Over the course of my 45 years in the workforce, I’ve had my fair share of job interviews. I honestly can’t remember most of them, but a few stand out…like the time I was called to an interview with a downtown Vancouver firm. My eventual boss spoke for 13 of the total 15 minutes of our meeting. He asked me only three questions – “Can you write?” “Are you a communist?” And after answering yes and no, he said, “How soon can you start?”

On another occasion, I remember completely blowing an interview for a position I had coveted for more than a year because I couldn’t articulate my thoughts properly or sell myself to save my life. If I’m really honest it’s happened to me more than once in spite of being otherwise qualified for the positions.

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re inexperienced, don’t know anything about the business, and often when you’re desperate for a job. Fortunately, things are somewhat different today than when I was young and green and literally dropping off resumes at restaurants, hotels, attractions, airlines, retail shops and any place I thought might be willing to roll the dice on someone like me.

Today, Help Wanted signs in tourism and hospitality businesses throughout the province are as prevalent as We're Open or Sorry, We're Closed signs. Our industry is desperate for employees of all skill sets, abilities, and experience. Never mind that we faced a labour shortage prior to the pandemic, it’s even more acute now given that we’ve lost so many workers to other sectors over the past year, or the fact that employees are choosing not to return to their jobs for a variety of reasons.

I’ve heard countless stories from operators who are extremely worried about not having enough staff to open up, even partially. What’s more, there is grave concern that the lack of workers is affecting service levels and increasing the number of complaints from demanding guests with high expectations. It has nothing to do with the employees themselves, but everything to do with not having enough personnel to fulfill service obligations.

As mentioned in last Friday’s Bulletin, the committee I’m overseeing will reconvene to generate ideas on how to attract and recruit more people of all demographics into the tourism and hospitality workforce, not only to fill positions now, but to consider long-term career options in our sector. To that end, please call or send me a note with your suggestions on how we can work with government in our industry recruitment efforts and I'll gladly discuss them with my group. The committee will submit its recommendations to the Province later this month with the goal of launching a multi-pronged plan to help operators solve their workforce challenges, especially as the industry ramps up.

Now that I have several decades of experience, if I was helping my younger self prepare for an upcoming interview today, I would tell nervous Walt to stop worrying about the dreaded interview process. Yes…what you say and how you present yourself matters. But more importantly, if employers recognize your basic skills, identify your potential and enthusiasm, see that your values line up with the company’s, and feel you would be a good fit, it’s highly likely you’ll be hired, especially in the present tourism workforce environment.

Finally, I would also assure green Walt that no one will ever ask him again if he's a communist.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC

The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed for at least another month amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill Blair, the federal Minister of Public Safety, announced today.

In his statement, Blair added that “the government is planning measures for fully vaccinated Canadians, permanent residents, and others who are currently permitted to enter Canada.” He said further details will come on Monday.

The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premiers met to discuss the possibility of opening the land border between Canada and the U.S., which has been closed for non-essential travel since March 2020.

The ban, which does not cover trade or travel by air, has been rolled over several times. The current restrictions were to expire on June 21st.

Click here for more information on this story.

Earlier this week, TIABC wrote Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure to express concerns regarding the escalating cruise industry situation that has the potential to cause further damage to an already reeling visitor economy.

TIABC CEO, Walt Judas stressed how the cruise sector is a vital part of British Columbia’s tourism and hospitality industry. Absence of a second straight cruise season has led to additional business closures and/or further hardships for many tourism operators.

Minister Fleming has been meeting with multiple BC cruise industry stakeholders in recent days and will be meeting with TIABC next week to further discuss recommendations and next steps.

Click here to read the complete letter.

On June 15th, the Victoria Cruise Industry Alliance wrote a letter to Honourable John Horgan regarding the threat of permanent bypass of cruise ships to Canada. There is concern and fear that the worst is yet to come to the cruise industry.

Chair Anna Poustie, on behalf of members, extended gratitude for efforts to keep Canadians safe throughout this pandemic, however, stressed the eagerness to see progress on the land and marine border re-opening plans and urged the Premier that as they head into meetings with other Premiers and Prime Minister Trudeau, to ask for certainty and clarity on the opening of our our borders to cruise for the 2022 season.

