Message for President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett |
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Dear Accommodation Community and Stakeholders,
Yesterday, protests took place across the province -- and in front of many hospitals -- illustrating how divisive the proof of vaccination program is, and will be, once it takes affect September 13th. In some areas of our province the very healthcare workers who have painstakingly worked to protect and heal British Columbians over these past 19+ months, were berated as they entered and exited their workplaces. At the same time, it was heartbreaking to see vulnerable individuals seeking urgent medical care be blocked from accessing healthcare facilities.
Regardless of whatever your political view may be on the proof of vaccination program, the events that took place yesterday raise critical concerns for our industry as we strive to avoid similar displays of aggression directed at our own employees and colleagues. The most important entity that our industry has is our workforce and protecting our employees is, and needs to be, our number one priority, particularly as we continue to face the critical workforce shortage.
This past week, we asked our members to reach out to us directly with their thoughts, questions, and concerns surrounding the proof of vaccination program. Despite various positions on the vaccination passport -- some for it, others not -- our membership was unanimous in sharing a sincere desire to keep employees safe; this belief has been the driving force in all of our recent communications with government.
To clarify on the role that accommodators will play, hotels are considered an essential service and are not required to check for proof of vaccination should an unvaccinated traveller wish to stay at their property. However, many hotels have services and facilities among the list of identified settings that require vaccination for entry (such as fitness centres, meeting spaces, pools, weddings etc.) and may be required to check for proof of vaccination. At this stage, we do not have details on what any of these protocols and processes will look like.
We completely appreciate that the lack of information on the program is inconvenient and share your frustrations as we are strive to get you the answers you need to best prepare your business. Many of you have expressed that this waiting game has posed significant challenges and that key business opportunities have been lost due to the uncertainty. However, we will have answers soon as government has indicated that further details will be available early next week, at which time we will share immediately.
Please know, we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that operators feel confident in their ability to operate come September 13th. Similar to the work we did for the BC Restart toolkits, we will be finalizing a proof of vaccination toolkit that will offer critical information for operators on key messages, best practices, guest communications, scripts for avoiding conflict, and more. We want to ensure you have the information needed to manage the potential change in protocol.
Furthermore, I would also like to address the topic of mandating-vaccination among your staff and/or guests. Over the past week, we have seen hotel owners and/or operators take steps to implement a mandatory vaccination policy. What is important to note is that this is entirely a business decision, which can only be made by the business. There are many hotel businesses that will decide not to mandate vaccinations which is also a business decision.
Should you be planning to implement a mandatory vaccination policy, we encourage you to explore ABLE BC's helpful toolkit which outlines information on vaccination policy. https://ablebc.ca/covid-19-vaccination-workplace-policy/. Furthermore, see below for steps that one of our members took in the implementation of their mandatory-vaccination program:
- Have the larger executive team meet to discuss broad guidelines of vaccination program
- Work directly with a legal counsel to determine the specifics on policy
- Include the management team in discussions to iron out next stages of implementation
- Ensure that team members have signed an NDA so that information is not leaked prior to processes and protocols being put in place as this can lead to confusion, rumours, and challenges in the rollout of the program
- You may also wish to work with a PR company or a communications expert who can help determine key messages for internal and external communications. At this stage, it is best to determine answers to commonly asked questions, key holding statements, and which members of the team should take on any media inquiries should there be any
- It is imperative that this information is clearly communicated to your team at large to ensure alignment across all employees
- Following this, it is important to publicly communicate this policy across all communications channels, booking portals, and guest touchpoints
In closing, I would like to clarify that while we respect each individuals right to decide if they receive the vaccine, it is undeniable that the vaccine is the single greatest tool that we have available to help our industry, society, and community members, recover, thrive, and prosper. Building confidence in the safety of our workplaces will be absolutely vital as we look to restart our meetings, events, sports, tour, cruise, corporate travel, and government travel sectors.
The faster we can take this important step to get the vaccine, the faster we protect our communities, see a stark decline in COVID-19 cases, and witness a return to our 'old' normal. Let's all roll up our sleeves and show each other that we are committed to ending this pandemic.
Best wishes,
Ingrid Jarrett
President and CEO
British Columbia Hotel Association
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New Health Measures Introduced for Northern Health Region |
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A large rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Northern Health has prompted the B.C. government to bring in new restrictions in the health authority effective at 12:01 AM Tuesday September 7, 2021. Only additional family or five guests are allowed in homes for personal gatherings, as well, a maximum of 50 people is set for outdoor gatherings. These are the same measures that were put in place for Interior Health.
Because there has not been transmission in restaurants, no new limits were imposed in those settings. As well, there are no new restrictions regarding places of worship or recreation facilities.
