Message from President & CEO Ingrid Jarrett
Please click here or below for a weekly update from BCHA President and CEO, Ingrid Jarrett.
Today's update includes:

  • General Updates
  • Federal Government Announces Extension to CEBA and RRRF Repayment Deadline
  • Applications Open for Closure Relief Grants
  • Join Q&A Sessions with Canada Revenue Agency on New Support Measures
  • BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference | Nominations Close Tomorrow!
  • PHO Order Requires Employers to Re-Activate COVID-19 Safety Plans
  • Provincial State of Emergency Extended | Update on Road Closures
  • Business Access to Rapid Testing | Safe Screen BC
  • Don't Forget! | Applications Are Open for Federal Relief Measures
  • Go2HR | Become a Health and Safety Champion: Register for COR
  • Free Training Course Available for Under-Employed Individuals | Register Today!
  • Survey | Tourism Industry Workforce Recovery Toolkit
  • Reminder | Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa are Selling a Collection of Over 55+ Locks
  • Action Required | BCHA Billing and Payment Updates
  • go2HR Restaurant Safety Initiative | Prevent Restaurant Injuries
  • News
  • Hot of the Press
  • Too soon to lift B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and events, officials say
  • Americans advised to avoid travel to Canada due to rising COVID-19 caseload
  • Cross with caution: U.S. testing crunch causing Canadians to get stuck stateside
  • Industry Trends and News
  • Tour Operators Delay Lucrative Long-Haul Trips Yet Again on Omicron Curbs
  • Tripadvisor Data Shows Traveler Intent for 2022 Demonstrates Willingness to Spend More on Travel
  • ForwardKeys Shares Key Travel Trends for 2022
  • Trends Watch 2022 - What Hotel Marketers Need to Prepare for in the Year Ahead
  • Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
  • Fairmont Pacific Rim Makes Strides Toward Sustainability
  • Mark Your Calendars - see below
  • Comment Card | Industry Thoughts & Feedback
  • BCHA Board Chair, Bryan Pilbeam, and Executive Director, Vivek Sharma, Talk Tourism with Assistant Deputy Minister Nick Grant
  • Doing "Enough" During a Pandemic
  • Klahoose Wilderness Resort Hiring On-Site Manager
  • Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Members Smile
Federal Government Announces Extension to CEBA and RRRF Repayment Deadline
Yesterday, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced the following changes to the federal government’s Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program:
  • The repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from Dec. 31, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing.
  • Repayment on or before the new deadline of Dec. 31, 2023, will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of the value of the loans (meaning up to $20,000).
  • Outstanding loans would subsequently convert to two-year term loans with interest of 5% per annum commencing on Jan. 1, 2024, with the loans fully due by Dec. 31, 2025.
  • The government is also announcing that the repayment deadline to qualify for partial forgiveness for CEBA-equivalent lending through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is extended to Dec. 31, 2023.
Applications Open for Closure Relief Grants
Applications for financial support are now open for businesses temporarily closed due to public health orders.

Businesses including bars, nightclubs, gyms and event venues that can no longer hold events are eligible for grants between $1,000 and $10,000. The funds can help pay expenses such as rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance and utilities.

The amount of funding is based on the number of employees and follows a formula similar to the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant. Applications are open until Feb. 28, 2022
Join Q&A Sessions with Canada Revenue Agency on New Support Measures
In December, the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (Bill C-2) received Royal Assent. These new measures will ensure that the hardest-hit sectors and those who are most affected by the pandemic will continue to receive the support they need.

The Canada Revenue Agency will hold a virtual briefing and Q&A Session for members of the Hotel Association of Canada, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, and Restaurants Canada to answer your specific questions on these new support measures.
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference | Nominations Close Tomorrow!
Recognize a deserving colleague or business with a nomination for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Award! Award submissions close this Friday and recognize excellence, leadership and innovation within BC Tourism & Hospitality Industry.

