Message from President & CEO Ingrid Jarrett
Please see below for message from BCHA President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett, surrounding the announcement on paid sick leave, PCR testing, new legislation to support the hardest hit sector, our new BCHA Board of Directors, and much more!

Today's update includes:

  • General Updates
  • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program Legislation Introduced by Federal Government
  • BCHA Responds to Legislative Proposal | Urges MPs to Pass Bill Swiftly
  • Provincial Government Announces Paid Sick Leave Mandate
  • BCHA Proudly Welcomes Three New Board Directors to Exceptional Board of Directors
  • 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
  • Sign Up for January's Intake of the Tourism Digital Academy Program
  • Access FREE Digital Marketing Courses Through DBC and Small Business BC
  • Upskill Team with Free Learning Resources for Tourism Stakeholders
  • Resource | Explore Propel Student Placement Program Today
  • 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
  • Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
  • Prestige Hotels & Resorts Named one of 10 Sustainable Businesses to Watch in Canada
  • Comment Card | Industry Thoughts & Feedback
  • Sheraton Guildford Wishes our Neighbours to the South a Happy Thanksgiving
  • Four Seasons Whistler Celebrate the Beginning of Ski Season
  • BCHA Reflects on Okanagan Industry Update Series | Watch Now!
  • News
  • Hot Off the Press | Local and World News
  • Industry Trends & News | Resources & Tools to Support Operations
  • Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Members Smile
Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program Legislation Introduced by Federal Government
Yesterday, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, introduced legislation to enact our Tourism and Hospitality Relief Program (THRP).
The package, which includes the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP), is the first piece of legislation introduced in the House Commons by the new Liberal Government, and makes good on commitments to save valuable business and jobs that are critical to Canada’s economy. 
This is incredible news for our sector and the result of tireless advocacy from the Hardest Hit Coalition, our sector associations, and operators across the country.
 
If passed, this bill would deliver targeted support to businesses through:
  • The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, which would provide support through wage and rent subsidies to hotels, with a subsidy rate of up to 75%. 
  • The Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, which would provide support through wage and rent subsidies to other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50%.
  • A Local Lockdown Program, which would provide businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns up to the maximum amount available through the wage and rent subsidy programs. 
  • An extension of the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022, for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10% and increase the subsidy rate to 50%
YOUR ACTION IS REQUIRED:

The Government needs our industry to stand behind this investment. Please tweet your MP to say thank you and help to amplify our messages on social media. If you have a personal relationship with your MP, now is the time to say thank you.
Our immediate focus now is getting the legislation passed before Christmas (by working with opposition parties) so that there is no delay in subsidy coverage. 

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGING | PLEASE SHARE:

  • Thank you @JustinTrudeau, @cafreeland, and @R_Boissonnault and all Members of Parliament for standing behind Canada’s tourism, hotel, and event businesses in their ridings and in the House. #HardestHit
  • The Coalition of #HardestHit Businesses applauds the government for their commitment to protecting tourism, hotels, and events businesses and the 2 million+ workers our sectors employ.
  • Thank you @JustinTrudeau and @cafreeland for hearing the concerns of Canada’s #HardestHit businesses and keeping your promise to take meaningful action to protect our sectors. We look forward to working with @R_Boissonnault to continue to create the conditions for a full sector recovery.
BCHA Responds to Legislative Proposal | Urges MPs to Pass Bill Swiftly
The BC Hotel Association is pleased to see Bill C-2, An Act to provide further support in response to COVID-19 introduced in the House of Commons, that will be a lifeline to tourism and hospitality operators across British Columbia and Canada. This is the first Bill introduced to support the new Liberal Government’s commitments to save businesses and jobs that are critical to Canada’s economy.
 
“While we celebrate this recognition, there is still considerable work to be done as our industry's immediate focus is getting the legislation passed before the holiday season,” said Ingrid Jarrett, President and CEO of the BC Hotel Association. “We are working hard to engage with MPs, urging them to pass this Bill as quickly as possible, with the aim of ensuring continued support to the tourism network in Canada.”
BCHA Proudly Welcomes Three New Board Directors to Exceptional Board of Directors
The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) is pleased to introduce its new board of directors, following the organization’s virtual AGM on November 17. The 2021 BCHA Board of Directors will provide strategic leadership, vision, and commitment to the sector, working towards industry resilience and recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce shortages, and wildfire and flooding crises.
 
The 2021 BCHA board welcomes three new Board Directors and is comprised by a team of industry leaders from diverse regions across the province. They are:
 

“I am honoured to be working closely with this exceptional group of new and returning board members as we recover from the multiple crises that have impacted our province these past 20 months” said Bryan Pilbeam, BCHA Chair. “Each board member has demonstrated tremendous drive, leadership, and a sincere commitment to achieve significant successes for our sector in 2022. This recent chapter in our province’s history has been exceptionally challenging for all British Columbians and our industry at large. Supported by the strength and tenacity of our board, along with our President and CEO, Ingrid Jarrett, we look forward to growing our vibrant sector and offering residents and visitors from across the globe a safe space to rest as they rediscover all that makes British Columbia a world-class destination.”
Provincial Government Announces Paid Sick Leave Mandate
From Jan. 1, 2022, employers will be required to provide eligible employees with up to five days of paid sick leave per year if they need to stay home because they are ill or injured, the provincial government announced yesterday.

The paid sick leave protection applies to all workers covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including part-time, temporary or casual employees. 


