Message from President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett |
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Click on the video below or here to watch a weekly update for the accommodation community.
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Who This Error May Affect
You may have been affected if:
- You were applying for period 22 (October 24 to November 20, 2021)
- You used a version of the spreadsheet for wage and hiring (version 2021-1) that was available between Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 6:00 am ET and Friday, December 24, 2021 at 12:00 pm ET
- You indicated you are a qualifying tourism or hospitality entity and had both a current-month revenue drop and 12-month average revenue drop over 40%
- Step 5 in the spreadsheet showed a zero dollar amount and gave the message that you were not eligible for the THRP
This error was only present in the calculation spreadsheet for wage and hiring support.
What To Do If You Think You Have Been Affected by This Error
If you did not apply for period 22:
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Download the latest version of the spreadsheet and do your calculation again for period 22 to check if you are eligible to apply for the THRP - Wage
- If you already applied for wage subsidies under the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP) or Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) for period 22:
- Contact the Business Enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525 to make your THRP - Wage application
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Applications are now open for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program.
Here is the list of programs available for application:
The Hotel Association of Canad are working with officials at the Department of Finance to address eligibility challenges related to seasonality and will remain open to your feedback if you encounter any issues.
Additional Quicklinks:
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BCHA Advocacy Updates | 2021 Year in Review & Updated Policy Positions |
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With a sincere commitment to support the accommodation community, the BCHA has spent the past 12 months advocating on behalf of our sector on a wide range of topics and issues. From making changes to Public Health Orders, to securing targeted relief measures, we have been laser focused on moving the needle on our priorities. We have compiled a summary of our efforts for 2021 detailed below.
As we look towards the future of our industry, we have also made updates to our policies and position manual. This is a fluid document that will continue to receive updates.
Please see below for links to both documents.
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Please know, your support of our organization means everything to us, and we could not do this important work without your membership. We are grateful to our BCHA members and as always promise to serve the best interests of our accommodation community. Please reach out to Kelsey@bcha.com should you have any questions surrounding this content. |
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BCHA Proud Partner of Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Project |
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“Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Program”.
This program is designed to train 30 candidates who are currently unemployed or under employed in the Metro Vancouver area and deliver them to industry trained and ready to work. The training is fully funded and will focus on readying the candidate for meaningful work in the hotel industry.
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Eligibility
- Unemployed or part-time employed (working less than 30 hours per week) or precariously employed
- High school graduate or 19+
- Be a resident in BC and be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Refugee Protected person with authorization to work
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Currently living in British Columbia
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Benefits & Certificates
- Pandemic Awareness
- PPE
- Food Safe
- Privacy Awareness
- Serving It Right
- BSAFE Certificate
- Heart of Hospitality Certificate
- OFA Level 1
- WHMIS
- World Host
- GBA+
- Safe Lifting
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For hotels who may be interested in candidate recruitment during the final phase of the 23 week program, please contact Alison Langford at alison@bcha.com
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BCIT's 2022 Tourism Management Internship Program students will be looking for Internship opportunities in late March 2022. Submit your Internship Application request form by January 10, 2022. The internship runs for 8 weeks from March 28, 2022, to May 20, 2022. Students can work evenings, weekends, and any day of the week except Mondays, as they must be at school on this day. Any questions, contact David Tikkanen, Program Head, Tourism Management, David_Tikkanen@bcit.ca
Over 100 Capilano University (CapU) Tourism Management students will be looking for work placements from May – September 2022. Many of the students can move into full-time positions at the end of their summer placement as they will graduate. The Cap U Work Integrated Learning team for the School of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation will be conducting an online Information Lunch and Learn session on January 18, 2022, 12:30 – 1 pm. For additional information, contact tourism@capilanou.ca.
Immigration Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) has been providing various support services for immigrants and refugees to help them get settled, find careers, and learn all they need to know about starting their new lives in Canada. Through dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, ISSofBC provides settlement, education, and employment services to over 20,000 clients every year. There are approximately 20+ graduating students who recently completed the Global Tourism Diploma Program looking for full and/or part-time employment in Tourism & Hospitality. Some are available to start working immediately. Contact Shelina Spilchen, Case Manager – Skills Training for Tourism, for more information: shelina.spilchen@issbc.org
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The Reopening Fund is a one-year funding initiative through the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support initiatives that will:
- increase opportunities for Canadians to participate in various commemorative activities and celebrations to mark Canada’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic; or
- build a sense of pride and belonging to Canada by holding celebratory and commemorative activities that recognize people and achievements in the response to COVID-19 ; and / or
- support the revival of local economies through in-person events.
