New Cabinet Appointed | Edmonton MP Randy Boissonault Name Federal Tourism Minister & Associate Minister of Finance |
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In a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall this morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his new cabinet of 38 ministers.
Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault was named federal tourism minister and associate minister of finance.
Boissonnault was sworn in this morning at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. He is one of nine first-time cabinet ministers to be given a portfolio by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The new cabinet for the minority government contains 38 ministers as well as Trudeau.
About our New Tourism Minister
Boissonnault was first elected as a federal MP in 2015 before losing his seat in 2019 when the Liberals were shut out of Alberta. During his first time in office he was parliamentary secretary to the Canadian heritage minister and named special advisor to Trudeau on LGBTQ2 issues.
Boissonnault was one of two Liberal MPs elected in Alberta last month. The last cabinet minister from Alberta was Amarjeet Sohi who was the federal natural resources minister until he lost his seat in 2019.
The new Cabinet is appointed as follows:
- Chrystia Freeland remains Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
- Omar Alghabra remains Minister of Transport
- Anita Anand becomes Minister of National Defence
- Carolyn Bennett becomes Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
- Marie-Claude Bibeau remains Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Bill Blair becomes President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
- Randy Boissonnault becomes Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
- François-Philippe Champagne remains Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
- Jean-Yves Duclos becomes Minister of Health
- Mona Fortier becomes President of the Treasury Board
- Sean Fraser becomes Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
- Karina Gould becomes Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
- Steven Guilbeault becomes Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- Patty Hajdu becomes Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
- Mark Holland becomes Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
- Ahmed Hussen becomes Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
- Gudie Hutchings becomes Minister of Rural Economic Development
- Marci Ien becomes Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
- Helena Jaczek becomes Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
- Mélanie Joly becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Kamal Khera becomes Minister of Seniors
- David Lametti remains Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
- Dominic LeBlanc becomes Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
- Diane Lebouthillier remains Minister of National Revenue
- Lawrence MacAulay remains Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
- Marco E. L. Mendicino becomes Minister of Public Safety
- Marc Miller becomes Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
- Joyce Murray becomes Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
- Mary Ng becomes Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
- Seamus O’Regan Jr. becomes Minister of Labour
- Ginette Petitpas Taylor becomes Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- Carla Qualtrough remains Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
- Pablo Rodriguez becomes Minister of Canadian Heritage and remains Quebec Lieutenant
- Harjit S. Sajjan becomes Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
- Pascale St-Onge becomes Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
- Filomena Tassi becomes Minister of Public Services and Procurement
- Dan Vandal becomes Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
- Jonathan Wilkinson becomes Minister of Natural Resources
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New Webinar | Pre-Opening Best Practices for Ski Area Accommodators |
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DATE & TIME | Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 1PM - 2PM PDT
WITH HOSTS
- Andrea Hinck, Director, Industry Training at go2HR
- Ingrid Jarrett, President & CEO, BC Hotel Association
OVERVIEW
Ahead of the upcoming ski season, the BC Hotel Association (BCHA), go2HR, and Canada West Ski Area Association (CWSAA) have partnered to bring a pre-ski season information session, delivering tools and resources to better support ski area accommodators. With evolving protocols and limited access to workers, this webinar is aimed at offering tips for training and onboarding, safety, and the latest in best practices for reopening.
COVERED IN THIS WEBINAR | LEARN:
- Welcoming guests back to your property | navigating the latest service standards and protocols
- Training support from pre-onboarding to first 30 days
- How to do more with less | focusing on upskilling your anchor employees
- Tips & best practices on how training supports employee retention
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Now Available | Changes to COVID-19
Emergency Support Programs
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Last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announced changes to the existing COVID-19 emergency supports.
On October 23, the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) expired and were replaced by tailored, targeted programs to support those businesses that continue to face restrictions or and/or significant losses of revenue.
As of October 24, 2021, the following programs are now available for businesses and individuals:
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Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): The program is extended until May 7, 2022, with a 50% subsidy rate.
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Relaunch Program for Tourism and Hospitality(Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program): Businesses in these sectors will be able to access support through CEWS and CERS if they continue to face revenue losses. The subsidy rate will start at 40% for those with a revenue loss at 40%, and the maximum subsidy is 75%.
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Hardest Hit Recovery Program: Similarly, employers who can show they have faced deep and enduring losses will be able to access subsidies through CEWS and CERS. The subsidy rate will start at 10% for applicants with a 50% revenue loss and will provide a maximum 50% subsidy for those with a 75% revenue loss.
- Lockdown Support: This program will be available should the ongoing response to COVID-19 require further lockdowns. Businesses facing temporary local lockdowns can access CEWS and CERS.
- Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: It will provide $300 a week to workers who are subject to a lockdown.
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Extension of eligibility for Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
The Deputy Prime Minister added that to determine eligibility for these programs, the government will use a “two-key system” meaning that employers can prove revenue loss either a) over 12 months of the pandemic or b) during the current month. Minister Freeland also noted that in the period of March 3-May 7, 2022, these supports will decrease by half.
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New - Updated Public Health Orders | Increased Gathering Capacity and Two-dose Proof of Vaccination Requirement |
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As of yesterday, capacity limits on some events and gatherings have been lifted in some parts of B.C. allowing full capacity for gatherings like concerts, sports events, weddings and parties. BC's Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry has release further information on this.
Additionally - as of Oct. 24, individuals born before 2009 must have received two doses of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to meet the standard for proof of vaccination.
Updates and changes:
- Indoor sporting venues, concerts, theatres, dance and symphony events are now able to operate at full capacity.
- Indoor organized gatherings like weddings, funerals, conferences, and parties are now able to operate at full capacity.
- Individuals no longer have to remain seated at restaurants and bars.
Important items to note:
- The lifted measures came into effect on October 25th.
- Proof of vaccination will continue to be required at the above events, gatherings, and social situations.
- The provincial mask mandate continues to remain in place, requiring individuals to where a mask when indoors
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Face Coverings: expires October 31, 2021
- Region-specific capacity limits will continue in Eastern Fraser Health, Interior Health and Northern Health areas and include:
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Interior Health: Gatherings and Events (no expiry date)
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Northern Health: Gatherings and Events (no expiry date)
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Fraser Health: Gatherings and Events (no expiry date)
For more information about current restrictions, you can also visit these government websites:
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Canada to Move Forward with Standardized Proof of Vaccination for Travel |
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Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that a standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is now available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, with other provinces to follow suit. The Prime Minister also noted that Canada is working with partners internationally to ensure the proof of vaccination is recognized and accepted abroad to facilitate international travel.
The standardized proof of vaccination is issued by provinces and territories to individuals who are vaccinated and registered with their provincial or territorial health authority, and can also be used with ArriveCAN, the mobile app and website for travellers to submit mandatory information when arriving in Canada from other countries. While the government is said to have considered other options like a federal proof of vaccination system, it was determined this would have “limited value” since provinces and territories administer vaccines and are the custodians of relevant data.
Residents from provinces not yet issuing the standardized proof of vaccination can use their existing provincial documentation but the government notes it is up to foreign governments to determine whether to accept it. Those vaccinated outside Canada can check with their home province or territory to see if they can register their vaccine record to get a Canadian proof of vaccine.
Effective October 30, 2021, travellers departing from Canadian airports, and travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, will be required to be fully vaccinated to travel. To allow travellers time to become fully vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel as an alternative to providing proof of full vaccination. If travellers have not already started the vaccination process, or do not start soon, they risk not qualifying for travel as of November 30, 2021. According to media reports, changes are coming soon to the global health travel advisories to a destination-based approach, so Canadians can better prepare travel plans.
Key Links
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BCHA Live Industry Update | New
Locations Announced in Okanagan & Victoria - Sign Up Today!
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The BCHA is back on the road in November to deliver important updates to the accommodation community, stopping in Victoria, Kelowna, Penticton, and Kamloops. Tailored to each region, these information and networking sessions will include food & beverages along with hundreds of dollars worth of prizes to be had. Engage with fellow accommodators, the BCHA team, and special local guest speakers.
Included in the events:
- Updates on advocacy efforts both provincially and federally
- Information on emerging issues and ways to mitigate risk
- Tools, resources, and benefits available to our members
- Recovery strategies for the tourism and hospitality sector
- A townhall Q&A session with special guest panelists
- A catered networking portion / many door prizes to be won
Open to all types of accommodators -- BnBs, hotels, resorts, inns, cabins, lodges, etc.-- members and non-members!
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Destination BC’s Proof of Vaccination Messaging Guide has been updated to reflect new information and industry FAQs, including details on full vaccination requirements that went into effect for BC on October 24 and where to find information on the new pan-Canadian vaccine passport for plane, train and cruise ship passengers in Canada.
The Guide will continue to be updated as new information is available.
Details include:
Tourism Restart Step 3 Toolkit
For a quick guide on communications, health and safety, workforce, and marketing in relation to Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, BC tourism businesses and partners can also refer to the Tourism Restart Step 3 Toolkit.
go2HR COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace Toolkit
Do employers need to have a vaccine policy in place? Can employers demand proof of vaccination from their employees? How can employers balance health and safety concerns with human rights or privacy ones? What do employers need to consider if they want to implement a vaccine policy?
