that bears risk, not the act of travelling itself.
We also have been very pleased to have been supporting our Ski Destinations with education webinars, in partnership with Canada’s West Ski Area Association. We are excited to get on the hill, and hope they see strong demand for the outdoor fun for families and Canadian Travellers.
We rounded out our webinar series with CWSAA yesterday with our presentation on Public Space and Housekeeping protocols. This webinar outlined the most up to date PHO's and guidance from go2HR and WorkSafe BC, which aimed to help ski centric resorts in the province prepare to open their doors for the first time since the start of the pandemic. We thank everyone who joined us for this session. For those who missed the webinar, a recording of the webinar is available below and on our website.
Insurance remains a difficult and challenging issue for our industry. Our partners at Western Financial have been working tirelessly to secure underwriters for policy renewal, we will be announcing a joint Webinar in the coming weeks to address the issues at hand and provide information to ensure preventive maintenance programs are in place and documented for future renewals.
Our work on recovery and resiliency continues, and I’d like to take this opportunity to request all accommodators in the province to sign up HERE for the STR reporting. It is free to report under BCHA MOU for the province, and will allow real time data for us to work towards recovery. Thank you in advance for taking a few moments to sing up. You can also sign up on BCHA.com.
Stay safe,
Ingrid Jarrett
President & CEO
BC Hotel Association
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October Pulse Check Survey Results |
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The BCHA has continued to work with all levels of government, along with our key partners and industry stakeholders, to support the needs of our industry. Below are the results of our most recent industry pulse check survey for October.
Based on feedback provided, your advocacy priorities are as follows:
1.Extending the Wage Subsidy
2.Property Tax Relief
3.Securing Liquidity
4.Insurance Issues
One additional area outlined included obtaining the small and medium sized business recovery grant
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What best describes your relationship with the province's Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program? |
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Vancouver and the surrounding area is still seeing stunted occupancy levels with the Caribou Chilcotin Coast region sitting at the lowest expected occupancy for the remainder of the year into Spring 2021. The average across the province remains at 33%. The following stats are the current forecasts by region until April 2021.
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Downtown Vancouver – Average Expected Occupancy - 29%
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Vancouver Island – Average Expected Occupancy - 41%
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Vancouver Coast and Mountains (Whistler) – Average Expected Occupancy - 30%
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Thompson Nicola / Okanagan – Average Expected Occupancy - 30%
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Northern BC – Average Expected Occupancy - 37%
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Kootenay Rockies – Average Expected Occupancy - 34%
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Cariboo Chilcotin Coast – Average Expected Occupancy - 15%
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Government of Canada Updates |
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Government Introduces Legislation for New, Targeted Support to Help Businesses Through Pandemic |
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Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, introduced Bill C-9, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), which would implement new, targeted support to help hard-hit businesses. These measures are designed to help businesses get through the second wave of the virus so they can protect jobs, continue to serve their communities, and be positioned for a strong recovery.
As previously announced, the business supports include:
- The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, which would provide direct and easy-to-access rent and mortgage interest support to tenants and property owners until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. The new rent subsidy would support businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop by providing support up to a maximum of 65% of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020. The government is proposing to allow claims retroactively for the period that began September 27th and ended October 24th, 2020.
- The new Lockdown Support, which would provide an additional 25% through the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy for qualifying organizations that are subject to a lockdown and must shut their doors or significantly limit their activities under a public health order issued under the laws of Canada, a province or territory (including orders made by a municipality or regional health authority under one of those laws). Combined, this would mean that hard-hit businesses subject to a lockdown could receive rent support of up to 90%.
- The extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until June 2021, which would continue to protect jobs by helping employers keep employees on the payroll and re-hire their workers. The wage subsidy would remain at the current rate of up to 65% of eligible wages until December 19th, 2020
Learn more at:
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New Mandatory Requirements for Travellers to Canada |
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As part of Canada’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, all travellers are required to provide specific information upon and after entry into Canada. This includes requirements to provide a quarantine plan and contact and travel information. The Government of Canada introduced ArriveCAN in April 2020 to create a secure and user-friendly way to help travellers comply with these border measures. ArriveCAN is available as a mobile app or by signing in online.
Recently, the Government of Canada announced new mandatory requirements for travellers to Canada.