Canadian not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations with non-commercial projects, educational institutions, and government institutions are eligible to apply.
The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022.
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STR Report | Highlights for the
Month of December
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Please see below for STR reports for the following weeks:
Here are highlights from the latest week, ending Dec 26:
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Average Domestic Overnight Visitation to BC for Week 51 (Dec 20 - 26, 2021) is down 17.1% compared to the same week in 2019.
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All regions, including; Thompson Okanagan, Kootenay Rockies, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Northern BC and Vancouver Island, and Vancouver Coast & Mountains saw a decrease in visitation when comparing Week 50 (Dec 13 - 19, 2021) to Week 51 (Dec 20 - 26, 2021).
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British Columbia decreased by 8.2% when comparing Week 50 (Dec 13 - 19, 2021) to Week 51 (Dec 20 - 26, 2021).
STR Report Dec 19-25:
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British Columbia had a 42.1% occupancy from Sunday-Thursday and a 39.2% occupancy during the weekend, down -20.0% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had an ADR of $204.33 from Sunday-Thursday and an ADR of $234.56 during the weekend, down -6.4% compared to the same week in 2019.
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British Columbia had a RevPAR of $86.03 from Sunday-Thursday and a RevPAR of $92.05 during the weekend, down -25.1% compared to the same week in 2019.
REGIONAL STR WEEKEND OF DEC 24-25, 2021:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: OCC 21.2% ADR $165.71 REVPAR $35.13
- Kootenay Rockies: OCC 21.5% ADR $170.33 REVPAR $36.63
- Northern BC: OCC 14.0% ADR $116.09 REVPAR $16.31
- Thompson Okanagan: OCC 28.4% ADR $133.90 REVPAR $38.01
- Vancouver Island: OCC 52.1% ADR $192.82 REVPAR $100.40
- Vancouver: OCC 46.3% ADR $173.94 REVPAR $80.55
- Whistler: OCC 63.5% ADR $906.51 REVPAR $575.78
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On December 23rd, the BC Government announced that businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of surging COVID-19 cases will be eligible to receive a new one-time relief grant of up to $10,000.
Businesses ordered fully closed include:
- gyms, fitness and adult dance centres
- bars, lounges and nightclubs
- event venues that can no longer hold events
Relief grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 will be provided to eligible businesses based on their number of employees, following the similar formula to the previous Circuit Breaker Relief Grant that supported businesses in the spring of 2021.
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Reminder Paid Sick Leave FAQs
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A friendly reminder that effective January 1, 2022, employees covered by the Employment Standards Act (Act) are now entitled to up to 5 days of employer paid leave for personal illness and injury per year.
To ensure clarity and that our industry is prepared with updated policies and training, please see answers to your most frequently asked question below.
QUESTIONS REGARDING SICK PAY:
- Where can operators find the specifics of eligibility for the sick pay mandate coming into effect on Jan 1?
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The ESB has a link that outlines the new provision and confirms it is for full and part time employees after 90 days of employment. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/time-off/leaves-of-absence#illness-or-injury
- What constitutes part-time? If someone was to work 1 day, would they immediately be eligible for 5 paid sick days?
- You’re entitled to the 5 days after 90 days of employment. What you would get paid would depend on your schedule – did you miss a day of work? – and then the average wages based on previous 30 days of employment.
- Who is tracking the usage? If someone works for three employers in one year do they end up with 15 sick days? How do we know what they have already used when coming from another employer?
- 5 days at each employer but have to actually miss a scheduled work day and get prorated payment based on average of 30 days. Thus there is no need to track usage.
- Are the sick days prorated? How is that determined for full time and part time workers?
- The 5 days are not prorated but the payment is. You have 5 days at start of employment year and get paid based on average of previous 30 days.
- Is there a chance sick days can be prorated similar to the stat pay, based on the hours worked in the 30 days before?
