BC Wildfire Update
NEW EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDANCE FOR TOURISM OPERATORS

In response to BC’s provincial state of emergency, declared on July 20, Destination BC has prepared Emergency Messaging Guidance to help the tourism industry navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions. 

KEEPING UPDATED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

During emergencies, BC's tourism industry is an important conduit to official information sources for visitors. As part of this, DBC is encouraging industry partners to use the hashtag #RealTime________ (name of city/community) on social media to ensure current and future visitors have an accurate ‘real time’ visual on current conditions (blue skies, business as usual etc.).
  • Add the date and time the photo was taken, and tag key tourism partners in your post (@DestinationBC on Twitter, @HelloBC on Instagram) and your Regional/Community DMO partners so it can be amplified. 
A CENTRAL HUB FOR TRUSTED RESOURCES | DBC'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PAGE

With the priority of ensuring that travelers have all the official resources they need to make informed decisions based on the latest, on-the-ground information, DBC has created and updated their Emergency Preparedness page. Consider this a fulsome resource to keep both yourself and your visitors informed over the course of the ongoing fire season.

Wildfire messaging guidance can be found on the webpage, along with safe and responsible travel graphics for you to use on your channels, a visitor-facing safe travel brochure (web and print version), and the links to DBC's Know Before You Go information.
RESOURCES NEEDED | DONATE ITEMS TODAY

Emergency Support Services is seeking sheets, pillows, towels, linen, and laundry services. If you have any excess or old inventory that you would be able to donate please reach out to Mike@bcha.com.

A big thank you to the team at Prestige Kamloops for their sizeable pillow donation pictured right!

DONATE TO THE BC FIRES APPEAL

The best way Canadians can support people impacted by the fires is through a financial donation. Canadians wishing to help are encouraged to make a financial donation to the British Columbia Fires Appeal in one of the following ways:
 
  • online at redcross.ca
  • by calling 1-800-418-1111
  • by texting FIRES to 45678

For more information click here

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & CONCERNS

This has been yet another challenging chapter for tourism businesses who are relying on a busy summer season to recover. We are here to help and are committed to advocating for your best interests. We encourage any operators with questions or concerns to reach out to us directly should you need any assistance at questions@bcha.com
Today's update includes:

  • Wildfire Update
  • New Emergency Preparedness Tools for Tourism Operators
  • Keeping Updated on Social Media
  • A Central Hub for updated Resources | DBC's Emergency Preparedness Page
  • Resources Needed | Donate Today
  • Donate to BC Fires Appeal
  • Questions, Comments, Concerns
  • General Working Age Raised from 12 to 16
  • Apply Today | Tourism & Hospitality Relief
  • #ICYMI | Speed Financial Recovery Through Sustainability Webinar Recording
  • Destination Vancouver Updated Mandate and Brand Guidelines
  • Meet Braidwood Hospitality Management Inc.
  • Searching for Employees? Integral Hospitality Offering Outsourced Workers!
  • Help the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Return to a New Normal & Win $1500
  • Updates from go2HR | LMI Employment Tracker & BSAFE Program
  • BC Hospitality Foundation | Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on Sale Now
  • We're Hiring ! BCHA Looking for Sustainability Program Coordinator
  • Mark Your Calendars
  • Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 8-11, 2022
  • Hiring in the Fall? Student Work Placement Program | FREE Information Session Aug 4
  • Fore the Love of Tourism 15th Annual TIP Invitational Golf Tournament 2021
  • Tipping Our Hat to Industry
  • Vancouver Island Hitting the Small Screen with CHEK Television
  • Congrats to the team at Pemberton Valley Lodge for winning Favourite Hotel or Bed & Breakfast from Pique Newsmagazine!
  • In the News
  • Comment Card | Industry Thoughts & Feedback
General Working Age Raised from 12 to 16
New changes to employment standards will be introduced October 15, 2021, raising the general working age in British Columbia from 12 to 16 and defining the types of jobs appropriate for those under 16.

They will come into force on Oct. 15, 2021, to allow employers and young people who are already working, time to adjust to the new requirements.

You may recall that changes to the Employment Standards Act were initiated through legislation in 2019, and a regulation was required to bring those changes into force and to define what types of work would be appropriate for children under the age of 16. Public consultations were held with more than 1,700 youth, parents, and employers from multiple sectors to inform development of the regulation. In addition, many of you provided valuable input as this work has progressed over the past several months.

