Message from BCHA Chair, Bryan Pilbeam |
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Today's update includes:
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General Updates
- BC Flood Updates | Resources and Tools for Businesses and Individuals, Non-Essential Travel Restricted in Flooded Areas
- Updates on Travel | PCR Testing & Non-Essential Travel to Impacted Areas
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ABLE BC | Buy Local to Protect Against Supply Shortages
- go2HR | Employee Support During Floods & Other Natural Disasters – Tips & Resources for BC Tourism & Hospitality Employers
- Government of BC Announces Additional Support for Indigenous Tourism Businesses
- STR Domestic Travel Report|Week of Nov.7
- Select Standing Committee Releases Report on the Budget 2022 Consultation
- New Funding Connects People to Tourism Careers in the Okanagan
- Upskill Team with Free Learning Resources for Tourism Stakeholders
- GoGreen Tip of the Week
- RECORDING | Pre-Opening Best Practices for Ski Area Accommodators
- WorkBC In-Person Hiring Fair
- Get Involved with the #BELLYUP Campaign & Protect BC's Salmon
- go2HR | New BSafe Proof of Vaccination Module
- Resource | Explore Propel Student Placement Program Today
- BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 - Session Recordings Now Available
- Mark Your Calendars
- LRS Benchmark Survey Webinar
- TIABC Webinar Wednesday Series!
- Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 9-11, 2022
- You’re invited | 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress at the Westin Ottawa on November 30 to December 1
- Seat At The Table
- Info Session on Propel: A new wage subsidy
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- Congratulations to DBC on the appointment of new Acting Director of Industry Partnerships and Visitor Services, Imran Gill, CVP!
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News
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Hot Off the Press | Local and World News
- 'It's great news': Tourism, business groups in US applaud changes to COVID test requirements
- Province injects additional $3 million into Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund
- Industry Trends & News | Resources & Tools to Support Operations
- Comment Card | Industry Thoughts & Feedback
- BC Government Recognizes Emergency Crews for Relief Efforts
- ABLE BC Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, Urges British Columbians to Support Local During Flooding Crisis
- WORTH Association Celebrates Successful Seat at the Table Event
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Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Members Smile
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BC Flood Updates | Resources and Tools for Businesses and Individuals, Non-Essential Travel Restricted in Flooded Areas |
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BC Declares Provincial State of Emergency:
As a result of widespread damage caused by severe flooding and landslides in British Columbia, on November 17, the BC government declared a provincial state of emergency to mitigate impacts on transportation networks and movement of essential goods and supplies, and to support the provincewide response and recovery from the The state of emergency is initially in effect for 14 days and may be extended or rescinded as necessary.
Financial Assistance Now Available for those Affected:
The Government of BC has announced that Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for eligible British Columbians in southwest, central and southeast areas of the province and Vancouver Island who were affected by flooding and landslides from Nov. 14-16, 2021.
This assistance includes all Indigenous communities, electoral areas and municipalities within the geographic boundaries of these areas.
DFA is available to homeowners, residential tenants, business owners, local governments, Indigenous communities, farmers and charitable organizations that were unable to obtain insurance to cover disaster-related losses. By regulation, DFA is unable to compensate for losses for which insurance was reasonably and readily available.
DFA will assess each application using its legislative criteria in a fair and consistent way.
Applications for the DFA event must be submitted to Emergency Management BC (EMBC) by Feb. 12, 2022.
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DBC Emergency Resources and Guidance for BC Tourism Businesses
The Emergency Preparedness page on the DBC corporate website is a repository of official, reputable sources of information that we use to prepare and respond to emergencies. The page includes @DriveBC on Twitter, for the latest information on delays and road closures, and the Emergency Info BC website, for details on the current flooding advisory and local guidance for affected areas. Destination BC’s Know Before You Go page on the consumer trip-planning website HelloBC.com also includes key information resources for travellers and tourism businesses.
The Emergency Preparedness page also includes information from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirming that, given the current situation in BC, travellers who must transit through the United States to get to their residence in Canada are exempt from the COVID-19 pre-arrival test, the test in Canada, and quarantine requirements. Visit the Emergency Preparedness page for more information on pre-existing exemptions which can be applied to travellers in certain situations.