- Yes – that’s in the provision.
- How do we determine criteria for qualifying? What constitutes a sick day? How do you manage a sick day in terms of physical and mental health?
- Wide open to the employer’s discretion – and depends what the employee provides as proof that you accept as sufficient.
- Is there a year to year carry over? Are there any measures in place to prevent everyone to claim their last sick day at the end of the year if they didn’t use them?
- We strongly recommend no carry over. If any unused on Dec 31 they are gone.
- Are employees that work extremely limited hours, eligible for sick days? For example, is someone who works twice monthly eligible for sick pay on close to 20% of their working days in a calendar year?
- Yes but their payment would reflect past 30 days.
- Are employers permitted to mandate that sick days are used when employees don’t show up for work?
- No. The employee has to make a claim to paid sick leave. If they don’t show up, that’s an unpaid leave and may be disciplinable if unapproved absence.
- Does it apply to unionized workplaces where collective agreements already have care days offered? How does it impact these workplaces and their collective agreements? Do unionized workplaces need to continue to offer care days in addition to the mandatory sick days?
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The provisions only apply to collective agreements (C/A) if the existing language in the C/A doesn’t meet or exceed what the C/A provides. If a C/A provides 6 fully paid days a year, then the ESA changes we made have zero application at that worksite
QUICKLINKS:
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The province of British Columbia is currently experiencing a cold snap with snowy conditions across the province. In addition, a number of road closures caused by our recent flooding crisis continue to impact travellers.
Travellers are reminded to visit the DriveBC website for updates on BC road conditions and advisories.
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Nominations for the Hotel Association of Canada’s (HAC) annual Awards of Excellence are now open. This program proudly recognizes HAC Members that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to Canada’s lodging industry. Each year HAC Awards of Excellence winners represent some of the finest examples of professionalism, quality and perfection. The Awards of Excellence recipients are chosen by HAC’s esteemed Awards Committee. |
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We encourage your participation and invite you to join us in celebrating the contributions made by your associates and fellow professionals at a special evening event on March 2nd, 2022 in conjunction with HAC’s Annual Conference.
Application deadline: January 30, 2022
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This is a friendly reminder that the BCHA is encouraging all members to update their billing and profile information in order to receive the most up-to-date information and stay current on opportunities within the sector.
The BCHA has also switched to automated billing. If you have not already done so, please complete the attached credit card form and submit to Member Services Coordinator, Samantha Glennie at samantha@bcha.com or directly at 604-443-4757.
We look forward to supporting you with your questions and greatly appreciate your efforts to update your profile.
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As a result of a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Public Health Officer has implemented province-wide restrictions.
As a reminder please see below for information on restrictions and FAQs impacting accommodators.
RESTRICTIONS:
The measures will last until January 18, 2022 at 11:59pm. As a reminder they include:
HOTEL FAQs:
- Business Meetings and Events (ie. meetings, conferences, trade shows, exams):
- Business meeting and events may continue to operate in accordance with the PHO on gatherings and events, ensuring they are at a reduced 50% capacity for the space they are in.
- Gatherings & meal Events in Ballrooms (ie. Christmas brunches, tours, group meals for example.)
- If the events operate like a restaurant and follow the restaurant rules (ie. 6 people per table, two metre spacing between tables, proof of vaccination checking) then they are permitted.
- Events that are not allowed are a gathering for the purpose of acknowledging or celebrating a significant event, such as a birth, a birthday, a coming of age, an upcoming marriage, a promotion, the receipt of an award, a retirement or a celebration of life.
- Hotel Fitness Centres and Facilities (ie. gyms, saunas, hot tubs, pools, steam rooms)
- These have been exempted from the PHO if they are just used for guests. Once again, proof of vaccination is not required for use within a hotel setting. This also included strata hotel properties.
- Household Gatherings
- Household gatherings are limited to a household plus 10 individuals – this includes children, and individuals 12 and over must be vaccinated.
- As it relates to vacation rentals, gatherings are limited to one household plus one other household.
