Message from President & CEO Ingrid Jarrett |
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Good morning accommodation community,
I begin this message with a simple acknowledgement—that I am fortunate.
I am fortunate that I did not grow up in an era where career choices for women were terribly limited, as they were for the generations of women who came before me. I am fortunate that I live in part of the world where my basic human rights are not questioned, as they still are for many others across the globe. I am also fortunate that over the course of my career, I have had many colleagues and friends who have encouraged me to pursue my passions and achieve my dreams; this support system has been integral to my professional development.
But despite my enormous fortune, I will admit that my career journey, like the journey's of so many of you, has come with challenges—challenges that were a direct result of being female.
Since I began my career decades ago, considerable progress towards gender equity has of course been made. This is an idea that is regularly brought up in discussions surrounding equality, as many are tempted to point to the past as a shiny example of how far we have come.
But it is vital to remember that 'progress' is not synonymous with 'equality'.
As I am certain other women can attest, I still experience that familiar pang of disappointment, anger, and exhaustion, in moments where the strength and value of women, and all those who identify as female, is questioned or undermined. Despite it being 2022, it's a feeling that many of you, your sisters, mothers, daughters, and wives, know all too well.
The gender pay gap, discrimination, sexual harassment, disproportionate work-life balance—while some of these issues are not isolated to the female experience, they merely scratch the surface of the obstacles women within our sector face.
To discuss some of these significant issues in greater detail, earlier this week, we had the enormous pleasure of welcoming Joanna Jagger, Founder and President of WORTH Association—the only society in our province dedicated to advancing women in the recreation, tourism and hospitality industries—to our first BCHA board meeting since early March.
In the spirit of collaboration, we invited the TIABC Board of Directors to join us, as Joanna guided us through her workshop on how to Retain and Develop Women of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality—a workshop that was developed as a result of the sinister pattern of women dominating our industry, yet occupying so few leadership positions.
And while I listened to Joanna's words of wisdom, witnessed her passion, and learned from her team's remarkable research on the solutions available to support this terrible pattern of inequity, I was reminded once again of the principle of fortune.
How fortunate I am, how fortunate we all are, to have a organization like WORTH that is leading gender equity in our industry and across our province, with the aim of creating a better tomorrow.
If you haven't already done so, I strongly encourage you to take the gender equity audit and learn about the actions each of us can take to steer positive change within our organizations. You can also get involved by exploring resources and literature offered through WORTH Association, by joining the organization, and/or reading Joanna's recent article in our latest issue of InnFocus Magazine (page 22). Please also click here to explore the WORTH Silent Auction (with lots of great prizes to be won) or to donate. All proceeds go back to support WORTH's Mentorship Program, operating costs, and educational programming.
So until progress results in true equality, we look forward to championing the work that WORTH Association is leading, while doing all that we can to support equality within our accommodation industry.
Kind regards,
Ingrid Jarrett
President and CEO
BC Hotel Association
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Today's update includes:
- General Updates
- BCHA to Share 2023 Budget Priorities | Connect with Our Team
- Expanded Settlement Services for Newcomers | Resources Available!
- Big White Ski Resort Announces Major Upgrades!
- TIAC | Tourism Growth Strategy
- Destination Vancouver | Submit Your Experience Packages & Offers
- Barriers for International Travel | Keeping Guest Communication Constant
- Destination Canada | Key Market Highlights
- Reminder | Expanded Settlement Services for Newcomers
- Don't Forget | Access Wage Subsidies for Student Workers - Info Session June 23
- News - See more below!
- BC | Canada News
- World News
- Industry Trends
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- Willie Lewis Named New Indigenous Specialist for Vancouver, Coast & Mountain
- Mark Your Calendars
- Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
- Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
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BCHA to Share 2023 Budget
Priorities | Connect with Our Team
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The BCHA has been invited to share our insights to the Select Standing Committee on Finance as the government plans for Budget 2023 and we want to hear from you.
Our aim is to engage the government to support the long-term prosperity of our industry. We look forward to hearing from you and doing all that we can to ensure the needs of our industry are protected and advocated for.
Additionally, we encourage you to explore the link below to take a survey the provincial government is soliciting public feedback on Budget 2023.
