BCHA Celebrates Supporting Local This Week with Launch of New Video! |
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This week the BCHA is celebrating #BCHAShopLocal week! We will be sharing information and content highlighting the benefits of supporting local, and encouraging hoteliers to connect with local business owners.
We were pleased to kickstart this Shop Local initiative yesterday with the launch of our new video featuring a collection of local suppliers across the province.
By working together businesses can support one another and help build back BC's economy stronger than ever!
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Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program
Funds 15 Tourism Infrastructure Projects
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More than 50 new tourism projects are receiving a total of $21.3 million for shovel-ready infrastructure projects, the provincial government announced.
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Throne Speech Hints at Content of Economic Plan and Budget |
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This afternoon, BC’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Janet Austen, opened the 3rd Session of the 42nd Parliament of British Columbia with the Speech from the Throne.
It noted that a new economic plan and a provincial budget would be coming soon. We expect the new economic vision to be unveiled next week by the Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. The provincial budget will be tabled by the Hon. Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance, on February 22.
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IMPORTANT | Information Session on Funding for Accommodators Feb.9 at 3pm |
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Join the British Columbia Hotel Association and officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for an important information session on the Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund (TACRR)
During this session, information on stream 1 of the grant will be presented and Ministry officials will answer your questions on funding, eligibility, and other issues.
The application deadline is fast-approaching and we strongly encourage operators to join and to share their questions when registering.
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Virtual Event | Register for the
Workforce Recovery Panel
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Happening Feb.16 at 1pm!
As part of BCHA's new virtual event series, we are pleased to bring together an esteemed panel of industry experts and leaders to discuss some of the recruitment programs and opportunities currently available to employers looking to hire. During this 1 hour session, panelists will answer your most pressing questions on workforce recruitment while outlining resources such as:
- Temporary Foreign Workers | Francophone Mobility Program, Labour Market Impact Assessment Programs
- Domestic / In-Canada Recruitment | Mobilize Jobs
- Contract Worker Employment | Integral Services Group
- Training Programs and Upskilling | Hotel Operation Services Skills Training Project with WorkBC
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Paid Sick Leave Survey & FAQ |
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As of January 1, 2022, the provincial government mandated five days of paid sick leave for employees.
ABLE BC is seeking your voice to better understand how this new policy has impacted your business since its implementation. The information you provide will support our collective industry's ongoing engagement with all levels of government.
This survey will be open until Thursday, February 10, 2022.
ABLE BC is continuing to work with our industry partners to request logical and necessary amendments to the paid sick leave policy, including pressuring government to redefine “employment year” as a calendar year and to re-introduce the now-expired Employer Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 related sick leave wages.
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Apply Now for Reimbursement for COVID-19 Related Sick Leave in 2021
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The reimbursement program will close on February 11, 2022 at 4:00 pm.
Reimbursement applications must be submitted online through WorkSafeBC.
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STR Report | Week Of Jan. 29 |
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Domestic Overnight Visitors Week Ending January 30 Highlights:
- Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 4 (Jan 24 - 30, 2022) is down -13.0% compared to the same week in 2019
- When comparing Week 3 (January 17 - 23, 2022) to Week 4 (Jan 24 - 30, 2022) all regions saw a decrease in visitation
- British Columbia decreased -10.9% when comparing Week 3 (January 17 - 23, 2022) to Week 4 (Jan 24 - 30, 2022)
STR Report Highlights Week Ending January 29:
- British Columbia had a 42.5% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 51.7% occupancy during the weekend, down -26.5% compared to the same week in 2019.
- British Columbia had an ADR of $151.43 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $172.30 during the weekend, down -7.4% compared to the same week in 2019.
- British Columbia had a RevPAR of $64.41 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $89.02 during the weekend, down -31.9% compared to the same week in 2019.
