C-19 BULLETIN - February 5, 2021
|
|
CEO Message
At one point in my career, I taught the subject of communications part-time at BCIT. In a class on conducting media interviews, I told my students that no matter what you say or how you say it, a portion of your audience won’t believe you, or will only hear what they want to hear. Similarly, there are those who read far too much into a statement or interpret a word or phrase differently than what the interviewee or writer intended.
Such is the case when it comes to many people’s current view of the travel and tourism industry. Depending on the news source, it seems misinformation, misunderstanding, and the odd mis-quote has led to a growing bias against our sector, and unfortunately the negative sentiment is spreading.
Recently I wrote another letter to Premier Horgan to thank him for not proceeding with a formal domestic travel ban in spite of media pressure and the growing resentment by residents toward visitors from other provinces.
In the letter, I acknowledged that many people remain rightfully concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in regions throughout British Columbia, but the Premier's messaging on the lack of data on travel as a culprit for the spread of the disease and insisting that visitors exemplify appropriate behaviour and follow the rules was extremely helpful to our struggling sector.
As I mentioned in last week’s Bulletin, an already fragile visitor economy is being demonized by reports that insinuate most travellers are virus carriers, further eroding consumer confidence and exacerbating the negative attitude toward anyone who visits regardless of purpose. Unfortunately, the court of public opinion does not favour travel at present…and by extension the tourism industry in general.
In fact, Destination British Columbia’s recent survey shows that only about one-third of British Columbians would welcome people from other regions. That number drops to 17% for welcoming visitors from other parts of Canada and less than 7% for internationals.
After speaking to media about a possible travel ban a couple of weeks ago, I, along with some of my sector and DMO colleagues experienced the blowback from people who are obviously fearful and somewhat misinformed leading to anger, mistrust and judgement…all visceral reactions that survey results don’t express. For example:
“I am amazed at the short sighted, selfish attitude of Walt Judas, the highest COVID death and case numbers in the world are in the U.S. right now and you want to open the borders? A few months will be tough on tourism, but the governments both federal and provincial are helping and I can't believe that you would risk me and my family and so many others for a few tourist dollars. The sights will still be here when we get through this and the tourists will be increased as everyone will want to travel to make up for lost time in their lives. Sometimes I have to wonder where these officials get their credentials.”
“Do we want visitor business or COVID decreases and safety for our BC citizens. I vote for a safer province. I hope Premier Horgan does close the borders since an essential travel ban hasn’t been working. Skiing is not essential!”
“Please hear that you are doing a great DISSERVICE to BC residents by opposing a short-term interprovincial and international travel ban during COVID. People travelling to BC to ski, visit (including the snowbirds who normally travel south) and other Canadians and foreigners should NOT be allowed to travel here at this time EXCEPT for essential services. PLEASE do the right thing and encourage our BC and Canadian governments to initiate interprovincial AND INTERNATIONAL travel bans...and ONCE the COVID numbers go down...THEN and only then will BC residents be able to enjoy our very own province. OUR PROVINCE residents' health should take priority NOT tourists/non-essential travellers' fun and comfort.”
These are but a few of the comments I’ve seen or heard, let alone others directed at our various industry partners and governments at all levels. In my letter to Premier Horgan, I also pointed out that aside from ongoing issues related to business liquidity, border mobility and the timing of herd immunity, restoring confidence in the safety of travel is one of the most pressing challenges the tourism and hospitality sector faces in the months ahead even though we’ve done nearly everything possible to address community and resident concerns including the extensive health and safety protocols that all businesses put into practice.
I empathize with how people feel. I too want this crisis to be over tomorrow using every scientific and medical advancement possible. I only wish that those who lashed out had taken the time to thoroughly analyze and understand what we actually said on the prospect of travel bans.
The bottom line is as much as we would like to see travel restrictions lifted as soon as possible and people encouraged to visit our magnificent province again, TIABC supports directives such as advising people to stay home for now. However, we need governments to work with our entire industry on a a comprehensive plan to re-open the visitor economy when the time is right…which by the way does not necessarily mean waiting for herd immunity but pursuing other options such as rapid testing.
To end on a lighter note...if I was teaching at BCIT today, I would remind my students that people also see what they want to see. I would then show them a CBC Television interview I did yesterday that prompted a couple of texts from friends who joked that it looked like I had recently been in a fight. Turns out the camera angle and lighting shaded a slightly recessed and crooked bottom tooth that made it look like I was missing my lateral incisor. For the record, "I was not in a fight and I’m not missing tooth number 32." You can quote me on that.
Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
The 2021 Tourism Recovery Plan was developed by a committee of tourism leaders representing all sectors of the visitor economy across every region in Canada and led by our national partners at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC).
Download the full report here
TIABC has written letters to the Pacific Caucus, which is made up of 11 sitting MPs from BC. TIABC has offered to discuss the report with the Caucus members and outline our requests and recommendations in further detail, as well as provide any additional required information on the state of both the Canadian and BC visitor economy.
Download letter to Minister Qualtrough, as an example, here
|
|
_________________________________________________________________ |
|
BC Keeping Pandemic Restrictions in Place
With No End Date
The current orders restricting daily life and socialization in BC are going to stay in place indefinitely, the province announced Friday.
The orders had been set to expire at midnight. In announcing the extension, officials said BC has made "encouraging" progress in reducing the spread of COVID-19, but the situation isn't stable enough to allow people to start getting together again.
"Right now, we need to stay the path," said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. "We need to protect the progress we have made and not squander our progress."
Henry said there's a chance things might change by March, but there is no official expiry date on the extended orders.
"By the end of the month, once again, we can look to having our 'safe six' — our bubble — again," she said.
|
|
Excerpts from Today's News Conference
with Dr. Henry & Health Minister Dix
Dr. Henry: We are the not quite there yet, but we are getting closer every day. Each holiday and occasion this month, whether it's the Super Bowl this Sunday, Lunar New Year, Family Day, Valentine's Day, it's an important opportunity for us to either allow the virus to spread or to slow it down even more. Whether we're in Whistler, Revelstoke, Prince Rupert, Victoria, the choice is ours right now to make the difference.
We all want to get to the days where these orders can be lifted. As we look to the end of this month, these data will tell us if more action is required or if we can start to ease the restrictions we have in place. Through our shared efforts and as long as we continue on this path we can start planning for the return of activities at the end of this month. So by the end of the month, once again, we can look to having our safe six, our bubble again, the same group of people, whether that's our grandparents, close family, or close single group of friends.
But the other thing that we've been saying for some time as well is stay local and for Whistler that means day trips only. Right now is not the time to go up there and party, and that is important because the community needs to be protected from us and we need, if we're going up to Whistler, not to bring the virus back with us to our community.
So staying local is one of the important things that we all must do around the province and for that day trips is a good proxy for that. I know that means that there's a broader community that can do day trips up to Whistler and that means they need to check ahead to make sure that there is space on the mountain. That's another issue that we've heard has been a concern and I know the community is looking at how they can support that, too.
I want us to continue to be able to safety go to restaurants, to safely go to retail shops, to safely go to our hairdressers, and other important businesses in our community, but we know that it's also important that it's not health or business. It's both of them together -- to safely go to ski hills. So now's our period of time where we have to put that in the context of the risk that we're facing from some of the things like having these new variants on the horizon and being able to get second doses of vaccine into the most vulnerable in care homes.
Minister Dix: Regarding ski hills, there have been a total of 547 cases of COVID-19 in Whistler from January 1st to February 2nd. We also saw cases at Big White and then in communities such as Fernie. The majority of the cases in Whistler continue to be identified in young people in their 20s and 30s, who live, work and socialize together. Almost all of the recent cases are associated with transmission occurring within households and social settings. In ski communities across BC, the Ministry of Tourism has implemented some measures and will be laying out its full action plan to reduce transmission, which is important, because obviously we want to take those actions that focus in on the source of transmission and limit transmission and not have to take broader action with respect to the entire industry. So I'm very, very appreciative and I want to salute, in particular, the people working on this file within government, and my colleagues, Ministers Osborne and Mark.
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Tourism Labour Force Data - January
Data is for the week of January 10th to 16th.
- Tourism employment dropped 135,300, (27.6% of the total drop) and a decline of 8.6% from December.
- The overall unemployment rate jumped from 8.0% to 9.8%. The tourism unemployment rate rose from 14.7% to 18.6%, the highest it has been since July.
- Tourism employed 594,000 fewer workers this January than it did in January 2020.
More more information, visit:
For more on the COVID impacts on tourism labour, check out the Employment Tracker Tool:
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
BC Hotel Association Releases State of the Industry
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) has been regularly compiling pulse check information from their members to help paint a landscape of the dire state of our industry.
