Hotel Industry Update
COVID-19 has had a profound and devastating impact on the tourism sector and has altered British Columbia’s visitor economy. Throughout the pandemic, the ministry consulted extensively with business owners, sector associations and marketing organizations to hear their priorities for recovery and ideas to help British Columbia remain a globally competitive destination. B.C.’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan includes a cross-government approach to help all aspects of the tourism industry recover, create jobs and grow the economy.
Investing in the resilience of B.C.’s visitor economy:

  • A new Tourism Task Force will bring together leaders from business, labour, First Nations and not-for-profits to seek innovative ideas on how to best position the industry for the 2021 season. The Province is allocating $50 million in the Economic Recovery Plan for new measures that result from the task force’s work.
  • The Province will invest $19 million to support small municipalities that are dependent on tourism to build, adapt and diversify their tourism infrastructure. This program will create job opportunities in the communities and prepare for the future.
  • The Province will invest nearly $14 million to support targeted tourism development partnership initiatives in the six tourism regions across B.C. to help the industry recover from COVID-19. 
  • Destination BC will invest an additional $5 million to continue to market British Columbia domestically and secure its spot in the international tourism market. International bookings are often made one year before the date of departure.
  • The new Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program will invest $100 million in projects that make life better for locals and improve the experience for visitors. The elements that support the tourism sector include:
  • $20 million for tourism infrastructure projects supporting destination development. Local governments, not-for-profits and Indigenous Nations will be able to apply for project funding to help bring back visitors through investments in tourism infrastructure and amenities in communities;
  • $20 million to support economic recovery for rural communities; and
  • $20 million for investments in unique heritage infrastructure, including funding for First Nations to repair, renew or develop Indigenous cultural heritage infrastructure.
ABLE: New Provincial Health Officer Public Order Released
More than a week after Dr. Henry issued verbal orders ending on-premise liquor sales at 10 pm, the written public order is finally available.

Download a copy of the new public order for Food and Liquor Serving Premises.

This public order is addressed to: restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, cafeterias, and food primary and liquor primary establishments, including pubs, bars, lounges, and nightclubs, liquor manufacturing facilities that have tasting rooms, lounges, and private clubs.

This order does not apply to events as defined in the Gatherings and Events order, or to meetings or conferences held in hotels or anywhere else.

This order repeals and replaces the order made on July 31, 2020 and confirms Dr. Henry's oral order on September 8, 2020, with respect to nightclubs, liquor sales, and sound.

Per the new order:

·   Owners and operators of liquor primaries operating as nightclubs must cease operating as a nightclub.

·   Liquor sales for onsite consumption must cease by 10:00 pm.

·   Unless a full meal service is provided, premises must close by 11:00 pm and all patrons must vacate the premises. If a full meal service is provided, premises may stay open, but liquor must not be served until 11:00 am the following day.

·   Liquor must not be consumed on premises by owners, operators, or staff after 11:00 pm.

·   Background music and any other background sounds, such as from televisions or other electronic sound producing devices, must be no louder than the volume of normal conversation.

·   If background music is provided by a live performer or performers or a disc jockey, a physical barrier must be installed between the performers or disc jockey and the patrons, which blocks the transmission of droplets produced by performers or disc jockey, or there must be at least a three metre separation between performers and patrons.

Also, as a reminder:

·   Liquor may only be served to patrons who are seated, other than in cafeterias, private clubs, or tasting rooms with a liquor manufacturer license.

·   Dance floors must be closed with physical barriers or occupied with tables.

·   Patrons must not sing, engage in Karaoke, or dance on the premises.

·   Jam and open mic sessions must not be held on premises.

·   The Gatherings and Events Order applies to the holding of events on your premises.

For the full list of conditions, including physical distancing, background music, contact tracing, and seating requirements, please read the public order
The public order for gatherings and events has also be amended. Download the new order.

This public order is addressed to: owners and operators of places and persons who organize or attend events at premises subject to the food and liquor serving premises order (above), vacation accommodation, or other places.

This order applies to meetings or conferences held in hotels or anywhere else.

This order repeals and replaces the order made on August 7, 2020 and confirms Dr. Henry's oral order on September 8, 2020, with respect to banquet halls and liquor sales.

Per the order:

·   The holding of an event in a banquet hall is prohibited.
·   A banquet hall is defined as: a stand-alone premises built for the purpose of holding large social events, including banquets, generally involving many hundreds of people. It does not include the premises associated with an hotel, house of worship, recreation centre, sports organization or other non-profit organization with a community, educational, historical, sports or similar purpose, or owned or operated or otherwise controlled by a government.

·   In places other than banquet halls:
·   The gathering of more than fifty patrons at a place for the purpose of an event is prohibited.
·   Liquor service must stop at 10:00 pm.

For full event and gathering conditions, please read the public order.
ABLE BC's Response

We are very disappointed that Dr. Henry did not consider the immense economic fallout from the order or consult industry on these changes, despite stating otherwise during yesterday's press conference.

