C-19 BULLETIN - July 6, 2020

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Provincial Government Update

Today's official statement by Health Minister Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry:

While cases continue to occur in the community, there are no active community outbreaks in B.C. With our ‘new COVID-19 normal,’ we can all enjoy many activities by following the rules we have established for safe social interactions.

The rules are the foundation to safely move forward. Young or old, in a city or in a small town, our new normal is doable for everyone. Anyone who is new to British Columbia from elsewhere in Canada, whether coming for work or on vacation, needs to understand that here in B.C. we are keeping our contacts small, maintaining a safe distance from others, using masks when that is challenging to do and always staying away from others if we are feeling ill.

Anyone from outside of Canada who is here for essential travel or returning home is required to follow Canada’s quarantine order to self-isolate for 14 days prior to interacting with others. While the quarantine order is an important part of Canada’s border protection during COVID-19, we remind all British Columbians that we must show kindness and understanding to those around us.

We have to remember that many Canadians reside elsewhere and are only now returning home or may have returned home in the past few months. Let’s lead by example, assume the best and remember we do not always know everyone’s story.

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Tourism Industry Impact Survey on
Government Support Measures

Help make a case to decision-makers on the need to address liquidity issues now.

The federal government has put several programs in place to provide support for businesses. While these programs are meant to assist operators during this difficult time, we know some of these short-term measures are not meeting the needs of the industry.

Government is reviewing current programs but requires strong data showing where the shortfalls are.

Please complete this TIAC initiated survey to help make the case for much-needed change. Results of this survey will be shared with senior government officials who influence these decisions.

Take the survey here: www.research.net/r/TIAC_en
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Motor Carrier and Motor Coach Survey

This is the fourth version of BCTA's survey to track and quantify the impact COVID-19 is having on the commercial road transportation sector and its sales/service/supply companies as this crisis continues.

This information will help to:
  • Inform BCTA’s advocacy and discussions on relief efforts with the provincial and federal government for trucking and motor coach businesses as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, and how to help them restart operations.
  • Determine if the current financial supports in place by the government are helpful, and whether there are other supports we should pursue.

Survey responses will be aggregated and all individual and company information will remain confidential.  Please answer for the period of June 1-30.

The survey consists of 14 questions and should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Note: This survey is meant for motor carrier and motor coach members. There is a separate survey designed for associate members.

Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MFNNFBH
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Thompson Okanagan Visitor Research

The dashboard data starts the week of February 4th and is tracked on a weekly basis. Data is currently available
through to June 28th.

While overnight travel is significantly down compared to 2019, an upward trend in movement and overnight stays on a week over week basis was apparent during weeks 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 20.

All of the BC Regions saw a decrease in visitation from week 20 (June 15-21) to week 21 (June 22-28).

• Note: Visitation to the Thompson Okanagan Region mirrors the British Columbia visitation trend line very closely. The Thompson Okanagan saw a 2% decrease in visitation compared to British Columbia during Week 21 (June22-28).

• Visitation to the Thompson Okanagan decreased by 13%, British Columbia decreased by 11% when comparing Week 20 (June 15-21) to Week 21 (June 22-28).

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Small Business BC Webinars

Brand Strategy in Changing Times
Join Karley Cunningham,  Big Bold Brand , for this informative webinar and discover why branding efforts during COVID-19 (& beyond) should be strategic, company-wide and take on a broader view. You’ll learn how to ensure you and your team are clear on the fundamental beliefs and truths of your organization, and how to develop (or evolve) the 10 strategic brand elements critical to guiding your business powerfully forward into the new era of business.
Tuesday July 7 @ 1:00pm (PT)

Know Your Audience as You Reopen
Join Small Business BC’s Market Research Analyst,  Mark Eversfield , and find key tips and best practices for researching and understanding your market during COVID-19. You’ll discover how to conduct useful research in our “new normal,” as well as the latest consumer sentiments on COVID-19 and how to translate them into data points to help your business succeed.
Thursday July 9 @ 1:00pm (PT)

Learn more at:
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Destination BC Webinars

Destination BC is hosting a series of webinars to support BC’s tourism industry in areas of response, recovery, and resilience from COVID-19. The Road to Recovery webinar series has reached over 1,700 participants since launching on May 12th.

  • July 7: Revisiting your COVID-19 Safety Plan | Register here

Watch recordings of previous webinars:
  • May 12: Business After Re-opening: A Look at the Post-closure Traveller | View recording here
  • May 14: Essential Strategies to Innovate your Visitor Experience and Offerings | View recording here
  • May 19: Planning for Doors Open | View recording here
  • May 21: Managing Expectations and Reputation through Effective Communication | View recording here
  • May 26: Using Social Media to Support Re-opening | View recording here
  • May 28: Building a Digital Marketing Strategy for Re-opening | View recording here
  • June 4: ExploreBC… Virtually | View recording here
  • June 9: Restart Safely: Health & Safety Essentials to Support Re-opening | View recording here
  • June 11: Work Refusal & Other HR Challenges Amid the Restart | View recording here
  • June 16: SEO in Uncertain Times: How it can Help Recovery Efforts | View recording here
  • June 18: Adapting Customer Service & Guest Communication in a Pandemic Impacted Business Environment | View recording here
  • June 25: Returning to Work: Protecting Mental Health | View recording here

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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.