FURTHER DETAILS INCLUDE:
New NH orders:
- Personal gatherings in your home – one additional family or 5 guests
- Personal gatherings outside your home – maximum 50 people
- Indoor events – have a safety plan (the organizer should have a safety plan, but is not required to submit one for approval)
- Outside events – when more than 200 people, then have a safety plan
- Sporting events with spectators, indoor & outdoor – have a safety plan
Currently in Step 3 of BC restart plan and still in place:
In the Restart step 3 and current PHO order on gatherings and events:
- Indoor events - maximum of 50 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater
- Outside events – maximum of 5000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater
- Outdoor spectator events: 5000 people or 50% capacity
- Indoor spectator event: 50 people or 50% capacity
Not restricted by either NH order or restart step 3/PHO order:
- All indoor fitness classes allowed, normal capacity
- Gyms and recreation facilities, normal capacity
- Restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs (except for socialization between tables or dancing)
- worship services or educational activities (K to 12 and post-secondary)
These measures will remain in place until Northern Health experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.
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New Research | Weekly Canadian Travel Patterns & STR Report |
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Canadian Travel Patterns Highlights
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Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 33 (August 16-22, 2021) is up 4.2% compared to the same week in 2019.
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All regions, with the exception of the Thompson Okanagan and the Kootenay Rockies saw an increase in visitation when comparing Week 32 (August 9-15, 2021) to Week 33 (August 16-22, 2021).
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British Columbia decreased by 3.2% when comparing Week 32 (August 9-15, 2021) to Week 33 (August 16-22, 2021).
STR Highlights
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British Columbia had a 73.7% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 78.1% occupancy during the weekend, up 40.8% compared to the same week in 2020.
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British Columbia had an ADR of $195.65 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $213.58 during the weekend, up 27.3% compared to the same week in 2020.
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British Columbia had a RevPAR of $144.18 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $166.91 during the weekend, up 79.2% compared to the same week in 2020.
REGIONAL STATS WEEKEND OF AUGUST 20-21, 2021:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 81.4% ADR $156.17 REVPAR $127.13
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 70.2% ADR $184.95 REVPAR $129.91
- Northern BC: OCC 72.6% ADR $125.91 REVPAR $92.69
- Thompson Okanagan: OCC 72.9% ADR $200.47 REVPAR $146.07
- Vancouver Island: OCC 81% ADR $260.80 REVPAR $211.32
- Vancouver: OCC 82.5% ADR $216.56 REVPAR $178.64
- Whistler: OCC 70% ADR $348.41 REVPAR $243.94
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TIAC | State of the Industry Summary Results August 2021 |
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In a recent industry wide survey conducted by TIAC with respondent representation from tourism businesses in every province and territory, the following is a summary of the highlights.
- 1/3 of respondents expect up to a 50% decline in revenue for 2021 as compared to 2020
- Comparing July 2021 revenue to July 2020 revenue:
- 13% of non-accommodation tourism businesses expect a decrease in revenue between 76% and 100%
- 11% of accommodation operators expect between a 26% and 50% reduction in revenue
- 30% of accommodation operators have taken on debt between $100,000 and $500,000 to keep their business afloat, compared to 16% of non-accommodation tourism businesses
- 39% of tourism businesses would shut down today if they could no longer receive support from government programs
- Majority of respondents predict it will take between 1 to 3 years for sufficient tourism demand to return to pre-pandemic level of profitability; with the border reopening
Top five issues facing industry
- Wage and rent (need for fixed cost subsidies)
- Labour (critical resource shortfall)
- Border restrictions (loss of summer traffic)
- Restart costs and COVID protocols (need for financial support)
- Proof of vaccination policies (lack of clarity and consistency).
View State of the Industry survey results here.
TIAC also conducted an industry wide survey on proof of vaccination. Two questions were raised;
1). Do you support the notion of a proof of vaccination?
- 85% of respondents voted yes
- 15% of respondents voted no
2). Proof of vaccination should be used in which context? (See below for results in following order)
- for international travel
- for inter provincial/territorial travel
- for intra provincial/territorial travel
- for non-essential travel
- for all travel
- should continue as is
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Expansion to Electric Vehicle
Charging Network
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British Columbia’s province-wide electric vehicle (EV) charging network will get four new sites in the coming months.
The number of EV charging stations throughout the province is growing rapidly. BC now has over 2,000 public Level 2 charging stations and 200 public fast-charging sites, with over 480 fast-charging stations.
This fall, government is installing four new electric vehicle charging station sites. Each site will host two fast chargers and one Level 2 charger (total of 12 charging stations).