Since September 8, ABLE BC and our industry partners have been working tirelessly to get the order amended. On September 11, ABLE BC and members of the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP) sent an urgent letter to the Premier, Attorney-General, Minister of Health, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, and the Provincial Health Officer expressing our significant concerns about certain aspects of the public order.

We also surveyed members on the financial impacts of this public order.

On September 17, BTAP released a press release, calling on the Premier to intervene and Dr. Henry to bring industry representatives to the table – before it is too late.

We will continue to fight on your behalf to get the order amended.

ABLE BC and BTAP once again call on Dr. Henry to bring industry representatives to the table, so we can discuss practical recommendations to achieve Dr. Henry’s stated objectives while balancing the financial realities of our industry.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us: info@ablebc.ca.

Response to BC Recovery Package
Industry looking forward to working with government to help businesses survive
Tourism, Hospitality, and Accommodation Collective Say Provincial Support
for Recovery a Good Start

Following yesterday's government announcement on relief funds, industry leaders in tourism, hospitality, and accommodation have released a press release outlining their response to the package. As many appreciate the recognition of our industries being highlighted, we are all aware that this is just the first step on the road to recovery.
TIABC: BC Government
Announces Economic Recovery Plan
Yesterday Premier Horgan and Minister James announced details on the Province's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Package.

A total of $1.19 billion has been allocated to new expenditures across four broad categories:
·   Recovery for People – $169 million
·   Recovery for Communities – $368 million
·   Recovery for Businesses – $405 million
·   Building Better Futures – $250 million

The plan includes investments of over $100 million to support tourism-related businesses and communities, including the following:

·   A new Tourism Task Force will bring together leaders from business, labour, First Nations and not-for-profits to seek innovative and creative ideas on how the tourism in BC can be well positioned for a 2021 tourism season and ideas on envisioning a sustainable future. $50 million is allocated in the Economic Recovery Plan to facilitate new measures that result from the Tourism Task Force’s work.

·   $19 million to support small, municipalities who are dependent on tourism to build, adapt and diversify their tourism infrastructure. This program will create job opportunities in the communities and prepare for the future.

·   $14 million to support targeted tourism development initiatives in the six tourism regions across BC to help the tourism industry recover from COVID-19.

·   $20 million for tourism infrastructure projects supporting destination development through the new Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program. Local governments, not-for- profits, and Indigenous nations will be able to apply for project funding to help bring back visitors through investments in tourism infrastructure and amenities in communities, including pivoting mountain resorts to all season destinations.

·   The new Small and Medium Business Recovery Grant program commits up to $300M to support one-time grants for eligible small businesses that have been hard-hit by COVID-19. Grant amounts will be scalable based on the size and annual pre-COVID revenues of the business, with eligible amounts ranging from $10,000 to a maximum of $30,000. Hard-hit tourism operators will be eligible to receive a top-up of up to $10,000, for a maximum grant of $40,000 based on overall eligibility criteria. Eligible businesses will include those with between 2 and 149 employees that have seen a COVID-related revenue reduction of at least 70% and continue to have revenues below 50% of pre-COVID levels.

Read the media release at: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0052-001780

Learn more online at: strongerbc.gov.bc.ca

View the Backgrounder document here.
ABLE: Extension to Temporary Patios and Off-Site Sales
We are happy to announce the provincial government will be extending the following policies:

·   Extended from October 31, 2020 to October 31, 2021: Temporary Expanded Service Area (such as patios)

·   Extended from October 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021: Liquor and Food Primary Off-Site Sales (sale and delivery of unopened liquor products with the purchase of a meal for takeaway or delivery)

These policy extensions are in direct response to the advocacy work of the Business Technical Advisory Panel, as well as ABLE BC and our industry partners the BCRFA and BC Craft Brewers Guild. 

ABLE BC greatly appreciates the ongoing work of the Attorney General David Eby, staff, and the LCRB to support our industry in this time of crisis.

Policy Directive 20-26: Temporary Expanded Service Area Extension

In May 2020, the LCRB began permitting food primary, liquor primary, and manufacturer licensees to apply for a Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) authorization through an expedited, no fee, online process.

All TESA authorizations were originally set to expire on October 31, 2020. However, the Province has made amendments allowing for their extension to October 31, 2021.

The LCRB intends to extend all TESA authorizations. However, the branch will reach out to local governments to confirm their support for the extension of approved TESA authorizations in their jurisdiction prior to extensions being granted. 

All licensees with current TESA authorizations and whose local governments support extension will be reissued authorization letters, automatically extending the expiry date of their authorizations, before October 31, 2020. Licensees must continue to comply with all local bylaws.

New applications for TESA authorization will be considered up until October 31, 2021. New TESA authorizations for liquor primary and manufacturer licenses must also receive the approval of local governments. 

For more information, please read the policy directive.

Policy Directive 20-27: Extension of temporary authority for the sale and delivery of packaged liquor for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for take-out or delivery

Government has also approved an extension to the temporary authorization that allows food primary and liquor primary licensees to sell and deliver sealed, packaged liquor products alongside the purchase of a meal for off-site consumption.

