CEO Message
Earlier this week, I was invited to join several of my industry colleagues in a meeting with Premier Horgan, Minister James and Minister Beare to discuss the needs of the tourism and hospitality industry in the context of the Province’s yet-to-be-allocated $1.5 billion recovery package for business. In addition to the online public consultation process, government is conducting a series of roundtables seeking input from various business sectors.
Each of the 20+ participants in the tourism roundtable was asked to come prepared to answer three questions:
1.
Job Security and Business Challenges: COVID-19 has been a worldwide pandemic that has created significant challenges for business in British Columbia.
What do you see as the biggest opportunity to assist recovery? What is the biggest threat?
2.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women, youth, Indigenous communities and people from marginalized backgrounds.
What are some initiatives government can take to help these communities?
3.
Tourism and Job Creation: Tourism is a large part of the economic plan for our province.
What are some of your ideas to strengthen and advance existing goals and stimulate job creation?
Given the number of participants and length of meeting, only about half the group were able to address all of the questions. However, several consistent themes or ideas emerged that were both acknowledged and accepted by Premier Horgan and Ministers Beare and James. The recommendations included, but were not limited to:
- Industry desperately needs emergency aid in the form of working capital grants or government-backed, low interest, no interest loans with lengthy payback periods to address the primary issue of liquidity;
- Businesses need further concessions from municipalities on property tax obligations, again to address cash flow issues;
- The Province must commit to incentives or stimulus funding for destination development projects to assist the visitor economy in its rebuilding efforts;
- To remain solvent, Indigenous tourism businesses require further assistance;
- The Province needs to commit to an event hosting strategy to attract visitors and utilize extensive expertise and infrastructure in BC;
- While supporting health and safety measures, government needs to commit to encouraging and opening up the entire province to travel to help salvage the visitor economy; and
- The Province could provide an incentive to residents to travel throughout British Columbia.
There was much more to be sure, but the second part of question one (biggest threats) was not answered. Had there been enough time, I may have pointed out that among the threats is another shutdown of travel, especially keeping international borders closed indefinitely (please note, the measures currently in place are generally supported for the time being).
Similarly, gathering restrictions, while necessary, could be adjusted based on space configuration, strict health and safety protocols, and input from professional meeting and event planners. Without some concessions, hotels, venues and the related meetings, conventions and festivals sector will collapse and put more people out of work permanently.
Overall, it was a good and productive meeting in which Premier Horgan and Ministers James and Beare all heard directly from industry on how government can help the visitor economy move forward. I anticipate further discussions and follow-up with the Province as they continue to engage our industry in the consultation process over the weeks ahead.
Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC
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