As a tourism partner and/or tourism business owner, here’s what you can do:
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Share these resources with your staff and follow key social media accounts for the latest news. You can find them listed on Destination BC’s Emergency Preparedness page.
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Communicate with fellow businesses and neighbors in your community, share official information with them too, and offer assistance if you can. Look after your community and take care of your neighbours.
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Help your guests:
- If your business is located in an impacted area, provide your current customers and future reservations with regular updates, by directing them to official information sources. Keep in mind that visitors are not often aware that conditions in BC can change rapidly, so we need to encourage them to check the latest, on-the-ground information before and during their trip so they can make informed travel decisions.
- If your business is not impacted directly, help your current guests plan the rest of their trip to areas that are safe and open for business (your local visitor centre has a wealth of information on places to stay and things to do). Also, be proactive with future reservations—let your customers know it’s business as usual and you are looking forward to hosting them. BC is a very large province and sometimes our out-of-province guests (or even our own residents) don’t consider the vast geography of our province.
Individuals can also help by volunteering. Emergency Support Services is a provincial program for local authorities and Indigenous governments to deliver services to the public in an emergency. They often depend on volunteers to coordinate these services for people forced from their homes because of an emergency. Learn more by visiting the Province's Emergency Support Services (ESS) Volunteer page.
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Updates on Travel | PCR Testing & Non-Essential Travel to Impacted Areas |
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Non-Essential Travel Restricted Out of Impacted Areas:
During a press conference at 3:30pm today, the Provincial Government shared that the province may implement further restrictions on travel, hoarding, and price gauging in recognition of the current flooding and mudslide crisis. At this time, British Columbians are currently being asked to avoid any unnecessary travel as crews are working hard to get people and supply chains moving on the affected highways and roads. You can watch the press conference live here.
PCR Testing:
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed that travellers who must transit through the United States to get to their residence in Canada are exempt from the COVID-19 pre-arrival test (S1.T2.I20), the test in Canada (S2.T2.I14), and quarantine requirements (S2.T1.I14).
Pre-existing exemptions within the Orders in Council (OIC) can be applied to travellers in this situation who must enter Canada through the United States to return to their habitual place of residence in Canada due to geographical constraints.
According to sources within the federal government, Canada will be lifting that PCR requirement on short trips for Canadian residents looking to cross the border for less than 72 hours. An official announcement is expected to happen on Friday.
AIR Canada Adds More Seats:
Air Canada has added more seats to/from Kelowna (YLW) for Nov. 17/18/19 & Kamloops (YKA) for Nov. 17 to respond to highway closures and to move emergency medical supplies and passengers. This new capacity is available through AirCanada.com.
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ABLE BC | Buy Local to Protect Against Supply Shortages
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To help support liquor distributors during this flooding crisis with disruption to the supply chain, BC’s 800 local breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries are partnering with private liquor retailers, restaurants, pubs, and bars to ensure you have the products you need. Right now, BC’s local liquor producers in your are standing by to deliver products directly to the doors of local distributors.
If you need help connecting to local liquor producers in your area, BC’s liquor industry associations are stepping up to help connect you to businesses in your area.
Producers looking to connect with retailers or hospitality businesses should visit:
While we all brace for weeks of disruptions to our supply chain, we will continue to circulate regular updates from the LDB, BDL, local producers, and our distribution partners as they become available. The latest update from the LDB is provided below.
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Update on temporary shipping disruptions
LDB Wholesale Operations sent out the following update this afternoon:
Due to the extreme weather situation in parts of the province disrupting some transportation routes, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is proactively advising our customers of the situation as it unfolds.
The LDB distribution centres in the Lower Mainland and the Interior have regular inventory levels to supply customers in their regions but customers may experience temporary service delays and limited product availability due to disrupted transportation routes.
We have been and will continue to make considerable efforts to work with our vendors and freight carriers to maintain regular service levels. We are also asking customers to advise the LDB Wholesale Customer Centre if they have had to temporarily close so that we can halt any unnecessary shipments.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your patience and will share more information as it is made available. Please direct your members to visit the LDB Wholesale Operations website for the latest updates and contact information.
