Today's update includes:
- General Updates
- Medical and Local Business Leaders Join Forces to Call on Government to Remove Roadblocks to Travel
- BC Halts Import and Sale of Russian Liquor Products at BC Liquor Stores
- Explore TIAC Resource Hub | Elevating Canadian Experiences
- BC Business Council Provides Detailed Analysis of Budget 2022
- STR Highlights | Week of February 20
- Out Now! Spring 2022 InnFocus Magazine
- CleanBC Communities Fund Intake 3 Now Open
- Accessible Workplaces by Signing Up for Presidents Group’s Pledge to Measure Support
- New Ministers Appointed for Land Stewardship, Municipal Affairs
- GoGreen | Measuring Sustainability: The State of the Canadian Tourism Industry
- Reminder | Speculation Tax Exemption Made Permanent & BCHA Recap
- BCHF Accepting Scholarship Applications
- NEXT WEEK | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference - Register Today!
- News - See more below!
- Hot Off the Press
- BC News
- World News
- Industry Trends
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- Finalists Announced for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference Awards!
- Mark Your Calendars - see below!
- Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
- Recognizing Ukraine | In Place of Our Last Laugh Section
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Medical and Local Business Leaders Join Forces to Call on Government to Remove Roadblocks to Travel |
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Together with the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable ("The Roundtable"), medical and local business leaders have come together to call on the federal government to remove pre-departure testing entirely for fully vaccinated travellers on or before April 1st when the regulations will be updated. Continued testing targeted at solely the travel sector is both unnecessary and not rooted in science.
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BC Halts Import and Sale of Russian Liquor Products at BC Liquor Stores |
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Our partners at ABLE BC circulated this memo and this list of the Russian products impacted by this action.
We join ABLE BC in support of the decision made by our BC government partners to condemn the unprovoked aggression of Russia’s government.
ABLE BC has stated "We have already heard from several members who immediately removed Russian products from their shelves. Others have indicated they will continue selling current inventory until it is depleted (since it has already been paid for), and they will donate 100 per cent of the proceeds to the Red Cross's Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. However you choose to respond, we know members will make the best decision for themselves and their customers. "
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Explore TIAC Resource Hub | Elevating Canadian Experiences |
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From this program, you have at your disposal five free learning resources with a wealth of information at your disposal.
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BC Business Council Provides Detailed Analysis of Budget 2022 |
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On February 22, 2022, the Government of British Columbia released B.C. Budget 2022: Stronger Together. As noted in their initial response to the Budget, the Business Council welcomes the Government’s plans to improve social supports, invest in clean growth, boost capital, advance reconciliation and increase opportunities for skills training. However, they noted a worrisome lack of attention to encouraging investment, innovation and the scaling up of business to strengthen the economy, lift real wages and boost government revenues.
The Business Council’s Chief Economist has completed a detailed analysis of key aspects of the provincial budget, including its fiscal and economic outlook.
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STR Highlights | Week of February 20 |
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Domestic Overnight Visitors Week Ending February 20 Highlights:
- Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 7 (Feb 14 - Feb 20, 2022) is up 20.5% compared to the same week in 2019
- When comparing Week 6 (Feb 7 - Feb 13, 2022) to Week 7 (Feb 14 - Feb 20, 2022) all regions saw an increase in visitation
- British Columbia decreased 18% when comparing Week 6 (Feb 7 - Feb 13, 2022) to Week 7 (Feb 14 - Feb 20, 2022)
STR Report Highlights Week Ending February 19:
- British Columbia had a 48.0% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 71.0% occupancy during the weekend, down -16.2% compared to the same week in 2019.
- British Columbia had an ADR of $160.46 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $197.70 during the weekend, down -9.3% compared to the same week in 2019.
- British Columbia had a RevPAR of $77.03 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $140.44 during the weekend, down -24.0% compared to the same week in 2019.