- Hanceville Lookout rest area: near Hanceville, about 85 kilometres west of Williams Lake on Highway 20
- Una rest area: about 30 kilometres northeast of Vernon on Highway 97
- Motz Road: located just east of Terrace near the Thornhill Roundabout off Highway 37
- Mount Terry Fox rest area: nine kilometres east of Tête Jaune Cache on Highway 16
Westcana Electric Inc. will build the new EV charging stations. The project is expected to be completed by late December 2021. All four charging sites are expected to be open to the public beginning in 2022.
Since 2018, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has installed EV charging stations at 22 locations along B.C. highways. These four new projects will bring that total to 26. The ministry is also exploring charging options along Highways 20 and 97 to further support electric vehicle owners in rural and northern B.C.
Click here to read the full announcement.
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2022 Budget Consultations Begin |
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Yesterday’s budget 2022 consultations featured representatives from non-profit attractions as well as the sport and arts and culture sectors.
Speakers from organizations including Science World, Triathlon BC, the Vancouver Art Gallery and the PNE, remarked on various topics, including how their organizations can help drive tourism and the economy, and the impact of the pandemic.
Italicized excerpts below are from Hansard’s draft transcript.
Kathy MacRae, from the Adventure Tourism Coalition, said her subsection of the tourism industry had been key prior to COIVD, but became was the hardest-hit subsector. She recommended two key initiatives: an updated adventure tourism policy, and the formation of an adventure tourism branch, ideally couched within the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports. She also urged better communication on land use planning.
Martin Littlejohn of the Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association, said there is funding to build new trails, but not much funding to maintain them. He added that Recreation Sites and Trails BC has limited capacity. He advocated for a strong outdoor recreation vision:
M. Littlejohn: …What we are recommending is to increase the annual operational budget for recreation sites to Trails B.C. to $20 million to develop a B.C. outdoor recreation strategy with a funding model to support trails, and the creation of a position for parliamentary secretary for outdoor recreation to oversee strategy development and seek cooperation from within the various ministries that would need to be involved.
In the coming weeks, the BCHA will be submitting our recommendations for support for our sector.
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U.S. State Department Issues
Travel Advisory to Canada
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The U.S. State Department is advising American travellers to reconsider travel to Canada due to a high level of COVID-19 in the country and has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. Before planning any international travel, US citizens are asked to review the CDC's specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.
The U.S. government has also posted several resources for travellers if they decide to travel to Canada that include:
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The U.S. Embassy's web page regarding COVID-19.
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The CDC’s web page on Travel and COVID-19.
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go2HR | Employment Resources for Province-Wide Mask Mandate |
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go2HR has free resources to support tourism businesses with the announcement of the B.C. mask mandate, including printable mask mandate posters to display in workplaces, a new script on how to respond to guests who refuse to wear a mask, and communicable disease prevention plans support services.
As a reminder, masks are required in all public indoor settings for all people born in 2009 or earlier (12+).
This includes:
- Malls, shopping centres
- Grocery and liquor stores
- Airports
- Coffee shops
- On public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle
- Libraries
- Clothing and retail stores
- Areas of office buildings where services to the public are provided
- Common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity
- Common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations
- Inside schools for all K to 12 staff, visitors and students in grades 4 to 12
- Drug stores
- Community centres
- Recreation centres
- City Halls
- Restaurants, pubs and bars when not seated at a table
RESOURCES
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Advocacy Support Needed | HAC Resources
for Federal Election
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Ahead of the federal election, there is an urgent need to communicate the needs of our sector to ensure we a tailored survival program is supported by all parties. Detailed below are steps and key talking points to advocating on behalf of industry.
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For all industry colleagues to schedule meetings with their local candidates
- It is critical that we keep the pressure on and ensure that your local candidates know that without targeted support, you will not survive, and your employees’ jobs will be at stake.
- What we need from each party:
- Last week the Liberal Party pledged to support Canada’s hardest hit businesses, we need to tell the Liberals that this was an important pledge and that we support it.
- We need to continue to push the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois for a more detailed plan for the hardest hit
- We need the NDP to understand that without a bridge support program, the livelihoods of your employees will be at risk.
- All parties need to know this is an important issue for their constituents so they can move swiftly with legislation in the fall. If you have close allies with opposition party members, please reach out directly to them and push this message!
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To support you in your meetings, here are some suggested talking points:
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Liberal Party:
- Thank you for the targeted bridge program supporting the Hardest Hit Businesses in the Tourism Sector. This will be critical to getting us through the fall and winter seasons.
