Today's update includes:
- General Updates
- COVID-19 | BC Vaccine Card Mandate & Safety Plans Set to be Dropped on Friday!
- Government Announces Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- Adjustments to Paid Sick Leave Now in Effect!
- Destination Canada Launches Spring Summer Domestic Campaign
- GoGreen Tip of the Week!
- STR Report | Week of March 27
- More Recovery Support Coming for BC's Arts & Culture Sector
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Reduce Expenses with Schooley Mitchell | BCHA Members Receive Free Consultation
- Pre-entry Test Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Travellers Now Over
- #LightUpBlue for Meetings in Canada!
- Indigenous Tourism Training Takes Off on Haida Gwaii
- Supports for Ukrainian Refugees | Post in Job Bank
- CanExport SME Program is Now Accepting New Applications
- Reminder | Hiring with EDI in Mind | A Webinar & Resources
- Register or Volunteer for Highly Anticipated Okanagan Golf Tournament!
- News - See more below!
- Hot Off the Press
- BC | Canada News
- World News
- Industry Trends
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- People on the Move!
- Mark Your Calendars - see below!
- Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
- Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
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COVID-19 | BC Vaccine Card Mandate & Safety Plans Set to be Dropped on Friday! |
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During a press conference this afternoon, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer announced changes to remaining COVID-19 measures.
On April 8, 2022 at 12:01 am, further restrictions will be lifted including:
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Proof of vaccination will no longer be required under public health order to access businesses, events and services
- Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring proof of vaccination for entry
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Federal proof of vaccination is still required for federally regulated travel, like air travel
- Businesses will no longer need a COVID-19 safety plan. They must follow communicable disease guidance from WorkSafeBC
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Learn more about communicable disease plans here
- Proof of vaccination will no longer be required for post-secondary student housing
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Government Announces Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program |
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Earlier this week, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development & Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program under the Workforce Solutions Road Map, providing hoteliers with better access to the program! This is outstanding news and has been a key advocacy priority over recent months - it is also the first step towards workforce solutions.
Effective April 30:
- Accommodation and Food Services will be among seven sectors in which employers will be allowed to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the TFW Program for low-wage positions for one year.
- The policy that automatically refuses LMIA applications in regions with unemployment rate of 6% or higher will end.
Effective immediately:
- Addressing seasonal peaks, there will no longer be a limit to the number of low-wage positions that employers in seasonal industries. In addition, the maximum duration of these positions will be increased from 180 days to 270 days per year.
- Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA’s) will be valid for 18 months, an increase from 9 months. (Prior to COVID-19, LMIA’s were valid for 6 months).
- The maximum duration of employment for High-Wage and Global Talent Streams workers will be extended to three years. This will help workers qualify for permanent residency, contributing to our long-term workforce.
Do you have any questions? Please reach out to BCHA Workforce Strategist, Alison Langford at [email protected] !
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Adjustments to Paid Sick
Leave Now in Effect!
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Last week, we shared that, Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, introduced changes to address two issues that have been raised since the five days of employer-paid sick leave came into effect on January 1st.
Bill 19 has since received Royal Assent, and its provisions are now in force. As a reminder, these changes include:
- 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 (an amendment that a number of sector associations including TIABC had been advocating for).
- 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 Employment standards Branch has updated its web content to reflect the new amendments, and also has provided some interpretative information to support workers and employers, accessible through the following links:
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Destination Canada Launches Spring Summer Domestic Campaign |
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Destination Canada's domestic spring and summer campaign is designed to reframe what Canadians think they know about Canada by showing a different perspective on travel icons found across the country. We are encouraging our target audience to look at long-haul domestic regions the same way they consider travelling abroad. |
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Sign up for GoGreen Program today and receive a complimentary energy audit to identify ways to green your property and save!
Please connect with our Project Coordinator, Kiera Bourgeault at [email protected] for more information! |
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STR Report | Week of March 27 |
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Domestic Overnight Visitors Week Ending March 27 Highlights:
- Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 12 (Mar 21 - Mar 27, 2022) is up 21.0% compared to the same week in 2019
- When comparing Week 11 (Mar 14 - Mar 20, 2022) to Week 12 (Mar 21 - Mar 27, 2022) Thompson Okanagan, Kootenay Rockies, Vancouver Island, and Vancouver Coast & Mountains saw an increase in visitation. Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, and Northern BC saw a decrease.
