C-19 BULLETIN - April 19, 2021
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CEO Message
Based on TIABC’s recent discussions with government and other indicators, it was no surprise that today Dr. Bonnie Henry extended current restrictions on indoor dining and other activities into late May citing the rapid spread of COVID-19, and in particular variant strains that are compromising the health care system and the safety of residents.
Importantly, in this afternoon’s news conference, Premier Horgan stated the province had no other choice but to step up its actions including officially ordering residents to stay home and banning non-essential travel outside of their health region starting this Friday and extending through the May long weekend. The Premier acknowledged that, aside from the health care sector, the restrictions once again affect the devastated tourism and hospitality industry the most.
At TIABC’s emergency board meeting over the weekend, directors discussed our response to the impending measures, particularly the limitations on travel. Our long-held position has been that travel bans foster vigilante behaviour and pit residents against visitors without consideration for why an individual might be in a community. Travel bans also demonize the tourism sector at large and don’t solve the crux of the problem, which is about individual behaviour and a segment of the population that continues to ignore provincial directives on social gatherings and health and safety protocols.
TIABC has now modified its position to fully support government’s new orders around banning travel for non-essential purposes for the next five weeks, not only to help the Province get a handle on the spread of the virus, but to save our summer. TIABC’s board concurs that stronger action is needed now to ensure people will be able to travel around the province beyond May and generate much-needed revenues for tourism and hospitality operators in every region.
Over the weekend, TIABC, BCHA, Indigenous Tourism BC and Destination BC together submitted a brief to the province on the best path forward to helping our industry in the immediate term. Aside from requesting financial support to mitigate the impact of an order, (such an extension of the Circuit Breaker program which the Premier committed to today), the four organizations offered a number of recommendations to determine how our industry can implement and support the new measures with tangible actions coupled with specific milestones to help us navigate the next few weeks to achieve the goal of reopening regional travel in late May.
Between now and Friday, TIABC together with our partners and other industry stakeholders will be working with government to clarify details of the order, provide answers to a multitude of questions by tourism operators, residents and visitors, as well as to offer direction to industry on next steps.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop-me-a-line at your earliest convenience.
Walt Judas
TIABC CEO
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Premier Horgan Says Non-essential Travel Outside Home Communities Will be Suspended
In t oday's press conference, Premier Horgan announced that a Travel Restriction Order will begin on Friday, April 23rd and will last for 5 weeks until May 24th (after the May long weekend). Premier Horgan said new travel restrictions are coming to reduce the movement of people and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The message is: stay local, within your health authority area.
Signs will be placed along the BC-Alberta border to remind travellers that they shouldn't be coming to BC unless it is for essential reasons.
While the Premier noted that the Province has been and will be working with the tourism industry to reject bookings from people travelling outside their local areas, details and further instructions to industry have not yet been finalized or released. Premier Horgan said he's confident tourism businesses will comply, but the province is prepared to enforce new orders if they don't. However,
The Premier also said random audits of travellers will be made to make sure people are complying with rules while BC Ferries will stop taking bookings for people with recreational vehicles.
Solicitor General Mike Farnworth is drafting orders to further restrict travel to stop people from leaving their health authority for non-essential reasons.
During this afternoon's press conference, Dr. Bonnie Henry publicly confirmed that indoor dining restrictions will continue to until May 24th. She also noted that all current guidelines and orders will remain in place. She emphasized that it is critical British Columbians focus on efforts to follow the guidelines, including but not limited to:
- Continue to follow the basics to reduce transmission
- Especially focus on in-person social interactions. Be very purposeful about who you are seeing and where you are going, stick with the same few contacts.
- Stay within your health region and as much as possible your local community. Strictly follow the travel guidelines."
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Province Introducing Paid Leave for Workers to get COVID-19 Vaccine
The BC government has introduced amendments to the Employment Standards Act that, if passed, will provide workers with up to three hours of paid leave to get each dose of their COVID-19 vaccine.
The amendments ensure no one will lose pay if they need time away from work to get vaccinated.
These amendments expand on the regulatory improvements made on April 1st that currently provide job-protected leave for workers to take as much time as they need to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The changes to the act will allow employees to take up to three hours of paid leave to get their COVID-19 vaccine, for each dose.
