News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Workplace Vaccination Policy: What Employers Need to Know | go2HR
go2HR has compiled a comprehensive suite of resources to help employers better understand the issues of workplace vaccination policies and to help them decide on an option that would work best for them.
go2HR has compiled a comprehensive suite of resources to help employers better understand the issues of workplace vaccination policies and to help them decide on an option that would work best for them.
One of the most critical issue facing employers today is the vaccination status of staff. Currently there is no provincial mandate for mandatory vaccination of staff outside of the health care setting. It is up to the individual business to decide on their own policy.
How can an employer navigate this situation while balancing health & safety, human rights, privacy and other related legal requirements? While certainly challenging, it is not impossible.
Service Provider Feature: Integral Hospitality - Outsourced Staffing and Cleaning / Facility Services
Integral Hospitality, a BCHA premier partner, have assisted a number of hotels throughout B.C. with outsourced housekeeping services. For example, Integral was able to help a BCHA member by supplying two housekeepers to an Okanagan property within 24 hours.
Outsourced housekeeping means employing a third party to look after your housekeeping needs, from delivering trained staff to providing the equipment and cleaning products. A true test of a good outsourced staffing supplier is one that is proficient at moving their model around based on your needs. This means only providing equipment if you need it. It means tailoring staffing based on your needs so whether you are looking for a full suite of housekeeping staff or just temp staff during busier periods, the right third party can help.
Integral Hospitality, a BCHA premier partner, have assisted a number of hotels throughout B.C. with outsourced housekeeping services.
For example, Integral was able to help a BCHA member by supplying two housekeepers to an Okanagan property within 24 hours.
Outsourced housekeeping means employing a third party to look after your housekeeping needs, from delivering trained staff to providing the equipment and cleaning products. A true test of a good outsourced staffing supplier is one that is proficient at moving their model around based on your needs. This means only providing equipment if you need it. It means tailoring staffing based on your needs so whether you are looking for a full suite of housekeeping staff or just temp staff during busier periods, the right third party can help.
Benefits
Management Prioritization: Outsourcing allows managers to focus on driving occupancy and the guest experience.
Cost Savings: Significant savings, increased operational cash flow, and higher profits result from outsourcing recurring employee related expenses, staff training and sourcing supplies. Additionally, come tax season there are incremental savings due to reduced payroll taxes.
Flexibility: Draw from a network of staff to coordinate scheduling during peak times and lulls.
For services, tourism businesses can contact sales@integralservicesgroup.com, (604)-260-7073, or request a quote from the website.
BC Tourism & Hospitality Labour Market Information - Employment Tracker | go2HR
The Employment Tracker reports on monthly changes in employment in the BC Tourism and Hospitality industry. The Tracker draws primarily from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), a monthly household survey conducted by Statistics Canada. The LFS is the most timely source of data on the labour market across Canada.
The Employment Tracker reports on monthly changes in employment in the BC Tourism and Hospitality industry. The Tracker draws primarily from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), a monthly household survey conducted by Statistics Canada. The LFS is the most timely source of data on the labour market across Canada.
go2HR receives LFS tables generated by Qatalyst Research Group via Statistics Canada's Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) Program that follows the Tourism Satellite Account’s definition of tourism. This data enables go2HR to track changes in employment and major trends in the Tourism and Hospitality industry in BC and monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
Reminder: Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Canadian employers who continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to apply for one of the two subsidies to cover part of employee wages.
Canadian employers who continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to apply for one of the two subsidies to cover part of employee wages.
The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) support wages you pay through different phases of your economic recovery. Each claim period, eligible employers can claim either CRHP or CEWS, whichever is higher.
Apply for DER3 Digital Resiliency Free Program Before September 14
Innovate BC's DER3, or Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency program, provides free advisory services and mentorship to B.C. businesses outside of the Lower Mainland. The DER3 program helps businesses expand or create their digital presence, with the help of a business coach. Register for this great opportunity before program intake ends on September 14.
Innovate BC's DER3, or Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency program, provides free advisory services and mentorship to B.C. businesses outside of the Lower Mainland. The DER3 program helps businesses expand or create their digital presence.
Register for this great opportunity before program intake ends on September 14.
Get matched with a local business coach ready to help you build an action plan to get online, at no cost and no obligation.
COVID-19 has created a new normal. New norms, new restrictions, and your business needs to keep running. Businesses like yours are fundamental to BC’s economy.