Regional STATS the Weekend of January 29-30, 2022:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 50.9% ADR $135.22 REVPAR $68.77
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 44.6% ADR $139.36 REVPAR $62.15
- Northern BC: OCC 49.1% ADR $124.98 REVPAR $61.36
- Thompson Okanagan: OCC 54.7% ADR $135.50 REVPAR $74.13
- Vancouver Island: OCC 51.7% ADR $147.92 REVPAR $76.52
- Vancouver: OCC 48.2% ADR $160.21 REVPAR $77.22
- Whistler: OCC 77.4% ADR $442.76 REVPAR $342.88
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2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality
Conference | In Memoriam Submissions
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At this year's BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, we will be paying our respects through an "In Memoriam" slideshow tribute that honours all of those who have passed since we last met in person. We need your help to ensure that each of our industry friends are included.
How to Submit:
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Please send direct submissions to info@bctourismandhospitalityconference.com
- In your submissions, please detail the individual's:
- First and last name
- Title and company from their latest role
- An image or headshot
We will be accepting submissions until Friday, February 11th.
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REMINDER | Planning to Install a Patio This Summer? TESA Applications Expiring! |
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If you are planning to install a patio this summer, you need to take urgent action now. TESA applications from last year are expiring soon and do not provide approval for patios this coming summer.
On June 15, 2021, the LCRB extended the deadline for currently approved Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESAs) to expire on June 1, 2022.
This means that if you have not made the service area under your TESA permanent by applying for a permanent structural change (e.g., applying for a patio), your TESA will expire on June 1, 2022 and you will not be able to sell or serve liquor in the expanded space.
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Take Advantage of Go2HR's Complimentary Safety Plan Review Service |
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go2HR is offering a complimentary COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Service to B.C.’s tourism and hospitality employers.
For other templates, signage, guidelines, and business support visit:
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Federal Update | Portal for Federal Subsidies Open Feb 7 |
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- Period 24: February 7, 2022, at 6:00 am EST
- Period 25: March 1, 2022 (exact time TBD)
A reminder that the regulatory changes announced back in December temporarily expand eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program. These changes would:
- apply to claim periods 24 and 25 (December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022)
- allow those entities to qualify if they are subject to a capacity-limiting public health restriction of 50 per cent or more
- reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25 per cent for those entities
More information can be found here.
As a reminder, here is a complete list of available applications:
- Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
- Canada Recovery Hiring Program
- Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program
- Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
- Local Lockdown Program
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Survey | Tourism & Hospitality Program Fund |
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To ensure Canada's tourism operators are receiving necessary supports, Canada's hospitality & tourism sector is seeking need more up-to-date information from operators on the Tourism and Hospitality Program.
Please complete the following survey to advise on whether the fund is responding to current needs, where you are experiencing challenges in accessing the program and the nature of those challenges, as well as how you believe improvements to the Fund could be made.
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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BCHA INN THE NEWS
The B.C. Hotel Association (BCHA) has appointed Alison Langford as its new Workforce Specialist, a first-time position for the organization in response to the industry’s labour shortage. Read more.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Saskatchewan will end its vaccine passport policy on Monday, Feb. 14.
That means businesses, workplaces and other public venues will no longer be mandated by the province to require proof of vaccination or a negative test. Read more.
Australia will open its borders to all vaccinated tourists and business travellers from Feb. 21 in a further relaxation of pandemic restrictions announced Monday. Read more.
INDUSTRY TRENDS AND QUICKLINKS
According to a new report from WiHTL, titled 'WiHTL Gender Pay Gap in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Report – 20/2021' and produced in partnership with PwC, the lack of progress has been acutely felt in hospitality, where the average mean pay gap actually increased for the first time in three years from 5.4% to 7.7%. Read more
If you complete a regular monthly close in your hotel, and I certainly hope you do. And if closing your books takes longer than three-five working days, then this is meant for you. Read more
With delivery at guests’ fingertips, do they need a $7 Diet Coke? Read more
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry
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Vancouver Tops List of Cities with Most Sustainable Hotels in the World
It looks like the City of Glass has earned another title- the City of Sustainability! According to a recent report from Uswitch, Vancouver has topped the list of cities with the most sustainable hotels in the world.
The list is determined by the amount of hotels that have recieved 'Travel Sustainable' certification via booking.com. Vancouver nabbed the top spot and was followed by Stockholm, Toronto, and Calgary.
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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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Explore FREE Courses with SHARP Workplace Training
As an employer, can you answer these questions?