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go2HR | Employee Support During Floods & Other Natural Disasters – Tips & Resources for BC Tourism & Hospitality Employers
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Evacuations, loss, worry – Just as BC’s tourism and hospitality employers wrap up a difficult summer season that was rife with wildfires on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent catastrophic flood events are once again impacting businesses, employers and their employees across the province. The short and longer-term impacts to businesses and individuals will vary and so too will the needs for supports. Here are a few practical things that employers can do to help support employees during and after a natural disaster:
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Check In – Remember that employees may be dealing with the impacts of a disaster both at home and at work. Check in regularly with them and encourage them to do the same. Where possible, provide support such as contact information for your employee family assistance program, benefits provider, employment insurance or mental health resources (see additional resources below).
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Communicate – During and after a disaster, communication will be critical. Provide ongoing communication, updates and information using as many channels as possible (texts, email, social media, phone, communication apps, etc.). Access to power may be limited or interrupted during a disaster so be sure to keep messages brief and concise.
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Offer Flexibility - Often in times of disaster, individuals, businesses and communities join together to support each other. While some employees may need time off to deal with their personal situations, others may have a desire to be involved in clean up or rebuilding efforts however they may not be able to financially afford to take the time off. Offer flexibility such as additional time off (paid or unpaid), alternate work schedules, or adjust shift start/end times for employees who need and others who seek to be involved.
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Move Forward - As the initial shock and emergency response period passes and recovery efforts start, everyone’s attention will turn to regaining a sense of normalcy. Employees will want and need to know what is happening in their workplace and what is expected of them. Be sure to let your employees know how the business has been impacted and their job/shifts, etc. as a result. Depending on how your business has been impacted, this may include communicating information such as:
- When they can expect to get back to work
- What their schedule will look like
- What they should do if they need additional time off to deal with insurance, clean up or other personal challenges related to the flood
- What they should do if they are working from home and their work equipment has been damaged, etc.
As recovery and clean-up efforts start to get underway, it is important to recognize that it will take time and that individuals will respond and process the events in their own way. Below are some additional resources that we recommend for you and your employees:
Additional resources:
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Current Flooding Information - EmergencyInfoBC offers current flood-related information, including: evacuations (orders, alerts and rescinds), road closures, evacuee registration, flood conditions, advisories and more.
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Coping with Natural Disaster Stress - If you or your employees are feeling stressed or anxious, you are not alone and support is available. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC offers tips and resources to help cope with natural disaster stress.
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Household Preparedness Guide - This practical guide from PreparedBC offers information related to what to do during and after a flood, including tips to help deal with flood stress, returning home, cleaning, psychological care, claiming insurance, and more.
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If you have any questions or require any other human resources or health and safety-related support, please contact us: hr@go2hr.ca.
go2HR is the health and safety and HR association for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry.
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Government of BC Announces Additional Support for Indigenous Tourism Businesses |
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Indigenous tourism businesses will receive another financial boost to aid in pandemic recovery and foster growth through the continued partnership of the Province and Indigenous Tourism BC.
The Province initially provided $5 million to Indigenous Tourism B.C. (ITBC) to create the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund. It is now is providing an additional $3 million for a second intake.
Launched in February 2021, the fund provides grants to Indigenous tourism businesses, including lodges and resorts, restaurants, outdoor adventure experiences, galleries and gift shops owned by Indigenous people. Recipients can use the funds to keep the lights on and pay rent or employee wages. The intake opening date for the second round of the recovery grant will be announced by ITBC in the coming weeks.
“ITBC has worked hard with stakeholders and provided a support system for businesses to continue operating during the pandemic,” said Brenda Baptiste, chair, Indigenous Tourism BC and TIABC Director. “We are extremely grateful for the partnerships and work that we do with the tourism industry and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.”
Read the full announcement here.
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STR Domestic Travel Report|Week of Nov.7 |
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Here are your weekly Domestic Travel Patterns & STR Reports for the week ending Nov.7
Domestic Overnight Visitors Highlights
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Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 44 (Nov. 1-7, 2021) is down -2.6% compared to the same week in 2019.
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The Thompson Okanagan, Northern BC and Vancouver Island saw an increase in visitation when comparing Week 43 (Oct 25-31, 2021) to Week 44 (Nov. 1-7, 2021) The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains saw a decrease.
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British Columbia increased by 4.5% when comparing Week 43 (Oct 25-31, 2021) to Week 44 (Nov. 1-7, 2021).