This authorization, which was set to expire on October 31, 2020, has been extended to March 31, 2021, to continue to provide businesses with relief from the financial hardship of the pandemic.

For more information, please read the policy directive.

Helpful Links


If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us: info@ablebc.ca.
TOTA: Friday Fast Facts
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is pleased to once again bring you Friday Fast Facts providing an ongoing snapshot of how the tourism industry is being impacted as a result of COVID-19 and an overview of how things are changing as we begin moving through these first stages of recovery. 
We will continue to gain and share business intelligence and insights which come directly from tourism stakeholders in our region via telephone and online surveys; data from our partnership with Environics Analytics received and analyzed weekly, and additional research has been sourced through the UN World Tourism Organization, Destination Canada, Destination BC, British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat, BC Hotel Association, go2HR, Community DMO Partners, and others.
Now more than ever we understand the importance of providing timely data that will assist you in making informed decisions, understanding how industry and consumers are responding, both in the Thompson Okanagan and the province as a whole, and that will assist you in making adjustments to how you do business.

Watch for Friday Fast Fact bi-weekly and for more information check out Research Spotlight on TOTA News Centre.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is proudly supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture.
Please fill in this survey
As we face the current and potential future impacts of COVID-19, we continue to work with all levels of government, along with our key partners and industry stakeholders, to support the needs of our industry.

Since the initial impact of the virus was felt, we've been regularly collecting data and tracking progress to quantify this changing landscape. In order for us to better understand the ramifications the pandemic has had and action relevant change, we must continue to update this information.

Below is a 5 minute survey that we ask for your participation in as we conduct this vital pulse check. Your responses will help us continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to you and allow us to spotlight the severe impact COVID-19 has had on our industry, actioning real change. 
Upcoming BCHA Live Industry Updates
The BC Hotel Association is the voice of the hotel industry at the federal, provincial and community level. Ingrid Jarrett – President & CEO & Mike Macleod – Director of Member & Business Development cordially invite to share your voice, live and in person during the roadshow when we are in your community. We are starting with the Kootenays Sept 28-Oct 1. We look forward to seeing you there – please register below. All protocols will be in place for meeting safely in person.
 
The content of the session will include the state of advocacy efforts in the province, recovery strategies for our Tourism and Hospitality Industry, emerging issues, industry best practices and member benefit initiatives. There will be plenty of time during the session for feedback and questions from you.
 
Please RSVP as Public Health Office Protocols will require us to register everyone in advance. Space in each venue will be limited due to physical distancing measures.

We look forward to seeing you! 
BCHA Webinars
BCHA is committed to ensuring our industry recovers, and one key success factor is how a continuous cost reduction approach is embedded in a property. In British Columbia, for an average food business, the costs of wasted food are worth 7% of annual revenues. Unlike other cost reduction approaches, the solutions are easy, affordable and scalable.

The success of The PLEDGE on Food Waste and associated savings opportunities fits perfectly with our sustainability ambitions. We invite you and encourage you, as General Managers, and for your Marketing and Food & Beverage teams to join us. BCHA and Rethink2gether will be hosting a webinar to share insights on how food waste prevention can help BCHA members cut on rising food costs, slash food waste and stand out from the crowd.


In this presentation, you will learn:
· How wasted food is impacting your bottom line
· How you can boost your profitability during tough times
· How The PLEDGE on Food Waste works with case studies around the world
· How public decision-makers in BC are taking action to change the legislation

At the end of the webinar, participants will be invited to receive free resources, a free consultation, and a free trial of 60 days for a food waste monitoring technology.
BCHA & GreenStep EcoFund Program Webinar Recording

Thank you for joining us yesterday for our webinar in collaboration with GreenStep outlining GreenStep’s EcoFund Verified program and how it can help members get ahead of rising energy costs, save hundreds of thousands of dollars on energy and carbon taxes, and increase the value of your business; all while meeting the growing consumer demand for responsible business.
News
COVID-19 economic recovery: B.C. spreads $1.5 billion...

The B.C. government on Thursday unveiled its wide-ranging economic recovery plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with support for job retraining, a tax break for businesses, and funding for a new tourism task force.

Read more
globalnews.ca
B.C. tourism task force to seek input on recovery ideas

Ten business and industry leaders have been appointed to a new task force focused on helping B.C.'s tourism sector bounce back from the pandemic. "There is no question that B.C.'s tourism businesses have suffered considerably due to COVID-19,...

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vernonmatters.ca
As part of our education pillar, BCHA continues to offer new courses and webinars from our education partners. Through our education series, BCHA members and hospitality professionals may access tools for continued growth within the hospitality industry at a significantly reduced price. We encourage you to take this time to explore the courses below:
Douglas College:

Click here to sign up for any of the upcoming courses or webinars or learn more about all the education BCHA has to offer.
COVID-19 UPDATES ONLINE AT BCHA.COM
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