Awards will be presented at the Tourism and Hospitality Conference on March 10, 2022 presented by the BC Hotel Association and Tourism Industry Association of BC. Nominate someone today!
PHO Order Requires Employers to Re-Activate COVID-19 Safety Plans
On January 7, 2022, the provincial health officer announced an order requiring employers to re-activate their COVID-19 Safety Plans. WorkSafeBC has updated guidance and recommendations outlined on our resource page.

This replaces the previous requirement for employers to have communicable disease prevention plans in their workplaces. To learn more visit our BCHA COVID-19 Safety Plan resource page.
Provincial State of Emergency Extended | Update on Road Closures
On Tuesday, Jan. 11th, 2022, Public Safety and Solicitor General, Honourable Mike Farnworth, announced the extension of the Provincial State of Emergency until the end of day, Jan. 18, 2022.
 
Given the continued need for public safety measures under the Emergency Program Act and ongoing work to repair damaged highways, the following travel restrictions for highways 5 and 99 are still in place:

  • Highway 5 (Coquihalla) between Hope and Merritt: only commercial vehicles with a minimum licensed gross vehicle weight of 11,794 kilograms and inter-city buses are permitted.
  • The junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake campsite access in Lillooet, open to all traffic, but vehicles weighing more than 14,500 kilograms are not permitted.
Business Access to Rapid Testing | 
Safe Screen BC
With the intention of keeping businesses open and employees safe, the Government of BC has launched Safe Screen BC, to begin enabling businesses to access rapid antigen tests.

Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Safe Screen B.C. will guide businesses through the required application process for provincially available test-kits and support businesses in the set-up of onsite rapid workplace screening programs for employees. 
Don't Forget! | Applications Are Open
for Federal Relief Measures
Applications are now open for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program.
Here is the list of programs available for application:

Please note, if you applied for the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) for period 22 (October 24 to November 20, 2021), you may have been affected by an error in the calculation spreadsheet for wage and hiring support, which erroneously showed they were ineligible for the THRP when they may have been eligible. More information here.
Go2HR | Become a Health and Safety Champion: Register for COR

Did you know that Certificate of Recognition (COR) certified employers can receive an annual financial incentive of up to 10% of their WorkSafeBC premiums?

Learn about the COR program and what it takes to become a COR Internal Auditor. Join go2HR for their next virtual COR internal auditor training on February 11, 2022. Seats are limited, so be sure to register today. 
Free Training Course Available for Under-Employed Individuals | Register Today!
The BCHA has partnered with the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) and Western Community College to offer a 23 week “Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Program”.

This program is designed to train 30 candidates who are currently unemployed or under employed in the Metro Vancouver area and deliver them to industry trained and ready to work. The training is fully funded and will focus on readying the candidate for meaningful work in the hotel industry.
REGISTRATION:
 
RECRUITMENT
  • For hotels who may be interested in candidate recruitment during the final phase of the 23 week program, please contact Alison Langford at alison@bcha.com
As we start the beginning of 2022, we’re hoping to get your attention on a brief survey. The information is helping
tackle some of the workforce shortfall that is greatly impacting the sector.
 
Across the country, governments, industry associations and other key tourism stakeholders have been developing support services for hard hit tourism businesses and workers. This support is desperately needed but has also created confusion due to the many subsidies and services available.

Your help is needed - take the survey below.
Reminder | Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa are Selling a Collection of Over 55+ Locks
The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa are selling a collection of over 55+ locks. 

Details: 
  • Pickup preferred but delivery from Sooke to Sidney available 
  • Pricing is negotiable and ranges between $20 - $50 ​
  • View images here

If interested please contact Lisa Nordstrom, General Manager, The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa at: 
250.655.9773

Have something you're looking to sell to the accommodation community? Reach out to kelsey@bcha.com.
Go2HR Resources for Creating a
More Diverse Workplace
Did you know that there are some simple steps you can take to bring more equity, inclusion and diversity into your workplace? One option is to suggest employees identify their pronouns in their email signatures, LinkedIn profile and even Teams/Zoom title. This is a great way to underscore that inclusivity is important to your organization.