As a result of the regulation change, youth aged 14 and 15 will be able to do many appropriate jobs, defined as "light work," with permission from a parent or guardian. Children aged 14 and 15 are only permitted to do work outside the definition of light work with a permit from the Ministry of Labour's Employment Standards Branch.

For more information and for examples of Light work, see the News Release and Background information here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021LBR0027-001400

Additional information is available on the Employment Standards Branch Website here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/hiring/young-people

Of interest to the tourism sector, 14 and 15 year olds can do light maintenance including gardening, cleaning and tidying, attending to children, sports, recreation and camp-related work, among many other safe activities and occupations in the retail, accommodation and food services sectors.

There are no changes to a child’s ability to do babysitting or deliver newspapers part time, or for students working in a work study or work experience class, or for young performers in recorded and live entertainment. Children aged 12 and above can continue to be employed in a business or on a farm owned by an immediate family member, as long as the work meets the safety criteria set out in the regulation. A new streamlined online application for Child Permits will be launched in the coming month, to be ready for the October 15, 2021, date for the new rules.

The regulations have also narrowed the employment standards exclusion for home-care workers and sitters who provide care to an adult or a child in a private residence. This change ensures that caregivers who provide care averaging more than 15 hours per week will have the protections under the Employment Standards Act, while those providing in-home care and babysitting services for fewer hours can continue to work under more flexible arrangements.

The Ministry will be working on defining “hazardous work” for youth aged 16 to 18 in the coming months. 
CALL TO ACTION | Your Support Is Needed
Our collective voices are needed now more than ever to amplify the message to parliamentarians that continued financial support is needed to support hotels.

Over the summer, a strong local grassroots effort and engagement from hotel and tourism operators will be critical to build political pressure and support. We need to hear a clear commitment in the fall that the Government will support our hard hit sector through until the end of this pandemic.

We have three critical asks for you:

  1. Send a letter to your local Member of Parliament. It will take less than 1 minute to send. You can send a letter on the microsite: HardestHit.ca / DurementTouches.ca.
  2. Meet with your local Member of Parliament and tell them your business and employees will not survive without continued support. We need hundreds of meetings this summer and are relying on the mass of our coalition networks to make as much noise as possible. 
  3. Spread the word on social media. Pre-written social media content can be found on our microsite: HardestHit.ca / DurementTouches.ca.

Everything you need to help guide you, including key talking points, meeting guide & tips, and other ways to get involved can be found in HAC’s Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit:
Apply Today | Tourism & Hospitality Relief
Federal Programs
  • Tourism Relief Fund (TRF): to help tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. The $500 million national initiative across Canada will be administered by Western Economic Diversification in Western Canada.
  • Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): Subsidy to cover a portion of eligible expenses until September 25, 2021. Also includes an additional Lockdown Support of 25% if your business was significantly affected by a public health order. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525
  • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Aimed at sectors like tourism and hospitality, hotels, arts and entertainment, and will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and provide low-interest loans up to $1 million for up to ten years.
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Covers part of your employee wages retroactively back to December 20, 2020 until September 25, 2021. The maximum subsidy is 75%. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525
  • Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): The new Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) is designed to encourage businesses to grow as the economy recovers, whether it’s due to hiring and re-hiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay.
  • Note: Your business can only claim the CEWS OR CRHP - here is a comparison between the two programs
  • Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): $400 per week for 13 two-week periods between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021 for self-employed workers and those in the gig economy. Applications are handled through the Canada Revenue Agency. Hotline: 1-833-966-2099
 
Indigenous Programs

Provincial Program
  • The Workplace Accessibility Grant program. The grant program direct supports to small business employers in British Columbia by providing direct financial assistance towards creating an inclusive work environment for persons with a disability(ies).
Destination Vancouver
Updated Mandate and Brand Guidelines
The team at Destination Vancouver invites you to learn more about their new expanded mandate: https://www.tourismvancouver.com/about/brand/destination-vancouver/


The team will be taking a phased approach to introducing Destination Vancouver in the coming weeks and months. Starting in August, they will be switching their website domain to www.destinationvancouver.com. 

If you have questions about Destination Vancouver’s new name and mandate, please reach out to the Membership team:
Webinar Recording| Rebates & Rising Energy Rates Speed Financial Recovery Through Sustainability
Thank you all for registering and/or attending todays Rebates & Rising Energy Rates Webinar hosted by Angela Nagy, President and CEO of GreenStep Solutions.

