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Jan 21, 2021

TIABC Formally Outlines Recommendations After Meeting with Premier Horgan & Minister Mark

Advocacy

Re: Meeting with TIABC

Dear Premier Horgan and Minister Mark,

On behalf of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia, thank you for meeting with us earlier this week to discuss the state of the visitor economy, as well as to outline specific needs and opportunities to allow the sector to not only survive but thrive again.

We commend your government for the work that you’re doing to keep residents and visitors safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. BC is widely acknowledged as a leader in managing the crisis thanks to your efforts and those of the PHO.

As you are aware, British Columbia’s $21.5 billion tourism and hospitality industry was the first and continues to be the hardest hit business sector since the COVID-19 pandemic enveloped our province in March of last year. As a vital sector that relies on the movement of people, including visitors from other provinces, territories and countries, the unfortunate but necessary restrictions on non-essential international and domestic travel for most of 2020 (and now into 2021) has led to significant hardship for thousands of small, medium and large business owners, as well as tens of thousands of valued and skilled workers, many of whom remain unemployed. Sadly, this is especially acute for women and vulnerable segments of our society.

As referenced in our meeting, we remain increasingly concerned about the ability of thousands of businesses to survive what is projected to be another extremely challenging year without specific and immediate government intervention and support.

While both the federal and provincial governments have introduced several measures to address business and workforce challenges (for which industry is grateful), there are further measures needed immediately to help the visitor economy through another year of anticipated hardship. Specifically, we believe there are three critical components for consideration to ensure BC’s tourism and hospitality industry survives until such time as international travel resumes and people are able to return to work.

#1 – Consultation, Communication, Mitigation

TIABC requests a formal process be implemented between sector associations (representing tourism and hospitality businesses) government and the PHO to review current and impending orders with the goal to inform industry, consider alternate options, and mitigate the ramifications of these directives.

By way of context, each time the Province announces further restrictions or directives that affect hotels, restaurants, airlines and myriad other tourism and hospitality businesses, public confidence in travel plunges resulting in a flood of cancellations that wreak havoc with staffing, operations and revenues. Especially during these challenging times, tourism and hospitality business owners need some semblance of certainty, or at the very least enough notice to adjust their operations to lessen the impact of any new order.

#2 – Safe & Competitive Re-start, Re-opening Plan

As more countries, provinces, states and cities around the world open or prepare to re-open to non-essential international travel, the Province must identify criteria and work with the tourism and hospitality industry, as well as the federal government, to develop a re-opening plan that includes key components such as ubiquitous rapid testing, an accelerated vaccination program (e.g. for all service workers), border mobility, a workforce strategy, and marketing investments that consider timelines and objectives for each tenet. Sector associations, coalitions and tourism business leaders are committed to work directly with government, as well as agencies such as Destination BC and the PHO on the core elements of a re-opening plan to ensure we are prepared to welcome visitors again when the time is right.

#3 – Closing Financial Relief Gaps

Further government assistance in the form of working capital grants and/or government-secured loans is necessary to allow businesses to remain solvent until such time as domestic, and more importantly, international non-essential travel resumes. While some existing government programs have been welcome and helpful, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, there are multiple iconic and larger businesses including attractions, hotels, resorts, transportation providers, and others that have yet to qualify for assistance or are unable to access relief measures resulting in billions of dollars in revenue losses collectively. Under normal circumstances, these anchor businesses not only directly employ thousands of skilled and valued employees, they also support a robust tourism eco-system in virtually every community in the province.

Finally, as previously referenced, we believe it is critically important for government to allocate significant resources to accelerate the rate of vaccinations for British Columbians, as well as utilization of rapid testing/screening for both residents and visitors. These steps are vital to tourism and hospitality recovery efforts over the next few months and to avoid further erosion of the visitor economy.

Recognizing the fluidity of the crisis and evolving government priorities to address various pandemic related issues, we nonetheless look forward to working closely with you to move these initiatives forward in short order.

In closing, it is important to note that since the start of the pandemic, virtually every operating tourism and hospitality business has gone above and beyond the call with COVID-19 health and safety protocols to ensure that guests, workers and communities are safe and protected.

Premier Horgan and Minister Mark, as per government’s commitment last Fall, our industry is counting on further government support to recover, rebuild and contribute for the benefit of the entire province.

Thank you very much for your leadership during this most trying time. We look forward to meeting with you again very soon.