Watch this recording from a recent Equity, Diversity and Inclusion panel that go2HR moderated
Action Required | BCHA Billing
and Payment Updates
This is a friendly reminder that the BCHA is encouraging all members to update their billing and profile information in order to receive the most up-to-date information and stay current on opportunities within the sector.

The process is simple and can be done here.

The BCHA has also switched to automated billing. If you have not already done so, please complete the attached credit card form and submit to Member Services Coordinator, Samantha Glennie at samantha@bcha.com or directly at 604-443-4757.

We look forward to supporting you with your questions and greatly appreciate your efforts to update your profile. 
go2HR Restaurant Safety Initiative | Prevent Restaurant Injuries
go2HR's newest restaurant safety initiative provides free resources to prevent the most common injuries in restaurant kitchens and make your kitchen a safer space.

Protect the staff you have. This will save you time, money and effort in the long run.
Industry News & Quick Links
HOT OF THE PRESS | INDUSTRY NEWS

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday advised against travel to Canada because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases. Read more.

Province-wide restrictions on gatherings and events are likely to be extended as COVID-19 transmission remains high across British Columbia, health officials said Tuesday. Read more.

While the Canadian government continues to advise against crossing the U.S.-Canada border, people who choose to make the trip are being warned to plan ahead and expect the unexpected. Read more.

INDUSTRY TRENDS AND QUICKLINKS

Although tour operators are wise to try to limit the risks their guests might face during trips longer than two weeks, they need to find ways to resume these profitable trips immediately because their businesses can't take the further financial hits. Read more.

A new travel trends research paper released by Tripadvisor in partnership with Ipsos MORI, reveals how consumers are planning to travel in 2022 and beyond, and how their attitudes and behaviors in relation to travel have changed as compared to pre-pandemic. Read More
 
In this new analysis by ForwardKeys which you can download, ForwardKeys demonstrates that there are signs to be optimistic about in 2022. Read more
 
Build a smart marketing strategy for 2022 and beyond with these guides from Cendyn Read more
Tipping Our Hat to Industry
Have news to share? Email kelsey@bcha.com

In the spirit of sustainability, Fairmont Pacific Rim has replaced the single-use bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion in guestrooms with large format, reusable versions.⁠
⁠
This change alone has resulted in the removal of more than 1.6 tonnes of plastic from their operations in just one calendar year – the equivalent weight of 2,670 pairs of shoes! ⁠
⁠
Learn more about Fairmont Pacific Rim's sustainable innovations: https://bit.ly/3EeH8Es
Mark Your Calendars
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.
 
How to Bring Clarity and Coherence to Your Team - Aligning Strategy, Leadership, and Focus
Friday, January 21, 2022 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Hosted by: Small Business BC
 
Learn how to develop an effective team perfectly aligned with your company’s vision and goals so they can clearly and proactively solve the right business problems with maximum impact.
 
What Will You Learn?
  • Develop a clear vision that guides you and your team’s decision-making
  • Lead with respect and concern for all team members that demonstrates appropriate compassion
  • Deliver results and enhance the strengths of your team members to achieve key objectives
  • Focus your team’s energy and time on the right tasks
To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
Destination Canada Industry Webinar - Tourism's Big Shift
Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022 10:00 AM PST
Hosted by: Destination Canada

Destination Canada is hosting a webinar to discuss the findings of our latest report, Tourism’s Big Shift: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry. We will cover key trends that will have the largest impact in the next one to three years and explore the implications and opportunities for small and medium-sized tourism businesses.
Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 9-11, 2022

Join us for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference as we 'Kickstart the Comeback' and gather in-person to learn, tackle issues, forge new relationships, and work toward resiliency in the face of one of the hardest years in our sector's history.
 

Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!
Comment Card
BCHA Board Chair, Bryan Pilbeam, and Executive Director, Vivek Sharma, Talk Tourism with Assistant Deputy Minister Nick Grant
Doing "Enough" During a Pandemic
Last Laugh