Voice of the BC Tourism Industry
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SAVE THE DATE
2019 TIABC AGM
Tuesday, November 12 - Kelowna
Note - AGM will be held in conjunction with the International Indigenous Tourism Conference
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Chair's Message
Mid-August means a lot of things to folks in our business, but for many of us who operate in and around the Lower Mainland, it has come to mean one worry in particular: a significant shortage of hotel rooms in the downtown core.
As you know, hotel accommodation is a critical foundation for the rest of the tourism experience. Without a decent place to stay (taking nothing away from campgrounds, B&Bs, etc.), there are far fewer restaurant visits, adventurous excursions, gift shop purchases, or tour bus rides. There is instead a trip taken somewhere else, where a hotel room
is
available.
Over a 15 year period, the Metro Vancouver area has experienced a net loss of over 2,000 hotel guest rooms. During the same period, the number of annual overnight visitors increased by well over 2 million. To complicate the numbers even further, there are no large-scale hotels currently scheduled for development in Vancouver yet some 2,600 rooms are needed by 2030 to accommodate the projected 3.4 million additional visitors.
While the shortage may seem like an issue concentrated to those of us in the Lower Mainland, the economic impacts of lost business due to the hotel room shortage in BC's biggest city will ripple through the entire province considering that Vancouver is the gateway to all other regions. In fact, two-thirds of international visitors stay at least one night in Vancouver, and 30% of those visitors move on to another destination within British Columbia.
As both Marsha Walden of DBC and Ty Speer of Tourism Vancouver noted at this morning's Greater Vancouver Board of Trade session on tourism, if available and affordable accommodation becomes an impediment at the planning stage of the journey, guests will detour to any number of competitive destinations beyond BC.
Should current trends persist, with demand for hotel guest rooms exceeding supply, Tourism Vancouver predicts a total lost visitor spend of up to $2 billion over the next decade with this money being directed instead to other markets with more capacity...namely, and unfortunately, the United States.
The foregone revenues and jobs represent a substantial missed opportunity for British Columbia’s economy. Ironically, other cities in the province are adding hotels, yet these communities could experience a decline in visitors if the gateway city can't meet accommodation demand.
I'm glad to see policy makers studying this issue closely as they work on comprehensive ways to enhance the hotel stock in the Greater Vancouver region. Amidst an already tight housing market, this is no easy task. But it’s a critically important one, as this issue poses a threat to many of our operations, and equally significant, the province’s economy.
All the best over the last few busy weeks of summer.
Alroy Chan
Chair, TIABC
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TIABC Call for Board Nominations
**Closes September 27th**
TIABC is seeking five candidates for its Board of Directors for the 2019 - 2021 (2-year) term:
- DMO category - one (1) candidate
- Sector Association category - two (2) candidates
- Business Membership category - two (2) candidates
As per the bylaws, the Tourism Industry Association of BC requests that all nominations from members be received 45 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. All nominations for director positions therefore, must be received on or before September 27, 2019.
Elections will take place at the TIABC AGM on November 12th in Kelowna.
The TIABC Board Nomination form can be downloaded
here
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Preclearance Update
The Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine, and Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America entered into force on August 15th. The entry into force of the Agreement coincides with the coming into force of the Preclearance Act, 2016, the consequential amendments to other Acts contained therein, and its associated Regulations.
What is Preclearance?
“Preclearance” refers to an arrangement between two countries that allows customs and immigration officials from the country of destination to be located in the country of origin in order to clear or deny the admission of travellers or goods to the destination country.
Preclearance Locations in Canada
The U.S. is currently conducting preclearance operations at the following airports in Canada:
- Calgary International Airport
- Edmonton International Airport
- Stanfield International Airport (Halifax)
- Trudeau International Airport (Montréal)
- Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (Ottawa)
- Pearson International Airport (Toronto)
- Vancouver International Airport
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
What are the Benefits of Preclearance?
Passengers and goods which are “pre-cleared” experience faster and more reliable service moving through border points and these operations provide a higher level of security by identifying potential threats at the earliest point in the process. By facilitating the fast and secure movement of people and goods across the border, preclearance supports trade and economic prosperity.
For more information please consult the link below:
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Sea To Sky Gondola Update
At approximately 4:30am on Saturday, August 10th, the management of the Sea to Sky Gondola received an alert that the main cable had fallen and the lift was inoperable. The RCMP is treating this incident of the gondola cable being cut as an ongoing criminal investigation with damages reaching into the millions.
All are thankful that no guests or staff were on the gondola and no injuries were sustained in the incident. Efforts are focused on the well-being of Sea to Sky's incredible team, working with the RCMP and determining steps towards reopening...currently, planned for Spring 2020.
