- Message from Executive Director on who can be open
- NOTO Survey Results
- Further Information on the Rural Relief & Recovery Fund
- Positive Changes to the CEBA Loan Program
- Alert: Counterfeit Respirators
- TIAC Tourism Townhall - Wednesday, May 27th
- Destination Canada Webinar - Wednesday, June 3rd
- Messages & Special Offers from our Preferred Suppliers
- ADAPT 2020 Webinar Series Continues - May 26th & May 28th
We will continue to strive to bring forward pertinent information to the tourism industry as it becomes available. We will also do our best to find answers to your questions. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
NOTO Contact Emails:
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Message From our Executive Director,
Laurie Marcil
Hello Tourism Friends:
I want to take this opportunity as another busy week begins to thank all of you who are continuing to engage with us. It is vital that we hear from you to know what challenges you are facing and to talk about how we can work through them together.
We are also working diligently to ensure that our Government continues to hear your messages seeking support and clarity. The need for clarity in regulations surrounding the Emergency Orders has become a very hot topic. Over the last two weeks, we have heard of more and more tourism businesses opening their cottages to the public. I know that folks are looking to see where they fit in the regulations and there is pressure from Ontarians looking for places to get away and enjoy the new summer weather. I know that an opportunity to bring in revenue is hard to turn down.
On Friday, Premier Ford during his press conference was asked when we might see cottage rental vacations open up and he said that we likely won’t see these businesses open until Phase 2 or 3.
He made it very clear that our sector is not to open yet. The regulations state that cottages can only be open to accommodate essential workers who need a place to self-isolate. It is important that we abide by these laws.
I am profoundly aware that this continues to be a heartbreaking message and as every week passes opportunities for our tourism operators to salvage revenue from the season becomes smaller but please know NOTO along with other advocacy organizations are fighting for you.
My biggest fear is that we open before we can put the necessary protocols in place to protect our staff and guests. We also have to consider the mindset of the people who are willing to travel from other parts of the province right now. Have they been self-isolating? Will they abide by new rules at your facilities regarding social distancing, cleanliness? What risks are you opening up your business to if you open when the law says you cannot? What if someone gets sick? We could end up in the same situation as cruise lines. We do not need further negative long-term impacts on our sector. The possibility is real.
NOTO is finalizing the protocols for this sector and once we have them vetted by the WSPS, we will share them with all of you as well as the Premier and his Cabinet Ministers so they can be confident we will be ready to open safely. In the meantime, you can find resources on cleaning protocols set out by public health on our
COVID-19 page.
We will continue to press Government for better financial support measures and educate the Government on the importance of our sector to the Northern Ontario economy.
Be safe,
Laurie
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NOTO Survey Results
As the advocacy and support organization for the resource-based tourism (RBT) industry, NOTO has taken the initiative to design a survey to measure the severe impacts that we have heard anecdotally as a result of the global pandemic reaching Canada and Ontario, and the measures all levels of Government have taken to protect the public and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
To date, the challenges for this sector are immense. With the 2020 marketing season cut short and no means to generate revenues, seasonal tourism businesses are being stretched to cover fixed costs, maintain staff and simply stay afloat. The uncertainty of whether they will have a spring, summer or fall season makes it near impossible to plan or pivot for these small businesses.
Cancellations from US guests beginning with those booked for the Spring bear hunt have been numerous and tourism operators are finding it challenging to negotiate postponing trips vs cancelling and providing refunds. The challenge for operators is that they use the money from deposits to carry them through the off-season and/or to cover start-up costs for the season so they don’t necessary have the cash to provide refunds to guests who are cancelling due to COVID-19.
At this point, we know that a good majority of operators are working with their guests to provide partial deposit dollars towards future trips (i.e. operators retain 60% of the deposit and the guest can use 40% towards their next trip). The rationale behind this is that it is not the fault of the camp operator or the guest that the trip has been cancelled and sharing the burden is the fairest process to take.
In early surveys,
121 bear hunters reported that if the US border remained closed and the spring hunt was not able to take place, they would lose collectively $2.2M. The total number of bear outfitters is approximately 436. It is now confirmed that the US/Canada border will remain closed through the Spring bear hunt season (May 1 – June 15) and these loses are now an unfortunate reality.
This survey will show that 225 RBT businesses will lose $50M if May and June operating months are not able to take place. These 225 businesses represent approximately 20% of the RBT industry in Ontario. This is absolutely devastating to an industry who provides such a significant contribution to the economy each year. Our ability to serve the US angling and hunting markets are vital to this industry’s survival. For many operators in Northwestern Ontario particularly, it will be a challenge to pivot their marketing and business models to target the domestic market. They will need support to do this.
The financial burden due to COVID-19 on the RBT industry is truly devastating. Many small businesses in this sector are not eligible for the financial support offered by the Federal Government. They are forced to seek additional loans which leave their ability to recover from COVID-19 on shaky ground. This survey takes a closer look at the programs currently offered and the gaps reported by this sector.
In order for this sector of tourism to survive and recover, we must have more meaningful support NOW!
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Further Info on the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
We have heard from a number of you that you are unsure as to whether you will qualify for these new funding programs.
We strongly recommend you reach out to the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) in your area and have a conversation with them to go over your particular situation.
You should have in hand the total of your fixed costs as well as the details of any other applications you have made to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or the Canada Emergency Business Account. You may be able to access more dollars if needed through this program.