The Coalition of BC Businesses wrote Hon. Harry Bains, Minister of Labour about this issue. View the the letter here. _________________________________________________________________
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Budget 2021
A Sign of Progress towards Canada’s Tourism Economy’s Recovery
Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland stood in the House of Commons to outline details of the long anticipated federal budget.
The following is a high-level snapshot of the supports outlined in this evening’s announcement.
Budget 2021 proposed supports that total to $1 billion over three years for tourism, starting in 2021-22.
SUPPORTING BUSINESS SOLVENCY
Indigenous Tourism
- $2.4 million in 2021-22 to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada to help the Indigenous tourism industry rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) & Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
- Extension of the wage and rent subsidies until September 25, 2021, with potential until November 20, 2021. It also proposes to gradually decrease the subsidy rate, beginning July 4, 2021, in order to ensure an orderly phase out in tandem with vaccinations. TIAC has been advocating for an extension to at least end of 2021, and while we welcome this extension, we will continue our work to ensure the hardest hit businesses receive continued support.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
- $500 million Tourism Relief Fund, administered by the regional development agencies to support investments by local tourism businesses in adapting to the pandemic.
- $200 million through the regional development agencies to support major festivals and $200 million through Canadian Heritage to support local festivals, community cultural events, outdoor theatre performances, heritage celebrations, local museums, amateur sport events, and more.
- Proposes extension of the application deadline for similar support under the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and the Indigenous Business Initiative until June 30, 2021. Budget 2021 proposes to provide up to $80 million in 2021-22 on a cash basis, for the regional development agencies, and to shift remaining funds under the Indigenous Business Initiative into 2021-22, to support an extended application deadline for the RRRF and Indigenous Business Initiative until June 30, 2021. This would support small businesses in rural communities so that they can continue to serve local populations.
Support for Airlines
- Providing $82.5 million in 2021-22 to Transport Canada to support major Canadian airports in making investments in COVID-19 testing infrastructure.
- Providing $105.3 million over five years, starting in 2021-22 with $28.7 million in remaining amortization and $10.2 million per year ongoing to Transport Canada to collaborate with International Partners to further advance the Known Traveller Digital Identity Pilot project, which will test advanced technologies to facilitate touchless and secure air travel.
CHAMPIONING SAFETY
- $6.7 million in 2021-22 to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to acquire and operate sanitization equipment, champion safety.
- $271.1 million in 2021-22 to CATSA to maintain operations and enhanced screening services at the 89 airports where it works.
These measures will help restore Canadians’ confidence in the safety of air travel when public health restrictions and border measures are adjusted.
KEEPING CANADA GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE
Canada Recovery Hiring Program
- Introduction of the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program to provide eligible employers with a subsidy of up to 50 per cent on the incremental remuneration paid to eligible employees between June 6, 2021 and November 20, 2021.
- $595 million to make it easier for businesses to hire back laid-off workers or to bring on new ones.
Discovering Canada
- $100 million to Destination Canada for marketing campaigns to help Canadians and other visitors discover and explore the country.
OTHER SUPPORT
- $101 million over two years, starting in 2022-23, to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to implement a program for the wine sector that will support wineries in adapting to ongoing and emerging challenges, in line with Canada’s trade obligations.
There are other significant pieces outlined in the budget document that will impact our sector including Affordable Housing, Immigration, reforms to the Employment Insurance Act and Canada Labour Code, Small Business supports, support for Parks Canada Agency and we TIAC provide a more robust update on these during tomorrow’s Budget Update and Fireside Chat with TIAC President and CEO Beth Potter.
Learn more at:
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Tell Us Your Story
A Mountain Community’s Pandemic Story
Sun Peaks Municipality was incorporated in June 2010. Today, Sun Peaks is the fastest growing small municipality in the Province. From 2011 to 2016, the local population increased 66% according to Census Canada and Statistic B.C. indicated a 14.1% annual increase from July 2017 to July 2018.
We estimate the present local year-round population to be just over 1,000 people. Each winter another 800 seasonal employees move to the community along with another 350 to 400 seasonal residents. We have nearly 1,100 residential properties in the community, most of which are vacation properties. Some 17% of all properties are owned by foreigners, a major foreign investment when one considers that the 2021 assessed value of all properties is $985 million dollars. Many of our foreign owners come for several months each year.
