A Message from BCHA Executive Committee Director, Stephen Roughley |
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Dear BCHA Members and Stakeholders,
In my position as Area Director and General Manager at Atlific Hotels & Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, I oversee operations for five properties across Vancouver Island and lower mainland. And while I have been in the business of hotels for over 35 years, the excitement surrounding tourism has never been more apparent than it is now. Restrictions are easing across Canada, a border reopening date has been set, and a significant rise in immunization rates signal that we are slowly inching our way closer to a pre-COVID way of life.
One of the major difficulties I have faced over this past year as an operator is the ongoing cycle of uncertainty. Managing operations and controlling expenses often feels like an impossible task when there could be new restrictions right around the corner. According to interior health more than 95 per cent of recent cases in the Central Okanagan are among people who are not fully immunized against COVID-19. The single greatest step we can take to break this cycle is to get our two doses and encourage others to do the same. This way we, our staff, and our guests can have confidence in travel and tourism once again.
For hotel operations, Step 3 of BC's Restart meant that many of the COVID-19 protocols and processes in place could be removed, allowing us to — for the most part — go back to pre-pandemic levels of service. Despite this, it is no secret that many of us have been unable to do that. A critical workforce shortage in key operations like guest service, culinary, and housekeeping has made it challenging for our industry to provide service and amenities while meeting the expectations of the guest. Many operators have also capped occupancy as they simply cannot keep up with the demand. Standards have changed. The way we do business has changed.
What remains constant, however, is how important our workforce is. Taking real steps to support associates, boost moral, lead our teams, and recognize and celebrate each individual who is part of our workforce has never been more essential. And while we take these steps to protect and support our teams, the BC Hotel Association is hard at work identifying solutions that will help our industry through this crisis.
Although there are hurdles our industry continues to face, the opportunity for our sector is significant as we build confidence in travel once again. In the next six months to a year ahead, we will be able to welcome international visitors; re-energize people to travel for leisure, meetings, and business once again; drive financial success for our workforce and ownership; and ultimately witness the return of our great industry to a 'new' new normal.
I hope you are as excited as I am for this next chapter.
Stephen Roughley
BC Hotel Association, Executive Committee Director
Area Director and General Manager at Atlific Hotels & Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
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Today's update includes:
- General Updates
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New Restrictions Introduced to Central Okanagan Following COVID-19 Surge
- BC Chamber Survey Shows Strong Optimism from Businesses, Workforce Support is Next Hurdle
- go2HR | Hot Jobs!
- Vax for BC
- #ICYMI | Anchor Attractions Receive Financial Support
- Reminder| Free Access to Accommodation Performance Tracking Data with STR
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Know Before You Go | Tourism Resources
- Donations Still Needed | Wildfire Support & Relief
- Apply Today | Tourism & Hospitality Relief
- Upcoming BCHA Webinar | Managing Risk Presented by Western Financial Group
- Searching for Employees? Integral Hospitality Offering Outsourced Workers!
- Help the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Return to a New Normal & Win $1500
- Mark Your Calendars
- BC Hospitality Foundation | Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on Sale Now
- 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!
- Congrats to Chef Kim Wallace on an exciting new chapter!
- In the News
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Hoteliers relish plans to reopen Canada-U.S. border, Business in Vancouver, July 27th
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Operto hotel sustainability report uncovers 4 key consumer trends that are also good for business, Travel Daily News July 29
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BC Hotels face staff shortage CBC Vancouver, July 26, 2021
- Comment Card | Industry Thoughts & Feedback
- Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
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New Restrictions Introduced to Central Okanagan Following COVID-19 Surge |
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At a press conference on Wednesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Interior Health Interim Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Sue Pollock declared a COVID-19 outbreak for the Central Okanagan introducing new restrictions to stop the transmission of the virus.
The restrictions, went into effect at 12:01am July 29 and will impact Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Peachland, Lake Country
Restrictions Include:
- Mandatory masks in indoor public spaces. Patrons must wear masks unless seated
- Masks are encouraged to be worn outdoors if you are unable to physically distance
- Physical distancing required in indoor and outdoor places (e.g., between tables, line-ups, etc.)
- Events should be organized outdoors and not indoors
- Gatherings have a limit of 50 people or 50% of the venue's total capacity
- Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs must have COVID-19 safety plans in place. Liquor service can remain at normal hours but people should not be socializing between tables
- Nightclubs can remain open with up to 10 people at a table and seated
- Reducing the second-dose interval to four weeks, to get people vaccinated quicker
- Discouraging non-essential travel to the region by people who are not yet fully vaccinated
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Expanded asymptomatic testing availability
- Remind your staff to stay home if they are sick and get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms
- People from outside the central Okanagan are discouraged from non-essential travel to the area for the duration of the outbreak unless they are fully vaccinated (7 days after their second dose.
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There will be continued enforcement of the Province’s Step 3 Restart Plan. When businesses in the central Okanagan experience three or more COVID-19 cases, Interior Health medical health officers will have the power to follow up and issue a closure order.