STR Report Highlights
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British Columbia had a 48% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 58.8% occupancy during the weekend, down -16.7% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had an ADR of $142.36 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $153.45 during the weekend, down -6.1% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had a RevPAR of $68.36 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $90.29 during the weekend, down -21.8% compared to the same week in 2019.
REGIONAL STATS WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 5-6, 2021:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 60.4% ADR $128.59 REVPAR $77.61
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 44% ADR $131.64 REVPAR $57.92
- Northern BC: OCC 57.6% ADR $120.14 REVPAR $69.15
- Thompson Okanagan: OCC 51.3% ADR $117.83 REVPAR $60.48
- Vancouver Island: OCC 67.2% ADR $165.89 REVPAR $111.50
- Vancouver: OCC 62.6% ADR $164.35 REVPAR $102.94
- Whistler: OCC 55.3% ADR $243.86 REVPAR $134.85
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Select Standing Committee Releases Report on the Budget 2022 Consultation |
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The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services Report on the Budget 2022 Consultation was released earlier this week and contains 143 recommendations. The all-party committee heard 347 presentations, received 710 written submissions, and had 1,417 responses to an online survey.
The BCHA is pleased that our industry's workforce crisis was referenced:
- Another area that was identified as requiring investments and supports to ensure recovery in the tourism sector was the workforce. The British Columbia Hotel Association noted that an estimated 30 percent of the workforce has been lost since 2019 and highlighted that this issue is exacerbated by the limited access to affordable housing in tourism reliant communities. They suggested a workforce strategy for tourism and hospitality.
Several of the Committee’s recommendations are of interest to BCHA and its work in B.C. and may be of value in the future. Though the recommendations are not binding on government, they could be a reference point when talking to government officials.
Committee recommendations of interest include:
- Support recovery and expansion of the tourism sector, including exploring partnerships with Indigenous groups and communities, promoting environmentally-friendly visitor experiences and sustainable business practices, expanding accessibility and inclusion initiatives, and increasing investment in tourism marketing.
- Evaluate and adapt pandemic-related supports for individuals and small- and medium-sized businesses to ensure they are responsive to need, and support short- and long-term recovery.
- Support recovery in the arts and culture sector by providing predictable, long-term funding, providing a live entertainment labour tax credit for BC-based productions, and promoting attendance at festivals, fairs, rodeos and other arts and culture events.
- Provide increased funding for parks, recreation and trails to address gaps in maintenance and staff, including dedicated funding to community-based organizations for trail maintenance and development.
- Significantly strengthen emergency management planning and readiness, and ensure existing plans and strategies are comprehensive, proactive and incorporate: prevention, mitigation, adaptation, response, and recovery; improved communication and coordination with residents, local governments and other stakeholders; evacuation of long-term care and other health care settings; local knowledge; and investment in locally-owned equipment.
- Prioritize and take immediate action to increase the affordability and supply of housing by seriously examining all provincial policy levers, including: blanket zoning; municipal incentives to increase density and address development and permitting processes and timelines; taxation; co-op housing; short-term rental regulations; and development incentives and other creative solutions and partnerships.
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New Funding Connects People to Tourism Careers in the Okanagan |
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As many as 30 eligible British Columbians will get skills training to prepare them for jobs in the hospitality industry in the Okanagan and Shuswap regions.
This is a new Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project from the Government of British Columbia. Participant recruitment is focused on immigrants.
The Province is providing more than $450,000 to Okanagan College, Kelowna campus to deliver two intakes of its hospitality professional program. Participants will receive 17 weeks of occupational and employability skills training, 10 weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers and three weeks of followup support to assist in their job search.
Courses will include computer software, marketing and sales, soft skills, COVID-19 health and safety training, human resources and management, project management and accounting. Participants will also receive certification courses in FoodSafe, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and Serving it Right, as well as basic accounting or hospitality service training.
Funding for this project is provided through the Project Based Labour Market Training stream of WorkBC’s CEP. CEP’s investments are targeted toward projects that support an inclusive economic recovery. CEP supports B.C. job seekers’ training and work experience leading to employment in available jobs, and aids businesses and communities in addressing labour market challenges. CEP invests $15 million annually in communities throughout B.C.
