Announcement | BCHA Establishes Partnerships to Provide Members Access to Foreign Workers
Dear accommodation community,

In our continued aim to support our members with their hiring needs as it pertains to our current workforce crisis, we are delighted to announced that we have finalized Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the Consulate of Barbados and the Consulate of El Salvador.

WHAT DO THESE PARTNERSHIPS MEAN:
  • Both partnerships will open doors for our members, offering greater access to individuals keen to expand their careers in hospitality. Many individuals from both Barbados and El Salvador have a great deal of experience and skills in hospitality related jobs, including light duty cleaners, launderers, front desk clerks, servers, etc. As the countries have higher unemployment rates, there is less opportunity for these workers in home countries. As a result, it is a win-win in that our members will have access to staff and the workers will have access to jobs.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACCESSING WORKERS:
  • In order to hire workers, the employer will need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The Consulates will fast-track the processing of work permits enabling workers to receive a work permit in 4 weeks; work permits are valid for 2 years.
  • Should you be interested in exploring this hiring avenue, please connect with BCHA Workforce Strategist, Alison Langford at alison@bcha.com. We especially encourage members who have LMIAs approved or have already applied in order for us to make the connection and expedite the process.

It will come as a surprise to no one that over the past year, our members have indicated that the current workforce shortage is their number one concern. The entire BCHA team and Board of Directors have committed to delivering solutions for our accommodation community. We have worked hard to create a large-scale workforce recruitment strategy, which involved hiring Alison to be a support for our members, among the many other projects and partnerships we currently have underway.

Since establishing these MOUs, we have already placed workers in Osoyoos and have more who will arrive in Tofino in the coming weeks. As seen pictured below, we recently had the opportunity to welcome Consul Liaison Service Officer, Ken Mason, and Assistant Liaison Officer, Shirley Wall-Mayers, of the Consulate General of Barbados to the Okanagan region, where we proudly toured a number of properties, showcasing the tremendous landscape of our local hospitality and tourism community. We look forward to continue supporting our members while welcoming new Canadians and growing the next generation of our hospitality community.

Sincerely,

Ingrid Jarrett
President & CEO
BC Hotel Association
Today's update includes:

  • General Updates
  • Federal Tourism Growth Strategy Announced
  • Recording | Summer Industry Outlook Panel
  • ITBC Launches Guide for Working With Indigenous Communities
  • Reminder | Tourism Week Toolkit | May 29 - June 4th
  • Info Session | Vancouver Food Runners
  • GoGreen Tip of the Week!
  • Get a Free Listing on Canada's Garden Route & Directory
  • Destination Vancouver | Promising Bi-Weekly Forecast
  • "Do the Shu" | South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce Launch New Destination Website
  • News - See more below!
  • BC | Canada News
  • World News
  • Industry Trends
  • Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
  • Kamloops and the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc win national municipal collaboration award for Building Relationships Towards Reconciliation
  • Mark Your Calendars
  • Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
  • Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
Federal Tourism Growth Strategy Announced
Yesterday, Minister Boissonnault announced the launch of consultations for the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. This is an important commitment from the government to help rebuild our sector. The BCHA, along with Hotel Association of Canada, were delighted that one of our main budget asks, support on labour shortages, will be a central focus of the Strategy.
In the weeks ahead, the Hotel Association of Canada will undertake an extensive member engagement process as it develops concrete, well-researched priorities for the Government to include in the new Growth Strategy.
Recording | Summer
Industry Outlook Panel
Thank you to all who joined us for our Summer Industry Outlook Panel, as part of our monthly BCHA Virtual Event series.

During the session, our esteemed panelists shared insights on what accommodation operators can expect in the coming months surrounding industry recovery, transportation, attracting international and domestic visitors, along with forecasting for BC's accommodation community.
We extend a sincere thank you to our panelists:

