Ingrid Jarrett, BCHA President & CEO, and HAC Board Director, recently attended the HAC Board Meeting in Montreal. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss and deliberate on crucial next steps for our key federal advocacy priorities, which encompass sustainable tourism growth and infrastructure, workforce development, immigration policies, and pressing policy amendments. Throughout the meeting, attendees explored ways to enhance industry advocacy to meet federal advocacy priorities, which will align with our ongoing provincial-level work. The overarching objective is to safeguard the health of our entire tourism ecosystem while responding to the expected surge in industry demand over the next decade.

The 2023 BCHA Summit is LESS THAN 1 month away! Don't miss the BC hotel event of the year! With an amazing lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and educational sessions, the official return of the Summit promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

Explore the complete program schedule and purchase your tickets today! Get ready for a 50-vendor  Marketplace, fun-fueled Welcome Reception, and the must-attend Summit Spring Fling with music, comedy, dancing, an Okanagan-inspired menu, and the delivery of SEVEN industry awards of excellence! Whether you're an operator, owner, manager, or supplier, you do not want to miss this exciting event.



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Last week, BCHA team members, Ingrid and Alison, attended the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria meeting at the Delta Oceanpoint Resort. The presentation covered several important topics such as rising costs for the accommodation community, recent workforce wins, policy and immigration asks, recruitment programs, MRDT renewal, and more. We greatly encourage our members who are struggling to hire to reach out to our Workfroce Strategist, Alison Langford at alison@bcha.com.

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Improve your customer service skills and exceed expectations with Blue Mountain Solutions' online training course! BCHA members get a $141 discount on the full package of four courses with code BCHASPECIAL. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to recieve top-notch industry training for your entire team--anytime on any device.

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Last week, the Honorable Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, announced that B.C. minimum wage will increase on June 1 from $15.65 to $16.75 per hour. With the increase B.C. will have the second highest minimum wage in Canada after Yukon at $16.77. Since 2015, the minimum wage has increased 60.2%.

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Following this letter co-signed by the BCHA, The BC Chamber of Commerce has released a statement regarding the recent minimum wage increase, which acknowledges the challenges businesses may face. The statement calls for a comprehensive approach that includes affordable housing, childcare, and transportation. The BC Chamber of Commerce is committed to working with the government and the business community to find sustainable solutions that benefit workers and businesses alike.

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The Province has announced plans to introduce legislative amendments this fall to provide $30 million to three of BC's economic trusts - the Island Coastal Economic Trust, the Northern Development Initiative Trust, and the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior. Each trust will receive $10 million to invest in their respective regions, helping to support new infrastructure, enhance small business opportunities, and promote Indigenous economic development.  

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Hytera Canada offers two-way radios for hotels, designed to enhance communication and increase operational efficiency. With a wide range of models available, with advanced features such as GPS tracking and text messaging, Hytera Canada can provide solutions tailored to the specific needs of any hotel. Overall, Hytera Canada's two-way radios can help hotels to provide superior service to their guests and streamline their operations.

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Have you heard of Toward the Heart? It's a website that provides harm reduction resources and education on safer drug use. With the ongoing opioid crisis, it's important to know how to recognize an overdose and how to administer naloxone, a life-saving medication. Toward the Heart offers free training and resources to help protect your guests and staff. Check out their website to learn more and access their resources.

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Teknotip offers a free and easy-to-use service for hotels to improve credit card payments, employee experience, and differentiate themselves with innovative tipping. Customers can scan the QR code to leave a tip, with the option to register for a receipt. It attracts and retains employees with additional income and helps hotels stand out.

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The 2023 BCHA Buyer's Guide is out now, providing a one-stop-shop for finding top-quality vendors for your hotel, resort or accommodation. It contains a comprehensive list of preferred vendors for everything from linens to technology solutions, all vetted by the BCHA. Join the Vendor Marketplace at the BCHA Summit in Kelowna on May 1-2 to meet the suppliers in person.

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Chad Wetsch has been appointed as the new General Manager of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) tourism region. Chad brings with him 27 years of experience in the tourism and aviation industry, having worked with Harbour Air Seaplanes. With his exceptional skills in long-term strategic planning and leading agile teams, Chad is the perfect fit for this role. He has also shown his ability to recognize the strengths of each team member and has a large network in the region. We welcome Chad and look forward to his contributions to the industry.

Welcome to the BCHA: Basecamp Resorts Revelstoke! BRR is a boutique hotel resort situated just outside of Downtown Revelstoke, overlooking the Columbia River and only a 15 minute shuttle ride to the world-famous Revelstoke Mountain Resort.



We are delighted to have yet another incredible accommodation join our growing hotel community at the BCHA!