Industry Update

Today's update includes:

Canadian Tourism & Hospitality Sector Launches #OpenTheBorder Campaign | Write Letter to Support the Campaign
Destination BC Launches New Summer Campaign
BCHA May Pulse Check Extended | LAST Chance to Complete Survey
Vaccinations in the Workplace | Webinar and go2HR Toolkit
#ICYMI InnFocus Summer 2021 Issue Out Now!
Additional Funding for Business Recovery Grant
Take Advantage of Exclusive Savings on Business Supplies with Deluxe
ACTION | Promote Your Business Through Destination BC Member Portal
Excerpt from Government Regarding Housing for Tourism Workers
Mark Your Calendars
Tourism Vancouver Webinar: Understanding Social Procurement and the Potential Social Enterprises Have to Support Tourism Sector Recovery
June is Free Education Month at Small Business BC
New B SAFE Training for BC's Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Indigenous Tourism BC Celebrates Indigenous History Month and Peoples Day with Workshop Series
Free Webinar: What does BC's No-Fault Auto Regime mean for Liquor Liability?
Webinar: Rebuilding Tourism in the region presented by Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
Congratulations! Tipping Our Hat to Industry
Opening Soon: Versante Hotel
Prestige Hotels and Resorts Will Soon Have a Hotel in the City of Kamloops
Delta Hotels by Marriott, Grand Okanagan Resort Introduces Luminous
In the News
Calgary, AB Newsroom l | City approves more supports for Calgary's business community
News1130 | B.C. hotel industry faces 'dire labour shortage,' with travel restrictions ending soon
Hotelier Magazine | Sustainability initiatives key to industry's path forward
BNN Bloomberg | Trudeau urged by U.S., Canada businesses to hurry border opening

Canadian Tourism & Hospitality Sector Launches #OpenTheBorder Campaign | Write Letter to Support the Campaign

The BCHA joins the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), and partner associations across Canada and the United States in support of pursuing a border reopening plan.

Today, a press conference was held in Toronto, led by TIAC, alongside industry stakeholders from across tourism sectors – including HAC Board Member, Vito Curalli who spoke on behalf of the hotel sector. The core message: release a reopening plan for the Canada-U.S. border, which has been closed for nearly 15 months.

The #OpentheBorder campaign is calling on the government to take urgent action on this issue and to commit to a date to open the border before the summer tourism season is lost.

A safe re-opening plan is necessary to allow tourism businesses to plan, ramp up and book business into the Summer and Fall.

Please add your voice to this campaign. Send a letter to your Member of Parliament today to encourage them to take action immediately.

It takes less than 30 seconds!

Write A Letter

View HAC's Letter

Destination BC Launches

New Summer Campaign

Destination BC has just launched their summer campaign "Be Open To More", which encourages British Columbians to be open to more adventures in BC - whether travelling somewhere, or trying a new, bookable experience in their favourite destination.

The campaign features 10 key experiences to BC travel, coupled wth a call to action to "plan your summer getaway now" for travel after June 15, or once we enter Step 2 of BC's Restart Plan.

More Information

BCHA May Pulse Check Extended | LAST

Chance to Complete Survey

If you haven't already done so, please complete our monthly Pulse Check survey.

Over the past month, our sector has been plagued by strict travel restrictions that have had a significant impact on your business. As we continue to advocate for relief measures for our industry, we require your input to help illustrate this impact and share our industry's story. The importance of gathering this data is significant.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey below!

Take Survey

THE SURVEY WILL CLOSE WEDENSDAY,

JUNE 9, AT 5PM PST

Vaccinations in the Workplace | Upcoming Webinar and go2HR Toolkit

DATE & TIME

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 from 1:00PM - 2:15PM PDT

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

Ryan Anderson, Mathews Dinsdale & Clarke LLP Date

Webinar Overview

What does a vaccination policy look like?
What are the key human rights and employment considerations surrounding the vaccine?
Can employers mandate vaccine acceptance?

The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) in partnership with Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) and go2HR have engaged Ryan Anderson, Partner at Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LL P to help address these questions. Ryan will provide an overview of the requirements and key OH&S, privacy, human rights, labour and employment considerations for the potential implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination policy, mandatory or otherwise, where one is warranted.

Toolkit

go2HR’s new toolkit COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace – Toolkit for Tourism & Hospitality Employers contains practical information, resources and downloadable tools to help tourism and hospitality employers answer and address some of these difficult questions.

View Toolkit

Should you have any questions about vaccinations or need additional HR support, please feel free to contact us: [email protected] visit our COVID-19 Vaccinations In The Workplace webpage.

#ICYMI InnFocus Summer 2021 Issue Out Now!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LATEST ISSUE

FEATURED ARTICLES

The LGBT+ Community

Understanding Traveller Behaviour

Financial Leadership

The Potential of Productivity

... and much more!