  • ALISON MCKAY, Acting Vice President, Destination Management | Destination BC
  • RUSSELL ATKINSON, Director, Air Service Development | Vancouver Airport Authority
  • CARRIE RUSSELL, Senior Managing Partner | HVS
ITBC Launches Guide for Working With Indigenous Communities
Many non-Indigenous tourism & media organizations look to develop respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Tourism BC has compiled an information toolkit to help individuals understand and build relationships with the First Peoples of BC.
Reminder | Tourism Week Toolkit | May 29 - June 4th
 "Tourism Week" is an annual, national and provincial invitation for all tourism partners to come together to champion and promote our destinations, tourism businesses, and employees. This year TIABC has partnered with Destination BC (DBC) to develop a comprehensive toolkit to provide resources and assist in the development of new initiatives and ideas. Resources include:
  • BC Government Resources
  • Key Messaging
  • Tourism Week Fact Sheet
  • Suggested Social Media Posts
  • Infographics
  • Value of Tourism Videos
  • “We Are Tourism” Graphics
  • Ideas to Celebrate Tourism Week
  • Sustainable Tourism Pledge 2030
  • TIAC Resources
  • Tourism Week in BC
Info Session | Vancouver Food Runners
Join Vancouver Food Runners on June 7, 12pm-12:45pm for an online event: Exploring Food Rescue in the Hotel & Restaurant Sector in Vancouver.

What is Vancouver Food Runners?
  • VFR is a local food rescue organization that uses innovative app technology and a team of volunteer drivers to redirect surplus food from businesses to nonprofit partners supporting clients experiencing food insecurity. Over one million pounds of food has been redirected since March 2020, and this free program is expanding in Vancouver.
 
Join the session to learn more about:
  • The magnitude of food loss and waste happening in the hotel & restaurant sector
  • Vancouver Food Runners' free, simple, and flexible food rescue solution 
  • The experiences of local chefs participating in food rescue
  • With special guests: Chef Kunal Dighe, Executive Chef, JW Marriott Hotel Vancouver; Chef Daniel Chiang, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency Vancouver; Chef Marc-Andre Poirier, Chef de Cuisine, Hyatt Regency Vancouver 
GoGreen Tip of the Week!
As part of our continued commitment to sustainability, we share yet another "tip of the week" as part of our GoGreen program. Did you know BCHA members are eligible to receive a complimentary energy audit to help identify energy efficiency opportunities and cost-savings?

Get a Free Listing on Canada's
Garden Route & Directory
Destination Canada is a sponsor of the Year of the Garden 2022, which encourages the public to get out, explore, and enjoy Canada’s beautiful gardens and garden experiences again.
 
Tourism and hospitality businesses that embrace gardens as part of their venue or thematically in service offerings, can register their business for free on the Live the Garden Life Directory.
Destination Vancouver | Promising Bi-Weekly Forecast
According to Destination Vancouver's current bi-weekly forecast, from May 16 to 29, there will be 26 cruise ships arriving at the Port of Vancouver and the city will host 7 meetings and conventions; along with two special events. The city will see a 9% increase in overall air bookings to Vancouver as compared to the previous two weeks, with a significant increase in US and overseas bookings. View full report.
"Do the Shu" | South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce Launch New Destination Website
The South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce launched a new website on May 6 at its annual Tourism Kickoff Breakfast. The website was developed in collaboration with the Chase Chamber of Commerce and the North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce.
 
The website is an economic development initiative for the western gateway to the Shuswap and has been introduced to inform residents or visitors of the area and to ensure their time spent in the region will meet or exceed their expectations.
Industry News & Quick Links
Tipping Our Hat to Industry
Kamloops and the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc win national municipal collaboration award for Building Relationships Towards Reconciliation

The City of Kamloops, BC and the First Nation of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc have received national recognition for their Building Relationships Towards Reconciliation partnership from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA). The communities were presented with the first-ever 2022 CAMA Collaboration Award for a partnership between municipalities and external partners during a Virtual Awards of Excellence Ceremony held today.

Congratulations and hats off on raising the bar for our industry and country.
Mark Your Calendars
Register for BCRTS Tourism Impact Portal Virtual Information Session
  • Session 2: May 18 @ 9 AM PT | Register
Registration closes May 13.
Vancouver International Wine Festival: Trade Days 
May 19 & 20, 2022
Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver
Register Here
May 19, 2022 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Host: Greater Vancouver Board of Trade & Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Wednesday, June 8 | 8:30 AM  4:30 PM
Partner: Tourism Industry Association of BC Special Offer – Save $100 with promo code TIABC40.
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade DEI Sessions
Sessions Include:
May 19: Indigenous Inclusion
May 26: Including Persons with Disabilities
June 2: Race and Ethnicity in Canada
 
Click here to learn more and to register.
Comment Card
Tourism Week 2022!
Celebrating Success
Camp In BC | Trophy Meadows
Last Laugh