During this information sessions, Angela outlined how accommodators can best take advantage of the BCHA GoGreen Program to cut high fixed costs now and in the future, as a way to adapt, survive, and thrive after the impacts of COVID-19.

She also shared details on the first three no-costs steps to getting started on a path toward sustainability, as well as immediate measures hotels can take that will result in quick wins and early savings.

Did you miss the session? Check out the recording below.
New Member! Braidwood Hospitality Management Inc
Since 2004, Braidwood Hospitality Management Inc “Partners in Hospitality” has provided an innovative, highly effective sales and marketing solution tailored to the specific needs of small and medium sized hotels that recognizes their unique location, amenities, policies, competitive set and market opportunities. Braidwood implements adaptive, sustainable sales strategies specific to each business's needs with the focus on revenue retention and growth!
 
The company proactively seeks new business opportunities while building fences around existing clients, building lasting relationships and a barrier to entry against their competitive sets. For additional information, please visit Braidwood website at www.braidwood.ca or contact John Garden below.

Contact: John Garden
Address: 1238 Seymour St, (Suite 102) Vancouver, BC, V6B 3N9
Phone: 604-681-4444 Ext: 221
Toll Free: 1-866-300-1097
Fax: 604-681-4441
Cell: 604-722-8664
Searching for Employees? Integral Hospitality Offering Outsourced Workers
Integral Hospitality, a division of the Integral Services Group, have assisted a number of hotels throughout BC with their outsourced housekeeping needs.

Integral, a BCHA premier partner, recognizes the urgency that many accommodators are facing as we re-start domestic travel throughout the province.

Integral was able to help a BCHA member this week supplying two housekeepers to an Okanagan property within 24 hours. Please contact Brett Mollard directly at brett@integralservicesgroup.com
to learn more or visit their website here.
Help the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Return to a New Normal & Win $1500
Participate in the survey and enter into a draw for prizes valued at $1,500.
 
go2HR has been hard at work undertaking a Labour Market Information research project to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our workforce. Even before COVID-19, the industry faced some significant human resource challenges. We know those challenges will only increase as we emerge from the pandemic. 
 
We need your help! 
We need to hear from a representative sample of employers across all sectors and regions of the province. We ask for assistance in sharing the survey with a wide variety of businesses in the province, and ask you to please share this survey with your members. It takes approximately 25 minutes to complete this survey. We want to hear about the impact of COVID-19 on your member’s operations, the human resource issues they face, and what can be done to help industry in dealing with these issues going forward. Any information provided will be held confidential, used only for the purpose of this study, and reported only in summary form with the responses of other respondents. Please help us spread the word!
Updates from go2HR | LMI Employment Tracker & BSAFE Program
LMI Employment Tracker

go2HR's new BC Tourism and Hospitality Labour Market Employment Tracker is now live! We encourage you to engage with this new interactive tool that will provide you and your members monthly updated data for the industry on a variety of labour market and employment challenges. 

BSAFE™ Has Been Updated!

go2HR is excited to announce that their health & safety training course BSAFE™ has been updated! go2HR has refreshed the course content to reflect Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan and are excited to continue to deliver current and valuable health & safety content to businesses all over the province in an accessible way.
 
Join the 350+ organizations who have signed up for BSAFE and update your health & safety training today.
BC Hospitality Foundation | Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on Sale Now
Take are on sale for the BC Hospitality Foundation's first ever online 50/50 raffle. Purchase tickets here.
 
The raffle starts with a $1000 jackpot and increases with every ticket purchased until sales close on August 16, 2021. The initiative is a fundraiser for the BC Hospitality Foundation - the only charity of its kind in Canada, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers in need.
 
 
·   5 for $10
·   20 for $20
·   150 for $40
 
The winning name will be drawn at noon on August 17. Please support our hospitality and tourism sector by purchasing tickets and spreading the word about the raffle among your friends, family, and colleagues!
 
Funds raised by the event will be used by the BCHF to support hospitality industry workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member. The registered charity also administers a scholarship program that fosters the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.
 
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
We're Hiring ! BCHA Looking for Sustainability Program Coordinator
Do you know anyone who is: passionate about sustainability? Interested in helping businesses takes strides toward green operations? Looking to be part of a dynamic team and growing team within the hospitality sector?