The hospitality professional program project is recruiting eligible applicants living in and around Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and Revelstoke.
Full-time online and classroom learning for the first intake will start on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, and project activities will run until June 17, 2022. Anyone interested in finding out more about this or other CEP projects can contact their local WorkBC centre.
Click here to read the full announcement.
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Upskill Team with Free Learning Resources for Tourism Stakeholders |
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TIAC launched its Elevating Canadian Experience (ECE) program to provide tourism stakeholders with free learning resources in culinary tourism and tools for the winter/shoulder seasons.
The ECE program provides content ranging from strategy development to practical tools and tips - all designed to help grow and adapt your tourism business as an operator and build tourism capacity in your region as a destination partner.
The latest module "Embracing Canada’s Winter and Shoulder Season" has been developed to assist tourism operators and destination partners in broadening the shoulders of your tourism season and provides valuable insights, worksheets, tips and strategies.
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Funded by the Government of Canada and delivered through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, the Shop Local initiative provides grants for programs and campaigns that encourage Canadians to shop local to help businesses navigate through and beyond the pandemic.
Applications will be received and assessed on a first-come-first-served basis through December 10, 2021.
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WorkBC In-Person Hiring Fair
Register Today
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Are you looking to meet and hire skilled workers?
WorkBC Richmond, the BC Hotel Association, and the Richmond Public Library are pleased to connect job seekers and employers for an afternoon of engagement and networking at the Tourism & Hospitality Hiring Fair.
During this in-person, exhibition-format hiring fair, employers will have the opportunity to meet with over 200 candidates to cultivate employment interest, establish connections, and secure skilled workers.
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Thursday, Nov 25, 12 pm - 5:30 pm
- Venue: Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch,100-7700 Minoru Gate
- Format: Exhibition-format | There will be ten 25 minute time slots, with a maximum of 20 job seekers per appointment time. A maximum of ten employers will be in attendance.
Timeline of Events:
- 12pm | Event begins
- 2:30pm-3pm | Break
- 5:30pm | Event ends
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Key considerations:
- Each employer may bring one stand-up banner.
- Please do not bring a tablecloth as surfaces will be sanitized every 30 mins.
- Power extension line is provided.
- Masks are mandatory at Richmond Public Library.
- At this time, we ask that only one representative per property attend. Should you wish to bring another hiring manager, please indicate in your registration form.
- Employer registration is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. You will be contacted to confirm your spot.
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Questions? Reach out now!
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go2HR | New BSafe Proof
of Vaccination Module
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BSAFE™, an online COVID-19 health and safety training program developed specifically for the BC tourism and hospitality industry, has been updated!
BSAFE is designed to ensure foundational health and safety knowledge for BC’s tourism and hospitality businesses to keep everyone — workers, guests and communities — safe as we continue to move through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Course details:
- Free for BC tourism and hospitality employers and employees
- Created by go2HR in partnership with tourism and hospitality stakeholders and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports
- Asynchronous, online training course, 90-minutes in length
What You’ll Learn:
BSAFE is comprised of 6 modules that cover a variety of topics to give you a foundational understanding of COVID-19 health and safety protocols as well as tips on handling non-compliance.
- Module 1 Understanding the Legal Context for COVID-19
- Module 2 Keep Yourself and Others Safe
- Module 3 Keeping Records
- Module 4 Communicating Effectively with Your Team and Guests
- Module 5 Responding to Challenging Interactions (scenarios)
- Module 6 BC Proof of Vaccination Protocols
Organizations and individuals are able to sign up to take part in the BSAFE training. You can join the over 400 organizations who are already registered and working on becoming BSAFE Trained businesses. Upon full completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of achievement. Employers who have 75% of their workforce successfully complete the training course, will be recognized with a “BSAFE Trained” certificate. They can use this certificate in different ways to demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe environment for guests and workers, thereby increasing consumer confidence. go2HR will provide a communications toolkit for BSAFE Trained business to easily assist them in promoting this new designation.
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Get Involved with the #BELLYUP
Campaign & Protect BC's Salmon
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Earlier this month, the Wilderness Tourism Association of BC (WTA) launched the #bellyup campaign, an initiative that links the fate of the wild Pacific salmon and BC's tourism industry.