Participants are matched with a business coach help you:
Identify key steps to get online
Share resources and tools you can use to solve your business needs
Access content to build your team's digital skills
Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Fund: Apply by October 1, 2021
The Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund provides one-time grants to event organizers to support the safe restart of events across B.C. Funds are available to cover a range of operational expenses, up to 20% of total event budget to a maximum of $250,000 per event. Eligible events include sport, arts, and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs, rodeos, and exhibitions.
Applications are being accepted now to Oct. 1, 2021, for eligible events that take place between July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022.
The Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Fund provides one-time grants to event organizers to support the safe restart of events across B.C. Funds are available to cover a range of operational expenses, up to 20% of your total event budget to a maximum of $250,000 per event.
Eligible events include sport, arts, and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs, rodeos, and exhibitions. Applications submitted by organizations will be required to demonstrate local or regional support and show the economic and social benefits for the community.
Organizations may submit more than one application but not for recurring instances of the same event.
Eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages, and promotion.
Application Timeline
The Province will begin accepting applications on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, to support B.C.-based events through the new Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund.
Applications are being accepted until Oct. 1, 2021, for eligible events that take place between July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022. Funding decisions will be communicated by November 2021.
Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Reminder: Safe Travels Stamp Available to Display at Tourism Businesses
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Travel & Tourism Council introduced a Safe Travels Stamp which enables travellers to recognize destinations and tourism companies that have implemented and aligned with the WTTC’s Safe Travels Protocols. Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses can request the use of the Safe Travels Stamp by completing the Safe Travels - Business Request Form.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global body representing the travel and tourism sector, produced safety and hygiene protocols and guidelines for re-opening tourism that have been embraced by over 1,200 major tourism companies, in over 80 destinations around the world.
As part of the initiative, the WTTC also introduced a Safe Travels Stamp which enables travellers to recognize destinations and tourism companies that have implemented and aligned with the WTTC’s Safe Travels Protocols.
British Columbia’s workplace health & safety protocols exceed the requirements of the Safe Travels initiative. Therefore, the Thompson Okanagan is recognized as a Safe Travels Destination and all B.C. tourism companies can display the Safe Travels Stamp to reassure visitors.
Tourism companies can request the use of the by completing the Safe Travel form via the link provided below
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Businesses can request the use of the Safe Travel Stamp by completing the Safe Travels - Business Request Form. Once you complete the form below, you will receive an email outlining the next steps to receive access to the Safe Travel Stamp.
Communities, CDMO's, and Tourism Management Organizations in the Thompson Okanagan are able to utilize the Safe Travels Stamp under this agreement. Please contact us at recovery@totabc.com.
BCHA Industry Update on B.C. Proof of Vaccination Requirement
The following excerpt was originally published by the BC Hotel Association in the response to the B.C. Proof of Vaccination Requirement announcement, including steps to help prepare accommodators for how to address new proof of vaccination measures.
The following excerpt was originally published by the BC Hotel Association on August 26, 2021 in the response to the B.C. Proof of Vaccination Requirement announcement:
“Industry partners at Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and Destination BC (DBC) have engaged government and are working closely to detail the specifics of the order and ensure that the questions you submitted are answered in full. Furthermore, in the coming weeks we will be releasing a Toolkit for Step 4 of the reopening, and also detail Proof of Vaccination processes to clarify as much as possible for you. Our goal is to ensure that you have the tools and resources needed to operate safely and with confidence. The toolkit will be similar to ones produced for each stage of BC's reopening and will include key messages, operational steps, and added resources, among other critical information.
Our position for the Vaccination passport, is that similar to the circuit breakers, our front line employees cannot be the ones to police the public. We can however play a lead role in ensuring the communications, the understanding, and the policies are clearly communicated, and that our teams are trained as we continue to do everything we can to support a safe business environment between now and the end of the pandemic. We hear you loud and clear – the impact of the announcements without the specifics for operations/communications has once again had a devastating impact on you as business owners and operators. There's been an increase in stress due to uncertainty -- from cancelled meetings and events, which increase the fiscal hardship and liquidity concerns; to employees who are questioning the safety of the work environment without specifics around vaccinations; and once again, the need to update best practices for operating procedures.
Regarding Operations as of September 13
With the introduction of the BC Vaccination Card program, accommodators have not been identified as a setting where proof of vaccination is required; however, many properties have amenities or services that will require proof of vaccination to use. Please note, the government has no plans to mandate immunization as a condition of employment and that this decision is up to each individual business.