Regional STATS the Weekend of February 19-20 2022:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 52.3% ADR $160.01 REVPAR $83.73
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 69.4% ADR $168.79 REVPAR $117.19
- Northern BC: OCC 58.4% ADR $126.82 REVPAR $74.04
- North Thompson Okanagan: OCC 80.5% ADR $193.27 REVPAR $155.51
- Vancouver Island: OCC 79.4% ADR $181.82 REVPAR $144.28
- Vancouver: OCC 72.2% ADR $179.18 REVPAR $129.31
- Whistler: OCC 84.1% ADR $719.60 REVPAR $605.19
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Out Now! Spring 2022 InnFocus Magazine |
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The BCHA is delighted to release the first issue of Innfocus Magazine of 2022! Among the wealth of information and content featured in the Spring issue, are articles that include:
- Attracting US Visitors
- The Pandemic's Legacy
- New Practices in Food & Beverage
- Recruiting Programs
- Region Feature: Kootenay Cool
- Leader of the Future: Cat Mackintosh
- Hotelier Feature: Debie Hemich
- GoGreen: GreenStep EcoFund
- Wellbeing and Travel
- Grappling with Ghost Hotels
- How do we Get BC on Bucket Lists of World Travellers?
- What's New?
- ... and much, MUCH more!
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CleanBC Communities Fund
Intake 3 Now Open
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The CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF) intake 3 is now accepting applications to fund projects that support the management of renewable energy, access to clean energy transportation, improved energy efficiency of buildings, and generation of clean energy. The fund invests in public infrastructure owned by local governments, Indigenous communities, not-for-profits and projects in partnership with for-profit entities.
TOTA’s Visitor Inspiration Centre is an example of a successful past application. This redevelopment project involves installation of solar power and a green roof, and four Level 2 EV charging stations. Applications for the current intake must be submitted by May 25 at 3pm. Contact 250-387-4060 or infra@gov.bc.ca to discuss eligibility, program fit, project schedule and other elements.
Apply for the CleanBC Communities Fund intake 3 by May 25.
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Accessible Workplaces by Signing Up for Presidents Group’s Pledge to Measure Support |
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Have you signed up for Presidents Group’s Pledge to Measure? Last year, 21 businesses participated – and this year, the organization hopes to add even more.
If you're ready to dig deep into your business's inclusion practices to measure disability inclusion in the workplace, sign up for the Pledge today.
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New Ministers Appointed for Land Stewardship, Municipal Affairs |
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Last week, a number of The Honorable Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid-Island Pacific Rim, was recently named as the Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship and Minister Responsible for Fisheries, the new Ministry that was formalized earlier this week.
Premier John Horgan appointed the Honorable Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine, as Minister of Municipal Affairs to replace Minister Osborne.
Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley was also named as Parliamentary Secretary for Forests to support the Honorable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, in efforts to modernize forestry in British Columbia.
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GoGreen | Measuring Sustainability: The State of the Canadian Tourism Industry
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Sustainability has increasingly become an important value for visitors and is a key component of successful tourism businesses and a thriving tourism industry. In 2021, GreenStep launched the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge in partnership with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, encouraging tourism businesses and destinations across the country to measure their sustainability performance using the free online Sustainability Score assessment based upon the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, and to make a commitment to improving this performance each year until 2030.
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Reminder | Speculation Tax Exemption Made Permanent & BCHA Recap |
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On February 22, Premier John Horgan and Minister of Finance Selina Robinson delivered Budget 2022 which earmarked $25 million in funding to support the tourism sector’s continuing recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The BCHA would like to thank our strata hotel community for voicing their concerns and for being instrumental in championing this change. I wish to also acknowledge the Ministry of Finance for listening, and for enacting this permanent exemption.
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BCHF Accepting Scholarship Applications |
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The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for the scholarships it administers.
The deadline for most scholarship submissions is March 31st.
The BCHF is best known as the only charity in Canada that raises funds to support hospitality and tourism workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member. In addition, the organization administers a scholarship program to foster the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.
In 2022, the BCHF scholarship program will be the largest ever, at over $65,000, and there are new scholarships dedicated exclusively to supporting members of underrepresented groups such as First Nations and members of the LGBT2Q+ community. All applicants must be committed to working in British Columbia for at least the next two years.
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NEXT WEEK| BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference - Register Today! |
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- Rev Up! Hotel Pre-Conference Track
- March 9 from 8am-1pm
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Rev Up! tickets offer exclusive access to content tailored specifically for accommodators, with engaging presentations and panels from industry experts and leaders across Canada’s accommodation community including. See overview below and full details HERE.
