I am very sorry and deeply regret the insensitive and inappropriate comments I made at the start of last week’s BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference. Not only did my words cause distress for several women in the audience but I also offended many other delegates.

My unacceptable remarks did not set the intended tone for the conference and consequently placed TIABC and BCHA’s board and staff in a very difficult position. I am also mindful that what I said does not reflect the views of either TIABC or BCHA, both of whom have worked hard to advocate for the tenets of equality, inclusion, and diversity in our sector. I’ve spent many years working alongside these reputable organizations to help our industry grow and flourish. As a result of my recent conduct, I have let down valued colleagues who love and care about me.

Since last Wednesday I have had multiple conversations with delegates, industry leaders and associates, as well as a time for sobering reflection on what transpired at the conference. As such, I have chosen to step down from the boards of both TIABC and BCHA effective immediately.

This decision is not to hide from my major mistake or leave the industry that I truly love, but rather to see how, through my remorse, I can use this opportunity to learn and to contribute to making the tourism and hospitality sector a safer place and one that advances the values of equality and opportunity for women, youth, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in our society.

As much as my actions caused harm, industry leaders like me have the opportunity to make amends if given the chance.

Again, I offer my sincerest and heartfelt apology for my serious indiscretion. 

Vivek Sharma,

CEO of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

The Board of Directors for both BCHA and TIABC acknowledge the impact of last week's incident and have taken decisive action that includes wholeheartedly committing to additional steps to elevate and empower women in tourism and hospitality. We look forward to communicating these actions over the coming months. Importantly, the past few days have sparked important conversations that have forced us to confront the responsibility we each hold in creating a fair and equitable industry, free of bias. We invite you to join this conversation and connect with us.

Bryan Pilbeam | chair@bcha.com

JJ Belanger | jj@crystalcove.ca

We hope you will support this effort. Click here for key messages and directives on how to reach your MP. 

Effective June 1, 2022 B.C’s lowest-paid workers will get a pay boost, with the general minimum wage increasing from $15.20 to $15.65 an hour.

The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Royal Roads University is collecting data to to discover how women in executive leadership roles, specifically in the hospitality and tourism sectors, have successfully obtained top positions. They invite you to describe your experiences as a leader in the tourism and hospitality industry in the following survey, designed using the appreciative inquiry model. The survey has 17 questions, 11 of which are open-ended. It should take you approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Algonquin College’s School of Business is conducting a research project on behalf of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). We want to know what TIAC members think is needed for the full recovery of the industry and what your thoughts are on emerging travel trends.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

The British Columbia Hotel Association and Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) are delighted to share the winners of the 2022 BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards!

During the awards gala evening, presented by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), nine awards were given out that recognize and celebrate excellence within British Columbia's tourism & hospitality industry. We acknowledge and salute all finalists for their outstanding contribution, remarkable leadership, and for collectively raising the bar for our industry.

Hotel Association of Canada President & CEO, Susie Grynol, has been named a top 100 lobbyist in Canada by the Hill Times!

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.

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.