The BC Hotel Association is seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented, full-time Sustainability Coordinator for a seasonal position!

If you or someone you know fits the bill - apply at the link below!
Mark Your Calendars
Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 8-11, 2022

Mark your calendars! The 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference officially has a date. Taking place in Prince George, March 8-11, 2022, the conference will be an informative multi-day conference aimed at supporting growth and celebrating industry.

Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!
Hiring in the Fall? Student Work Placement Program | FREE Information Session Aug 4

Looking to hire a student this Fall? f you need a little help, the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) offers a wage subsidy of up to $7,500 towards hiring a student.
 
The SWPP has changed eligibility criteria, meaning your organization can probably access funding! On Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 1:00pm PT for an information session on how the program works, eligible positions, and how to apply.
 
Brought to you by the Talent MATCH Program, the SWPP Info Session will feature representatives from two SWPP delivery partners: Cheryl Serpanchy, the Regional Coordinator at ICTC WIL Digital, and Louie Di Palma, the Director of SME Programs at the Talent Opportunities Program. They will review student positions their programs can fund, employer and student eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
 
This info session is free, but you must register for it here.
 
Want more information on hiring students? Visit the Talent MATCH webpage for more details or contact Project Manager Debby Reis at TalentMatch@acewilbc.ca.
Fore the Love of Tourism 15th Annual TIP Invitational Golf Tournament 2021

Join Partners in Tourism (TIP) at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club Friday, August 27, 2021 for the 15th Annual Fore the Love of Tourism TIP Invitational Golf Tournament.
 
 
BACKGROUND:
Partners in Tourism – TIP Society was established in 2006 with the goal of fostering future generations of tourism professionals. Never has that been more important.

We are now seeing signs of recovery and in our collective spirit of optimism, we are again gathering for the Tourism Industry Partners (TIP) Invitational Golf Tournament to raise funds to support scholarships and awards to get the next generation back in the hospitality game.
Since its inception, Partners in Tourism – TIP has provided funding in excess of $700,000 to support training, the purchase of equipment and financial assistance to hospitality students. The need has never been greater. 
Let’s TIP the scales in favour of up-and-coming tourism and hotel professionals.
Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
Have News You'd Like to Share? Contact Kelsey@bcha.com
Ellen Walker Matthews Named New President and CEO of Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

TOTA is delighted to share that Ellen Walker-Matthews has been appointed President and CEO. Walker-Matthews has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry, including the last 11 with TOTA in various capacities, including Vice President of Stewardship, Senior Vice President and, for the past six months, Acting President and CEO. She has spearheaded and played a significant role in key initiatives including Biosphere Certification, GreenStep Certification, and Green Destination Top 100; overseeing the Tourism Resiliency Program; development and implementation of regional tourism strategies; and sales, marketing, and business plans.

“Ellen has an extensive history with TOTA during which she has built a stellar reputation. In the past six months she has continued to demonstrate the leadership qualities that both the sector and our organization require as we forge our way through the COVID pandemic and look to create a strong path moving forward.”

Congrats Ellen!
Vancouver Island Hitting the Small Screen with CHEK Television

Tourism Vancouver Island, in partnership with Destination Greater Victoria, have partnered on a campaign with CHEK Television. Aimed at educating residents about tourism as an essential part of our communities, TVI has three commercials, and each feature Vancouver Island business leaders. The spots will air from now until September 26, 2021 on CHEK Television.
 
Check them out below!
 
 
 
Congrats to the team at Pemberton Valley Lodge for winning Favourite Hotel or Bed & Breakfast from Pique Newsmagazine!
In The News
Regional chair calls for more wildfire resources in...

A regional politician in British Columbia's Interior is calling for more support amid a "dire" wildfire situation that he said has filled every available hotel with fleeing evacuees and stretched local security resources beyond their capacity.

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www.theglobeandmail.com
B.C. premier commits support for tourism industry...

CASTLEGAR, B.C. - British Columbia's premier is vowing to continue supporting the tourism industry, which was hoping to begin its recovery from COVID-19 just as hundreds of wildfires ignited in the province. John Horgan said Wednesday the B.C....

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www.timescolonist.com
Let vaccinated Canadians drive across the U.S. border,...

A New York congressman says it's time for the U.S. to open its land border to fully vaccinated Canadians. Both southern and northern U.S. land borders will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21 , according to a renewal...

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www.cbc.ca
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