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Season's greetings to you and yours!
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In this edition...
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Board Chairman Message:
President and CEO Message
Membership:
Finance:
Training & Programs:
Tourism Technology:
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Message from the Board Chairman
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Holiday Message
It's hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us - where did this year go?! Each year that passes seems to have its own character. There are always challenges, but more often than not, they are liberally sprinkled with many highlights which bring joy and gladness.
In 2017, we have seen increases in visitation across the province. For instance, the accommodation occupancy rate was up 4% over last year, while the number of room nights sold to visitors were up 11%. We have seen a 6% increase in campsite rentals. Increases occurred at numerous sites and attractions as well. By all indications, it looks like we'll surpass those numbers by year-end. Through TIANB's continued advocacy efforts, we've upheld the need for our industry to have the best conditions possible to promote New Brunswick as a top destination and knock down barriers that impede business growth. In 2018, the Board's efforts will focus primarily on the Tourism Marketing Fund, Workforce Shortages, and Indigenous tourism.
I've had the pleasure of being a Director on the TIANB Board for a little over two years, and am completing my first year as Chair of the Board. I've had the opportunity to work with a talented group of Directors and a great team at TIANB. As we near the close of 2017, I'm pleased to say that while this past year was busy, it was also a year of progress for TIANB and growth for New Brunswick's tourism industry. I also know that it's due to the collective efforts of an industry that takes pride in making New Brunswick a premier travel destination, as well as TIANB's efforts representing the industry both provincially and nationally, to ensure our issues are being heard.
In this busy time of year, I encourage you to take a few minutes to count your blessings. We all have so much to be thankful for, including our communities, businesses, family and friends, just to name a few. Christmas is a time for reflection, especially as we go into a New Year. May we always be ever attentive of the spirit of caring, collegiality, generosity, and sharing of the Christmas season, and do our best at all times as we seek to evolve as an association, improve the prosperity of our businesses, and grow as individuals, contributing in whatever capacity for the benefit of the tourism community.
I am particularly aware that the success of TIANB rests upon the valuable support of our members, so let me take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your wonderful allegiance and support. Regardless of your current level of involvement, I challenge you to become more engaged with TIANB in the next year. There is a direct correlation to the effectiveness of both TIANB and your membership, and how involved you are in the activities and networking opportunities provided by TIANB.
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Dear TIANB Members,
May I offer my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all the members of the TIANB family across New Brunswick. Christmas provides an excellent occasion for us to pause, reflect, and celebrate the things that we value. It is a time when we, as citizens, as operators, and as communities turn our minds to what is really important - family and fellowship. At Christmas we have an opportunity to renew our appreciation of these gifts; gifts which we hope will sustain us through the coming year. At this time especially, those of us who are fortunate should be mindful of the need to reach out to others who - due to loss, emigration, illness or financial circumstances are going through a difficult time.
A report from Statistics Canada published in May 2017 reaffirmed New Brunswick's economic performance, marking two consecutive years of growth. The agency estimated at the time that, in 2016, real gross domestic product (GDP) for New Brunswick expanded by 1.4 per cent. The 2017 summer season results for tourism were exciting and certainly worth celebrating.
Tourism is a serious business, and while we have cause to celebrate, there is still a wide range of challenges facing the industry. We congratulate NB's tourism businesses for the role they play in building robust communities and enriching the lives of all New Brunswickers. There is no doubt that tourism is and will continue to be an economically significant industry for our province.
The recent government announcement of $100M investment over the next 8 years is certainly a step in the right direction. TIANB, the voice of industry, will continue to encourage our government to draw plans that meet our businesses needs for them to grow and prosper.
The tourism industry in New Brunswick supports over 42,000 employees and represents close to 9% of the province's labour force. These jobs sustained by tourism extend beyond the tourism sector itself, as tourism demand impacts on retail and other industries. Reports indicate that visitors spend roughly $1.1 billion dollars in New Brunswick. Tourism contributes more than $520 million annually to the provincial GDP.
What a blessing it is to contribute so much and provide the employment, the character and drive that our communities and our province need. As I sit back and consider all that we do collaboratively in tourism starting within our respective communities ... Provincially way up to Nationally with our partners, I'm filled with gratitude for our entire tourism industry and the opportunity to serve as your President and CEO.