Sincerely,

Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC

Vivek Sharma
Chair, TIABC

Cc: Lori Wanamaker, Cabinet Secretary & Head of the Public Service
Geoff Meggs, Chief of Staff, Office of the Premier
Jill Kot, Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier
Neilane Mayhew, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport
Salman Azam, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport

More Advocacy

TIABC CEO Walt Judas with Tourism Abbotsford’s Barb Roberts & Clare Seeley, as well as VCM’s Chad Wetsch on a site visit to a land-based Tilapia fish farm owned and operated by the Sumas First Nation who are expanding their Fraser Valley holdings with ambitious plans to bolster Abbotsford’s tourism infrastructure and experiences.
As he does regularly, TIABC CEO Walt Judas recently presented to tourism students and faculty at @westerncommunitycollege's (WCC) Surrey campus, focussing on industry issues and TIABC's advocacy priorities. Walt also serves on WCC's Program Advisory Committee (PAC), as well as the PACs of @capilanou and @myvcc.
🍽️ What an incredible farm-to-table experience! Backyard Farm Proprietor and Chef Chris Van Hooydonk welcomed TOTA's Board of Directors and guests Walt Judas, Richard Porges (DBC CEO) and Scott Fraser (DBC Chair) for a memorable meal in Osoyoos this week.

Chris's culinary philosophy focuses on utilizing the freshest, locally sourced ingredients to create unique, tailored menus for each visit. With a commitment to true hospitality, the experience is marked by attentive service and a passion for showcasing the beauty of the South Okanagan.

Also pictured, Destination Osoyoos Executive Director Kelley Glazer, TOTA CEO Ellen Walker Matthews, and TOTA's Jane Parece. 

A huge thank you to Chris for providing such a delightful culinary experience! 🌿
🎉 Highlights from the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Conference in Victoria! 🌟

Close to 450 tourism industry professionals convened in Victoria last week for the annual 2024 BC Tourism Industry Conference, hosted by TIABC. Industry leaders representing businesses, sector associations, regional and community destination management organizations, First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as non-government organizations gathered for the two-day event. 

Anchored by the conference theme - Shaping Our Future Together - the outstanding program provided both a knowledge and skills track via plenary sessions and workshops. Here are just a few highlights:

▪️ Opening keynote speaker Shaun Boothe shared a unique and emotional celebration of some of the world's most influential cultural icons. His energy and messages set the stage for the entire event.

▪️ Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport kicked off the conference by welcoming delegates and sharing her own personal story of working in BC's tourism industry.

▪️ Plenary Remarks by Hon. Soraya Martinez Ferrada: Insights from the Minister of Tourism and Economic Development Agency of Canada highlighted the industry's significance.

▪️TIABC CEO Walt Judas engaged in a compelling conversation with Premier David Eby whose remarks underscored the vital role of the tourism industry in British Columbia, earning him a standing ovation.

▪️ Opening Reception at the Royal BC Museum

A big thank you to all our sponsors for making this event possible! 🙌
Join us in celebrating the remarkable winners of the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Awards Gala presented by @indigenoustourismbc! 🎉✨ 

Ten awards were given out to recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation within British Columbia’s tourism and hospitality sector. These awards showcased the province’s most exceptional leaders and positive change-makers this past year.

The winners of the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Awards are:

Business Woman of the Year Award - Sponsored by Prince of Whales
⭐ Winner: Ingrid Jarrett, @bchotelassociation 

Community Contribution & Impact - Sponsored by Tourism Richmond
⭐Winner: @princeofwhaleswhalewatching 

DMO Professional Excellence - Sponsored by BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS)
⭐Winner: @visitrichmondbc 

Employees First - Sponsored by go2HR
⭐Winner: @golfbc 

Inclusive and Accessible Tourism Experience - Sponsored by Destination BC
⭐Winner: Vancouver Aquarium

Indigenous Operator or Experience | Sponsored by Indigenous Tourism BC and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
⭐Winner: @homalcotours

Innovation | Sponsored by Tourism Innovation Lab
⭐Winner: @tourismnewwest 

Remarkable Experience | Sponsored by BC Destination Management Organization Association (BCDMOA)
⭐Winner: @nimmobayresort

Sector Association Excellence Award | Sponsored by Acera Insurance
⭐Winner: Sport Fishing Institute of BC

Sustainability Excellence | Sponsored by Nanaimo Airport
⭐Winner: @40knotswinery 

📸 @arkitekcreative
Insightful session at the 2024 BC Tourism Industry Conference with post-secondary educators discussing collaboration with the tourism sector! 🌍 📚 

Post-secondary educators Patrick Brouder (TRU), Farhad Moghimehfa (VIU), Dennis Innes (VCC), Jamie Noakes (TRU), Jason Johnston (TRU), Moira Mcdonald (Royal Roads), Michael Lever (FDU), Jarrett Bachman (FDU), Sarah-Joy Kallos (CapU) and Natasha Mrkic-Subotic (CapU), presented at a lunchtime session on how their post-secondary sections can and do work with the tourism sector.