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Canadian Travel Patterns | Reports |
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Measuring Canadian Travel Patterns Report Highlights
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Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 41 (Oct 11-17, 2021) is down -1.1% compared to the same week in 2019.
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The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Northern BC and Vancouver Island saw an increase in visitation when comparing Week 40 (Oct 4-10, 2021) to Week 41 (Oct 11-17, 2021). The Thompson Okanagan and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains saw a decrease.
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British Columbia decreased by 0.1% when comparing Week 40 (Oct 4-10, 2021) to Week 41 (Oct 11-17, 2021).
STR Report Highlights (compared to 2019)
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British Columbia had a 53.4% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 65.5% occupancy during the weekend, down -14.1% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had an ADR of $151.71 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $160.19 during the weekend, down -9.9% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had a RevPAR of $80.98 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $104.85 during the weekend, down -22.7% compared to the same week in 2019.
REGIONAL STATS WEEKEND OF October 15-16, 2021:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 70.8% ADR $132.47 REVPAR $93.79
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 52.9% ADR $132.75 REVPAR $70.23
- Northern BC: OCC 59.9% ADR $123.72 REVPAR $74.07
- Thompson Okanagan: OCC 62.7% ADR $126.15 REVPAR $79.07
- Vancouver Island: OCC 74.7% ADR $185.81 REVPAR $138.82
- Vancouver: OCC 67.5% ADR $169.81 REVPAR $114.56
- Whistler: OCC 55.9% ADR $247.03 REVPAR $138.09
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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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Don't Miss Out | Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on Sale Now! |
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The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that tickets for its online 50/50 raffle are now on sale. The raffle will start with a $1000 jackpot and will increase with every ticket purchased above and beyond until sales close on November 15, 2021. The initiative is a fundraiser for the BCHF, which is the only charity of its kind in Canada, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers in need.
Tickets for the raffle will be
- 5 for $10
- 20 for $20
- 150 for $40
Tickets may be purchased online HERE, and the page shows updated jackpot as tickets are purchased.
The winning name will be drawn at noon on November 16th and will be posted on the BCHF website and social media shortly thereafter, pending notification to the winner. Please support our hospitality and tourism sector by purchasing tickets and by spreading the word about the raffle among your friends, family, and colleagues!
Funds raised by the event will be used by the BCHF to support hospitality industry workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member. The registered charity also administers a scholarship program that fosters the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.
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#HaveYourSay
Take Part in Important Survey's Today
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As BC’s private liquor industry association, ABLE BC wrks to collect data for their membership and create an economic snapshot of our industry. They survey private liquor store members on an annual basis to help develop KPIs or benchmarks for your business. ABLE is conducting their third annual LRS Benchmark Survey and
need your feedback.
To ensure they can offer you valuable insights, we kindly ask that if you own and/or operate an LRS, you complete the survey here.
Deadline to complete survey: October 27th.
Results will be shared with members and in the Quarterly Pour. Preliminary results will be presented at the BC Liquor Conference on October 25, 2021.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca
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Results from the survey will:
- Identify evolving trends – and roadblocks
- Brief government on the business climate in preparation for the 2022 budget
- Inform our advocacy efforts
All BCMindReader members who complete the survey will be entered to win one of three $250 VISA Gift Cards!
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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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TIABC Webinar | Grow Your Business Beyond BC Borders
Wednesday, October 27th at 11:00 AM
Eager to learn about services and resources available to BC tourism-based entrepreneurs?
Join Export Navigator Program Manager Allison Boulton, PacifiCan Senior Business Officer Emmanuelle Barras and Trade Commissioner Francis Acquarone to learn about growing your business beyond BC’s borders.
This session is designed to provide key information and practical tools to empower businesses.
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Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 8-11, 2022
Mark your calendars! The 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference officially has a date. Taking place in Prince George, March 8-11, 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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Reimagining the Future of Tourism: Rebuild, Reframe, and Rethink
November 3 & 4, 2021
We invite you to come together as a tourism community to learn from everything we've been through and think differently about how we can co-create a vibrant and resilient tourism industry in B.C. This 2-day virtual event will have thought provoking workshops and panels, opportunities to learn from tourism leaders from around the globe, and time to network with industry colleagues.
The BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 is open to all tourism stakeholders and GSTC members at no cost.
The BCRTS is a collaboration between the following five regional destination management organizations in B.C.: Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, and Tourism Vancouver Island.