- Keynote | Meetings: Recovery & Innovation presented by Michael Dominguez, President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International
- Meetings & Events Recovery Panel
- Keynote | Hotel Development and Transaction Market presented by David Ferguson, Director, CBRE
- Operational Innovation & Trends Panel | Learning & Looking Forward
- Conference Tickets:
- March 9 – 11
- Tickets include complete access to all three days of conference sessions, workshops, marketplace, and silent auction, along with the welcome reception presented by Tourism Richmond.
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CLICK HERE for full program details
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About the Welcome Reception: Tourism Richmond presents “A Taste of the World-Famous Richmond Night Market”, at the River Rock Show Theatre. Unique in North America and authentically Richmond. Attendees will experience the unforgettable sounds and tastes and smells found at the Richmond Night Market with a preview of everyone’s favourite summer experience. Sample some of the famous foods from the market and pair it with delicious wine and craft beer. Enjoy the diversity, spirit, and magic of one of Richmond’s most famous and most loved attractions. You won’t want to miss this!
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PLUS: a special gift: all attendees will receive Free VIP entry to the Richmond Night Market to return any time during the Summer of 2022 to experience the real thing (it opens on April 29th, 2022!).
- Awards Gala:
- March 10
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Presented by Indigenous Tourism BC, reserve your spot for a celebratory evening that will recognize our province’s most exceptional products, services, experiences, and people. View the list of finalists HERE.
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
BC & CANADA
WORLD NEWS
INDUSTRY TRENDS AND QUICKLINKS
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry
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Indigenous Tourism BC and Ecologyst Join Forces with New Partnership
Indigenous Tourism BC and sustainable apparel brand ecologyst have announced the formation of a partnership with the mission to engage in activities that educate consumers on a better way of life that includes a commitment to slow fashion and slow travel.
Through the partnership, both organizations aim to collaborate and connect on travel and outfitting, locations and projects, content creation and social media. Together, they will share audiences, events, and education in ways that demonstrate love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth.
We love to see it and look forward to following along!
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Celebrate International Women's Day with WORTH IT!
Monday, March 7th at 6:15 p.m
Join WORTH Association for the second annual WORTH IT!: Leadership Journeys of Inspiring Women free virtual panel in celebration of International Women’s Day.
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May 8, 2022 – May 11, 2022
IMPACT is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation. The dream to create a legacy for sustainable and regenerative tourism in Canada is stronger than ever, and your voices are needed.
Join in on a national conversation on sustainable tourism, as delegates and speakers explore and compare models for tourism recovery. Hear from some of the most creative and innovative experts in the business and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.
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2022 Annual BC Economic Summit
Date: April 3rd 1:30 PM to April 5th 2:30 PM
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is presenting its 2022 Annual BC Economic Summit in a virtual format with the theme of Reconciliation and Resiliency - A Future for BC. This is an opportunity to highlight success stories, lessons learned, share cutting-edge ideas, and engage your colleagues at the premier event for economic development practitioners in British Columbia.
Click here to learn more and to register.
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Canadian Hotel Investment Conference
Date:April 5-6, 2022
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
REGISTRATION TO OPEN IN FEBRUARY
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Register Now! Vancouver Island Tourism Conference 2022
April 12 - 14, 2022
Tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region are invited to attend the in-person return of the annual Vancouver Island Tourism Conference, powered by Tourism Vancouver Island. It will be held April 12-14, 2022 in Victoria, B.C. at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. This year’s conference will focus on Mindful Travel: The health of our environment; The health of our industry; The health of our people. The early bird rate is $375 until February 11th (Regular rate is $475 until March 28th). Learn more and register here.
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BC Pays Tribute to Ukraine |
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In place of our Last Laugh section, the BCHA would like to take a moment to think of the people in Ukraine who are defending themselves against a senseless attack at the hands of the tyrannical Russian government.
The current situation has already had a substantial impact on civilians as many flee the country in search of refuge, and as casualties grow.
The Canadian Federal Government recently announced that it will match Canadians' donations to the Red Cross in aid of Ukraine, up to a maximum of $10 million.
Your donation will go directly to organizations providing relief and aid to those impacted by this armed conflict, helping to provide food, water, shelter, urgent medical care, and more to those in need.
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