C-19 BULLETIN - May 15, 2020
On May 13, Destination BC launched a new video— Explore BC Local —to support phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan, which starts May 19th. As part of this hyper-local travel phase to support tourism businesses in our communities, the video launched on their  consumer YouTube  and social channels, and is now airing on Global TV and on CTV starting this weekend. 

Have a great long weekend!
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Federal Government Update


Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Extended to August 29th
Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced that the Government of Canada will extend the CEWS by an additional 12 weeks to August 29th. Extending the program will give workers greater confidence that they will continue to get the support they need during these difficult times. The Government will consult with key business and labour representatives over the next month on potential adjustments to the program to incent jobs and growth, including the 30% revenue decline threshold. Any potential changes following the consultation will have as key objectives to maximize employment, ensure the CEWS reflects the immediate needs of businesses, and support the post-crisis economic recovery.

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Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs One Step Closer to Re-Opening

Today, WorkSafeBC released protocols for restaurants, cafes and pubs to restart operations: www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/covid-19-returning-safe-operation/restaurant-cafes-pubs
 
Watch our TIABC website for an updated list as more protocol plans are released :
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Destination BC
E xplore BC Local Content Tool Kit

As the province begins to shift to Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan, Destination BC is using hyper-local marketing to encourage residents to #explorebclocal - to be a tourist in their hometown and, specifically, to support the small tourism businesses that are the foundation of our industry...while adhering to provincial health directives. To help industry amplify this message, Destination BC has created a  Content Tool Kit , including some suggested messaging as well as content ideas for consideration as we collectively shift into the next phase.

Download the Toolkit here .
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State of the Industry

The latest State of the Industry weekly report from Twenty31 is  now available . Download the Dashboard Report #5  here .

These reports are made possible through   Canadian Experiences Fund  funding.

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DMO Survey Results

On May 1st, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) initiated a survey to Destination Marketing Associations (DMOs) to assess the impact of COVID-19 on organizational funding, access to support measures, and support mechanisms that would be helpful for continued operations. With a total of 171 respondents from access Canada, the information collected shows that there are unique needs DMOs face for continued operations post-COVID19, which will be essential to the return of the visitor economy in the coming months and years.

Survey Highlights:
  • 80% of Canadian DMOs expect to lose at least 50% of their funding in 2020
  • Fewer than 5% of DMOs say they anticipate recovering lost revenues by 2021
  • Many referenced seasonality as a barrier to funding access
  • 47% of DMOs who responded indicated they had not yet had to layoff staff (some able to apply for the wage subsidy program
  • 28.6% of respondents have laid off up to 50% of their workforce
  • 23.8% have laid off 75% or more of their staff

Download the survey report here .
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Tourism Vancouver Announces New CEO

Royce Chwin has been appointed as Tourism Vancouver’s new president and CEO effective July 13th. Royce is a Vancouver native who joins us from Travel Alberta where he has been CEO since 2014. He is a leader who has made a career founded on collaboration and who is committed to developing engaged and dynamic teams. 

Tourism Vancouver will be hosting an online townhall on Wednesday, May 20 th  from 2PM-3PM where industry will all get a chance to hear from Royce virtually. Destination Canada's Gloria Loree and Destination British Columbia CEO Marsha Walden will be participating as well. A short Q&A session with Royce will follow.
Register for the Webinar here: 
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British Columbians Feel Financial Impact
of COVID-19

Over two thirds (69%) of British Columbians have had their RRSPS/savings negatively impacted, and a large minority have seen a negative impact on their ability to pay household expenses (31%), put food on the table (21%), property values (34%), and their ability to pay their rent (41%) or mortgage (29%).

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Women of Recreation, Tourism &
Hospitality (WORTH) Webinars

Worth is hosting a two-part Zoom series about navigating the heightened levels of uncertainty and change that many of us are experiencing today. You will be equipped with tangible tools and ideas to empower you to make this time work to your advantage.

Monday, May 18 at 2:00 pm PT
Making Uncertainty Work For You

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Destination BC Webinars

Destination BC is hosting a series of webinars to support BC’s tourism industry on the road to recovery. This series supports response, recovery, and resilience from COVID-19.

Speaker: Eva Gutsche, Stem Consulting
Tuesday, May 19 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Speaker: Daniel Craig, Reknown
Thursday, May 21 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Speaker: Conner Galway, Junction Consulting
Tuesday, May 26 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Speaker: Conner Galway, Junction Consulting
Thursday, May 28 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Watch the recording of the first webinar in the series, from May 12th:

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Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Town Hall

Join Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) CEO Ian Robertson for a discussion on the status of their operations, the return of cruise to Victoria, and what’s next for their non-profit organization. Robertson will be available to answer your questions following the presentation portion of the session.

Wednesday May 20 @ 11:30 am PT (45 minutes)
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Using STR Data in Times of Crisis and Recovery

Thursday, May 21 @ 11:00 am PT

STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors. STR is working to increase participation in their hotel benchmarking platform to provide organizations like the BC Hotel Association with the information they need to successfully lobby on behalf of their members and create effective marketing strategies to drive tourism. Join STR and the BCHA for their Using STR Data in Times of Crisis and Recovery webinar.
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Small Business BC Webinars

Small Business BC are hosting a series of specialized free webinars to tackle the challenges faced by COVID-19. The webinars are geared at equipping businesses in our province with the skills and knowledge they need to survive the new realities of our COVID economy.

Friday May 22 @ 9:00 am PT

Wednesday May 27 @ 10:00 am PT

Friday June 5 @ 10:30 am PT

To view previous webinars, visit:
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Our industry is full of innovative, caring and helpful people.
Share your stories with us and we will share them here in our daily bulletin.
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Community Collaborations Supporting Business
Kickstarting Canadian Charities

Project Change Foundation provides small grants and other support to new or emerging charities in Canada with a clear vision for improving their communities or the environment. Our goal is to nurture financially sustainable, well-organized charities capable of standing the test of time.

Expressions of interest are welcome from early-stage charities with significant potential for creating social or environmental change.

For consideration in 2021, please apply at  www.projectchangefoundation.com   no later than June 30, 2020.

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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.