C-19 BULLETIN - October 26, 2020

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Chair's Message

The people have spoken and election 2020 is now in the rear-view mirror. For TIABC, it means that our continued COVID-19 response and recovery work on behalf of members and stakeholders will not only include senior bureaucrats, but again extend to ministers responsible for various portfolios once Premier Horgan announces his new cabinet and respective ministries in the coming weeks.
 
The list of issues to address is growing, both within and outside of the pandemic context. We have been regularly communicating with government officials but are now looking for firm decisions and direction related to matters such as foreshore license renewals, increasing water bills for rural tourism operators, funding needs for volunteer organizations that provide important services to visitors, timing for MRDT renewals, camping reservations for commercial operators, and a whole host of other priorities that tourism businesses are grappling with aside from needing help to remain solvent.
 
More immediately, TIABC will continue to press for changes to the criteria for the Small and Medium-sized Business Recovery Grant to allow the full spectrum of tourism and hospitality businesses to qualify and receive funds to help address liquidity issues. At present, the criteria is extremely difficult for most operators to meet meaning thousands of businesses could be left out of receiving any monies at all.
 
At the same time, CEO Walt Judas continues to serve on the Tourism Task Force, which has been charged with providing recommendations to government to support a strong recovery of the tourism industry. The Province has set aside $50 million to implement actions that stem from the Task Force’s work. Since its formation, the 11 committee members have met multiple times and will be engaging directly with sector stakeholders and via regional roundtables in the coming weeks to seek direct input now that the election is over.
 
Speaking of elections, TIABC’s annual general meeting will include the election of new directors to serve for the coming year. Importantly, we are also seeking one more candidate from the business category in the Metro Vancouver area to serve on TIABC’s Board and contribute their skills to the advocacy work that our industry desperately needs during this difficult time. Please contact us if you’re interested or require further details. Due to several conferences and AGMs on November 25th, we are looking at an alternate date for our meeting…likely in early December. Stand by for more information.
 
Finally…with an impending new government, allow me to thank the previous Members of the Legislature who served so faithfully on behalf of the people of British Columbia, as well as the workers and businesses that make up our visitor economy.
 
In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Honourable Lisa Beare who was a huge champion for our sector and will be again, regardless of whether she returns as Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Thanks also to MLAs Michelle Stilwell, Doug Clovechok and Adam Olsen who supported our industry in their roles as tourism opposition critics.
 
There are many other cabinet ministers and MLAs who worked on the tourism file in recent years. At the risk of leaving anyone out, let me offer my sincere appreciation on behalf of TIABC to all of them for their efforts, especially during this incredibly difficult period.
 
Being a politician is often thankless at the best of times but still an enormous responsibility that we the people of British Columbia have given to those we elected and believe can do the job.
 
TIABC, together with our industry partners look forward to working with our decision-makers and promise to hold them accountable for the campaign commitments they made to help tourism and hospitality through to the other side of COVID-19 and beyond.

Vivek Sharma
Chair, TIABC
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Businesses Encouraged to Complete Application Process Despite Challenges

Since the application process for recovery grant funds was launched two weeks ago, many tourism operators have found that the qualification criteria is too difficult to meet. TIABC has heard from several small and medium sized businesses regarding the criteria challenges and has presented a brief to government with recommended changes. While the options are being considered, and decisions will be made following the election, government has suggested that businesses complete as much of the application as possible (even if you don't meet all the criteria) to ensure it is in the system. Further details to come within the next couple of weeks.

Learn more at:
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Alberta's COVID-19 Border Testing Could be a Template for Other Provinces to Open Up
Some International Visitation

International travellers entering Alberta will soon have the option of taking a COVID-19 test to reduce the amount of time they have to self quarantine. This is the first program of its kind in Canada. TIABC CEO Walt Judas joined Simi Sara on CKNW to talk about the implications. 

