Message From President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett |
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Dear Accommodation Community & Stakeholders,
Last week, our industry partners both north and south of the US-Canada border launched the #OpenTheBorder campaign to increase pressure on a safe and planned reopening. Our industry has been united in our resolve to deliver a clear reopening plan; without such a plan, we risk losing critical global events business that brings $4.5 billion in direct spend to BC, local tourism operators, signature attractions, and hotel businesses that are a crucial to infrastructure—especially within small communities that rely on tourism to stay afloat.
Frankly, the statistics are frightening for tourism communities on each side of the border. During today's Parliamentary & Congressional panel discussion, Tori Banes, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs & Policy, for the U.S Travel Association delivered the following statistics:
- Each month that travel from Canada remains at a standstill, the US economy loses $1.5 billion in potential travel exports, which is enough to support 10,000 American jobs
- Comparatively, each week the US loses $340 million
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Today, eyes are on Ottawa as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Premiers from across Canada to discuss the reopening of the borders by land, sea, and air. Ahead of this meeting, we and our partner organizations across BC and Canada, engaged our respective Premiers with a letter writing campaign, encouraging them to support a phased reopening plan. Our aim? That they rally behind our collective position and formally ask for a plan with a concrete reopening date. |
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On the note of Canada-US relations, we and our industry partners continue to engage and advocate for action to be taken surrounding the escalating cruise ship issue that would allow US cruise ships to bypass BC ports. We have increased pressure on the federal government to stand up for Canada's cruise ship industry and actively lobby American decision-makers to ensure that no such bill move forward.
This topic was discussed at great length during today's legislative assembly where the provincial government's response to the issue was both criticized and defended; a transcript of this engagement can be found here under the section marked 'Government Response to US Legislation on Cruise Ship Industry'.
We will continue to keep you updated on all advocacy priorities as we learn more. Be sure to engage with our social media channels for real time updates.
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Thank you all,
Ingrid Jarrett
President and CEO
BC Hotel Association
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Today's update includes:
- #ICYM BC Reopening Phase Two | Industry Tools and Resources
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Have Questions About Vaccinations & The Workplace? | Ryan Anderson Answers
- Take Advantage of FREE Check In Canada Booking Portal Sign-up!
- Transitioning to Step 3 | Guidance from WorkSafeBC
- Now Open | COVID-19 Paid Sick-Leave Reimbursement Program
- Salt Spring Coffee | 100% Compostable Pods Coming Soon!
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DBC Consumer Messaging Guidance Invitation | Fore the Love of Tourism 15th Annual TIP Invitational Golf Tournament 2021
- Forward STR Now Available in North America | Sign Up For Free Today
- Expected Today | COVID-19 Sick-Leave Reimbursement Program
- Mark Your Calendars
- Tourism Resource Roundup | Connect, Restart & Build Forward With B.C.'S Support Network
- June is Free Education Month at Small Business BC
- Indigenous Tourism BC Celebrates Indigenous History Month and Peoples Day with Workshop Series
- The Path to Truth and Reconciliation Presented by Vancouver Board of Trade
- Webinar: Rebuilding Tourism in the region presented by Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
- Congratulations! Tipping Our Hat to Industry
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go2HR announces FOUR new promotions this month!
- BC Chamber of Commerce joins the BCHA in supporting the 50-30 Challenge
- In the News
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Tourism Industry Faces Shortages as Restrictions Ease | News 1130 June 14
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New hotel plans point to post-pandemic optimism | Business in Vancouver, June 15
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Metro Vancouver might miss out on Step 2 travel business boost | Vancouver Is Awesome, June 15
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Rocky Mountaineer resuming Western Canada operations July 5 | CFJC Today, June 14
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#ICYM BC Reopening Phase Two | Industry Tools and Resources |
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Earlier this week, British Columbia officially entered Step 2 of BC's Restart Plan. As a result of entry into Step 2, a number of amendments have been made to both the Public Health Orders for Gatherings & Events and the Public Health Order for Food and Liquor Serving Premises.
For details click links below and reach out to mike@bcha.com should you have any questions.
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Tourism Sector Restart Step 2 Toolkit
In recognition of the announcement, we and our colleagues at TIABC, ITBC and DBC worked directly with Minister Mark on a restart framework and toolkit for operators to better understand and support the restart plan. We encourage each of you to explore the Restart Step 2 toolkit and utilize the key messaging we have included for your own communications with guests, employees, and stakeholders — the aim being that we as an industry are completely aligned.