Their most recent State of the Industry report provides an overarching and detailed view of the current state, focus, and stats they have garnered from these pulse checks.
The average expected provincial occupancy has dropped to 29% until May 2021 with urban hotels sitting at an even lower 7-11%.
The amount of hotels who have lost more than $1m has also increased to 54% with 47% of hotels still not qualifying for the small and medium sized business grant, in spite of changes to eligibility intent on making the grant more accessible.
Download the full BCHA report here
|
|
_________________________________________________ |
|
Government of Canada Announces
One-Year Ban for Pleasure Craft and Cruise Vessels
On February 4th, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced two new Interim Orders, which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022. This means:
- Adventure-seeking pleasure craft are still prohibited from entering Arctic waters.
- Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.
- Cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.
With these prohibitions in place, public health authorities will be able to continue focusing on the most pressing issues, including the vaccine rollout and new COVID-19 variants.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada continues to advise Canadian citizens and permanent residents to avoid all travel on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice.
Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to follow local public health guidance and protocols, and follow mitigation measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks. These could include: reducing the number of passengers, ensuring physical distancing, the wearing of masks, and enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.
|
|
Cruise Industry Responds to the One-Year Extension of Prohibition on Cruise in Canada
Cruise Lines International Association- North West & Canada (CLIA-NWC), the voice of the cruise industry in Canada, is surprised by the length of the extension of the Government of Canada’s ‘No-Sail Order’.
|
|
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Makes Statement on the Extended Suspension of Cruise in Canada
As the owner and operator of the Victoria Cruise Terminal at The Breakwater District, we support the decision by Transport Canada to extend the suspension of cruise in Canada until Feb. 28, 2022.
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
NASCO Seeks International Cooperation for Potential Border Reopening Procedures
The North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO) has written a letter to the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Lighthizer, to ask that the U.S. designate a representative from the highest level to review potential reopening procedures. Groups are already involved in a collaborative dialogue around ways to reduce border restrictions and facilitate uniform testing and screening standards.
"While North America works together to reduce the risk of COVID19 and the tragic loss of lives, we must also look to safely ease our border restrictions and allow efforts towards economic recovery to begin."
Whether land, rail, sea or air, the governments of all three North American countries need a collaborative commitment to move towards safely easing border restrictions and allowing business and leisure travel to resume within North America. We have the science, technology, and capacity to do better than the current border closure measures.
The North American entities and individuals that signed the letter, including the Future Borders Coalition, are calling on the governments of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to participate in a U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico binational advisory committee on reducing border restrictions, facilitating uniform testing and screening standards, and developing accurate and coordinated contact tracing strategies."
34 signatories attached their name to the letter.
Read the full letter here
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
In Case You Missed it...
BC Government Launches
New Grant Program for Businesses
The new Launch Online Grant program is designed to help over 1,500 eligible small- and medium-sized BC businesses adapt to changes in consumer behaviour and pivot to market their products online.
These grants will provide business owners, including those in hard-hit sectors such as retail, tourism and restaurants with up to $7,500 to build or improve their online store and promote BuyBC at a local, national and international level.
Small and medium-sized businesses are encouraged to apply online:
Learn more at:
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Rebuilding Abbotsford’s Tourism Economy
Events Advisory Committee is Formed
On the heels of covid-19, Tourism Abbotsford is preparing to reignite Abbotsford’s tourism economy of which a large component is event tourism. On average, the economic impact from hosting 270 plus events, per year, generates approximately $55 million. Event tourism is a strong economic driver for Abbotsford, benefiting its stakeholders, the community, and its guests.
In conjunction with Tourism Abbotsford’s Board and staff, an Events Advisory Committee has been formed with the purpose of strengthening Abbotsford’s position as a premier event destination. The Committee is comprised of up to nine representatives from community organizations.
The Events Advisory Committee is expected to: nurture existing event, grow a portfolio of new events by helping event organizers bring their visions to fruition, increase transparency and facilitate dialogue amongst stakeholders, create connectivity amongst event organizers, and streamline partner roles and responsibilities.
Read the media release here
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
2020 Year-End
Downtown Vancouver Economic Snapshot
Downtown Vancouver BIA (DVBIA) has released their report on the impacts of COVID-19 and downtown’s economic recovery. The pandemic’s impacts are global in magnitude and differ by region – even at the neighbourhood level. The DVBIA’s latest report examines the impacts of COVID-19 on downtown Vancouver’s street-level businesses, hotels, workplaces and mobility.