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Conservative Party:
- Thank you for your support. The ‘Explore and Support Canada’ as well as the ‘Job Surge Plan’ may help, but as we cannot yet recover, we need a plan that will help us survive until we can get to recovery. The industry will need a tailored support program for the hardest hit to get through the difficult fall and winter months. Can we count on the support of your party for a tailored plan?
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NDP:
- Thank you for your commitment to extending CEWS and CERS until the pandemic is over. However, if CEWS and CERS are extended at 20%, it will not be enough for the industry and to keep our employees. The reality is we have not been able to recover at the same pace as others. This is why we will need a tailored bridge support program to ensure that we make it through the difficult fall and winter months, and into recovery next spring. Can we count on the support of your party for a tailored plan?
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Bloc Québécois:
- Thank you for acknowledging and recognizing the need for continued support for those who are the hardest hit. Those of us within the <tourism/travel/events/etc.> sector cannot yet recover, and we will need a tailored bridge support program that will help us survive the fall and winter months, and into recovery next spring. Can we count on the support of your party for a tailored plan?
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How to do it
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Find your local candidate here https://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/FindED?L=e&QID=-1&PAGEID=20.
- Note that these are the key swing ridings in BC: Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Vancouver Granville, Cloverdale-Langley City, Surrey South-White Rock, Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge, Steveston-Richmond East
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Send an email detailing your struggles and share this link to the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses federal proposal detailing our ask. Request a meeting to discuss this in person or over the phone.
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Report your meetings here so the HCC can continue to track progress and have you featured on the leader board: https://www.hardesthit.ca/report-meetings.
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Continue to Tweet, following the Liberal pledge! It’s important to acknowledge and thank the Liberals for their support, but also important to avoid appearing partisan. Click here to send a pre-written message from your Twitter account. Don't forget to tag your local Liberal candidate and the Liberal Leader
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BCHA is Coming to Vancouver Island! Register for our Live Industry Update Series |
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As part of our commitment to engage and hear from members and colleagues across British Columbia, we will hosting four in-person information & networking sessions geared to accommodators across Vancouver Island.
During these FREE sessions our hospitality colleagues and associates will have opportunity to hear directly from our team while voicing their own perspectives and priorities as we shift to recovery.
- These sessions will be tailored to each region and will include:
- 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 Q&A session
- Along with a networking portion with food and drinks provided
Please see below for further information on each event and register for the session of your choice!
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TOFINO
- Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 | 10am – 1pm
- Wickanninnish Conference Hall at the Best Western Plus Tin Wis | 1119 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
COURTENAY:
- Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 | 10am – 1pm
- Ballroom at Crown Isle Resort | 399 Clubhouse Dr, Courtenay, BC V9N 9G3
PARKSVILLE:
- Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 | 2pm – 5.30pm
- Grand Moriarty Conference Room at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre | 1155 Resort Dr, Parksville, BC V9P 2E3
NANAIMO:
- Thursday, October 7th, 2021 | 10am – 1pm
- Opera & Harbour Rooms at Best Western Dorchester | 70 Church St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H4
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We are delighted to have the opportunity to meet with our entire hotel community in-person and hope to see you there. Interested in learning more? Reach out to Mike@bcha.com and stay tuned for more information on when we will be in your area. |
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Need Employees? Register for the Hospitality Management Hiring Fair, Taking Place October 9th! |
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In face of the greatest workforce shortage in recent history, operators are searching for ways to find highly-skilled, highly-trained individuals to join their teams.
To develop a solution to this issue, the BC Hotel Association has partnered with Bliss Hospitality and Cornerstone International Community College of Canada (CICC) to bring you the first iteration of the Hospitality Management Hiring Fair.
- The Process:
- Prior to meeting with potential employers, all candidates will be subject to a pre-screening process to ensure they are:
- Opera PMS certified
- Food Safe certified
- Able to perform tasks and duties related to the position
- Able to communicate in English fluently
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Location:
- The Fair will take place at Cornerstone College Tech Campus at 816 Granville Street
- Date:
- October 9th, 2021 | Time TBA
Are you interested in participating or learning more information? Click below to register.
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Sign Up for a FREE GoGreen Analysis Today! |
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SIGN UP FOR GOGREEN PROGRAM TODAY!
In Spring of 2020, the BCHA added Energy Analyst, Dylan Tomlin, to our roster to help hotels conduct in-depth energy analysis of their operations AT ZERO COST TO THEM. In doing this, Dylan is able to identify ways for properties to operate more sustainably while saving up to tens of thousands through cost-cutting initiatives and rebates.
Due to the overwhelming success of the program, and in recognizing the positive impact it has had on membership, the BCHA has hired two new team members to assist Dylan in this important project. We are so pleased to add another exciting chapter to this critical benefit to our members.