The following steps will help prepare accommodators for how to address new proof of vaccination measures.
STEP 1 | CHOOSING A PoV POLICY
Prior to September 13th, accommodators will need to determine what their proof of vaccination policy is. While it is not essential for them to do so, accommodators can introduce their own policy.
The main options are outlined below.
OPTION 1
Make no vaccination requirement for either staff or guests to work or stay at the property
NOTE: Public spaces are mandated for masks, and therefore policies to control masks remain in place.
OPTION 2
Require that ALL employees AND guests be fully vaccinated in order to work and stay at the property
OPTION 3
Require that all guests be fully vaccinated in order to stay at the property – Employees can remain unvaccinated
OPTION 4
Require that all employees be vaccinated in order to work at the property – guests can be unvaccinated to stay at the property
For options 2, 3, and 4, operators will need to take action to develop and implement their chosen policies. The BCHA will be creating templates to better assist operators in this process. In the meantime, the Business Council of British Columbia and the team at Roper Greyell prepared an informative overview on the shifting public opinion and evolving legal landscape. Read the brief here.
STEP 2 | DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS SURROUNDING PoV POLICY
Many of you reached out with questions on how the vaccination checks would work as you may have areas on property -- like breakfast rooms, fitness centres, meetings spaces, etc. -- that would require proof of vaccination in order to use. The BCHA is acutely aware of workforce crisis we are dealing with. It would be unreasonable to expect that workers be stationed at each point of entry, which would also create multiple points of potential confrontation for workers. The contentiousness of this program is a burden we certainly do not want our workers to bear. We will be including best practices for developing protocols and sharing it with you as soon as we have the necessary information from PHO.
Because of this, the BCHA is advocating that any accommodator offering services where proof of vaccination would be required, check for BC Vaccine Cards at the point of check-in, and only then. Should you wish to move forward with a vaccination mandate for guests, we also encourage PoV check at check-in; employee mandated vaccinations will need to be done internally.
STEP 3 | COMMUNICATING ON YOUR CHANNELS
Clear communication to both guests and staff will be fundamental to ensuring that this transition goes smoothly. All of this information, key messages, and further details will be included in the PoV Toolkit that I mentioned is being built out and will be available to you as soon as we have the specific information from the Ministry of Health.
Operators will need to clearly communicate their proof of vaccination policy:
on their website
at time of online booking
vocalized at time of over-the-phone or in-person booking
in a pre-arrival email
with signage posted at entryways and in-front of any PoV-required setting ie. fitness centre, breakfast room, meeting space etc.
with OTA's and third party booking platforms
FINAL COMMENTS:
Please note, that we are committed to ensuring that our position to only check proof of vaccination at check-in is accepted by the PHO, in order to best protect businesses, our employees, as well as our guests. This approach will make the most sense operationally, and will refrain businesses from having to shut down their amenities and services. From the feedback we are receiving from you it also will grow confidence for travellers, as well as meeting and events organizers as we look to rebuild business this fall. We will keep you updated on where this advocacy work lands and will continue to keep you updated on the toolkit.”
Extended WorkShare Program
The government has extended the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19. The Work-Sharing program can help employers avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the employer’s control. The program provides Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers.
The government has extended the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19. The Work-Sharing program can help employers avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the employer’s control. The program provides Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers.
The Program allows employers to retain qualified and experienced workers, and avoid recruiting and training new employees. It also allows employees to keep their jobs, and maintain their work skills.
Work-Sharing temporary special measures to support employers and workers affected by COVID-19
Effective March 15, 2020 and extended to September 24, 2022, and not limited to one specific sector or industry, the Government of Canada is introducing temporary special measures:
extension of the maximum possible duration of an agreement from 38 weeks to 76 weeks
mandatory cooling off period has been waived for employers who have already used the Work-Sharing program so that eligible employers may immediately enter into a new agreement
reduce the previous requirements for a Recovery Plan to a single line of text in the application form
reduce the requirement and expand eligibility to employers affected by accepting business who have been in business for only 1 year rather than 2, and eliminate the burden of having to provide sales/production figures at the same time, and
expand eligibility for staff who are essential to recovery, Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) and non-for-profit organization employers
go2HR Employer Resources for Mask Mandate
go2HR has free resources to support tourism businesses with the announcement of the B.C. mask mandate, including printable mask mandate posters to display in workplaces, a new script on how to respond to guests who refuse to wear a mask, and communicable disease prevention plans support services.