Approximately 200 staff (full and part-time) are employed by the gondola.
Tourism Squamish and the Squamish Chamber of Commerce organized a job fair for displaced employees last Friday at the Squamish Adventure Centre.
In addition, they are inviting the community to share photos, videos and posts about their favourite moment from the gondola on a new Facebook page. You can share your favourite moment from the Sea to Sky Gondola at the
Sea to Sky Gondola Moments Facebook group using the hashtag #seatoskygondolalove
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Tourism Sector Compensation Study 2019
The 2019 Canadian Tourism Sector Compensation Study is the most recent comprehensive analysis of compensation and benefits for the tourism sector. The study provides data from employers in food and beverage services, accommodation services, recreation and entertainment, and travel services. It contains information on type of compensation (e.g., hourly or annual), salary range minimum, salary range maximum, and median salary for 30 occupations in the sector.
This data is broken down by region, industry group, employment status (full-time, part-time, seasonal), and union status. The study also includes data on businesses’ policies around gratuities, benefits, perquisites and incentives, number of employees, and bonus payout. Moreover, in response to the changing landscape of compensation across the country, the study also collected data on the impact of minimum wage increases on businesses in the sector.
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2019 Camping Appreciation Weekend
Mark the weekend of September 13–15 on your calendar as campgrounds coast-to-coast participate in the 2019 Fall Camping Appreciation Weekend.
Campers can access a special weekend stay offer of two-nights camping for either $50, $60, $70 or $80 at participating campgrounds (Sep 13-14/Fri-Sat). As well as the weekend offer, many campgrounds offer promotional stays of “Five nights for the price of four” around this weekend.
To ensure you can get the campground of your choice, reservations must be made in advance directly with the individual properties listed. Please note campsite availability is limited and on a first come first served basis.
It’s always a great day to #CampinBC
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Proposed Changes
to Amusement Rides and Devices That Could Some Affect Tourism Operators
Technical SafetyBC wants to hear your views on the proposed changes to the existing amusement devices program, which will help form their request for regulatory amendment to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Have your say:
Consultation closes: September 30th @ 11:59 pm. Notification of the results of the consultation and any next steps is targeted for the end of 2019.
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TIAC 2020 Pre-Budget Submission
On July 31, our partners at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) submitted its list of recommendations as part of pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2020 federal budget.
This submission underscores the importance of Canada’s tourism industry to policymakers, highlights the issues that are hampering progress, and recommends actions needed to support industry growth.
The seven recommendations outlined in TIAC’s submission highlight the need for improvement in four key areas of Canada’s tourism sector: Labour, Access, Cost Competitiveness and Marketing Funding.
While the 2019 budget provided several wins for tourism, there’s still much work to be done to ensure stable, long-term sector growth.
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Ministry Seeking Further Input on Provincial TFW Regulations
Last fall, the BC government passed the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Protection Act to better protect TFWs from exploitation and abuse.
In July, the Ministry of Labour launched a licensing process to ensure recruiters of foreign workers complied with the law. The Ministry is now beginning consultations with employers of TFWs to inform a regulation, expected later this fall, to establish an employer registration process and employer registry – limited to those employers wishing to hire TFWs in the federal TFW program.
The Ministry is planning to consult with tourism sector employers and stakeholders to obtain input on how they can ensure the registration process works for employers in the tourism sector. Ministry officials are also interested in a couple of volunteer employers to test their registration intake form (currently in development) to provide feedback on any improvements to be made.
More details to follow - watch TIABC's e-newsletters for future updates or contact Danine Leduc, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour (BC) at
[email protected]
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Clean BC Business Fact Sheet
As part of the Climate Change Secretariat’s work in implementing the
CleanBC
plan, the government has published a
CleanBC for Small Business fact sheet
that outlines supports to help small business move towards a low-carbon economy.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture staff are working with the Climate Change Secretariat to bring tourism perspective to their work.
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Tourism Hangover From Wildfires
The hospitality business is feeling the aftershocks of two record wildfire seasons in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, seeing disappointingly few bookings for August and September due to travellers fearing to commit to an area that saw heavy smoke and flames in recent years.
"I think that's part of the situation, is that people are a little timid to do their bookings," said Travel Penticton executive director Thom Tischik. "They are doing some bookings but they are generally last minute." Tischik says those facts, and the nickname "Smokanagan" that was earned during the many days both years when thick wildfire smoke settled in the valley and surrounding communities, are why tourists thought twice before booking Okanagan summer vacations months in advance in 2019.