Please CLICK HERE for further information and see below for a letter to our hotel sector from Minister Harry Bains.
Updates BC Floods| Resources and Tools for Businesses and Individuals, Non-Essential Travel Restricted in Flooded Areas
Reminder | Orders in Effect

Using the powers of the Emergency Program Act, last week Minister Farnworth announced that two new orders will immediately be put in place:

  • ORDER ONE: brings in a temporary order to ensure fuel remains available for essential vehicles in affected areas of the province.
  • 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.

For full details on this announcement click here.

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
New! Additional Financial Aid Announced 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

Update! As parts of British Columbia have been impacted by heavy rain and flooding, drivers are being asked to avoid unnecessary travel given the multiple highway closures.
Check @DriveBC on Twitter for the latest information on delays and road closures.

Destination BC’s Know Before You Go page also includes key information resources for travelers and tourism businesses. Destination BC has prepared a Special Edition: Emergency Response to the BC Storm Messaging Guidance document which outlines key messaging, information, and resources for BC’s tourism industry.

It includes guidance for Regional and Community/City Destination Marketing Organisations, Sector Associations, and Tourism Businesses. Please refer to the messaging guide for information on how you can support your community, residents, visitors, and each other during this difficult time. Messaging will be updated as the situation evolves.
Reminder | Canada Lifts Negative PCR Requirement For Trips Less Than 72 Hours
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.
Sign Up for January's Intake of the Tourism Digital Academy Program
The Tourism Digital Academy is a free, eight-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses seeking to elevate their knowledge and skills in digital marketing to an intermediate level. Designed for business owners or marketing team members, this comprehensive program provides actionable guidance that helps build a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing and analytics.

This online program includes:
  • 8 weeks of interactive sessions led by digital marketing experts and ongoing access to the video recordings (Tuesdays & Thursdays each week for a total of four hours per week)
  • Technical tutorials to dig deeper into specific areas and share experiences with other participants (Wednesdays each week for one hour)
  • One-to-one coaching available, on demand, to answer your sticky questions
  • Audits of your business website, SEO and social media channels, to assess your current situation
  • A marketing plan template to guide development of your own plan
  • Opportunities for peer support and networking
VCM and The Forum Series for Women Entrepreneurs in Tourism
The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) team, managed by Destination BC, is collaborating with The Forum, a BC-based charity for women entrepreneurs, to create a tourism program tailored specifically for women-led businesses.

The two-day virtual program will provide expertise and resources to support women in tourism, delivered by The Forum and other subject matter experts in January 2022. Click the link below to learn more about the free, application-based program.
Access FREE Digital Marketing Courses Through DBC and Small Business BC
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:
Reminder | Upskill Team with Free Learning Resources for Tourism Stakeholders
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.
Resource | Explore Propel Student Placement Program Today
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.
 
Sample criteria to qualify (visit propelcareers.ca for full list)
  • 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
Mark Your Calendars
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.
 
Please RSVP to danielle@ablebc.ca. A Zoom link will be sent out prior to the webinar.
Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 9-11, 2022

Join us for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference as we 'Kickstart the Comeback' and gather in-person to learn, tackle issues, forge new relationships, and work toward resiliency in the face of one of the hardest years in our sector's history.
 

Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!
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.
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.
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).
 
Brought to you by the Talent MATCH Program, a collaboration between go2HR, the BC Museums Association, the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture, and the Association for Co-operative Education & Work Integrated Learning, this info session will feature Rachel George and Joe Baker from Propel, who will explain how the program works and how to apply.
 
This info session is free, but you must register for it here.
 
Want more information on hiring students? Visit the Talent MATCH webpage for more details or contact Project Manager Debby Reis at TalentMatch@acewilbc.ca.
Comment Card
Four Seasons Whistler Celebrate the Beginning of Ski Season
Sheraton Guildford Wishes our Neighbours to the
South a Happy Thanksgiving
BCHA Reflects on Okanagan Industry Update Series | Watch Now!
Industry News & Quick Links
HOT OFF THE PRESS
The Liberal government introduced a new pandemic aid bill Wednesday afternoon that would maintain some financial supports for businesses and workers until at least the spring of 2022. Bill C-2, if passed, would deliver several new targeted programs, re-created from pre-existing benefits introduced at the start of the pandemic. Read more.

As British Columbia heads to the second holiday season under the COVID-19 pandemic, some features that were customary in the months of November, December and January have returned. Read more.

Flooding that has led to evacuations, road closures and declarations of states of emergency has overwhelmed communities and residents across British Columbia. The tolls have been immense. What exactly are the economic impacts of this natural disaster? Read more.
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
Tipping Our Hat to Industry
Have news to share? Email kelsey@bcha.com
Prestige Hotels & Resorts Named one of 10 Sustainable Businesses to Watch in Canada

Prestige Hotels & Resorts has been named one of 10 Sustainable Businesses to Watch in Canada in the latest edition of Saving Earth Magazine!

Contributing to their success is their certification with Sustainable Tourism 2030, the Go Green program, efforts to reduce their environmental impact, the sustainability committees formed at each hotel location, and more.

We commend Prestige and thank them for their participation in our GoGreen program, where they have received a complimentary Energy Analysis to identify cost-cutting eco-initiatives. Should you be interested in signing up for your free analysis visit:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHRCzZaB8wd1huQQmfHAguWYRbYHx4nl8lvNSzGko8sSLvbA/viewform

Read all about Prestige Hotels & Resorts' sustainability practices on their website at https://lnkd.in/gvdWGs2N
Last Laugh