These programs are meant to fill gaps in funding for small businesses in the tourism sector. Do not delay. These funds may go quickly.
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Positive Changes to Canda Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
The Prime Minister announced changes to the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) which gives small businesses interest-free loans of up to $40,000, of which 25% (up to $10,000) will be forgiven if the full sum is repaid by December 31, 2022.
This announcement confirms that
sole owner-operators, businesses relying on contracts, and those that are family owned and pay employees by dividends
now qualify for the loan program
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Counterfeit Respirators Misrepresentation of NIOSH-Approval
The CDC has recently been made aware of counterfeit respirators claiming to be NIOSH-approved. These counterfeit masks do not offer the appropriate level of protection! The CDC has put together a memo about these counterfeit masks and how to identify NIOSH-approved masks and common signs that would tell if your respirators are counterfeit.
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TIAC Tourism Townhall
TIAC’s Tourism Townhall series is an event partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada, and the local host partners. Our virtual Tourism Townhalls will provide an opportunity to engage small and medium-sized business owner-operators across Canada to share information, government policy work, and available COVID recovery tools with our stakeholders. Townhalls will allow owner-operators to provide first-hand input on issues they are facing and hear from the leading tourism organization on the efforts being made to support tourism.
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2020
ZOOM Online - Links to follow by email after registration
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm EST
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Messages and Special Offers from our Preferred Suppliers!
Our Preferred Suppliers want you to know that they are here for your during this difficult time.
Many have messages they would like to share with you and many of our Preferred Suppliers have set up discount programs and special offers to help you get ready as the province moves towards re-opening the economy. This page will be regularly updated as well as our Preferred Suppliers continue to provide us with messages and special offers.
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The SAM Group
The SAM Group is here to help you prepare for the upcoming season. They offer a great selection of personal protective equipment!
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Duty Free Americas
Duty Free Americas recognizes the important role we play in cross border commerce, especially during this challenging time. As we prioritize the health and safety of our Customers and Sales Associates, we remain committed to ensuring that all Customers have access to the essential items they need, supporting our Sales Associates, and doing our part to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
We are monitoring applicable governmental guidelines regarding essential businesses during this health crisis, and are limiting the number of customers in our stores to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment. In addition, we are modifying our hours to give our Sales Associates more time to sanitize our stores.
We appreciate your patience, understanding and support as we strive to support our Customers and Sales Associates to the maximum extent possible. The health and safety of our Customers, Sales Associates and Communities remains our top priority.
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Sturgeon Falls ASM
Sturgeon Falls ASM is here to help you get ready for the upcoming season with their 2020 Mercury Camp Special!
9.9 CAMP ENGINES REG. $3,220 - CAMP SPECIAL $2,399
- Buy 10 Get 1 Free!
- No Freight
- No PDI
- Will Take All Your Trades!
MERCURY FOUR STROKE CAMP PRICING
- 15MH MSRP $3,776 - CAMP $2,899
- 20MH MSRP $4,010 - CAMP $3,099
- 25MH MSRP $4,513 - CAMP $3,499
- 30ELHPT MSRP $6,862 - CAMP $5,299 ELEC/POWER TRIM
- 40ELHPT MSRP $9,456 - CAMP $6,999 ELEC/POWER TRIM
Includes Freight and PDI
25hp + prop not incl., 40hp + gas tank not incl.
WHOLESALE PRICING ON PARTS AND ACCESSORIES - PRIORITY SERVICE - SEND US WHAT ENGINES YOU NEED AND DETAILS OF YOUR TRADES
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You can now view recordings of completed webinars by either signing in or creating a TEN account and
clicking here!
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Marina Life While Respecting Social Distancing
Presented by: Rick Layzell, CEO, Boating Ontario Association
May 26th, 2020 - 11:00 am EDT
Defining expectations from the parking lot to the boat to the service shop, the fuel dock and everything in between.
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Soyez inspirés - idées et solutions innovantes / Be inspired! Innovative Ideas & Solutions
Presented by: Isabelle de Bruyn, Project Manager, Tourism / Gestionnaire en tourisme - Société économique de l'Ontario (SÉO) and Marla Tremblay, Destination Northern Ontario
May 28th, 2020 - 11:00 am EDT
*Le webinaire se déroulera en français, avec un support bilingue (présentation PowerPoint).
Cette session vous fera découvrir de nouvelles perspectives, une série de recommandations et d'idées pour vous aider à passer à travers la crise. Parmi les sujets abordés :
- Le marketing et les communications
- La rétention des employés et l'adaptation des opérations
- Générer de nouvelles sources de revenus
*The Webinar will be in French with bilingual support (PowerPoint Presentation).
This workshop will provide insight, recommendations, and ideas on how to weather the storm. Topics will include:
- Marketing and communications
- Staff retention and operations' adaptation
- Revenue generation
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NOTO's COVID-19 Page
This page was created to keep you informed on the latest developments that may impact/help your businesses. This page features links to our COVID-19 newsletters, Government resources, information that may be useful to tourism operators and links to supports for tourism operators as they become available. This page will be updated regularly during this pandemic.There are FAQ's with answers and tips from NOTO. FAQs will be regularly updated as well.
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Federal & Provincial Government Information
The Ontario and Federal Governments are regularly updating COVID-19 information, travel information, Minister statements, Government initiatives and statistics on their websites. For additional information from the Ontario or Federal Government, please click on the buttons below.
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NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We do not receive Government funding for operating and rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners. For more information about membership with NOTO visit
noto.ca
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