She also stressed there remain growing concern within the cruise sector and they, along with U.S partners need a signal that next season we will be ready to welcome cruise back with open arms.

Click here to read the complete letter.

Earlier this week, TIABC CEO Walt Judas and Director Brenda Baptiste, along with several of our sector association members met with Burnaby North - Seymour MP Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to both the Minister of Economic Development & Official Languages (Min. Joly who is also responsible for Tourism) and the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans & the Canadian Coast Guard (Min. Jordan) to provide input on what Canada's Blue Economy Strategy should entail.

Chaired by Owen Bird of the Sport Fishing Institute of BC, the session focussed on what challenges and opportunities for marine and coastal tourism should be prioritized?; what do Indigenous communities and businesses need to increase their participation in this sector?: and what are the technological solutions and innovations that can be adopted by the marine and coastal tourism sector to support growth and build back better?

Sector association executives shared a variety of perspectives including ideas and solutions to address issues in the sport fishery, cruise, boat taxes, infrastructure and a number of other concerns and opportunities.

The federal government's goal as part of their Blue Economy consultation process is to create a long-term plan to reinvigorate high-potential ocean sectors and breathe life back into our oceans and marine environments.

The Blue Economy Strategy Engagement paper can be found here.

As of yesterday, employers can apply for reimbursement of wages paid to workers who have taken sick leave related to COVID-19.

The temporary reimbursement program is retroactive to May 20th when legislation was passed, to ensure sick workers can stay home for up to three days without losing wages while supporting businesses during the pandemic.

The amendments to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) require employers to pay sick workers their regular wages. Employers can then apply for reimbursement up to $200 per day, to a maximum of three days per worker. Any employer whose workers are covered under the ESA but does not currently provide paid sick leave benefits to its employees will be eligible.

The reimbursement program is available to employers where workers need to stay home because they:

To apply for reimbursement, employers must be registered for WorkSafeBC compensation coverage and signed up for WorkSafeBC’s online services.

Click here for more information on the reimbursement program.

Destination Canada continues to seek to understand how safe residents of each province/region are feeling towards travelling to different places.

Respondents are asked to rate their level of agreement with the following statements:

• I feel safe to travel to communities near me

• I feel safe to travel to communities in my province

• I feel safe to travel to other provinces or territories in Canada

• I feel safe to travel to the United States

• I feel safe to travel internationally

This week’s reports for the latest on how Canadians across the country are feeling towards visitors to their region, as well as an overview of each province and territories’ updated travel related guidelines are included in the link below.

BC highlights identified that compared to the previous week's feelings of safety towards all travel destinations have remained stable. However, feelings of safety towards all destinations are trending higher over the past 2 weeks.

Also in BC, compared to the previous week tracked, sentiment has increased significantly towards visitors from other parts of the province, other parts of Canada, the US and international destinations. Sentiment towards all domestic visitors has seen strong upward trends since the beginning of June.

Click here for the complete report.

Destination BC and Tourism Innovation Lab are working together with local tourism partners to “Spark” new tourism ideas and initiatives in four areas of British Columbia, beginning in the West Kootenay and Sea-to-Sky areas.

The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is designed to help tourism entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations overcome challenges and barriers often experienced in bringing new tourism products to life.

The goal is to find, foster and support innovative tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits.

The program works by matching selected applicants with a tourism mentor, providing a $3,000 seed grant as well as additional partner support to help develop new tourism experiences.

Applications are encouraged from entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations in the four defined program areas, as they are launched throughout the year, starting with the West Kootenay “Spark” Program launch on June 23, followed by the Sea-to-Sky launch on September 1, 2021.

Click here for more information on the program

Rocky Mountaineer has announced it will resume operations on a reduced schedule starting July 5th.

The luxury train tour company’s “First Passage to the West” will depart Vancouver and arrive in Kamloops before heading to Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta.

On a reduced schedule, Rocky Mountaineer will have one train heading each direction between Vancouver and Banff/Lake Louise, stopping in Kamloops in between, each week. They hope to offer the full schedule starting in August.