INTERESTED IN YOUR OWN FREE ENERGY ASSESSMENT? SIGN UP TODAY!
If you already expressed interest in an energy assessment in the past, Vanda and/or Kiera will be in touch with you!
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Your Voice is STILL Needed! Help Industry Return to a New Normal & Win $1500 |
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Participate in the survey and enter into a draw for prizes valued at $1,500.
go2HR has been hard at work undertaking a Labour Market Information research project to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our workforce. Even before COVID-19, the industry faced some significant human resource challenges. We know those challenges will only increase as we emerge from the pandemic.
We need your help!
We need to hear from a representative sample of employers across all sectors and regions of the province. We ask for assistance in sharing the survey with a wide variety of businesses in the province, and ask you to please share this survey with your members. It takes approximately 25 minutes to complete this survey. We want to hear about the impact of COVID-19 on your member’s operations, the human resource issues they face, and what can be done to help industry in dealing with these issues going forward. Any information provided will be held confidential, used only for the purpose of this study, and reported only in summary form with the responses of other respondents. Please help us spread the word!
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Ronald McDonald House Announces Home For Dinner Campaign | Plan Your Gathering & Help BC's Vulnerable Children |
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Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon (RMH BC) invites you to take part in the fourth annual Home for Dinner community fundraising initiative this fall, during an evening of entertainment! Each year, the program encourages individuals across B.C. and the Yukon to host safe in-person, outdoor, or virtual dinners, while raising money to support families travelling to Vancouver so their children can receive urgent medical care.
The program is simple:
- Hosts invite families, colleagues or friends to safely and responsibly gather for a meal.
- Instead of contributing food, wine or gifts, guests instead donate to RMH BC, whose state-of-the-art House – situated on the grounds of BC Children’s Hospital – provides accommodation, community and kindness to up to 2,000 families each year
Here’s how to plan your Home for Dinner gathering:
- Sign up as a host. Hosts are invited as well to register to attend the virtual celebration on October 14.
- Plan a home-cooked meal or support your favourite local restaurant by ordering takeout. Invite your friends, family or colleagues and make sure to follow current public health guidelines and recommendations!
- Host Your Dinner and Fundraiseby asking your guests to donate to your personal fundraising page in lieu of wine, flowers or other contributions.
- Celebrate by joining RMH BC’s virtual celebration on October 14. Again this year, Home for Dinner participants and the general public are invited to join a virtual celebration with RMH BC on Thursday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. PT. The online event will feature live entertainment, family stories and an exciting silent auction, as well as a virtual toast to fundraisers, donors and supporters across B.C. and abroad.
Interested in donating a silent auction item and promoting your business? Connect with kelsey@bcha.com
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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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Don't Miss This Webinar Series! Introduction to Sustainability for Tourism Businesses
Date: September 21 @1:30pm
October 5 @10am
Join GreenStep for this free webinar to learn how your tourism business, and the planet, can benefit from assessing your business’s sustainability performance.
Improve your knowledge on sustainability, gain tips on creating an action plan, long-term goal setting, and how to engage your customers and staff.
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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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Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
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Hats off to the 15th Annual TIP Invitational Golf Tournament for Being an Overwhelming Success!
Last Friday, the BCHA had the immense pleasure of celebrating hospitality and tourism at the 2021 TIP Golf BC Invitational at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
Partners in Tourism – TIP Society was established in 2006 with the goal of fostering future generations of tourism professionals. Never has that been more important. Last week's event, helped to raise funds to support scholarships and awards to get the next generation back in the hospitality game.
Since its inception, Partners in Tourism – TIP has provided funding in excess of $700,000 to support training, the purchase of equipment and financial assistance to hospitality students. We are so proud to have been a part of this important event aimed at making our industry thrive once again.
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Global hotel performance is improving month by month. That’s the good news. The more pressing concern is if it will remain that way. The hotel industry remains fragile, dodging each and every new impediment thrown its way. Still, the hotel industry presses forward.
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Today, leisure is running well above long-run average at 70 plus percent and business well below at 20%.
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When it comes to the guest experience, we have long ceased to refer to a single time and place - it’s called a journey for a reason. The overall experience, which goes to impact the final feedback and therefore, the hotel’s online reputation, doesn’t start with the check-in process; hoteliers have a chance to make a positive impression even before the guests step foot in the hotel. In fact, the guest experience begins with consideration, ahead of the search and booking phase, which can happen months in advance of the actual stay.
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Hotel Guest Expectations and Owner Cost-Cutting Measures Near Tipping Point
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