- What are your legal responsibilities when it comes to workplace sexual harassment?
- What are the rights of workers if they experience sexual harassment?
- What are the best practices to follow in setting up a workplace sexual harassment policy? Do all employers need one?
- What does an employer need to do when a worker pursues a legal option to respond to workplace sexual harassment?
To provide clarity on this SHARP is offering FREE 90-minute online SHARP Workplaces’ training sessions designed for small businesses and non-profits across BC. Featuring: What is Workplace Sexual Harassment?
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BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
Richmond Conference Centre | March 9-11
Please note, tickets will be sold separately for the following conference events, though you must have a conference ticket to attend the gala:
- Rev Up! Hotel Pre-Conference Track
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Taking place March 9 from 8am-1pm, Rev Up! tickets offer exclusive access to content tailored specifically for accommodators, with engaging presentations and panels from industry experts and leaders across Canada’s accommodation community.
- Conference Tickets:
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Early bird rates are available until 11:59pm PT on February 1, 2022 with member and non-member pricing options. Tickets include complete access to all three days of conference sessions, workshops, marketplace, and silent auction.
- Awards Gala:
- Reserve your spot for a celebratory evening that will recognize our province’s most exceptional products, services, experiences, and people, taking place the evening of Thursday, March 10, 2022.
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Waterside Chat with Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
Join Greater Victoria Harbour Authority CEO Ian Robertson and Anna Poustie, Chair of the Victoria Cruise Industry Alliance, as they discuss the operational planning that is happening in advance of the 2022 cruise season.
Date: Friday, February 11th at 2:00 pm
The 2022 Cruise schedule is available here.
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She Summits Forum | Upcoming Elevate and Ignite Events
Register for free here for the upcoming events | Details on each workshop can be found here.
- February 9 from 7:00 pm PT to 8:00 pm PT: Goal Planning in Uncertain Times
- February 16 from 7:00 pm PT to 8:00 pm PT: Women Creating Conscious Change - A Panel Discussion
Who is the She Summits Forum? They help self-identifying women feel confident, empowered, and valued within themselves, their workplaces, and their communities. They do this through powerful films that celebrate the female spirit, nature-based events, curated content, and real connections. Learn more.
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2022 Annual BC Economic Summit
Date: April 3rd 1:30 PM to April 5th 2:30 PM
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is presenting its 2022 Annual BC Economic Summit in a virtual format with the theme of Reconciliation and Resiliency - A Future for BC. This is an opportunity to highlight success stories, lessons learned, share cutting-edge ideas, and engage your colleagues at the premier event for economic development practitioners in British Columbia.
Click here to learn more and to register.
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BCHF | Destination Greater Victoria Lottery
A fundraiser for the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF), the Destination Greater Victoria lottery offers bidders a chance to win prize packages that include transportation, fine dining, and luxury accommodation in Greater Victoria. There are four prize packages available. All prizes have been generously donated by Destination Greater Victoria members. Prize draws will take place at 12 p.m. on February 7, 2022.
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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 - #BCHAShopLocal |
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To celebrate #BCHAShopLocal week, in place of our regular Comment Card, we will be sharing more info on reasons to shop local! |
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Contribute to Community Growth and Cohesiveness
Local businesses are more likely to buy local services and stock local products than national retailers are. Spending with a local business has a ripple effect that contributes to the growth and health of your community, creating more jobs and opportunities. Shop local and watch your community thrive.
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You Can Buy It Where You Try It
Shopping at local stores enables you to try on and try out items before you buy, getting real expertise and saving your time and money. Additionally, when BC-businesses carry products that are made locally, business owners are able to provide guests with first-hand knowledge on how it was created or grown.
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Give Back to Your Community
Because local business owners are so invested in their community and its people, they recognize where help is needed most, often donating their time, resources, and funds to support local initiatives and charities.
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Independent Businesses Help Give a Destination Its Distinct Personality
Small businesses are a huge component in the makeup of destinations across BC, contributing to their uniqueness and character. By investing locally, you invest in making your community a more unique and sought-after destination.
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Last Laugh | #BCHAShopLocal |
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