Pre-arrival to Canada:
As of November 21st, air travellers whose final destination is Canada will be required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight.
Post-entry to Canada:
As of November 21st, travellers who enter Canada by air, land or marine modes, unless exempted under conditions set out in the Mandatory Isolation Order, will also be required to submit information through ArriveCAN or by calling the 1-833-641-0343 toll-free number during their quarantine or isolation period.
Learn more at:
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Fast Track Your Future: Financial Series |
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We are thrilled to announce a new series designed to drive financial recovery and resiliency. Resources are tight and teams around the province are undergoing change or are depleted due to business levels. As a result, expectations from hotel ownership groups and asset managers will demand more, expecting their leaders to be accountable, flexible, and creative. The BCHA is proud to launch the Fast Track Your Future series to offer a path to success:
ABOUT THE SERIES:
·Fast Track Your Future is a nine-session series starting December 1. The program is comprised of two tracks focussing on financial leadership and revenue management. The series is designed to light the fire in your leaders while still being manageable in today’s challenging environment.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
Track 1
· Financial Leadership: Dec.1
· Business Principles: Dec.15
· Financial Statements: Jan.12
· P&L Statement: Jan.26
· Managing Labour & Productivity: Feb.9
· Managing Expenses: Feb.23
Track 2
· Using Data ( and your STAR report) to improve performance: Dec.22
· Traveler Insights in the Time of COVID—Understanding Behavior and Expectations: Jan.19
· The Importance of Forward-Looking Data and the New Forward STAR report: Feb.25
PRICING:
· Full Series (member rate) $625+GST per hotel - unlimited participants.
· Full Series (member rate) $225+GST per individual
MEET THE FACILITATORS:
Financial Leadership - David Lund.
David Lund is a hospitality financial leadership pioneer who has branded himself “The Hotel Financial Coach.” Just as any great hotel is true to their brand, so is David. His client commitment is about exceptional service. And his #1 focus is to help his clients be more prosperous as individuals or teams.
Revenue Management – Emile Gourieux, STR.
Emile is the Business Development Executive for Canada on behalf of STR. STR sets the standard for data intelligence and global benchmarking, allowing you to compete strategically, plan for the future, and understand your customers.
Please click below to sign-up by November 20th. Should you have any questions, please reach out to me at membership@bcha.com.
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BCHA & CWSAA Webinar: Housekeeping and Public Spaces |
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The BC Hotel Association has partnered with the Canada West Ski Areas Association to bring a collection of educational webinars to the ski hotel & resort community in preparation for the upcoming winter season.
In the final webinar of the series, we discuss and review of issues related to public areas in the accommodation sector including hot tubs & pools as well as dining areas. Best practices for Housekeeping service specifically in dealing with guest interactions, staffing and cleaning protocols.
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Using an outdoor heater in an enclosed space can put your workers at risk of exposure to carbon monoxide. As an employer, it’s important you know how to minimize this risk to your workers and customers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants, bars, and other eating establishments are using outdoor patios to increase physical distancing. As the weather becomes colder, you may wish to enclose these outdoor spaces and heat them using space or portable heaters. However, using a propane or natural gas heater in an enclosed space can expose workers and customers to carbon monoxide (CO), a potentially deadly gas.
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CHIC Digital 2020 - West & East Converge |
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The Western Canadian Lodging Conference and Canadian Hotel Investment Conference are merging this Fall!
This two-day event has gone 100% virtual and will debut on November 23rd and 24th to attract the nation’s hotel owners, lenders, brands, managers and suppliers in these trying times. Join us for the best of CHIC and WCLC!
While stakeholders in this hard-hit sector share many common management and financial problems, illuminating panelists will also examine regional operating and investment nuances across the country.
Our state-of-the-art virtual platform will provide access to live stream sessions with expert panelists, roundtable discussions on industry hot topics, virtual tradeshow booths with industry suppliers and 1:1 networking opportunities with senior decision makers.
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TOTA's Virtual AGM & Summit |
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Registration is now open for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) & Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) virtual AGMs & joint virtual Summit.
This year, the Summit is free to attend with advance registration required. We welcome donations to support the TOTA Tourism Excellence Scholarship Program, an annual award given to exemplary students most connected to current issues in the tourism industry.
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