C-19 BULLETIN - September 21, 2020

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Premier Announces October 24th Election

Premier John Horgan has announced that a provincial election will be held on October 24th.

Please check the website or follow Elections BC on social media for updates and information on how to vote safely.

Read the Elections BC media release at:
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Empty Skies, Lonely Roads

BC's tourism and travel sectors are bearing the full brunt of pandemic economic fallout. Jock Finlayson and Ken Peacock look at the numbers and provide some ideas to alleviate the pain.

In looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the economy, one broad sector stands out for the extent of the damage inflicted on businesses and their employees: tourism and travel services.

Closed borders, the collapse of international travel, the cancellation of conferences and conventions, the near evisceration of the airline and cruise ship industries – these developments sound a temporary death knell for what, prior to 2020, had been one of British Columbia’s most vibrant economic sectors.

Amid the chaos, what’s the best path forward to minimize the long-term damage to the overall tourism and travel sector – a longtime pillar of the B.C. economy?

Continuing to promote domestic tourism makes sense given that international restrictions are likely to remain in place for several more months at least. Another way to restart tourism would be to establish “travel bubbles” with jurisdictions that have successfully managed the rate of COVID-19 infections and have strong health protocols. Canadian policy-makers should also be encouraging safe air travel, following the approaches used by other advanced economies and building on Canada’s Flight Plan for Navigating COVID-19 released by Transport Canada last month.

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GOABC Proposes Range Stewardship Initiative

The Guide Outfitters Association of BC (GOABC) has proposed a sector-wide stimulus and job protection initiative for consideration under the BC COVID-19 Action Plan. GOABC has developed a plan to engage and revitalize the guide outfitting industry while providing benefits to the rural and Indigenous communities and the province as a whole.

The initiative, the Range Stewardship Program (RSP), is a definitive and credible proposal to protect the backcountry, steward wildlife, adapt to COVID -19, and create jobs. It leverages the skills, knowledge, and infrastructure of the guide outfitting community – an industry that generates approximately $191 million in revenue each year. Without this program, 250 jobs and 125 small family businesses are threatened, with devastating consequences to families and communities.

Range Stewardship
The range stewardship component of the program places outfitting staff in the field to perform several functions. These include:
• Range Protection
• Wildlife stewardship, protection, and enhancement
• Field infrastructure maintenance

A Hand Up, Not a Handout
Guide outfitters are proud and independent people and are more used to giving than receiving. Their desire is to revitalize and sustain their businesses. This RSP was developed with several considerations and objectives in mind:
• Maintain and sustain the solvency and infrastructure of outfitting businesses.
• Create jobs, economic activity, and partnership opportunities in rural and Indigenous communities.
• Provide protection and stewardship of the land and wildlife.
• Train, test and implement COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
• Position the guide outfitting industry to thrive in the post-pandemic world.

Download the letter to Minister Beare here
Download the Program Outline here
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TIABC Responds to BC's Economic Recovery Plan

TIABC's CEO, Walt Judas was busy speaking with media over the weekend and early Monday discussing industry's response to the recently announced provincial recovery plan (strongerbc.gov.bc.ca).

'Reigniting' B.C.'s Tourism Industry Will Cost Hundreds of Millions
“We viewed the announcement as a very good start. The premier and Minister James had intimated that it was a start, in other words, an initial investment to help our industry through this very difficult time,” Walt Judas says.

B.C.’s Tourism Industry Looking for a Lifeline After Government Support Falls Short
A disappointing development for B.C.’s tourism industry after the provincial government failed to give them the financial aid they had asked for. Walt Judas discusses how the industry will need to adapt to survive the turbulent times.

Walt Judas Comments on BC's Economic Recovery Plan and Relief Programs for Tourism
TIABC CEO interviewed on Global News Focus BC program on Friday, September 18th.
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TIABC Advocacy Report

TIABC has released a 20-page summary of the many advocacy activities our organization has undertaken since March, when COVID-19 started to have a severe impact on our industry.

Learn more about the government communications and submissions that TIABC has undertaken in partnership with our valued industry and sector partners. View examples of our media relations efforts that keep tourism in the news and top of mind, and connect with our communication channels to stay up to date.
#BCTourismCounts

View the full report on our website:

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Vancouver Experiences Sharp Declines in Visitation

Tourism Vancouver provided recent YTD visitation data:

For the first half of this year (from Jan-Jun 2020), estimated visitor volume was 1.8 million, a decline of -61% compared to same time period last year.

After a solid start in the first couple months of the year in January, February (+2% YOY), visitor volume fell sharply starting in March (border closures to non-essential travel started March 18).

Between April-June of this year, visitor volume fell to 243,498 (compared to 2.8 million during this time last year, a drop of -91%).

From April-June, 92% of visitors were from Canada, 3% from the US, the rest international overseas (4%).

View Preliminary YTD Visitor Volume here
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COVID-19's Impact on National Tourism Numbers

For international arrivals, June results from Statistics Canada show more of the same – a 98% decrease in visitors over last June, and overall visitation to Canada this year is down 72% for the year. Numbers are expected to remain at these levels until border restrictions ease.