- British Columbia increased 8.9% when comparing Week 11 (Mar 14 - Mar 20, 2022) to Week 12 (Mar 21 - Mar 27, 2022)
STR Report Highlights Week Ending March 26:
- British Columbia had a 67.7% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 73.3% occupancy during the weekend, up 2.2% compared to the same week in 2019.
- British Columbia had an ADR of $180.87 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $192.49 during the weekend, up 11.8% compared to the same week in 2019.
- British Columbia had a RevPAR of $122.41 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $141.08 during the weekend, up 14.3% compared to the same week in 2019.
Regional STATS the Weekend of March 25-26, 2022:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 55.5% ADR $141.47 REVPAR $78.54
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 56.1% ADR $143.12 REVPAR $80.22
- Northern BC: OCC 59.2% ADR $129.81 REVPAR $76.83
- Thompson Okanagan: OCC 67.8% ADR $139.01 REVPAR $94.29
- Vancouver Island: OCC 82.0% ADR $201.73 REVPAR $165.40
- Vancouver: OCC 79.2% ADR $189.83 REVPAR $150.31
- Whistler: OCC 75.8% ADR $509.91 REVPAR $386.62
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More Recovery Support Coming for
BC's Arts & Culture Sector
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More than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council will offer support to BC artists and organizations as the Province continues to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
From this funding, the BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resilience supplements to more than 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance. The average grant amount is $25,000.
Additionally, BC Arts Council has allocated $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program, which closed its intake in January 2022. The next intake of this program is anticipated for winter 2023.
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
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Schooley Mitchell is the largest independent cost reduction consulting firm in North America, with offices based in British Columbia. On average, we reduce essential business service expenses by 28% and have delivered over $360 million in documented savings to our clients to date.
- Schooley Mitchell delivers expertise in the hospitality industry and specializes in reducing expenses in multiple categories including Telecom, Merchant Services, and Waste Removal. We receive no kickbacks, residuals, or incentives from providers, and our compensation is self-funded by sharing in the savings we find. If we don’t find money, we don’t get paid. A truly risk-free and mutually beneficial model.
BENEFITS TO MEMBERS
Free Consultation and Complete Expense Analysis
HOW TO GET STARTED
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Pre-entry Test Requirement for
Fully Vaccinated Travellers Now Over
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As of Friday, April 1, fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada. Travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing. Travellers selected for mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.
The new measures now in effect include:
- Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to complete a pre-entry test (they may still be selected for random tests on arrival but are not required to quarantine).
- Non-vaccinated travellers will still need an on-arrival test and a day 8 test and must quarantine for 14 days.
- ArriveCAN is still needed for entry to Canada by all travellers.
For cruise ships:
- All passengers will still need to get an antigen test 24 hours before boarding (but will no longer need to be tested after leaving) the ship.
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#LightUpBlue for Meetings in Canada! |
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On April 7, Meetings Mean Business Canada is challenging destinations, landmarks, attractions, venues, and hotels to #LightUpBlue to support the industry.
On Global Meetings Industry Day 2022, we will #LightUpBlue to recognize the positive social and economic benefits that meetings, trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, conventions, and incentive travel programs bring to people, businesses, and communities.
Be sure to tag in @MtgsMeanBizCA when sharing your #LightUpBlue pics on social media!
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Indigenous Tourism Training
Takes Off on Haida Gwaii
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More than a dozen people will soon get new skills training to prepare them for jobs in the hospitality sector.
Through a new provincial Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project intended for Indigenous people, up to 16 individuals will receive employment skills to prepare them for careers in hospitality on Haida Gwaii.
Participants will receive nine weeks of occupational and essential-skills training, two weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers, and one week of follow-up support to prepare them for employment in the local hospitality industry.
Anyone interested in learning more about this or other CEP projects can contact their local WorkBC centre.
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Supports for Ukrainian
Refugees | Post in Job Bank
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With thousands of displaced Ukrainians expected to relocate to British Columbia over the coming months, the Province of BC is expanding services and supports to connect individuals and families to the help they need.
A new, dedicated Welcoming Ukraine portal is operational and provides information to Ukrainians who are moving to the province, as well as for British Columbians who want to volunteer or donate to show their support.