"The international market are the high-yield visitors. Now we don't want to be careless about this; we're not trying to suggest that we should open our borders to anyone and everyone, but if we can have either bubble countries or put a plan in place that allows for a graduated approach to international travel, I think that is the way to go." ~ Walt Judas

Listen to CKNW radio interview at:
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Walt Judas Presenting at the
State of the Island Economic Summit

Wednesday October 28th from 2:30-3:30pm

Tourism's Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate and severe impact on Vancouver Island’s tourism industry and the communities that rely on it. While there remains a great deal of uncertainty around the continued impact of the pandemic on tourism businesses, it is clear that the road to recovery will be long and difficult. This session will provide an inside look at the cumulative impact of the pandemic on the industry and how public and private sector leaders from across the region are working collaboratively to guide the industry’s recovery. 
Moderator
  • Anthony Everett, President and CEO, Tourism Vancouver Island
Panelists 
  • Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC
  • Paul Nursey, CEO, Destination Greater Victoria
  • Mike Willie, Owner/Operator, Sea Wolf Adventures

The Vancouver Island State of the Economic Summit is an annual gathering of business, community and government leaders sharing ideas, asking questions, networking, learning about new initiatives, and exploring opportunities. Anyone is welcomed to register and participate in the broad range of sessions which revolve around VIEA’s core principles of collaboration to add vitality to the Vancouver Island economy.

Learn more at: viea.ca
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Walt Judas Presenting at
Northern BC Tourism Resiliency Program Webinar

Insurance: What You Need to Know
Oct 30th at 10:00 AM (PT)

Many in the tourism sector have been experiencing dramatically increasing renewal costs, if operators are even able to renew their policies at all. Insurance is complicated and few people truly understand it. It’s overwhelming to read and comprehend the policy information your broker provides to you. This webinar is designed to arm you with some additional knowledge to better navigate this important aspect of your business, especially during these challenging times.

In this webinar, we will cover:
• Current Insurance Market and why it matters
• Coverages available and required
• Role of Broker and importance
• Potential COVID-19 Coverages
• An update on TIABC’s advocacy role regarding insurance

Presenters:
Craig Burkart, MNP LLP National Lead Insurance Advisory
Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC

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BC Wine Institute COVID-19 Advocacy Report

Since the start of the pandemic, the BC Wine Institute (BCWI) has worked to advocate to help ensure the survival of their industry. In addition to keeping stakeholders informed, there have been a number of policy changes made during the COVID-19 crisis that are in direct response to the advocacy work of the BCWI, the Business Technical Advisory Panel and industry partners that include:
  • ensuring wineries were defined as an essential service in BC;
  • preventing winery closure;
  • working with industry, Provincial Health Officer and WorkSafeBC to establish the BC Wine Institute Ready to Reopen Toolkit;
  • Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch extension of manufacturer licenses and renewal fees;
  • expanded service areas, such as tasting rooms;
  • extended hours for wine-in-grocery retail; and 
  • recognition of hospitality wholesale impact to the industry and the ability for delivery to customers from a registered secondary warehouse.

While many of these policies are temporary, the BCWI is following up to ensure those that support our industry are continued, if not permanently, where appropriate.
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New Video Shows How Destination Greater Victoria Is Open for Business

"We understand that people are thinking about travel, meetings and events differently now. We are too. That’s why Greater Victoria has elevated our exacting standards and rigorous protocols to create new norms and behaviors to address the unique challenges presented by the current pandemic environment.

Destination Greater Victoria, the Victoria Conference Centre and our members are ready to provide quality space and amenities for your next meeting or event. We have taken adaptation and safety measures seriously to ensure you have the best experience."

Watch their latest video below, or at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8echu2lny5k
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Guide Outfitters Association of BC
Seeks Changes to Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant

The Guide Outfitters Association of BC have written to the Finance Minister to request changes to the recently announced Business Recovery Grant.

