Tipping Our Hat to the Thompson Hotel |
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Today, our recognition section of our Industry Update newsletter takes centre stage as we acknowledge the Thompson Hotel in Kamloops, and all other evacuation hotels, for their efforts to support evacuees.
The BCHA received the following message from the Olguin family who have been displaced as a result of recent extreme weather conditions and flooding.
"My family and I were evacuated from Merritt to Kamloops BC due to the flood in our town. We ended up staying in The Thompson hotel on 650 Victoria Street in Kamloops. The owner and staff went above and beyond to make us feel like home -- at least 100 of us are living here and waiting to hear if we have a house to go back to.
This is a very stressful time for all of us, however, the staff and owner here are treating us like family. They are feeding us extra even though is a shortage of food, they organized game night, movie night, bingo night, and provided me with conference room so that I can teach our students every morning. All this without charge. They are doing this because they care and we are so thankful for that. Thank you so much."
We applaud the Thompson Hotel, and all other accommodators who have provided a safe sanctuary to evacuees during this, and other recent crises -- welcoming them with kindness and warmth in the face of such dreadful circumstances.
During these times of adversity, these gestures and thoughtful touches are more important than ever to bring comfort to guests and the impact it leaves behind is immense.
Going above the call of duty to make each guests' stay as welcoming and accommodating as possible is an integral part of the spirit of hospitality. We celebrate each and every one of you who embody this spirit and continue to set the bar so high for accommodators everywhere.
You make our industry proud.
Have a similar testimonial or want to acknowledge an individual/team who have gone above and beyond to support evacuees?
Pictured below: children play in the makeshift classroom at the Thompson Hotel.
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Today's update includes:
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- Tipping Our Hat to the Thompson Hotel
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General Updates
- BC Flood Updates
- BC in Provincial State of Emergency | Implements Two New Orders
- Financial Assistance Available for Those Affected:
- DBC Emergency Resources and Guidance for BC Tourism Businesses
- Canada Lifts Negative PCR Requirement For Trips Less Than 72 Hours
- ABLE BC | LDB Service Announcementgo2HR | Employee Support During Floods & Other Natural Disasters – Tips & Resources for BC Tourism & Hospitality Employers
- Member Spotlight | Explore the Benefits of HOSofT Developments & Get 30% Off Today!
- STR Domestic Travel Report|Week of Nov.14
- Access FREE Digital Marketing Courses Through DBC and Small Business BC
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For Sale | Clair's Inn, Ladner, B.C. Asking $2,800,000.00 Fully Furnished.
- Upskill Team with Free Learning Resources for Tourism Stakeholders
- GoGreen Tip of the Week
- ICYMI | WUSC Partners with Camosun and Canadian Workplaces to Welcome Nine Refugee Youth Through HIRES
- WorkBC In-Person Hiring Fair
- Get Involved with the #BELLYUP Campaign & Protect BC's Salmon
- 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
- Info Session on Propel: A new wage subsidy
- Comment Card | Industry Thoughts & Feedback
- Wickaninnish Inn Proudly Recognizes General Manager, Charles McDiarmid, 'Business Leader of the Year' Win
- Northland Properties & Sutton Place Hotels team donates $10,000 to Support Community Relief Efforts from Flooding Crisis
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News
- BCHA Inn the News
- ‘We can’t blame anybody but the coronavirus’: Popular B.C. restaurants, pubs forced to close for good
- Hot Off the Press | Local and World News
- US to Require Vaccines for All Border Crossers in January
- Tofino resorts pitch new tourist fee, oppose district’s plan to spend MRDT funds on sewage treatment.
- Everything B.C. residents need to know about Canada's new travel rules
- Industry Trends & News | Resources & Tools to Support Operations
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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 in Provincial State of Emergency | Implements Two New Orders
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.
Using the powers of the Emergency Program Act, last week Minister Farnworth announced that two new orders will immediately be put in place:
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ORDER ONE: brings in a temporary order to ensure fuel remains available for essential vehicles in affected areas of the province.
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ORDER TWO: prohibits non-essential travel along severely affected highways:
- Highway 99: from the junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake Campsite access in Lillooet. Only passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles up to 14,500 kilograms will be permitted.
- Highway 3: from the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 3 in Hope to the west entrance to Princeton from Highway 3.