Over the past 20 years, Sun Peaks has grown from a local/regional ski attraction to a very successful international year-round destination although about 65% of our tourism business takes place in 4 winter months. With some 700 Hotel rooms and 350 rental townhouses and homes, there are some 4,000+ available tourist beds. Sun Peaks’ greatest success has been it’s ability to attract out of Province visitors, 54% of all hotel visitors come from outside of British Columbia and 36% of all hotel visitors are from outside of Canada.
The Sun Peaks economy was calculated in 2016 to be approximately $107 million dollars. Using a 10% annual growth rate, we estimate that the 2020 economy had grown to $155+ million dollars. The full-time work force is estimated to be some 1,110 employees in additional to another 800 seasonal employees. Our economy is 90%+ tourism dependent.
By mid-March 2020, our success in the out of province visitor markets became our nightmare. As travel restrictions kicked in and borders closed, we lost most of our overnight guests. As the Provincial orders came down, all non-essential businesses were shuttered for approximately 100 days. This alone resulted in an estimated $15 million dollar reduction to the local economy. With continued border closures and limited Canadian travel, our growing summer season business also suffered an estimated $20+ million dollar shrinkage. Our brand-new conference facility and our all-weather events venue ready in 2020 has not been able to host its first event. Read more....
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We encourage you to write your story using the format outlined on our website. Be as candid as you feel comfortable. By telling your story, you give us permission to share the information with government. We may also call on you to tell your story through social and/or traditional media channels, as well as via industry communiques.
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COVID Business 'Pulse Check' Survey
Closes Tomorrow!
With new COVID restrictions, the BC Chamber of Commerce is launching a COVID-19 Pulse Check Survey to see how your business is impacted and what supports you need in this critical time.
Your feedback to this survey is essential to inform our understanding of the most pressing impacts you are experiencing and what can be done to support your business.
Responses are confidential and personal information will not be shared.
The survey will take ~6 minutes to complete and will close on April 20th at 5PM.
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Moments of Levity
As an industry that continues to face enormous challenges during COVID-19, every once in a while it's important to share a laugh, a good story, a beautiful image, or an interesting anecdote to provide moments of levity during this most difficult time. Feel free to share your photos, etc. with TIABC to be published in our C-19 Bulletin each week.
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Tips for Safely Restarting your Tourism Facility
after Hibernation
April 20th from 9:00am to 10:30am (PDT)
The Vancouver Tourism Facility Managers Association is pleased to invite you to its first event of 2021 with Jim Mandeville, Senior Project Manager Large Loss North America for First On Site and Jason McGonigle Principal Environmental Health & Safety Group at Golder.
“Our modern structures — especially large ones — are designed to be lived in. And when they’re not being lived in … or are not being used, or used to their full potential, they can get a little bit achy and they could start to have some problems.”
In tourism and hospitality parts of, or entire buildings may have been shut down or put in hibernation. As we start to look forward to a gradual relaxation of COVID restrictions it is important to consider taking some preventative steps to avoid problems when recommissioning your building. Jim will present on steps you can take to avoid, leaks, clogged drains and catch basins, building structural issues and stagnant water might require special legionella management.
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Earth Day Announcement
April 22nd 1:00pm(PDT)
The British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat will be hosting a number of special guests will speak about an issue that will be a key component of future planning, contribute greatly to a more sustainable tourism sector, and aid us in rebuilding the post-COVID tourism economy.
Four regional destination management organizations in the province (that operate as the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat - BCRTS) plan to sign a letter of commitment to pursue the Responsible Tourism Institute’s Biosphere certification. This certification is based on established standards in areas that include climate change, environment, social, economy and culture – and guarantees compliance and continuous improvement through a private, voluntary and independent certification system – which is evaluated on an annual basis.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, is the only destination management organization in Canada to achieve this status and will share their experience on this journey.
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TIABC CEO, Walt Judas and BCHA President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett will discuss the state of the hospitality and tourism industry and provide an update on advocacy efforts.
The webinar will be 45 minutes in length with a 15 minute open forum for questions.
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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. |
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