The Government of Canada has created a dedicated job bank to help connect Ukrainian refugees with employment opportunities. Accommodators looking to fill job vacancies create a profile and post your available employment opportunities.
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CanExport SME Program is
Now Accepting New Applications
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To help tourism businesses prepare for international markets, the CanExport SME program is now accepting new applications for programs starting after April 1, 2022. The program focuses on export marketing activities of existing products and services in foreign markets.
The funding program is now available to tourism businesses who cater to international visitors, and may partially cover a variety of marketing, advertising and other related expenses. Small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities (up to 50% of costs for export marketing of products and services in international markets with little or no current sales). Activities funded by the program include:
✔ Visits to foreign markets
✔ In-person participation at trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
✔ Attending virtual trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
✔ Translating, adapting or creating marketing materials
✔ Search Engine Optimization
✔ Gathering market intelligence (custom research, reports and studies)
✔ The program now supports costs tied to online advertising on social media platforms, online marketplaces and search engines.
✔Expert advice for digital and e-commerce marketing is now eligible.
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Reminder | Hiring with EDI in Mind | A Webinar & Resources |
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Looking for resources to help your organization build more inclusive job postings, interview techniques, accessibility policies, and more?
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RESOURCE HUB | The Talent MATCH Program is a collaboration between the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture, the BC Museums Association, go2HR, and the Association for Co-operative Education & Work Integrated Learning (ACE-WIL) BC/Yukon. The project explores tools and resources to help WIL employers and staff effectively address student barriers around discrimination and inclusion.
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WEBINAR | Join #TalentMATCH for an info session reviewing the resources available on April 26 at 3pm.
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Register or Volunteer for Highly Anticipated Okanagan Golf Tournament! |
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The BCHF is excited to announce the launch of our new Okanagan tournament.
The inaugural Okanagan tournament kicks off the golf season in May followed by legacy tournaments in Vancouver and Victoria this summer. Registration is now open for all three tournaments.
Annual Golf Tournaments are important fundraising events for the foundation. Funds raised help hospitality workers across BC each year that are in a financial crisis due to a medical condition.
BCHF Tournaments attract over 130 golfers in each city and are known to be a fun-filled networking event for owners, managers, and suppliers. These events are a great opportunity for team building initiatives and to celebrate your partners and suppliers.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP, TO VOLUNTEER, OR REGISTER REACH OUT TO [email protected]
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Inaugural Okanagan Golf Tournament
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Vancouver Golf Tournament
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
BC & CANADA
WORLD NEWS
INDUSTRY TRENDS
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry
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People on the Move!
Congratulations to our industry colleagues that have recently been promoted or are starting new positions!
Congratulations!
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Online Education Support for Businesses and Employees
Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to offer free access for tourism business stakeholders across the province to online education supporting COVID-19 recovery.
- April 6th - Social Media for Small Business
- April 20th - Online Lead Generation for Small Business
- April 20th & 27th - Market Research for your Business Package
- April 26th - Get Started with Email Marketing
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May 8, 2022 – May 11, 2022
IMPACT is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation. The dream to create a legacy for sustainable and regenerative tourism in Canada is stronger than ever, and your voices are needed.
Join in on a national conversation on sustainable tourism, as delegates and speakers explore and compare models for tourism recovery. Hear from some of the most creative and innovative experts in the business and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.
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Mar 29, 2022 | 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Host: GreenStep Sustainable Tourism
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Register Now! Vancouver Island Tourism Conference 2022
April 12 - 14, 2022
Tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region are invited to attend the in-person return of the annual Vancouver Island Tourism Conference, powered by Tourism Vancouver Island. It will be held April 12-14, 2022 in Victoria, B.C. at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. This year’s conference will focus on Mindful Travel: The health of our environment; The health of our industry; The health of our people. The early bird rate is $375 until February 11th (Regular rate is $475 until March 28th). Learn more and register here.
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Comment Card | Click on Image for More |
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Apply to Join the Professional Women's Society |
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Small Gestures Leads to
Meaningful Culture
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Purchase Township 7 Wine for
a Good Cause!
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Meetings Means Business Canada Talks Business Events |
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HAC Celebrates Workforce
Solutions Roadmap
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