B.C. announced that mask are required province-wide to slow the transmission of COVID-19, as flu season approaches and COVID-19 cases continue to rise. This province-wide move follows the recent reintroduction of a mask mandate in B.C.’s interior health region in response to climbing COVID-19 cases.
Masks must once again be worn in many indoor public spaces, including:
restaurants, pubs and bars (unless seated)
coffee shops
common areas of sport and fitness centres, when not engaged in physical activity
in taxis and ride-sharing vehicles (such as shuttle buses)
The mask mandate will require all individuals aged 12 and older to wear a mask in indoor public settings, regardless of their vaccination status. For the purposes of this order, a mask or face covering is defined as a medical or non-medical mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields are not a substitute for a mask, as there is an opening below the mouth.
The full details of the order are yet to be released but additional information about the specific indoor settings where masks must be worn is available here.
Mask posters for your workplace
To help you get ready for the reintroduction of the mask mandate and to ensure your team members and your customers know what is expected of them, print these posters and display them at your business entrance and on your staff noticeboard.
Responding to challenging guest situations during a pandemic *Updated Script*
go2HR has developed scripts for responding to difficult guest situations during a pandemic. This document is intended to support frontline workers in responding to challenging interactions with guests. There is a new script on how to respond to guests who refuse to wear a mask. The way in which you convey the necessary information to your guests can make all the difference when it comes to their overall experience and prevent a challenging situation from escalating.
Download the updated script here.
If you need health and safety support:
For more information about how to keep your workers safe during Step 3 of BC’s restart, check out go2HR’s communicable disease prevention plans webpage.
If you have any questions regarding workplace health and safety, please contact go2HR via phone: 604-633-9787 or email: safety@go2hr.ca. Our qualified health and safety staff are available to assist and we look forward to supporting you and your team.
BSAFE™ – BC Safety Assured for Everyone - Stage 3 Course Update
go2HR has refreshed the course content to reflect Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan and are excited to continue to deliver current and valuable health & safety content to businesses all over the province in an accessible way.
BSAFE Has Been Updated! go2HR has refreshed the course content to reflect Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan and are excited to continue to deliver current and valuable health & safety content to businesses all over the province in an accessible way.
BSAFE™ is a new and FREE online health and safety training program for individuals and businesses in BC’s tourism and hospitality industry. Instill confidence amongst the general public to stay, dine, or shop at your local business.
It’s a FREE program supported by the Province of BC.
REGISTER NOW:
What You’ll Learn:
BSAFE is comprised of 5 modules that cover a variety of topics to give you a foundational understanding of COVID-19 health and safety protocols as well as tips on handling non-compliance.
Module 1 Understanding the Legal Context for COVID-19
Module 2 Keep Yourself and Others Safe
Module 3 Keeping Records
Module 4 Communicating Effectively with Your Team and Guests
Module 5 Responding to Challenging Interactions (scenarios)
Sign Up Info:
BSAFE is accessible to both individual Workers and Employers to incorporate into their corporate training activities.
Employer Registration Info:
Employers can register their company to a delivery as a workplace training initiative.
Once registered, the business would receive an enrollment code that they can share with their designed staff. Staff who use this enrolment code are tagged to the business and completions can be tracked
Worker Registration Info:
WORKERS can register, take the course and receive a certificate upon completion. This certificate can be used to demonstrate their knowledge with future employers.
BSAFE stands for BC Safety Assured For Everyone. Our tagline, “Your Trust, Our Priority”, is our pledge and our promise.
New Border Measures Resources & Tools
On August 9, 2021, the Government of Canada introduced new border measures. The Public Health Agency of Canada released a Travel Toolkit to help understand the latest changes to travel rules, and to help them quickly find online resources with more in-depth details; and a Marketing Toolkit for travel/tourism industry partners with pre-written social media, blogs, fact sheets, and newsletter content that can be used to inform their audiences.
On August 9, 2021, the Government of Canada introduced new border measures. Some of the key changes include:
Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are currently residing in the U.S. may travel to Canada for non-essential reasons;
The removal of the requirement to stay at a government-authorized hotel for all travellers; and
The removal of the requirement for all fully vaccinated travellers to take a post-arrival test, unless they are randomly selected to take one.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has developed several products/tools to help you and your clients/customers better understand the full scope of these changes and what travellers will need to know before, during, and after their entry to Canada.
Travel Toolkit: A quick guide to help other government departments understand the latest changes to travel rules, and to help them quickly find online resources with more in-depth details. This toolkit is available here.