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Have Questions About Vaccinations
& The Workplace? | Ryan Anderson Answers
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We extend our sincere thanks to Ryan Anderson, Partner at Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP, for delivering such an insightful and critical presentation surrounding vaccinations. We also commend Ryan for his quick recovery following an unfortunate 'zoom bomb' incident. This incident was a first for us and has since been reported to zoom. Thank you all for your patience and understanding.
Please see below for our webinar recording and slide deck. Note, there is a short skip in the presentation due to editing.
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Take Advantage of FREE Check In Canada
Booking Portal Sign-up!
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What is Check In Canada:
- Co-owned by the Hotel Association of Canada and the Canadian Hotel & Lodging Association (made up of provincial hotel associations across the country), Check In Canada™ is a made-in-Canada online booking solution that streamlines the guest experience, while driving economic prosperity for Canada’s tourism and hospitality industries.
- Check in Canada™is designed to complement other distribution channels and expand e-commerce capabilities. The platform drives direct bookings by connecting consumers directly to listed properties’ online reservation systems. In addition, the platform highlights Green Key certified properties, creating awareness of the industry’s sustainability efforts – a key motivator of consumer travel behaviour.
- Participating accommodators are granted access to real-time reports with detailed analytics, enabling them to track efforts and adjust marketing campaigns as necessary.
Benefits of Check In Canada™:
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Puts more money in your pocket: Commission-free and affordable annual fees that keeps valuable tourism dollars in Canada
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Drives Direct Bookings: Used by destination marketers and demand generatorsto help drive direct bookings to your property
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Expands your distribution channels: Complements other distribution channels and expands your e-commerce capabilities
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Backed by the industry: Supported by the Hotel Association of Canada and provincial associations across the country
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Puts Sustainability at the forefront: Showcase your Green Key Eco-Rating on listings
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Regenerates interest in local markets: Features a packaging engine and Itinerary builder to encourage package creation
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Consumer feedback and accessibility ratings: Provided by TrustYou and Planat™ (Rick Hansen Foundation)
Your Check In Canada™ service includes:
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A listing on www.CheckInCanada.com
- Access valuable Check In Canada™ data and customer analytics reportsto guide your marketing investments
- Access to Check In Canada’s™ administration portal allows for modifications to your listing.A refreshed listing on your Provincial, regional, and city destination marketing organization (where applicable) that connects directly to your reservation system, showing consumers your rates & availability, with no additional inventory management required
What Does It Cost?
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Lodging properties will be listed for Free until March 1, 2022
- Because Check In Canada™ is owned by the Hotel Association of Canada and the Canadian Hotel & Lodging Association, our goal is to keep our members’ money in their pockets. Accordingly, if lodging properties wish to remain listed on the Check In Canada platform after the free period expires, the annual fee beginning on Mar 2, 2022 will be:
- $ 300 + HST per lodging property, which includes all listings and reservation fees.
- Please note there is no obligation and no penalty if properties do not wish to continue with the Check In Canada listing after March 1, 2022.
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Transitioning to Step 3 | Guidance
from WorkSafeBC
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Since the launch of the restart plan on May 25, government has been working with sector associations and WorkSafeBC to help prepare for the transition into Step 3 when public health orders will be lifted and new guidelines will come into effect.
Businesses can expect to see updated guidance available through WorkSafeBC's website prior to July 1. Businesses will then adapt their safety plans to reflect this updated guidance.
More than 200 meetings and discussions have taken place since the launch of BC’s Restart plan as part of government’s ongoing engagement. The majority have been with industry organizations that together represent thousands of employers and tens of thousands of employees.
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Now Open | COVID-19 Paid Sick-Leave Reimbursement Program
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The application for employers to apply for the B.C. government’s COVID-19 Sick-Leave Reimbursement Program is now available on WorkSafeBC’s online services portal.
Through the program, employers who do not have an existing sick-leave program can apply to be reimbursed for up to three days of wages paid to workers for COVID-19 related sick leave. The reimbursement program is available for sick leave taken from May 20 until the program ends on Dec. 31, 2021.
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Salt Spring Coffee | 100% Compostable
Pods Coming Soon!
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Coming Soon...
Salt Spring Coffee PODS !
- 100% Compostable (Pod PLUS overwrap)
- K-Cup Compatible
- Available in Peru, Blue Heron, French & Dark Decaf
- Certified Organic & Fair Trade
- PROUDLY CANADIAN
For more details contact Darren Turik
604-657-4945
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Salt Spring Coffee is a Premier Partner of the BCHA.