As I take a moment to reflect, I am very proud of the level of progress TIANB accomplished in 2017 on your behalf. Our advocacy efforts are taking greater shape. This past year we made sure your voice was heard on a variety of issues: the new proposed Workers Compensation rates; the federal Government's Cork the tax, the proposed lower Alcohol Level from .08 to .05 are but a few examples. Efforts were also deployed in order to highlight concerns over the existing provincial occupancy rate reports, the rising cost of doing business, cost of air travel to and within Canada, Labour shortages, Small Business Proposed tax changes and more.
Other areas where we've had success include our social media presence. E
ngagement is up 73% over the last six months. TIANB's finance is gaining stronger levels of sustainability every year. The number of partnerships we've established increased this year again. In the fall of 2017 TIANB and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) signed an agreement to increase our collaborative efforts towards building a more integrated indigenous tourism in New Brunswick. My team and I are presently negotiating several business agreements we hope will come support your goals of increased prosperity. Stand by for more in the New Year.
There is much to be proud of, and much to build on, as we prepare for the New Year and look forward with hope and courage to realizing all the opportunities and possibilities that exist for our industry and your association. Opportunities such as Canada- China year of tourism, new provincial growth strategy to name just a couple and the opportunity to renew NB Tourism Industry's social solidarity, cohesion, and of shared values. The coming year holds the promise of new opportunities, along with challenges, and we will face them together as a unified force and as an industry focused on enhancing further still the prosperity of tourism businesses in New Brunswick. May I wish all of you, a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a New Year full of promise, health and fulfillment.
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Ou
r
Pr
efer
red Mem
ber program is growing!
Rogers comes on board to offer all TIANB members a special discount
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Premiere Suites is the most recognized and trusted provider of temporary residences for professionals and families all across Canada. With over 1,500 suites in 38 cities, we're bound to have one that's just right for you. With Premiere Suites, you'll enjoy all the comforts of home, like a full-sized kitchen, complimentary WiFi, and enough bedrooms and living space for the whole family to spread out. With high quality finishes, full-sized kitchens, and in-suite laundry, it's easy to forget you're away from home. All this in a friendly, residential neighbourhood where you won't feel like you're visiting.
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Did you Know?
TIANB members can place recruitment ads for
free
. Ads will remain online for one month and can be resubmitted as necessary.
To post a job:
- Email your 200 words or less job posting to info@tianb.com
- Please send the posting in both official languages
- The following information must be available to TIANB at the time of submission;
- contact information of employer (will not be made public if requested)
- commencement of employment or contract start date
- brief description of requirements including title, hours and location of work, language requirement.
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Did you know?
The quick method is another accounting option available to help small businesses calculate their net tax for GST/HST purposes. This method reduces paperwork and makes it easier to calculate GST/HST remittances and file GST/HST returns because it eliminates the need to report the actual GST/HST paid or payable on most purchases.
When you use the quick method, you still charge the GST at the rate of 5% or the HST at the applicable rate on your taxable supplies of property and services. For the list of
applicable GST/HST rates go to
GST/HST calculator (and rates)
. However, to calculate the amount of GST/HST to remit, you multiply the amount of your GST/HST included supplies for the reporting period by the quick method remittance rate, or rates, that apply in your situation.
The remittance rates of the quick method are less than the applicable rates of GST/HST that you charge. This means that you remit only a part of the tax that you collect, or that is collectible. Since you cannot claim input tax credits (ITCs) on most of your purchases when you use this method, the part of the tax that you keep accounts for the approximate value of the ITCs you would otherwise have claimed.
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You're going places in your career.
Professional Credentials from
emerit make the trip a little smoother.
Professional Certification and training from
emerit is available for man
y
tourism and hospitality
related occupations.
When tourism and hospitality professionals complete the emerit certification requirements for their occupation, they are awarded the right to use anemeritProfessional Designation. Depending on their occupation, they receive the Tourism Certified Professional (TCP), Tourism Certified Supervisor (TCS), or Tourism Certified Manager (TCM) credential.