Marketing Toolkit: A resource for travel/tourism industry partners with pre-written social media, blogs, fact sheets, and newsletter content that can be used to inform their audiences. This toolkit is available on Google Drive.
All travellers arriving or returning to Canada must continue to use ArriveCAN to submit their travel information. See travel.gc.ca/travel-covid for more details.
We encourage you to use these products to answer questions your clients and customers may have, and to use them to develop content for your websites and social media to help travellers understand the new travel requirements.
These resources will be updated as new rules and processes are implemented, and Destination Canada will be sure to share updated copies with industry as they are available.
Free Workplace Mental Health Training Certification
Tourism and hospitality employees can access a new, free training certification program focused on mental health, well-being, and resiliency skills. The program includes online training modules, optional webinars, and access to learning coaches who will answer questions and provide support.
Tourism and hospitality employees can access a new, free training certification program focused on mental health, well-being, and resiliency skills. The program is part of the recently-launched BC Workplace Mental Health Hub which offers tools to help address common workplace concerns such as bullying, harassment, COVID-19 exposure, coping with stress and more.
The program includes online training modules, optional webinars, and access to learning coaches who will answer questions and provide support. Learning coaches will enhance the experience by ensuring participants have a guide to support them as they work through the course at their own pace.
The new training program was developed with the needs of people working within the tourism and hospitality in mind. Level 1: Foundational Skills aims to teach participants about mental health and how it can fluctuate over time as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and substance use issues. They’ll also learn how to reduce stigma and start positive conversations about mental health and better recognize and address chronic stress and burnout to support their own well-being.
Watch Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Platform Webinar Recording
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) hosted a virtual info session on the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Platform and how it can help B.C. tourism companies track progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and develop a Sustainable Tourism Plan.
Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle is an easy-to-use digital platform that recognizes your commitment to sustainability and links your organization with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 169 targets, through the development of a custom sustainability plan.
Members of TOTA's Biosphere Commitment Program receive a 1 year free trial for the platform.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) hosted a virtual info session on the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Platform and how it can help B.C. tourism companies track progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and develop a Sustainable Tourism Plan.
Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle is an easy-to-use digital platform that recognizes your commitment to sustainability and links your organization with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 169 targets, through the development of a custom sustainability plan.
Members of TOTA's Biosphere Commitment Program receive a 1 year free trial for the platform and can now access the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform.
Emergency Support Fund for Canada’s Live Music Sector
Funding is available to support Canada’s live music sector. The purpose of this program is to help Canadian live music companies and organizations operating in Canada facing financial pressures due to public health directives in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This program targets Canadian-owned companies and organizations specializing in live music, including live music venues, booking agents, concert promoters, festivals, artist managers, artist-entrepreneurs, and service companies.
Budget 2021 includes $25 million for Canada’s live music sector. The purpose of this program is to help Canadian live music companies and organizations operating in Canada who are facing financial pressures due to public health directives in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The majority of companies and organizations targeted by this program are not regular beneficiaries of the Canada Music Fund (CMF); emergency funding for these types of companies and organizations is a recognition of the essential nature of the live music sector in achieving the objectives of the program. Thus, the temporary financial support will allow companies and organizations in Canada’s live music sector to continue to exist during and beyond the pandemic and ultimately to continue i) to produce and promote a diversity of Canadian music in a world of choice ii) to be competitive at home and abroad and iii) to contribute to Canada’s creative economy.
Funding will be allocated based on eligible revenues from each applicant’s last completed fiscal year prior to the pandemic.
Funding is subject to availability of funds and submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
The deadline to apply is September 2, 2021.
Who Can Apply?
This program targets Canadian-owned companies and organizations specializing in live music. This includes live music venues, booking agents, concert promoters, festivals, artist managers, artist-entrepreneurs, and service companies. To be eligible, companies must play an essential role in the Canadian live music sector and in the development of Canadian artists.
Tourism Business Builders Online Resources
Tourism HR Canada team has launched Tourism Business Builders, an online learning program developed specifically for tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs. This “how-to” resource contains nine comprehensive modules on business fundamentals and dozens of practical tools, including Excel templates and PDF worksheets, available free until September 1, 2021.
Tourism HR Canada team has launched the Tourism Business Builders online program, developed specifically for tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs. This much-anticipated update moves the renowned program to a fully online offering, allowing for 24/7 access on the organization’s Emerit.ca learning platform and the flexibility to quickly add content.