- While it is not required that dining establishments keep tables six feet apart, it is recommended that establishments in the central Okanagan do so for the duration of this outbreak.
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Events scheduled during this outbreak in the central Okanagan should have a COVID-19 safety plan in place.
Interior Health will be increasing enforcement for businesses that have had three or more COVID-19 cases. Interior Health will also be working with municipalities and WorkSafeBC to ensure businesses are in compliance with their communicable disease prevention plans. Learn more about creating and updating your communicable disease plan here.
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BC Chamber Survey Shows Strong Optimism from Businesses,
Workforce Support is Next Hurdle
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The recent, and final, COVID-19 Pulse Check survey conducted by the BC Chamber of Commerce revealed that businesses are hopeful about the future with 60 percent of respondents saying they are optimistic or very optimistic about the next 12 months. However, while BC’s Restart Plan is well underway with COVID-19 restrictions easing, businesses continue to feel the impact of the pandemic and need support to navigate the current environment, in particular, seeking help to access a pool of skilled workers from which to hire and train.
23 percent of the businesses surveyed report that they are in poor or very poor shape, down from 36 percent since the previous Pulse Check survey in April 2021, a clear signal that operating conditions are beginning to improve. 6 percent (down from 15 percent) of respondents report that they expect to operate for less than three months given current restrictions, support measures and operating costs. Businesses also report that 62 percent of employees are already back in the workplace, with 11 percent working both remotely and in the workplace (a hybrid model), and 21 percent continuing to work remotely.
Of the 680 businesses that responded to the survey, 59 percent (up from 41 percent in April 2021) report that access to labour continues to be a challenge. Approximately seven out of ten businesses (69 percent) report using at least one form of government support, highlighting the need for supports to continue as businesses navigate through and beyond the pandemic.
The BC Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Pulse Check 7 survey ran from July 5 to 16, 2021, and was the seventh in a series of pulse check surveys using the BCMindReader.com platform, designed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on businesses across the province.
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Are you or someone you know looking for work? Looking to dive into new We currently have more than 800 available positions on the go2HR job board. Find your next career today!
Server - Northern Rockies Lodge (Muncho Lake)
Are YOU hiring? Be sure to share your available positions on the go2HR job board!
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It is now easier than ever to get vaccinated. The Government of BC has launched the the Vax for BC campaign to help as many eligible people as possible get vaccinated. If you haven’t got vaccinated yet or if it’s been more than 49 days since your first dose, get vaccinated now at a drop-in, mobile or special event clinic. Roll up your sleeve and stop the spread of COVID-19.
Beginning on July 27, 2021, and lasting throughout the month of August, there will be:
- Community events, vax vans and mobile clinics in dozens of communities in B.C. available by walk-in or pre-scheduling
- Provincewide Walk-in Wednesday on Aug. 4, 2021
- Gradual refocus of vaccine efforts from mass clinics onto programs targeting the hard to reach people where the need is greatest.
A full list of Vax for BC events happening throughout the province is available online: gov.bc.ca/vaxforbc
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#ICYMI | Anchor Attractions Receive Financial Support |
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More than 80 anchor attractions and tour bus operators in BC will receive direct support for their recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BC's anchor attractions play an important role in BC's economy by drawing visitors to communities and supporting local small businesses throughout the province. Tour bus companies are a key link to bring travellers to many of the regional destinations, attractions and experiences.
The Major Anchor Attractions Program, first announced in May 2021, was one of the seven calls to action from the Tourism Task Force. Grants of up to $1 million will be provided to both businesses and not-for-profits, including:
- 23 urban anchor attractions;
- 34 rural anchor attractions; and
- 26 tour bus operators.
Recipients include Butchart Gardens, International Dragon Boat Festival, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Sea to Sky Gondola, Science World, Richmond Night Market, HR MacMillan Space Centre, Big White Ski Resort, Britannia Mine Museum, Hells Gate Airtram and Wilson’s Transportation.
Organizations can use the grants to pay for rent and utilities, payroll and costs related to restarting or ramping up operations and other business expenses that will help them recover from the impacts of the pandemic. For example, Richmond Night Market will use its $1-million grant to help it maintain its role as a significant attraction in the City of Richmond.
Since the start of the pandemic, the BC government has worked with industry to provide relief and support. As a reminder, in addition to the Major Anchors Attraction Program, the Province has provided the following:
- A $100-million tourism-specific stream under the Small and Medium Size Business Recovery Grant program.
- $5 million was allocated in dedicated relief funding delivered by Indigenous Tourism BC for Indigenous tourism businesses.
- $53 million has been invested in community-based tourism infrastructure and destination development to help tourism in B.C. recover, create jobs and spur economic development.
- The Province partnered with go2HR to design a COVID-19 safety certificate course for the tourism and hospitality workforce.
- Budget 2021 includes an additional $50 million in to support tourism recovery and $20 million for community-based tourism infrastructure.