To adhere to COVID-19 related provincial health guidelines, every Rocky Mountaineer guest and team member traveling on the train will undergo extensive daily health screening daily. They will also do a rapid COVID-19 screening test at the start of the route.

Click here for more information on this update.

CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures has announced that Rob Rohn has been named President & Chief Operating Officer of CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures.

Rob is a certified ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide whose career with CMH spans nearly four decades. He started out as an Apprentice Ski Guide in 1984, learning directly from CMH founders Hans Gmoser and Leo Grillmair. Rob evolved in multiple roles over the years and is well-versed in every aspect of the business. He assumed the position of acting President & COO last fall and helped lead the team through the disruption caused by the pandemic when CMH halted operations in March 2020.

Currently, CMH plans to begin summer heli-hiking operations in mid-July (available to Canadians only) at one of their three summer lodges, providing the status of British Columbia’s Restart Plan allows for it. They have developed robust COVID-19 health and safety protocols and confident measures meet or exceed the standards set forth by the Canadian government and the Province of British Columbia.

CMH will welcome international visitors when restrictions are lifted and borders reopen to non-essential travel. They are seeing remarkable enthusiasm for heli-skiing, and as a result, the upcoming winter season is almost fully booked. Most guests whose trips were cancelled in 2020/21 moved their bookings ahead to winter 2021/22, so we they are in a good position to welcome back skiing and riding guests when restrictions allow. CHM continues to accept bookings for the upcoming season with limited spaces remaining, and are hopeful our winter operations will be able to resume as planned.

Click here for more information on CMH and to book.

The updated BC Rail Trails website was launched on June 15th. After incorporating stakeholder feedback and improving the usability of the site, visitors will now find a more user friendly platform with updated accessibility information, interactive maps and quiz, and announcement boxes to inform users of trail maintenance.

The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail and the Columbia & Western Rail Trail is the longest rail trail network in British Columbia extending from Hope to Castlegar. This website was created with the intent to streamline the planning of a bike ride or trip along this trail network.

Relevant business listings and locations post-launch will continue to be updated.

Explore the new website here.

The fight to get the 10% Luxury Tax on new recreational boats over $250,000 continues. Boating BC and its counterparts across Canada have been meeting regularly with federal government MPs and staff. The Ministry of Finance is planning industry consultation throughout the summer months. Here is an infographic depicting the loss of jobs and tax revenues should the tax become law in 2022. Please use the graphic along with a customized letter to reach out to your MP to help the government understand the harm such a tax will do to our industry.

Replace the Boating BC logo with yours, insert your signature and cc: bruce@boatingbc.ca.

Click here to access contact information for your local MP.

Tourism Prince George has named Colin Carson as its new CEO.

Carson has worked for the organization for four years in a variety of positions, most recently the manager of Sport Tourism. Carson's appointment comes after former CEO Tracey McBride resigned after less than two years on the job.

Carson will officially take the reins of the organization on July 1st, the first day British Columbia could potentially move to the next stage of its reopening plan.

Click here for the complete story.

The BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association has just launched the 2021/2022 Super Camping and Select Lodging Guide. The guide is designed to assist visitors in finding a place to stay, whether camping, RVing or driving on a vacation in British Columbia. It features information on private campgrounds, RV parks and lodging establishments that are members of the BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association, some Alberta campgrounds, Parks Canada campgrounds, RV dealers who offer services and supplies and RV rental companies.

In addition to the guide, check out the Super Camping British Columbia app. Go to the App Store on IOS or the Play Store on Android and download. New features have recently added.

Click here for the online version of the Super Camping Guide.

As we know, the tourism industry was one of the first to feel the impacts of the pandemic and will be one of the last to recover. In Abbotsford, there were 200,000 fewer overnight visitors in 2020 than the year prior. Roughly a 50% decline. In short, it has been a grueling year that has especially affected our local tourism and hospitality businesses.

With that in mind, we are excited to let you know about the launch of our ‘Let’s Go Do Something’ campaign in the next few days. The campaign, designed to help raise awareness of the fabulous restaurants, shops, cafes, wineries, breweries, farm experiences, and outdoor adventures available in our community, will be heavily supported with targeted digital ads.