Businesses who have been the most adversely impacted by COVID are not only looking at recovery, but in many cases a complete restart to their operations. This presents opportunities to re-assess priorities, including product and service offerings, audiences, financing, and marketing.
Now these same businesses can access this brand new “how-to” resource, which contains nine comprehensive modules on business fundamentals and dozens of practical tools, including Excel templates and PDF worksheets…all FREE for a limited time.
Tourism Business Builders will retail for $199.00, but as part of Tourism HR Canada’s recovery strategy, the organization will offer it free of charge until September 1, 2021, to assist tourism business owners, operators, and prospective entrepreneurs.
Tourism businesses need support now more than ever, and this special offer adds to Tourism HR Canada’s recovery efforts. These include the free suite of resources available at TourismRecovery.ca and the free Emerit online occupational training offered earlier in the pandemic (with over 5,000 courses accessed).
Tourism Business Builders contains comprehensive online modules that cover such core topics as:
Creating Your Product
Financial Management
Staffing Matters
Marketing
The Customer
Managing Operations
As self-directed resources, these modules will help business owners/operators to review and revamp current planning and management practices. Entrepreneurs looking to launch a new tourism operation can work through the series to prepare a solid business plan and learn how to successfully run a tourism business—from start-up planning to day-to-day operations.
Used in conjunction with TourismRecovery.ca and Emerit.ca training for numerous tourism and hospitality occupations, owners/operators can build a strong business recovery and reengagement plan that covers all the basics needed to steer towards success.
FortisBC Rebates Available for Thompson Okanagan Tourism Businesses
You may be eligible for a FortisBC rebate. Learn more about the variety of rebates available and contact TOTA’s Energy Analyst for more information.
Are you planning to purchase or upgrade lighting, HVAC equipment (boilers, furnaces, heaters, heat pumps, rooftop units, etc), or other business appliances? Have you purchased or installed any of these within the last 365 days? You might be eligible for FortisBC rebates if you are a FortisBC electricity or natural gas customer and meet their requirements for energy-efficient equipment.
Some of the FortisBC rebates that are available:
If you are a tourism business operating in the Thompson Okanagan and would like to find out if you are eligible, book a free appointment with our Energy Analyst to learn more.
Free Digital Marketing Skills Training Program: Applications Open
The Alacrity Canada Digital Marketing Bootcamp is a virtual skills-training program valued at $6,000 per seat and offered to eligible B.C. small and medium-sized businesses at no cost by the Province of B.C. The eight-week course covers 40 key topics offered by 10 expert mentors to provide a foundation of digital marketing, search-engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising, analytics, content marketing, and other skills.
The Alacrity Canada Digital Marketing Bootcamp is a virtual skills-training program valued at $6,000 per seat and offered to eligible B.C. small and medium-sized businesses at no cost by the Province of B.C. The eight-week course covers 40 key topics offered by 10 expert mentors to provide a foundation of digital marketing, search-engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising, analytics, content marketing, and other skills.
Eligibility:
A BC resident or residents own the business;
The business’s sole or primary operations are located in BC;
The business is currently operating;
The business is registered in BC;
The business employs less than 149 BC residents
New Employer Toolkit: COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace
go2HR has prepared an employer toolkit with practical information, up-to-date resources, and downloadable tools to help answer questions related to COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace. The toolkit includes an overview of BC employment legislation, legal and mental health articles to help support employee mental health, information to help employers consider vaccination policy and sample employee policies.
go2HR has prepared an employer toolkit with practical information, up-to-date resources, and downloadable tools to help answer questions related to COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace. The toolkit includes an overview of BC employment legislation, legal and mental health articles to help support employee mental health, information to help employers consider vaccination policy and sample employee policies.
Additional Resources:
Canada USA Border Reopening Resources
Starting Monday, August 9, Canada plans to allow entry to American citizens and permanent residents to Canada for non-essential travel. View the key resources and messaging for the tourism industry.
Starting Monday, August 9, Canada plans to allow entry to American citizens and permanent residents who are currently residing in the US and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel. This preliminary step allows for the Government of Canada to fully operationalize the adjusted border measures ahead of September 7.
Subject to limited exceptions, all travellers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information. If they are eligible to enter Canada and meet specific criteria, fully vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine upon arrival.
Helpful Canada USA Border Resources:
Destination BC Messaging Guide for BC's Tourism Industry and travellers from the United States.
This is an evolving situation which may require frequent updates.