Read the full report here
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Destination Canada has launched a new survey to better understand how we they improve COVID-19 research reports and what research you find valuable moving forward.
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Moments of Levity
As an industry that continues to face enormous challenges during COVID-19, every once in a while it's important to share a laugh, a good story, a beautiful image, or an interesting anecdote to provide moments of levity during this most difficult time. Feel free to share your photos, etc. with TIABC to be published in our C-19 Bulletin each week.
|
|
_________________________________________________________________ |
|
Last Chance!
BCHF Lottery Closes this Sunday February 7
Prizes are redeemable in 2021 and by purchasing a ticket you not only help the BCHF, but also help Greater Victoria’s tourism and hospitality industry in this trying time.
Lottery ticket sales are now LIVE and run through to 11:59 pm Sunday, February 7th. The draw will happen at noon on Monday, January 8th.
Check out the list of prizes here. Buy your tickets here - The prizes are perfect for “local BC tourists”. They are redeemable in 2021 and 2022. Your odds are really great, with less than 25% of the tickets sold.
The British Columbia Hospitality Foundation is a charity that raises funds to support those in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a health condition. Each year hundreds of hospitality workers across BC face financial challenges and have no where else to turn. The BCHF helps them when all other options have been exhausted. But that’s not all they do! Learn more at:
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Keeping Visitors and Residents Engaged while Travel Restrictions Continue
Tourism Richmond has created a Public Art Trail including an interactive map that includes the art found in 3 neighbourhoods of Richmond. On the map the visitor/local can learn more about the art including the artist, a description of the piece and the material it is made from.
The Big Red Scavenger Hunt was launched by Tourism Richmond last September. It’s is a fun scavenger hunt for families - they help Big Red the Irish Setter (a real life stray dog who used to live in Steveston and was looked after by many locals!) who has been challenged by Cannery Cat to answer questions around Steveston.
Check it out at:
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
TIABC and the BC Hotel Association will be co-hosting the BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference (virtually) during the week of March 8th to 12th.
Stay tuned for more details soon.
|
|
|
Virtual BC Wine Industry Insight Conference 2021
Thursday, March 18th
Mark your calendars for the 2021 BC Wine Industry Insight Conference to be held virtually this year.
Wine Growers British Columbia along with the BC Wine Grape Council, BC Grapegrowers' Association and the BC Wine Authority are once again coming together to provide a forum covering industry-related topics, issues, policies and opportunities that impact your business operations.
|
|
_________________________________________________ |
|
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee
Join BDC’s Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Christopher Rankin, for a presentation regarding HASCAP, a new program to help businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19.
Monday, February 8th
12:30pm EST (9:30am PST)
30 minutes
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Please join the Tourism Vancouver team for a live, two-part webinar:
1) Business Intelligence – Market and Consumer Insights
Time: 10:00 am to 10:45 am
This session will focus on:
- Current destination performance
- Key indicators of forward-looking demand
- Available traveller research highlights
Presented by: Eugene Chu, Manager, Research & Business Analytics
2) Rebuilding Demand for Vancouver
Time: 10:45 am to 11:30 am
This session will focus on:
- Key insights informing our marketing plans
- Creative concept and upcoming promotional activities
- How your business can align and benefit from upcoming promotions
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Online Training for Businesses
The Building Resilience to Thrive online training program will offer relief to businesses and help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19.
The Building Resilience to Thrive online training program will offer relief to businesses and help mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by teaching them how to adapt their business models, re-engage their customers and adjust their workplace cultures. Developed in partnership with the University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business, this program will have one hour seminars once per week for 6 weeks and will be offered three times until the end of March 2021.
Program curriculum will focus on the three key themes of Strive, Build, and Create.
Seminar topics will be:
- Power of Context – Unconscious Bias
- Emotional Intelligence
- The Power of Coaching in Business
- Hire and manage a diverse team
- Improve experiences for colleagues and customers
- Adapt your service strategy for better outcomes
The final program will be offered on the following date:
Wednesdays at 11am-12pm PST, February 24th to March 31st
Registration for Cohort 3 closes on February 18th at 4pm
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country is hosting a virtual town hall discussion with the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. They look forward to covering topics of high interest in the community, and across the country, such as how federal investments are supporting social, green and public transit infrastructure.
Wednesday, February 10th at 2:00pm PT
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