- Highway 7: from the junction of Highway 7 and Highway 9 in Agassiz to the junction of Highway 7 and Highway 1 in Hope.
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) 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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New! Additional Financial Aid Announced Today, Tuesday Nov.23
Additional financial support is available to people whose primary residences have been placed on evacuation orders due to the flooding that occurred Nov. 14-16, 2021.
The provincial government said eligible households will receive $2,000 via the Canadian Red Cross. Evacuated British Columbians must register with the Red Cross at 1 800 863-6582, between 8am-8pm (Pacific time).
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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Canada Lifts Negative PCR Requirement For Trips Less Than 72 Hours |
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Effective November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with right of entry to Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada will not have to present a pre-entry molecular test.
This exemption is only for trips originating in Canada taken by fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act, who depart and re-enter by land or by air and can demonstrate that they have been away from Canada for less than 72 hours.
This exemption extends to accompanying children under 12, and individuals with medical contraindications to vaccination.
Also effective November 30, 2021, Canada will expand the list of COVID-19 vaccines that travellers can receive to be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose of travel to Canada. The list will include Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN, matching the World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing.
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ABLE BC | LDB Service Announcement |
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Last night, the LDB shared with the following important service update with the ABLE BC team:
We are pleased to inform wholesale customers of some encouraging news regarding our ongoing efforts to mitigate the impacts to customers as a result of transportation disruptions.
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is transferring product from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) with the first shipment to arrive at the Kamloops Distribution Centre (KDC) tomorrow.
We are continuing to explore options with vendors and freight carriers to transfer product and reroute shipments, if and when possible, including via the United States.
Highway 3 was reopened to alternating single lane traffic this past weekend. As liquor distribution is deemed an essential service, our transportation providers immediately started to use this route as an alternate connection between the LDB’s Delta Distribution Centre (DDC), pick up from third party agent warehouses and KDC.
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Update for customers serviced by KDC
Priority items from DDC to KDC are in various stages of being shipped and include a mix of regular stocked items, non-stocked wholesale product and single bottle-picks from last week (Monday and Tuesday orders that were placed before the cut-off on Wednesday). We can expect this route to remain slower than normal due to certain highway restrictions, volume of traffic and weather conditions such as today’s temporary closure.
As we continue to utilize additional transportation routes, LDB Liquor Wholesale plans to resume shipments of DDC fulfilled product to KDC serviced customers, which include non-stocked wholesale product and single bottle picks, starting this week. While we will attempt to deliver these orders to KDC- serviced customers as soon as possible, there may be delays due to traffic volume and certain restrictions on the newly reopened highways.
We thank you in advance for your patience with these orders and kindly request that you remain flexible. To ensure we can get product to customers as soon as possible, we may need to deliver outside of normal delivery windows. While we will make every attempt to keep customers informed of their delivery times, this may not be possible.
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Update for customers serviced by DDC
The DDC is maintaining regular inventory levels and will continue to service customers in the region with current available stocked product, non-stocked product and bottle picks.
As always, we greatly appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work together to navigate these challenging and unique times. We will continue to work with our vendors to identify alternative solutions to service our customers and maintain service levels, where possible. And, we would like to remind customers that many of our province’s liquor producers are also available to direct deliver product as noted in the November 19 service update posted on the LDB Wholesale website.
If you have any questions, please contact the Wholesale Customer Centre at: [email protected] or 1-888-775-0681.
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Reminder | 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: [email protected].
go2HR is the health and safety and HR association for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry.
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Member Spotlight | Explore the Benefits of HOSofT Developments & Get 30% Off Today! |
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We are pleased to introduce HOSofT Developments!
HOSofT Developments is a fully mobile agency specializing in developing businesses online with many years of experience in hospitality marketing. They take from the smallest of personal businesses all the way to large hotel operations and build them:
- A professional, beautiful, modern-looking website, desktop and mobile versions,
- High-quality photography of products on white background (like big brands online stores), restaurant menu or facilities,
- Online store with shopping cart, integrated shipping and product options,
- Secure, seamless, easy-to-use payment processing, with regular deposits into bank account,
- Automatic inventory control, order number, confirmation emails to customers, members account, product subscription, e-wallet,
- A whole suite of marketing features such as your very own virtual Gift Cards and virtual Loyalty Programs!