Their letter outlines seven proposed adjustments to the grant criteria including lowering the number of employees required to qualify and removing the requirement to have accessed or applied to federal supports that are loan based.

Download the letter here

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BC Golf
Increase Outpaces National Average

As statistics from the 2020 season come together, there is an air of cautious optimism. The case for a strong 2021 headlined by the fact that the number of rounds of golf played in BC have increased by 16.8% year-to-date. As is detailed in the latest post on the AGA of BC's website, British Columbia outperformed the national average and is on pace to beat 2019 in terms of total rounds played.
Learn more at:
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'Venture West This Winter' Campaign to Support Canadian Snowbirds Flocking to Vancouver Island

The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) and Tourism Vancouver Island (TVI) have partnered to assist Canadian “snowbirds” – residents who travel to warmer destinations during colder months – who are choosing to come to Vancouver Island this fall/winter due to COVID-19 restrictions precluding travel to the United States.

The partnership has created a dedicated resource for long-stay visitors who plan to “Venture West This Winter” at VancouverIsland.Travel/Snowbirds to promote dispersion of business across the Vancouver Island region, winter activities and mindful travel. Snowbirds can book accommodation, educate themselves on safety protocols for the communities they will be visiting and plan ahead to spend their extended time on the Island living like a local.
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BC Hospitality Foundation Lottery
1 Week Left for BC Hospitality Foundation Lottery

The BC Hospitality Foundation is hosting their primary fundraiser for 2020, an online lottery, with a focus on supporting local hotels, wineries, breweries, restaurants, tourist attractions, and of course, their staff – the heart and soul of our hospitality industry. Featuring prizes from some of BC’s most remarkable destinations, they aim to fill your 2021 with safe and local explorations of our own, beautiful BC backyard.

Tickets on sale NOW to November 1st!

Learn more, and purchase your lottery tickets, at:
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Insurance: What You Need to Know

October 30th @ 10:00 AM (PT)

Presenters:
Craig Burkart, MNP LLP National Lead Insurance Advisory
Walt Judas, Tourism Industry Association of BC CEO

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Sport Fishing Institute
Conference and Webinar Series 2020

The Sport Fishing Intsitute is hosting a series of virtual discussions intended to seek pathways for recovery of salmon stocks and predictable opportunity and reliable access for BC’s public fishery. Each session will be approximately 90 minutes long and will cover topics within this year's theme, Charting a Predictable Path for Salmon and BC’s Public Fishery.


Attendance is free, with thanks to conference sponsors, but you must register in advance for each session. Please visit the SFI website and the 2020 Conference page for registration links and conference updates.
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Together with the Tourism Cafe, the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat is pleased to announce expanded support through the BC Tourism Resiliency Network. Launching this month, Ideas Labs are a series of 30 online sessions on nine original topics selected from requests from tourism operators across the province. The labs will bring small groups together in a business-to-business learning environment to address hot topics where solutions to common problems are discussed and shared, and new ideas are incubated. These are 1-hour online peer-to-peer discussions led by an inspiring industry topic specialist.

Each session is limited to only 12 participants and space is limited. Ideas Labs is a program created and produced by the Tourism Cafe.

Learn more at:
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Tourism & Hospitality in a Time of COVID

Hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on
November 2nd at 12 noon (PT)

The economic rebound of British Columbia hinges on the recovery of critical economic sectors such as tourism and hospitality.

Prior to the pandemic, tourism contributed $8.3 billion to provincial GDP and employed more than 160,000 people. For our region and province to recover, it is essential that government provide support measures to help the industry overcome and rebuild from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.

The keynote speaker and panellists will discuss the short- and long-term measures, programs and priorities that will help tourism-reliant businesses survive today and transform our region for the future.
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TIAC Congress (virtual, free event)
November 17 & 18

TIABC AGM
New date TBD

Indigenous Tourism BC AGM
November 25
TIABC's C-19 Bulletin is published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

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.