CLICK HERE TO ALSO VIEW OUR 2021 BUYER'S GUIDE

Additional Funding for Business Recovery Grant

The Province is adding millions in additional funding to keep the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant operating until the expected start of Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan on July 1, 2021. The program has been providing relief to thousands of B.C. businesses impacted by the pandemic. Eligible businesses interested in applying for the grant are encouraged to apply right away.

Apply Today

More Info

Please reach out to our BCHA team should you have any further questions or require additional support.

Take Advantage of Exclusive Savings on Business Supplies with Deluxe

Deluxe has been helping Canadian businesses succeed for more than 45 years. Today, you can take advantage of even more help through the Perfect Partner program, a special arrangement that lets members of the BCHA buy Deluxe products at a 15% discount.

The goal of the Perfect Partner program is to make sure you and other association members save on all the things you need to manage and market your business, including:

• Cash management solutions

• Personalized printed products

• Promotional & apparel items

Plus, members have access to the complete selection of Deluxe services such as logo design, web marketing, payroll services and more.

Call 1-866-278-8801 or shop online at www.deluxe.ca today. The British Columbia Hotel Association members receive a 15% Perfect Partner discount. Remember to mention your Perfect Partner member code 19740 when placing your orders.

ACTION | Promote Your Business Through

Destination BC Member Portal

Destination BC’s summer marketing campaign – which will launch once we are again able to promote travel, in accordance with the orders and guidelines of the Provincial Health Officer and BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General – will encourage British Columbians to explore their own province and open their minds to new places and experiences.

As part of the campaign, DBC will promote Travel Offers as a “hook” to encourage potential travellers to explore a variety of BC experiences, attractions, and

accommodations. Research shows that offers play an important role in moving the

consumer’s mindset from planning to purchasing and is also a great opportunity

for businesses to feature new products or experiences, drive website

traffic/bookings, and ultimately, acquire new customers.

To take advantage of this campaign and motivate travellers to book with you, we encourage you to post up to three offers on HelloBC today, so you are ready when we can all travel again.

This program does not require you to discount your experience or product. Destination BC provides an avenue to showcase the current offers and/or added value that you already have available.

Offers must incorporate one or more of the following:

A package of experiences and services at a compelling price point (e.g. a deal including accommodation, meals, and an activity)
A value-add (e.g. free night, meal or tickets included in price)
Existing offer such as an on-going BC resident offer
A discount (e.g. early booking, limited offer, % or $ off, special rate)

There is no minimum or maximum discount required, but significant discounts which clearly demonstrate value to the consumer tend to perform best.

Example offers:

There is no cost to participate and submitting your offers

is easy. What you’ll need:

The offer name
The offer details (maximum 120 characters)
Start and end dates which the offer is valid
A link to the offer details on your website
One picture to display with your offer*

If you already have a user account for your HelloBC listing, simply log in to Destination BC's Tourism Business Portal, select your business name under “Manage My Listings”, click on “Travel Deals” then click “New”. You can promote a maximum of three Offers on HelloBC.com at one time.

If you do not have a user account, please create one here and allow two business

days for access to be granted. For more information about Travel Deals including offer ideas and photo requirements, click here.

If you have any questions or require assistance with your account, please contact [email protected].

Excerpt from Government Regarding Housing for Tourism Workers

MLA Ben Stewart (Kelowna West), Critic for Housing, asked David Eby (Vancouver-Point Grey), Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, engaged in a recent discussion surrounding the housing shortage for workers in the tourism sector which is a significant driver of our labour crisis. Relevant excerpts from Hansard’s draft transcript follow:

B. Stewart: … I'm just wanting to know if there are any programs available to the private sector to build worker housing, affordable housing. That comes from Tourism Kelowna today.

Hon. D. Eby: … With respect to worker housing, I would encourage Kelowna to try to find opportunities to work with the HousingHub. That's exactly what the HousingHub funding is for — to build workforce housing.

In Whistler, it's a tourism-dependent area. They have a housing authority that puts these deals together for them. That was a Whistler Housing Authority project that we used to announce the expansion of the HousingHub funding. Because of their success there, it might be a good model for Kelowna, which I know sees a lot of tourism and a lot of interest in maintaining short-term rentals.

In that kind of scenario, where private homeowners are disinclined to do long-term rentals because there are so many tourists, HousingHub funding can really make a difference, as it is in Whistler. I'd encourage Kelowna to have a look at that.

View Transcript

Mark Your Calendars

Tourism Vancouver Webinar: Understanding Social Procurement and the Potential Social Enterprises Have to Support Tourism Sector Recovery

Thursday, June 10 | 9:00am - 10:30am | Online via Zoom

As we work to rebuild the tourism sector, social procurement is a tool that can help to meet labour needs and create positive impact in your community. Explore how you can look to your supply chain for opportunities to include social enterprises: purpose-driven business with diverse and inclusive hiring practices. By working with a social enterprise, you help create impact and you will be able to access new avenues for employees.

Participants learn how to consider social procurement as a way to create impact in their communities and find partners to solve challenges for their businesses.