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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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Seat At The Table
How do we retain and develop women of recreation, tourism and hospitality in the worst labour crisis the industry has ever seen?
WORTH Association is inviting industry professionals to attend "Seat at the Table".
Date: Wednesday, November 17th from 9-11:30am (PT)
Attendees will create dialogue, gain broader perspectives and collaborate to develop creative solutions to challenges women face in the industry. The plan is to find answers from the community & for the community, and present these findings to key stakeholders to generate industry-wide attention and action. Researchers from Capilano University and The Sociable Scientist will be facilitating the session at the Vancouver Lookout. As an entirely volunteer-driven organization, WORTH is looking for sponsors to ensure this event is a success.
Click here to learn more about WORTH and the "Seat at the Table" opportunities
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
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Hotel Association of Canada, President & CEO, Susie Grynol wins Pinnacle Award for Supplier of the Year!
Excerpt from the announcement:
“For several years now, Susie Grynol has been advocating on behalf of Canada’s hotel industry. In her role as president of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), Grynol — this year’s Supplier of the Year winner — has been championing the interests of the Canadian hotel industry, bringing legislative solutions to industry challenges, delivering targeted advocacy for fair rules for the sharing economy, addressing Canada’s hotel labour shortage and pursuing sustainability solutions for the hotel industry across the country. During the pandemic, under Grynol’s leadership, HAC played a central role in bringing together industry leaders to navigate these issues together.”
In Susie's words:
"This award is so meaningful for our team – a team that deserves this recognition so much. As I have said many times, our success is the industry’s success and we could not have done this work without your engagement and on-the-ground advocacy execution."
Congratulations to Susie and the entire Hotel Association of Canada team!
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Celebrating Destination BC's Peter Harrison Ahead of his Retirement!
The BCHA is proud to celebrate the tremendous career of Peter Harrison ahead of his retirement!
Over his expansive career, Peter has been a tireless advocate for the tourism sector, making significant contribution to the industry. His lasting impact on the industry knows no bounds and we cannot thank Peter enough for all that he has done to support BC's business and tourism community.
In recognition of the contributions Peter brought to our industry, the Destination BC team is celebrating his journey with a few of his countless career highlights. Read now!
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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British Columbia’s hospitality sector is expressing cautious optimism in the wake of Tuesday’s announcement that capacity limits for indoor events will be lifted next week for large parts of the province.
But while the move is good news to the struggling sector, many operators say they still have questions about how things will play out.
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
The travel industry is welcoming what it calls the federal government’s “long overdue” move to lift a global advisory asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside the country. Read more.
A 4.3 billion dollar industry is in trouble; that much is clear now the Canadian cruise industry is lagging behind the rest of the world. A cruise ban that has been in place since early last year is playing havoc on ports and their personnel, operators, and suppliers. Sadly enough, it could very well be that those involved with the Canadian cruise industry are not out of trouble yet, despite the ban being lifted from November 1. Read more.
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INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS
Selling weddings has been tricky since the start of the pandemic, but they are coming back and being flexible will save you headaches and business. Read article
Latest GBTA poll also reports increased industry optimism, a rise in business travel bookings, support for vaccine programs and an eagerness to get back to traveling for work Read More
While rising vaccination rates have eased restrictions in many places, pandemic-related concerns are impacting how people plan to celebrate the holiday season. To better understand these perspectives, the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) surveyed more than 13,000 adults in 9 countries (Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Read more
Further signaling the continued rebound of tourism to Jamaica, both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines along with Expedia are noting an increase in demand for the destination by travelers in the coming weeks and months. Read more
The corporate travel technology landscape could change radically if it moved to a more "plug and play" environment. While processes currently largely revolve around legacy technology some experts say a more open, micro-services environment would lead to greater innovation. Read more
With this highly usable eZee Absolute cloud PMS API, properties can now seamlessly integrate third-party kiosk hardware to deliver a secure, tech-based guest experience. Read more
Digital Key Share will allow more than one guest to have access to their room’s Digital Key, which turns the free Hilton Honors app on their smartphones into a room key. Read more
The Caribbean’s Travel & Tourism sector is recovering at a faster rate than any other region in the world, with its contribution to GDP expected to rise more than 47% this year, compared to just 30.7% globally, reveals new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Read more
Sector’s contribution to GDP and jobs are set to reach pre-pandemic levels by end of 2022 Read more
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Kathryn Wade, Trade Officer for Western Canada reflects on
the highly successful ABLE BC Liquor Conference
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Indigenous Tourism BC celebrates Peter Harrison
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