If you believe that the future of BC's tourism economy depends on the health of wild salmon and the ecosystem they support, you can get involved and support the WTA in this campaign.
WTA considers this a sustainability imperative for BC's tourism industry. They ask for support from any of the 19,000+ businesses and hundreds of thousands of employees in BC's tourism and hospitality sector who share their concerns and perspective, and also from environmental and other stakeholder groups in the Pacific Northwest.
To access social media and promotional materials for the #BELLYUP Campaign click here.
View the latest video series for the #BELLYUP Campaign here.
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Resource | Explore Propel Student Placement Program Today |
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Funded by the Government of Canada through the Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers registered Canadian businesses, startups and not-for-profits related to the tourism and hospitality sector a wage subsidy of up to 75 per cent of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500. Students enrolled at a recognized post-secondary institution can apply for a paid position to fulfil the co-op or internship component of their program. The position being covered must be a work-integrated learning opportunity for a post-secondary student but can be accessed by businesses that cover all facets of the visitor economy: accommodations, food and beverage services, culinary, recreation, entertainment, culture, events, transportation, travel services, and more.
Eligibility
Businesses: Registered Canadian businesses, startups and not-for-profits organizations related to the tourism and hospitality sector.
Students: Any student working in the tourism and hospitality industry, but does not necessarily need to be studying tourism or hospitality.
- Full or part-time work-integrated learning
- A minimum of 20 hours a week; minimum of 4 weeks
- Not funded by other federal grants
- With a tourism/hospitality employer and/or related to a tourism/hospitality job function
- Students cannot be replacing a displaced worker or filling a role left vacant due to a labour dispute
Benefits
Benefits of the program ensure that students gain paid hands-on learning and mentoring in their field of study. Employers acquire much-needed early talent to help with the recovery of the industry, as well as assistance with wages after an 18-month stretch of little or no income. Post-secondary institutions complement their programming by connecting students and the workplace.
Get Started
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REMINDER | BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 - Session Recordings Now Available |
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The conference was filled with inspiring moments and key insights to reimagine the future of tourism. The virtual format allowed us to connect with over 900 delegates from British Columbia, Canada, and over 60 other countries.
As a virtual event, many aspects will live on beyond the days of the Summit and can be accessed until December 5, 2021.
You can still register, free of charge, to access the session recordings and downloadable resources. Feel free share this opportunity with others in your organization and network.
How to Access Session Recordings and Resources
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Go to BCTourismSummit.com
- Click Register and complete the form
- Click "Login" in the top right corner and enter the email address you registered with. No password is required.
- Click the building to enter the virtual lobby.
- In the top navigation bar, click "Auditorium."
- Scroll to the session and click "Play."
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LRS Benchmark Survey Webinar
Since 2018, ABLE BC in partnership with Paul Rickett (VARKETING!) has conducted an annual LRS benchmark survey.
ABLE BC is pleased to invite you to a complimentary webinar on Friday, November 26 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am PT where Paul will share the survey results in detail, along with access to the survey results report.
During the latter half of this one-hour webinar, ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard will provide an update on the state of the industry, public health orders, and liquor policy, and answer any questions you may have about our advocacy work or current regulations.
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TIABC Webinar Wednesday Series!
First Steps to Building a More Equitable, Inclusive
and Diverse Workplace
Wednesday, November 24th @ 11:00 am
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Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 9-11, 2022
Mark your calendars! The 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference officially has a date. Taking place March 9-11, 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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Rapid Testing Info Session: Register Today
Rapid testing has long been seen as a possible tool to help employers manage COVID-19 in the workplace. However, until recently, these tests were not widely available and employers were unsure how to implement.
Safe Screen B.C. has been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to help businesses across the province access rapid antigen tests and set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for asymptomatic employees, in support of B.C.’s Rapid Point of Care Testing Strategy.
Safe Screen B.C. provides businesses with the toolkits, resources and guidance to help set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for employees and staff only.
At this time, Safe Screen B.C. will not be able to support companies looking to conduct screening for clients, customers, patients, visitors and family members
Safe Screen B.C. is offering info sessions to employers through this week. Please register to find out more about rapid testing in the workplace.