Better numbers can be seen in tourism employment. Bolstered by further easing of COVID-19 related restrictions in areas across the country and more domestic vacationing in the summer months, employment in tourism sectors increased by about 200,000 jobs. However, employment levels are still far below what would be considered ‘normal’ levels.

Visitor spending for the first quarter of 2020 is available through Statistics Canada, and shows the early impacts of the pandemic on the sector, with total spending (both domestic and exports) down 14% over 2019.

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BC Hotel Association
Pulse Check Survey Reminder

As we face the current and potential future impacts of COVID-19, we continue to work with all levels of government, along with our key partners and industry stakeholders, to support the needs of our industry.

Since the initial impact of the virus was felt, we've been regularly collecting data and tracking progress to quantify this changing landscape. In order for us to better understand the ramifications the pandemic has had and action relevant change, we must continue to update this information.

Below is a 5 minute survey that we ask for your participation in as we conduct this vital pulse check. Your responses will help us continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to you and allow us to spotlight the severe impact COVID-19 has had on our industry, actioning real change.


Please submit your response by Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 12pm PST
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Big Changes in Government
What Does This Mean for National Advocacy Efforts?

In ‘normal’ times, it would be unusual for our federal Members of Parliament to not be meeting regularly in Ottawa at this time of year. However, as the country is still struggling with the impacts of COVID-19, we have become accustomed to a constant stream of announcements and efforts from Ottawa, with nearly daily announcements on a new or improved initiative to help stabilize the economy. 

With the government prorogued for nearly six weeks, the governing Liberals have essentially hit the pause button on the government. However, this doesn’t mean that there is not a lot going on behind the scenes. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and other sector organizations continue to push the message to the federal government and opposition parties that #TourismCounts.

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Victoria & Vancouver Island
Granted Global Safe Travels Stamp

Tourism Vancouver Island and Destination Greater Victoria are honoured to announce the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has granted its Safe Travels stamp to both Victoria and Vancouver Island. This specially designed stamp allows travellers to recognize destinations and tourism businesses around the world which have adopted globally standardized health and hygiene protocols so visitors can experience “safe travels.”
 
Tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region can apply for use of the Safe Travels stamp through Tourism Vancouver Island here: www.vancouverisland.travel/safe-travels. Eligible businesses will be able to use the stamp for their own promotion once they have met the health and hygiene protocols outlined by the WTTC. 
 
More information on the WTTC global protocols and the list of destinations and associations around the world using the stamp, can be found here. #safetravels
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Good News / Bad News

Tourism continues to generate news in BC as sectors and destinations wrap up a summer season that brought strong visitation to some areas but significant losses overall due to the lack of American and International visitors. Many businesses, still reeling from summer losses, prepare to face the shoulder season and further declining visitation.

BC Parks Needs Cash Injection as More People Head Outdoors Locally
"Google Mobility data reveals a 150-200 per cent increase in parks visits this year, even as international tourism halted."

Locals Keep Campground Afloat But Tough Winter Ahead
"...like the operators of many businesses that rely on the seasonal tourist rush, are scrambling to find ways to survive until next spring."

"Closed borders, the collapse of international travel, the cancellation of conferences and conventions, the near evisceration of the airline and cruise ship industries – these developments sound a temporary death knell for what, prior to 2020, had been one of British Columbia’s most vibrant economic sectors."

Vancouver Aquarium Searches for Solution to Financial Struggles
"After attraction closed doors to public on Sept. 7, CEO says it is fighting bankruptcy."

$8M Loss Threatens to Temporarily Close Science World
"At 300 visitors a day, traffic is down 88 per cent and not sustainable, company says."

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TIABC AGM

TIABC's AGM will be held Wednesday November 25th.

More details coming soon!
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New Energy-Efficient Building
to Protect BC’s History

To make the Royal BC Museum’s collections and archives more accessible, the Province will build a new collections and research building in Colwood.

The 3.2-hectare (eight acre) piece of land at the Royal Bay development in Colwood will include a new 14,000 square-metre facility. It will use mass timber construction and meet CleanBC energy efficiency standards. Building construction will generate more than 950 direct and indirect good-paying jobs. 

The proposed facility will house the Royal BC Museum’s archives, collections and research department. It will improve research activities by providing dedicated research labs and learning spaces. It will also improve access to the museum’s vast collections. The new building will offer learning opportunities for students, both in person and online.

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Manage your Online Presence: Tripadvisor and HelloBC.com
September 30th and January 13th
Walk through the process step-by-step to claim, create, and optimize your business listings on Tripadvisor and HelloBC.com. 

Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps
October 7th and January 20th
Explore Google My Business and connect with customers through Google Search and Maps. Get hands-on help creating or updating your business profile in this Grow with Google Webinar. 

Get the Most Out of Your Website
October 14the and January 27th
Whether you’ve had a website for 10 years or you’re just getting started, discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports your goals. 
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October 2nd

October 7th
(call for Board Nominations open until September 11th)

CCCTA/TOTA AGM & Conference
October 26th-27th

September 21st-25th

November 17th-18th
TIABC's C-19 Bulletin is published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our COVID-19 Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.