Additional Quick-links:
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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HOT OF THE PRESS
As the second anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic approaches and the world grapples with another new variant, travellers and tourism operators face challenges and opportunities. Read more
WestJet says it is being forced to cut 15 per cent of its flights through to the end of January as it deals with staffing shortages due to the Omicron variant. Read more
B.C. health officials warned on January 4 that many BC businesses could soon be dealing with additional staffing shortages due to the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Read more.
INDUSTRY TRENDS AND QUICKLINKS
European tourism and airline stocks rose sharply on Tuesday, as investors bet that the Omicron coronavirus variant will cause less disruption to travel than first feared. Read more
Consider how each point in this SWOT analysis may impact the future performance of an individual hotel when underwriting an acquisition or development opportunity. Read more
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry
Have news to share? Email kelsey@bcha.com
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Congratulations are in order for David McKenna who has recently been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Mountaineer as of January 4, 2022.
David is a respected leader and innovator in the tourism industry. Prior to joining Rocky Mountaineer, David was President at the Banff Jasper Collection by Pursuit where he led notable tourism expansion and acquisition projects in the Canadian Rockies. He currently serves as the Board Chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. As Rocky Mountaineer's President and CEO, David will not only lead the company in rebuilding the business from the impact of the pandemic, but also identify and develop new tourism experiences in global destinations.
In his own words:
"I am thrilled to join the Rocky Mountaineer team at this exciting time in the company's 32-year history. Despite the challenges of the past 21 months, there is a sense of optimism at Rocky Mountaineer that can be felt across the team," said David McKenna, President and CEO, Rocky Mountaineer. "From the iconic routes through the Canadian Rockies, to the newest route in the American Southwest, to compelling opportunities yet to be uncovered, the future is bright for this globally renowned tourism team. I am both humbled and thrilled to be a part of the team responsible for designing and achieving the next phase for Rocky Mountaineer."
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Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 9-11, 2022
Join us for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference as we 'Kickstart the Comeback' and gather in-person to learn, tackle issues, forge new relationships, and work toward resiliency in the face of one of the hardest years in our sector's history.
Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!
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Digital Marketing Tips for 2022 - Top 10 DIY Lead Generation Tools for Your Business
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Hosted by: Small Business BC
Join Digital Marketing Expert, Ted Lau as he shares valuable DIY tips for digital marketing in the new year. Ted is the owner of an award-winning digital marketing agency, Ballistic Arts Media Studios. Ted will cover SEO, e-commerce, social media platforms, and more.
What Will You Learn?
- How to effectively target top funnel keywords into leads
- How to improve online purchase experiences from prospective customers
- How to engage with your leads authentically on social platforms
- What it means to be "meta" and what you need to watch out for in 2022
To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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How to Bring Clarity and Coherence to Your Team - Aligning Strategy, Leadership, and Focus
Friday, January 21, 2022 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Hosted by: Small Business BC
Learn how to develop an effective team perfectly aligned with your company’s vision and goals so they can clearly and proactively solve the right business problems with maximum impact.
What Will You Learn?
- Develop a clear vision that guides you and your team’s decision-making
- Lead with respect and concern for all team members that demonstrates appropriate compassion
- Deliver results and enhance the strengths of your team members to achieve key objectives
- Focus your team’s energy and time on the right tasks
To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Free Info Session on Canada Summer Jobs Funding
January 12th at 1:00pm
Have you started thinking about your summer hiring needs? Canada Summer Jobs supports non-profits, small businesses, and public sector employers to provide quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30 years old.
Service Canada’s Canada Summer Jobs program is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy which aims to provide quality work experiences for youth to develop skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.
Talent MATCH has partnered with Service Canada to bring you this free info session featuring Line Noel and Melanie Greene, who will explain how the program works and how to apply.
While employee candidates for the Canada Summer Jobs program don’t have to be students, students are a great option. For more information on hiring students, visit the Talent MATCH webpage [https://acewilbc.ca/talent-match/] or contact Project Manager Debby Reis at TalentMatch@acewilbc.ca.
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Destination Canada Industry Webinar - Tourism's Big Shift
Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022 10:00 AM PST
Hosted by: Destination Canada
Destination Canada is hosting a webinar to discuss the findings of our latest report, Tourism’s Big Shift: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry. We will cover key trends that will have the largest impact in the next one to three years and explore the implications and opportunities for small and medium-sized tourism businesses.
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