In the coming weeks, we ask that you follow our social channels @tourismabbotsford, #ExploreAbbotsford #LetsGoDoSomething and share our content on your channels. You can find the campaign preview video we will be sharing later this week here, we would love to see it posted by as many of you as possible once it launches.

Join Destination Canada for a tourism industry update alongside partners ITAC and Parks Canada taking place on June 22, 11:00 am (PST) 

The webinar will be providing the latest update on the work to support Canada’s tourism sector. In order to connect with industry members in both official languages, they will be hosting separate sessions in English and French, details of which you can find on the link below.

Destination Canada will be providing an overview of their marketing strategy and activities as they begin the important summer season, as well as, an update on Destination Canada’s long term marketing strategy to support the recovery and resilience of Canada’s tourism sector.

There will be a live question and answer period at the end of the webinar and we encourage industry members to bring questions to the discussion.

Please click here  with details for this webinar and to register.

As we take the next steps of the BC Restart Plan and begin to welcome visitors back in British Columbia, the BC Tourism Resiliency Network is bringing together a panel of five tourism industry organizations to help tourism operators leverage key resources towards resiliency.

On Wednesday, June 23 from 1-2:30PM PDT, these five B.C. tourism support organizations will share insights, opportunities, and other supports available for B.C. tourism businesses:

This webinar will help tourism business managers to understand BC visitor trends and prepare for the coming season.

Please click here  with details for this webinar and to register.

This event is an opportunity to recognize the strength and perseverance of Indigenous communities.

Join the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade for a conversation with Chief Terry Teegee, Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, as he addresses the business community to discuss the path to truth and reconciliation.

During the event, space will be made to remember and acknowledge the 215 children whose remains were recently found on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School as well as all those that suffered as a result of the residential school system. Every Child Matters.

Please click here  with details for this webinar and to register.

To begin the workshop, Frank Antoine, co-founder of the Okanagan’s Moccasin Trails, will guide viewers through a spiritual smudging ceremony. Viewers will have the opportunity to learn about the colonization of Indigenous wellness practices, including the use of sage, and how we collectively can educate ourselves and pay respect to the origins of these customs.

Viewers will then meet Dennis Thomas of Takaya Tours, a premier Indigenous owned eco-tourism venture in Vancouver, BC. Indigenous peoples have travelled the land and waters of traditional territory for thousands of years, and Dennis will share his ancestral knowledge, fostering an appreciation for wilderness and authentic Indigenous culture. Learn how nature and sustainability through an Indigenous worldview contribute to social wellbeing and shift how we go about our daily lives for a better future. Enjoy a glimpse into Takaya Tours’ unforgettable canoe and kayak journeys across waters and explore ancient village sites through the Burrard Inlet and beautiful Indian Arm.

Click here for more information and to register.

TIABC recognizes that many of our members have been supporting our organization's advocacy efforts for a very long time. In this new feature, we will be showcasing those businesses, associations, organizations and DMOs that been TIABC members for more than 10 years.

Over 50 years of experience has put CMH at the forefront of industry-leading snow safety and helicopter practices. From their 130 strong team of highly-qualified ACMG and IFMGA guides to their dedicated helicopter pilots; safety is the foundation from which CMH is built.

Working together with their medical team to develop proper procedures and protocols for all aspects of business during the COVID-19 pandemic, CMH remains confident that when they reopen this summer, they will meet (and in many cases exceed) the regulatory requirements set forth by both the Government of Canada and the province of British Columbia.

Click here for more information on Canadian Mountain Holidays.

As an industry that continues to face enormous challenges during COVID-19, every once in awhile 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 share in our C-19 Bulletin.

Learn more at:

Self-Guided Webinars 

Developing Winter / Shoulder Season Tourism Toolkit

Made up of six learning modules, this webinar will give you actionable advice on how to define your strategy, develop products and experiences, build collaborative partnerships and more to boost seasonal tourism in your business or region.

Winter / Shoulder Season Consumer Demand Research Report

Get access to free tools and strategies to grow your business and tourism in your region at the ECE content hub: https://ecehub.tiac-aitc.ca/en/