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Some tourism hotspots in British Columbia have attracted so many people they are becoming a victim of their own success – with various levels of government taking steps to discourage visitors. Below are some examples of recent media stories:
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Tourism Kimberley Seeks Executive Director
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Tourism Kimberley Executive Director plays a critical role in enhancing Kimberley’s tourism industry by implementing the strategies and actions identified in the current strategic and business plan. As well, the Executive Director provides leadership in developing and implementing new programs, marketing initiatives and organizational and financial plans and represents Tourism Kimberley to agencies, organizations and the general public and establishes lasting working relationships and collaborative arrangements with the community at large.
Download the Job Posting
here.
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go2HR Seeks CEO
go2HR is currently going through significant transformation and reconstruction of its mission, mandate and capacity, and is about to embark on a new path forward. They are looking for an innovative, proactive and tourism-loving professional to lead the organization through the transition and new beginnings. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this is a unique opportunity for a strong, business-oriented change agent with knowledge and expertise in business development, sales and program management. In this role, the CEO will help cast a bold new vision and shape the future of a 40-year old organization with a history of excellence and industry impact.
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Indigenous Tourism Businesses Booming in BC
Indigenous tourism businesses are seeing rapid growth in BC as more international visitors seek experiences that bring them closer to Canadian culture. There are more than 200 Indigenous communities in BC and more than 400 Indigenous tourism businesses, from guided adventure tours to high-end culinary experiences, according to Indigenous Tourism BC. More than $705 million per year is spent by visitors.
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WestJet Giving Cranbrook Another Hub Option
WestJet recently announced that its regional airline, WestJet Link, will begin operating nonstop flights between Vancouver and Cranbrook on October 27th. With the addition of Vancouver-Cranbrook, WestJet Link will now operate six routes.
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Wines of BC Launch New Campaign
The BC Wine Institute recently launch its
Search Near Not Far
campaign, inviting consumers to explore and learn about the character within British Columbia’s nine wine growing regions including: Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Thompson Valley, Kootenays, Lillooet and the Shuswap.
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Indigenous Canada Releases New PSA Video
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) recently released the second of five videos in its public service announcement (PSA) campaign. The campaign will be distributed to over 5 million households. Watch video:
vimeo.com/354038353
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Tourism Vancouver Celebrates Diversity in New Video
Watch 2019 Pride Parade Grand Marshall Orene Askew and drag artist Carl McDonald invite everyone to be their most relaxed and healthy selves in Vancouver with this new video. In addition to being shared through social channels, the video was also played during OutFest in LA.
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RDEK Launches New Evacuation Notification System
The Regional District of East Kootenay has launched an Evacuation Notification System (ENS) powered by Voyent Alert! to keep residents and property owners informed in case of evacuation orders or alerts during critical events such as wildfires, floods or hazardous materials incidents.
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Oak Bay Marine Group Installs First Seabin in BC
Recently Oak Bay Marine Group installed BC's first ocean-floating trash bin at the North Saanich Marina on Vancouver Island. Called a Seabin by its manufacturers, it floats on the water's surface and gently pumps water into a catchment bin, filtering out pollutants like petroleum-based oils, plastics, and Styrofoam before pumping the water back into the ocean.
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TIP Invitation Golf Tournament & Silent Auction
The 14th Annual Tourism Industry Partners Invitational Golf Tournament is just around the corner, and that means only one thing - our Silent Auction is now live!
There are many amazing experiences, lifestyle items and travel packages for you to browse through. Don't forget that 100% of the funds raised goes towards fostering the future of the tourism and hospitality industry, so don't hold back and bid away! Please also feel free to share the link below with friends and family.
The online silent auction will close at 8:30pm (PST) on Friday August 23rd.
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2019 TIAC Congress
Under the theme “Driving the Visitor Economy-Together”, this year's TIAC Congress features a line-up of valued experts and innovative panels.
Earlybird registration ends September 6th.
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International Indigenous Tourism Conference Agenda Released
The official agenda for the three-day International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) has just been released, and includes keynote presentations from Jordin Tootoo and Sarain Fox, the host of Future History on APTN and Anishinaabekwe activist. Earlybird registration ends August 31st.
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September 23-27, Vancouver
September 25, Cranbrook
October 2-4, Whistler
October 3-4, Prince George
October 8-10, Nanaimo
October 20-21, Vancouver
October 23-24, Nanaimo
October 24, 2019, Courtenay
November 1-3, Barkerville
November 3-5, 2019, Victoria
November 12-14, Kelowna
November 19-20, Ottawa
January 19-22, 2020, Victoria
March 4-6, 2020, Victoria
April 28-30, 2020, Whistler
Send us your event listings and we can include it on our list!
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