- Long-term online marketing such as member newsletters, promotions, photography for social media,
BCHA Member Preferred Pricing!
During their New Year Resolution period of 2 months, HOSofT will be offering up to 30% to BCHA members off all our programs. Since each quote is customized from an array of services, upon confirmation that a particular client is a BCHA member, the team will insert the discount into the final quote before the project starts.
Contact:
Luis Riestra, Managing Director HOSofT Developments
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STR Domestic Travel Report | The
Week of Nov.14
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Here are your weekly Domestic Travel Patterns & STR Reports for the week ending Nov.14
Domestic Overnight Visitors Week Ending Nov 14 Highlights
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Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 45 (Nov. 8-14, 2021) is up 20.8% compared to the same week in 2019.
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All regions saw an increase in visitation when comparing Week 44 (Nov. 1-7, 2021) to Week 45 (Nov. 8-14, 2021).
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British Columbia increased by 23.4% when comparing Week 44 (Nov. 1-7, 2021) to Week 45 (Nov. 8-14, 2021).
STR Report Highlights Week Ending Nov 13
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British Columbia had a 51% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 70.2% occupancy during the weekend, down -2% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had an ADR of $148.87 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $166.74 during the weekend, down -1.1% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had a RevPAR of $75.91 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $117.03 during the weekend, down -3.1% compared to the same week in 2019.
REGIONAL STATS WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 12-13, 2021:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 70.2% ADR $132.08 REVPAR $92.75
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 48.1% ADR $140.09 REVPAR $67.43
- Northern BC: OCC 56.7% ADR $121.21 REVPAR $68.74
- Thompson Okanagan: OCC 58.3% ADR $123.37 REVPAR $71.87
- Vancouver Island: OCC 85.9% ADR $189.82 REVPAR $163.14
- Vancouver: OCC 60.3% ADR $173.33 REVPAR $131.76
- Whistler: OCC 75.2% ADR $275.96 REVPAR $207.40
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Access FREE Digital Marketing Courses Through DBC and Small Business BC |
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Eager to learn how to harness the power of social media to spread awareness and generate leads for your business? Or, are you struggling to create a standout, easily navigable website?
Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC (SBBC) to provide tourism stakeholders across the province with free access to webinars and online education to support COVID-19 recovery and mitigate ongoing impacts. These free sessions are offered online, by phone, email, webinar or in person (if available).
CLICK HERE to access the webinar code, and see what topics are coming up next.
Examples of upcoming sessions include:
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For Sale | Clair's Inn, Ladner, B.C. Asking $2,800,000.00 Fully Furnished.
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Clair’s Boutique Hotel in Ladner, BC is for sale!
About the property and listing:
"Step in and time magically stands still. Vintage, quality antique furnishings, hunted & collected over time, artfully accent every room.
The Snug and adjacent living room, graced with gas fireplaces are just the beginning. The formal dining room will comfortably seat 12 – 16 with butler’s pantry & bar area hosting a classic upright piano. The kitchen is commercially outfitted and will bring out the Chef in you! 6 burner gas range + grill & double ovens, 2 dishwashers, s/s commercial upright fridge/freezer, commercial convection microwave. The rooms; 3 guest rooms on the main floor are complete with deluxe furnishings & 3 or 4 pce. ensuites. Upstairs, 3 more guest rooms offer private sitting areas with fireplace and 4 pce ensuites featuring classic claw footed tub & separate walk-in shower. Truly something for everyone!
The gardens offer privacy and sunfilled areas for year- round enjoyment. This is the perfect opportunity for an owner/operator! The house was moved, repositioned and raised in 1998, all major services were renewed at that time. The ground level offers superb living space, 2000 sq.ft., with 9’ ceilings; living/dining area with gas fireplace, kitchen, 2 generous bedrooms with ensuites, loads of additional storage, laundry and workshop!! The Inn is offered fully furnished and outfitted, a turnkey operation. Located steps from the village shops of Ladner, 20 min. from the US Pacific Border, 10 min. from BC Ferries, 30 min. from Vancouver. CD118 zoning. License: 6 guest suites, 24 seat restaurant, gift shop & legal suite.