Facilitator:

Gwendal Castellan, Manager, Sustainable Destination Development, Tourism Vancouver

Speakers:

Tori Williamson, Director of Education and Communications, Buy Social Canada
Krista Bax, President and CEO, Go2HR
David Greaves, Director of Opportunities, Mission Possible Enterprises Inc.
Iris Ting, Manager Social Enterprise, Binners Project
Sean Miles, Employer Engagement Manager, Open Door Group
David Eddy, CEO, Vancouver Native Housing Society & Skwachàys Lodge

June is Free Education Month at Small Business BC

Start your summer off on the right foot with a month of free education at Small Business BC.

Delivered in partnership with WorkSafeBC, June’s FREE Education Month delivers over 25 webinars and Talk to an Expert sessions, offering plenty of opportunities to upskill. Whether you’re looking to start or grow your business, our educational calendar for the month is stacked with informative and practical sessions that will put your business on the road to success.

More Information

New B SAFE Training for BC's Tourism and Hospitality Industry

To help rebuild confidence in travel and hospitality, B SAFE is a new 90-minute, online course oriented toward staff in BC’s tourism and hospitality industry.

The training aims to provide staff with a strong foundation in COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and to assist them in understanding ever-evolving best practices. Upon successful completion of the course, participants (and properties with over 75% of staff completion) are awarded a certificate and decal that demonstrates their knowledge of and commitment to COVID-19 health and safety.

go2HR's objective is for B SAFE to become an industry standard: a recognizable indicator of the extent to which health and safety is a priority for BC’s tourism and hospitality employers. B SAFE stands for BC Safety Assured For Everyone Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, B SAFE aims to build community and staff confidence in the health and safety protocols of BC’s tourism and hospitality industry as the province navigates and emerges from the COVID-19 era.

Indigenous Tourism BC Celebrates Indigenous History Month and Peoples Day with Workshop Series

Indigenous Tourism BC is looking forward to hosting a series of free immersive and educational virtual workshops anchored by themes of food and beverage, arts and culture, and wellness.

Viewers worldwide are invited to join as the organization highlights Indigenous chefs, sommeliers, tour guides, culture keepers, and storytellers.

A TASTING OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES – TUESDAY, JUNE 15 AT 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST

An immersive exploration of the rich history and cultures of Indigenous cuisine and wine in BC. Learn how to make authentic bannock from home and learn about the history and practices behind Indigenous wine.

CELEBRATING LIVING INDIGENOUS ARTS & CULTURE – THURSDAY, JUNE 17 AT 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST

Learn about the history and cultural significance of Potlatches as well as the artistic practices of cedar weaving, song and dance. Enjoy stories about harvesting traditional foods, wildlife, petroglyphs and much more.

HONOURING WELLNESS – TUESDAY, JUNE 22 AT 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST

Restore your spirit through an exploration of Indigenous wellness rituals.

Free Webinar: What does BC's No-Fault Auto Regime mean for Liquor Liability?

ABLEBC invites you to join us for a free webinar on Wednesday, June 16 at 10:00 am PST

BC's new no-fault auto regime creates a "disincentive" for a patron to sue you. Does that mean insurance should be cheaper and easier to get? Join Lorne Folick (Dolden Wallace Folick LLP) to discuss the impact of of the no-fault auto regime on your liquor business.

To learn more about the application of BC's no-fault auto regime to commercial liquor licensees, download this article by Lorne Folick and Ouran Li.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact Danielle Leroux (Director of Membership and Communications): [email protected]

Webinar: Rebuilding Tourism in the region presented by Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

Join to hear from leading industry experts to discuss:

how the tourism sector will emerge post-pandemic,
what needs to be done to recover, and
what steps we can all take to support the tourism sector.

PANELLISTS:

Royce Chwin, President and CEO, Tourism Vancouver
Keith Henry, President and CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Timothy Liu, Managing Director, Sales Planning and Effectiveness, Air Canada
Tracy Redies, President and CEO, Science World
Moderator: Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

Monday, June 28, 2021 at 12:00 PM

Congratulations! Tipping Our Hat to Industry

Have News You Want to Share? Contact [email protected]

Opening Soon: Versante Hotel

Lovers of contemporary design will be thrilled to know that Versante Hotel, Richmond BC’s first design hotel, is gearing up to open its doors on July 15.

A 14-storey new-build, Versante Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel housed in Richmond’s new International Trade Centre, featuring a sparkling façade and View® smart glass. Custom window tinting allows for each guest to choose the amount of natural light that floods into each guestroom while conserving energy.

The vibrant hotel lobby creates a first impression you’ll want to experience again and again. Reimagining the visceral experience of a Chinese night market, striking shades of cardinal red, electric blue and emerald capture your attention, while iconic furnishings – like a handcrafted Chinoiserie rug by Andy Dixon, a charcoal sculpture of local topography by Marie Khouri, and a custom pink reception pod – invite you in for deeper contemplation.