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You’re invited to the 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress at the Westin Ottawa on November 30 to December 1 –
in-person & online
The pandemic has changed everything. But it’s also given us the opportunity to work together, adopt new ways of doing business, and reimagine what tourism looks like post-COVID-19. Come join the Tourism Industry Association of Canada at the 2021 Tourism Congress.
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Info Session on Propel: A new wage subsidy
Need help bringing on new staff? Hiring students is a great way to build your team for short-term needs and to build a talent pipeline for the long term! And now you can access a wage subsidy of up to $7,500 through Propel, a brand new Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)!
Propel is offered through Tourism HR Canada, a Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. Propel is specifically designed to support the tourism and hospitality sector.
Learn more about how your organization can take advantage of this federally funded wage subsidy program and how to bring on students from hospitality and tourism management, culinary arts, and other programs from across the province at this info session on Monday, November 15th at 2:00pm (Pacific).
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
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Congratulations to BC Hospitality Foundation, Executive Director, Dana Harris on the Announcement of her Well-deserved Retirement.
The BCHA wishes to recognize Dana Harris and her significant level of commitment and industry in the wake of her retirement as Executive Director of the BCHF.
Dana has accomplished an incredible level of success over the past four years that has benefited the Foundation and our hospitality industry at large, particularly as the organization faced extraordinary challenges over the past two years.
More on her departure from the BCHF Board of Directors:
"While Dana is leaving the BCHF, she’s not going far. She’ll be re-focusing her attention on her business, Dana Lee Consulting Ltd., while spending more time with her husband and new grandson. She’ll also be mentoring her niece, Montana, on her business.
Dana has often said she considers it a real privilege to have been the BCHF’s ED. We know she’s proud of the Foundation’s many successes over the past couple of years, thanks to the teamwork of our Board, staff, Industry Advisory Council, and volunteers, as well as the amazing support from the hospitality and tourism community at large.
While it’s hard to imagine the BCHF without Dana at the helm, the Board of Directors has begun the process of finding our new Executive Director. Please click the link below to learn more.
In the meantime, please join us in wishing Dana a fond farewell as she moves on to the next chapter of her career."
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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Province injects additional $3 million into Indigenous...
Indigenous tourism businesses that didn't receive recovery funding from the Province earlier this year now have the opportunity. B.C. announced Tuesday that the B.C. Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund will receive an additional $3 million for a...
Read more
energeticcity.ca
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'It's great news': Tourism, business groups in US...
Canadians returning to the country from a short trip abroad soon won't have to provide a negative molecular test to get across the border, CTV News has confirmed.
Read more
calgary.ctvnews.ca
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INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS
The supply chain crunch and inflation are compounding what’s already a nettlesome recovery for hotel owners and operators. Though hotels offer nightly leases, allowing for the repricing of rooms on a dynamic basis, other revenue-generating outlets are more intransigent - a problem when inflation is soaring. Read More
Pandemic risk, vaccination rates, inflation, business traveler considerations, and travel volume return are among potential recovery challenges ahead Read more
U.S. airlines carried 58.4 million passengers in September 2021 (preliminary), compared to 25.1 million passengers in September 2020 according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 20 airlines that carry more than 90% of passengers. Read more
Since the emergence of low-cost carriers and budget forms of accommodation, the popularity of city break tourism has increased significantly within intra-continental travel across Europe, says GlobalData. According to the data and analytics company, 38% of respondents stated that they typically undertake this type of trip, making it the third most popular globally, behind sun and beach tourism and visiting friends and relatives (VFR). Read more
The strategic acquisition creates a single CDP that seamlessly powers omni-channel guest lifecycle communications and commerce for hoteliers, making it the ultimate direct booking platform for the global hospitality industry Read more
Mandatory pre-departure PCR testing for fully vaccinated travellers to Canada is keeping American and Mexican visitors at home and deteriorating trade and economic partnership in North America Read more
Automating features that ease the application process, simplify onboarding and save employees’ time on the job enhance your employment proposition. Read more
Executives of publicly traded hotel companies and real estate investment trusts detail the value-enhancing projects that are completed and underway in their portfolios. Read more
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BC Government Recognizes Emergency Crews for Relief Efforts |
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ABLE BC Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, Urges British Columbians to Support Local During Flooding Crisis |
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WORTH Association Celebrates Successful Seat at the Table Event |
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