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REMINDER | Free Access to Accommodation Performance Tracking Data with STR
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Accommodation operators have a unique opportunity to learn more about the performance of B.C.'s hotel, lodge, and B&B performance, with no cost to participate.
As we all move toward recovery, it’s never been more important to strategize around pricing and understanding whether to try and recoup occupancy rates or maintain room rates.
STR’s weekly reporting tool enables accommodation providers to see how their own property is performing against those within the local market - both geographic area and class of accommodation.
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How It Works
STR collects rooms available, rooms sold, and net room revenue on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis from participating hotels. Data is then fed back to all participants in reports - and via a personal dashboard. All individual hotel data remains confidential and is never released to a third party.
Submitting data assists not only participating properties, but also the local market and the entire province. Participation is fast and easy, taking less than 5 minutes a month.
Background
Weekly and monthly STR reports that detail accommodation performance across the province are provided to the Regional DMO partners each week by Symphony Tourism Services. The aim of the BCRTS partners, BCHA, and STR is to increase hotel participation so that quality and accuracy of data increases for everyone across British Columbia.
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Know Before You Go | Tourism Resources |
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FOR OPERATORS | Emergency Preparedness
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 and COVID-19 pandemic.
Wildfire and COVID-19 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.
FOR VISITORS | Know before you go.
Current travel restrictions, wildfire info, and other key visitor information on is available on Destination BC's consumer website, HelloBC.com. Click here to visit the Know Before You Go page and share the resource with anyone travelling within BC.
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Reminder | Donations Needed for Wildfire
Support & Relief
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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:
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online at redcross.ca
- by calling 1-800-418-1111
- by texting FIRES to 45678
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Apply Today | Tourism & Hospitality Relief
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Federal Programs
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Note: Your business can only claim the CEWS OR CRHP - here is a comparison between the two programs
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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
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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).
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CALL TO ACTION | Your Support Is Needed |
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Upcoming BCHA Webinar | Managing Risk Presented by Western Financial Group |
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DATE & TIME
Wednesday, August 11th | 1PM - 2M PDT
WITH HOST
Rudy Penner, Director of Risk Management
Western Financial Group
Overview
With a hard market and a reduced appetite from insurers, adopting risk management strategies is more important than ever. Implementing a comprehensive risk management program at your hotel, motel or pub can help protect what matters most: your people, your property, and your livelihood.
Join the BC Hotel Association and Western Financial Wednesday, August 11th at 1pm to learn more about how to implement risk management strategies.
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Help the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Return to a New Normal & Win $1500 |
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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!
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REMINDER | Searching for Employees? Integral Hospitality Offering Outsourced Workers |
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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.
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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!
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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.
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BC Hospitality Foundation | Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on Sale Now
Tickets 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.
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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.
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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.
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
Have News You'd Like to Share? Contact Kelsey@bcha.com
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Congrats to Chef Kim Wallace on an exciting new chapter!
After five years as chef at the Coast Capri Hotel, Chef Kim Wallace is switching gears and has accepted a lead instructor position to teach Professional Cooking Level One (PC1) Culinary Arts with Indigenous Content at an Instructors Program at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), beginning August 23rd. Chef Wallace recently instructed high school students for two weeks at Caledonia College (CNC) in Burns Lake at the Trades Discovery Program for students, with cooking as their final trade stop in the program. Read more.
Congrats Kim!
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While B.C. tourism and hospitality operators are eager to welcome foreign travellers, most realize that reopening international borders is no panacea.
Opening the Canada-U.S. border to fully vaccinated Americans starting August 9 and international borders to fully vaccinated foreigners starting September 7 is important, however, because foreign travellers will help fill hotels and restaurants, and they tend to spend more money than the average domestic visitor.
Advance notice of the new rules also provides clarity as to when non-essential visitors will be able to visit.
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Operto Guest Technologies, a global leader in property automation and IoT control systems for the hotel, vacation and short-term rental industries, has released a report, “Sustainable Hotels: How Going Green Helps Your Hotel”, highlighting the most important data trends in sustainability for guests over the coming year. The findings show that small but significant changes to hotel management practices can have a big impact on operations - reducing plastic, saving energy and water, boosting revenue and increasing guest satisfaction.
4 key data trends for sustainability in hotels:
1) Going green saves plastic: 64% of respondents said they were most worried by single-use plastic, such as keycards, cutlery, and disposable water bottles. Modern, keyless check-in, as offered by Operto, eliminates keycards helping to create a plastic-free hotel and making life easier for guests.
2) Going green saves energy and water: one in five surveyed was most worried about energy and temperature waste during a hotel stay. Savvy hotels can connect their management systems to energy-saving smart devices that can be turned down or off remotely or when not in use.
3) Going green boosts revenue: 86% said they would pay more for an eco-friendly choice of hotels and guests will pay up to 75% more to stay in a green hotel. Revenue can be positively affected by sustainability practices on an ADR basis.
4) Going green increases bookings: 53% said they check for eco-friendliness as a bonus. Green credentials are attractive to the travellers of today and tomorrow.
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