Established in 1996, Mickey McLeod and Robbyn Scott became trailblazers in roasting fair trade, organic coffee beans on Canada’s west coast - Salt Spring Island. Today, still owned and operated by its original founders, Salt Spring Coffee maintains fair to farmer relationships, ensures sustainable organic farming practices, and sources only the best quality coffee beans. Learn more.
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DBC Consumer Messaging Guidance |
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British Columbians travelling within B.C. are asked to plan ahead and be respectful while visiting communities, especially smaller and rural towns, as well as Indigenous communities – including respecting local travel advisories. Travel manners and guidelines to follow during summer trips and vacations include:
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getting vaccinated (Register for a first or second dose)
- pre-trip planning and research before arriving at destination;
- respecting any local travel advisories to isolated and remote communities and Indigenous communities;
- following masks guideline;
- respecting personal space and practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; and
- no travelling for anyone who is sick. If symptoms develop while travelling, self-isolate immediately and contact 811 for guidance and testing.
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Invitation | Fore the Love of Tourism
15th Annual TIP Invitational
Golf Tournament 2021
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Join Partners in Tourism (TIP) at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club Friday, August 27, 2021 for the 15th Annual Fore the Love of Tourism TIP Invitational Golf Tournament.
BACKGROUND:
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.
We are now seeing signs of recovery and in our collective spirit of optimism, we are again gathering for the Tourism Industry Partners (TIP) Invitational Golf Tournament to raise funds to support scholarships and awards to get the next generation back in the hospitality game.
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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. The need has never been greater.
Let’s TIP the scales in favour of up-and-coming tourism and hotel professionals.
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Forward STR Now Available in North America | Sign Up For Free Today |
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Our partner, STR, has launched Forward STAR in North America. And participation is FREE!
This forward-looking benchmarking tool allows hoteliers to get ahead of recovery, strategize more effectively, and complete the overall performance picture.
Why enroll?
Forward STAR measures a hotel’s occupancy on the books and pickup against the local market and competition for the next 365 days.
Pairing your property’s historical benchmarking trends with occupancy-on-the-books data provides a broader perspective of your performance – helping you win tomorrow, today.
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Tourism Resource Roundup | Connect, Restart & Build Forward With B.C.'S Support Network
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 1:00 PM 2:30 PM
As we approach the next steps of the BC Restart Plan and begin to welcome visitors back in British Columbia, the BC Tourism Resiliency Network is bringing together a panel of five tourism industry organizations to help you leverage key resources towards resiliency.
Our very own BCHA President and CEO Ingrid Jarrett will be joined by four other tourism support organizations, sharing insights, opportunities, and other supports available for B.C. tourism businesses:
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This webinar will help tourism business managers to understand B.C. visitor trends and prepare for the coming season. |
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June is Free Education Month at Small Business BC
Start your summer off on the right foot with a month of free education at Small Business BC.
Delivered in partnership with WorkSafeBC, June’s FREE Education Month delivers over 25 webinars and Talk to an Expert sessions, offering plenty of opportunities to upskill. Whether you’re looking to start or grow your business, our educational calendar for the month is stacked with informative and practical sessions that will put your business on the road to success.
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Indigenous Tourism BC Celebrates Indigenous History Month and Peoples Day with Workshop Series
Indigenous Tourism BC is looking forward to hosting a series of free immersive and educational virtual workshops anchored by themes of food and beverage, arts and culture, and wellness.
Viewers worldwide are invited to join as the organization highlights Indigenous chefs, sommeliers, tour guides, culture keepers, and storytellers.
A TASTING OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES – TUESDAY, JUNE 15 AT 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST
An immersive exploration of the rich history and cultures of Indigenous cuisine and wine in BC. Learn how to make authentic bannock from home and learn about the history and practices behind Indigenous wine.
CELEBRATING LIVING INDIGENOUS ARTS & CULTURE – THURSDAY, JUNE 17 AT 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST
Learn about the history and cultural significance of Potlatches as well as the artistic practices of cedar weaving, song and dance. Enjoy stories about harvesting traditional foods, wildlife, petroglyphs and much more.
HONOURING WELLNESS – TUESDAY, JUNE 22 AT 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST
Restore your spirit through an exploration of Indigenous wellness rituals.
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The Path to Truth and Reconciliation Presented by Vancouver Board of Trade
Join for a conversation with Chief Terry Teegee, Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, as he addresses the business community to discuss the path to truth and reconciliation.