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Reminder | 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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ICYMI | WUSC Partners with Camosun and Canadian Workplaces to Welcome Nine Refugee Youth Through HIRES
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This fall, WUSC and Camosun College welcomed nine refugee youth from Kenya to British Columbia, Canada through HIRES, a unique new employment-linked sponsorship pathway in collaboration with Tofino’s hospitality sector. Participants will complete a two-month hospitality management education program at Camosun College in Victoria before joining their new workplaces and sponsorship groups in Tofino, in November 2021.
This new initiative, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, builds on WUSC's long-standing Student Refugee Program model and looks to further expand access to economic opportunities for refugee youth and enhance their economic integration into the Canadian labour market. Four sponsorship group through champion employers in Tofino—Long Beach Lodge Resort, Tofino Resort & Marina, and Shelter/ Shed Restaurant—will be welcoming these first nine HIRES
participants. Additional workplace partners, like Surf Grove Campground, and Pacific Sands Beach Resort are excited to do the same in 2022.
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Registration Still Open | Don't Miss Out on WorkBC In-Person Hiring Fair |
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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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WorkBC Richmond Community Outreach and Marketing Specialist, Nancy Wang at [email protected]
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BC Hotel Association, Communications Manager, Kelsey Millman at [email protected]
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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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Northland Properties & Sutton Place Hotels team donates $10,000 to Support Community Relief Efforts from Flooding Crisis |
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Wickaninnish Inn Proudly Recognizes General Manager, Charles McDiarmid, 'Business Leader of the Year' Win |
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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‘We can’t blame anybody but the coronavirus’: Popular B.C. restaurants, pubs forced to close for good
In an article published by Global BC on Monday, BCHA President and CEO Ingrid Jarrett commented on the losses experienced by Canada's hardest hit sector from international travel, conferences and tours.
"President and CEO Ingrid Jarrett told Global News that several thousand rooms around the province have been closed since the beginning of the pandemic.
Sixteen B.C. hotels pivoted to quarantine Canadian travellers returning home, while 1,542 rooms were snapped up by the province to house those experiencing homelessness.
BC Housing has purchased 21 hotels and motels, and three SROs since March 2020 – at a total cost of $380.7 million.
Other properties, like Vancouver’s Trump International Hotel, closed their doors for good.
“Several hotels and several as a description is understating that number, either changed hands to be repurposed, or closed due to financial constraints and bankruptcies such as the Trump tower,” Jarrett said.
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Tofino resorts pitch new tourist fee, oppose district’s plan to spend MRDT funds on sewage treatment.
Having swirled past a federally mandated deadline to treat its sewage, Tofino looks set to buck a tourism-spending trend and ease the burden on local taxpayers. The town’s municipal council plans to spend a portion of its annual Municipal and Regional District Tax dollars on a roughly $65 million wastewater treatment facility, despite concerns raised by the Tourism Industry Association of B.C. and the British Columbia Hotel Association and a last minute proposal from local accommodation providers to create a brand new fee instead of siphoning funds from the MRDT. Read more.
Everything B.C. residents need to know about Canada's new travel rules
President Joe Biden will require essential, nonresident travelers crossing U.S. land borders, such as truck drivers, government and emergency response officials, to be fully vaccinated beginning on Jan. 22, the administration planned to announce Tuesday. Read more.
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INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS
A dollar is a dollar; a euro is a euro; a quid is a quid; a yuan is a yuan; and, for the crypto crowd, a bitcoin is a bitcoin - right? Wrong. At least when it comes to how hotels bring in revenue. In that case, all revenue is not created equally. Read More
Among the Top 25 Markets, Nashville experienced the highest occupancy level (71.8%), which was still down 11.9% from the market’s 2019 benchmark. Read more
A further easing of restrictions over the past month has allowed confidence to build, as travellers prepare for a holiday season away from home. Currently, the World Hotel Index shows us that an average of more than 1-in-5 existing hotel bookings globally are for the three weeks leading up to year’s end, while an average of almost 10% of booked stays are due for arrival in the week around New Year’s Eve. Read more
Harsh truths about creating wellness in your hotel
Accept the tangible and intangible value of your wellness offering, and then focus on building your wellness asset and consolidating your asset ecosystem, writes spa consultant Sonal Uberoi. Read article
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
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
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