People who have earned emerit credentials:
- have a comprehensive understanding of the skills and knowledge required to perform their job
- have demonstrated that they meet nationally recognized occupational standards for their profession
- have gained professional recognition of their expertise in their field
- have taken extra steps to demonstrate commitment to their career, profession and industry
Like other academic and professional designations,
emerit
certified individuals can proudly display their credential after their name to identify themselves as among the top performers in their profession. Professional credentials from
emerit
should be included on résumés, business cards, email signatures and letterhead. They should also be included in social media profiles, as a great way to make connections and be found by other professionals in the industry.
Developed by industry professionals and hospitality educators, emerit training and certification resources are available for
dozens of occupations
, including:
Event Coordinator
Event coordinators generally have a passion and enthusiasm for working with people. emerit harnesses that energy and adds the broad range of multidisciplinary skills from human resources to budget management needed to excel in a fast paced environment.
Food and Beverage Manager
emerit
Food and Beverage Server training is forged on the industry tables, with real-life practical work environments that range from sports bars to 5-star dining experiences.
Front Desk Agent
Remember, there is a difference between brand and skill training - teach your Front Desk Agents to smile and wear their uniform proudly while serving the customer with courteous efficiency. A well trained Front Desk Agent will process more transactions, faster, with fewer errors, while simultaneously winning your guests' loyalty. Equip your Front Desk Agents with skills that paint smiles onto your customers' faces.
Heritage Interpreter
Delivery is just one of the skills in the emerit Heritage Interpreter training program. emerit training also fine-tunes your communication skills and processes to maintain professionalism, and it provides the skills to develop new programs.
Housekeeping Room Attendant
Well trained Housekeepers mean happy guests. If guests are happy, that in turn means good reviews, repeat visitors, and positive word of mouth marketing. And for you that means long term employability and greater future opportunities.
Hunting Guide
With emerit Hunting Guide training you will build on your natural survival and leadership skills to become a sought-after guide. Hunting Guides trained with emerit respect and maintain their natural surroundings and teach others the essential elements of hunting. Learn to create meaningful, safe and enjoyable wilderness experiences and build positive word of mouth. This will enhance and maintain your reputation which helps you increase revenue.
Reservation Sales Agent
With emerit training, you will have the skills and confidence to satisfy customer needs. Reservation Sales Agents trained with emerit encourage visitors to use more products/services, stay longer and return often.
Supervisor
Supervisors who use Canadian made emerit training provide valuable guidance, lead by example and excel at all facets of people management. Unleash motivation, engage talented people and drive sales for the establishment with emerit Supervisor training.
Taxicab and Limousine Driver
Often the first local contact for visitors, as a taxicab or limousine driver you can have a significant positive influence on a tourist to your city. As you assist guests in getting to their chosen destination, you provide one of the most essential services in the tourism industry.
For more information on
emerit
training and certification programs, visit
emerit.ca
or call 1.800.668 5313 to speak to an emerit Training Solutions specialist today.
Did you know emerit certification programs are eligible for Canada-NB Job Grant?
Please click
here
for more information.
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Upcoming Training Programs
Fredericton - December 13
Want training in your area?
(Find 12 people and we can come to you.)
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Tourism Technology
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2017 Roundup
Free Online Team Collaboration and Communication Tools
This month's article jumps away from the SEO topic we've been following. Instead, just in time for Christmas, we wanted to give you some free tools to help your communications and productivity.
In today's world, more and more teams/companies are forced to work together remotely, but if your team can't monitor task progress or keep track of objectives, how can they coordinate effectively? From instant messaging to video conferencing tools, there are many options for team collaboration, and many, like those found in this article, are free! Some of these tools may already be familiar to you, but we wanted to share them anyway.
Here is our short list of the best free and easy-to-use team collaboration and communication tools for 2017:
If you've never used these tools, check them out! If these don't work for your situation, there are many other similar (and free) solutions out there. Just do a search for the topic name to find them, or feel free to contact Jason, our Technology Resource Coordinator, to discuss your options. Jason can be reached at 506-458-5646 or
jason@tianb.com.
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