During the event we will also make space to remember and acknowledge the 215 children whose remains were recently found on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School as well as all those that suffered as a result of the residential school system. Every Child Matters.
Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 12:00 PM
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Webinar: Rebuilding Tourism in the region presented by Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
Join to hear from leading industry experts to discuss:
- how the tourism sector will emerge post-pandemic,
- what needs to be done to recover, and
- what steps we can all take to support the tourism sector.
PANELLISTS:
- Royce Chwin, President and CEO, Tourism Vancouver
- Keith Henry, President and CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Timothy Liu, Managing Director, Sales Planning and Effectiveness, Air Canada
- Tracy Redies, President and CEO, Science World
- Moderator: Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
Monday, June 28, 2021 at 12:00 PM
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WorkSafeBC | Learn about WorkSafeBC’s preliminary 2022 rates
Attend WorkSafeBC’s virtual rate consultation sessions. During these sessions, WorkSafeBC will provide an overview of the preliminary rates for 2022, inform employers about rate and classification changes, and outline what they can do to influence their rates.
The sessions include a 60-minute presentation, followed by a live Question and Answer period - links will be forwarded to everyone who has registered for the session.
Dates and times (PST)
- Monday, July 19, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- Monday, July 19, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 21, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 21, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
The presentation topics include:
- The financial state of the workers’ compensation system
- Rate and classification changes
- How you, as an employer, can influence your rates through improved health and safety
To register for the session of your choice, visit www.worksafebc.com/rates and fill in the registration form. You’re welcome to participate in any one of the virtual sessions. Participation is free For more information, please email rates@worksafebc.com
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Congratulations! Tipping Our Hat to Industry
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Congratulations to our friends at go2HR - the organization announced FOUR new promotions this month!
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- Congratulations Sherry Henriquez for your promotion to Coordinator, Industry Health and Safety.
- Congratulations Viktoriya Kammaeva for your promotion to Program Coordinator.
"These promotions are a reflection of each individual’s commitment to go2HR’s purpose of realizing strong workforces and safe workplaces, their dedication to expectational customer service, professional development and our corporate culture. Incredibly well deserved." - go2HR
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BC Chamber of Commerce joins the BCHA in supporting the 50-30 Challenge
The BC Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that it has committed to the 50 – 30 Challenge an initiative between the Government of Canada, business and diversity organizations, that asks organizations to aspire to two goals:
- Gender parity ("50%") on Canadian board(s) and senior management; and
- Significant representation ("30%") on Canadian board(s) and senior management of other under-represented groups: racialized persons including Black Canadians, persons living with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), Canadians who identify as LGBTQ2, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples as founding peoples of Canada, all of whom are under-represented in positions of economic influence and leadership.
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BC Hotel Association Chair, Bryan Pilbeam speaks to reporter Ashley Burr on staff shortages within the hotel sector and the mounting workforce crisis.
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The emergence of British Columbia’s hotel industry from its most brutal year is showing signs of momentum with at least two major hotels planned, one each in Richmond and Coquitlam, and both by blue-chip developers.
The pandemic-induced shutdowns started more than a year ago and continue to devastate the hotel industry.
“COVID-19 has proven to be far worse than the 2008-09 global financial crisis, SARS outbreak in 2003, 9/11 and the Gulf War combined,” noted Colliers International’s 2021 Canadian Hotel Investment Report.
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Some B.C. regions are expected to fare better than others now that British Columbians are free to travel around the province without restrictions.
Loosened restrictions that were confirmed June 14 are likely to be a boon to areas such as the Okanagan or Tofino, but Metro Vancouver tourism might not see the same bump in visitor traffic because its tourism businesses rely more heavily on U.S. and international visitors than do other parts of B.C.
The Lower Mainland is expected to reap some benefit from welcoming visitors from the rest of B.C., but the biggest wish of the region’s tourism advocates is for Ottawa to create a clear plan for opening international borders to non-essential visitors.
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KAMLOOPS — As Step Two of B.C.’s Restart will begin Tuesday (June 15), Rocky Mountaineer announced it will resume operations on a reduced schedule starting July 5.
The luxury train tour company’s “First Passage to the West” will depart Vancouver and arrive in Kamloops on July 5, before heading to Banff/Lake Louise, Alta.
“We haven’t run a train since October 2019,” Rocky Mountaineer Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Nicole Ford told CFJC Today. “Our entire team, especially our rail operations team in Kamloops, are just itching to get back to doing what we do best.”
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