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Expanded Settlement Services for Newcomers | Resources Available! |
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Cyber attacks are on the rise and they can have a devastating effect on your business if you are not prepared. The Government of Canada is offering a free cyber security certification through CyberSecure Canada. Geared to small and medium-sized businesses, the certification will equip you with information you need to keep your business safe. |
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Big White Ski Resort Announces
Major Upgrades!
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The popular Ski Resort has announcement that it is investing millions in machinery, resort infrastructure, lift maintenance, staff accommodation upgrades, staff wages and more to celebrate the resort's path to recovery.
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TIAC | Tourism Growth Strategy |
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TIAC is putting together its submission for the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy and your input matters! TIAC’s goal is a submission that reflects the tourism industry’s priorities for moving towards growth, investment, and stability.
A reminder to please fill out the following survey before the deadline of Friday, June 17, 2022.
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Destination Vancouver | Submit Your Experience Packages & Offers |
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Destination Vancouver’s spring/summer campaign is now launched and is promoting Vancouver to BC, Alberta, and Ontario audiences, as well as to Washington State.
DV Members are invited to become familiar with the promotion and to also review the new campaign toolkit for more information on how to support and leverage the campaign. Please view the Member Toolkit.
Please share any new, updated and appropriately themed experience packages or special offers for this promotion by emailing Destination Vancouver's Marketing Agency once you have reviewed the toolkit.
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Barriers for International Travel | Keeping Guest Communication Constant |
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Canadian airports and land borders will continue to implement vaccine proof, random COVID-19 testing, and mandatory pandemic questions on the ArriveCAN app throughout the country until at least June 30. To help your international guests understand the necessary steps needed to get into the country, we advise accommodators to remain transparent about the requirements and openly communicate them on your communications channels.
All travellers must submit their mandatory information through the free app or the website before arriving in Canada.
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Destination Canada | Key Market Highlights |
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Destination Canada has released its key market highlights for 2022, sharing a brief summary of key facts on travellers by each market.
Learn about the travel habits of each market and what to expect through these reports.
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Reminder | Expanded Settlement
Services for Newcomers
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Are you considering hiring Temporary Foreign Workers, Ukrainian refugees, or other newcomers to Canada?
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Step 1: Connect with BCHA's Workforce Specialist, Alison Langford!
- All BCHA Members receive a complimentary workforce assessemnt to understand the hiring options available to them!
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Send her a brief email introducing yourself to alison@bcha.com to get started!
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Step 2: Ensure newcomers success by connecting them with the supports they need to settle in your community.
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The Government of Canada recently announced an investment of more than $14 million to help newcomers settling in small and rural communities across the Prairies. The Resettlement Assistance Program allows newcomers to access essential services that help with language training, finding employment and connecting to their communities.
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Find out how to access free newcomer services near you | Find a Service Provider
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Don't Forget | Access Wage Subsidies
for Student Workers - Info Session June 23
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Funded by the Government of Canada through the Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers Canadian tourism and hospitality businesses a subsidy on each qualifying student’s wages.
The wage subsidy is available for employers who hire students enrolled at a recognized post-secondary institution for a paid position to fulfil the co-op or internship component of their program.
Register now for the info session on Thursday, June 23 at 10:00 am PST.
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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BC & CANADA
WORLD NEWS
INDUSTRY TRENDS
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry |
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Willie Lewis Named New Indigenous Specialist for Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Tsunaxen, Willie Lewis, is a member of the Squamish First Nation and is a cultural performer who shares his extensive knowledge of Squamish cultures and traditions as part of Spakwus Slolem (The Eagle Dancers). An experienced mentor, Willie works to support the removal of barriers to employment and education for Indigenous Peoples. He holds a First Nations Tourism Management diploma from Capilano University.
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May 26 - June 4
Host: Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion (CCDI)
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Generous Futures: Supporting Refugee Resettlement
Monday, June 13, 2022 | 10am-11am AM PST
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Penticton - Fri, June 17: RSVP
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BCHF Vancouver Golf Tournament
July 4 @ 11:30 am – 8:00 pm
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Wednesday, June 8 | 8:30 AM 4:30 PM
Partner: Tourism Industry Association of BC Special Offer – Save $100 with promo code TIABC40.
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Action Anxiety Day Tomorrow |
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Read Latest InnFocus Article Feature with Camosun! |
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World Ocean Day Yesterday! |
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