Dear Industry Partner,
As Nova Scotia enters into the eighth week of the COVID-19 pandemic, TIANS continues to advocate for specific and robust supports for the tourism sector.
Our feedback to the government is being heard as we maintain regular lines of communication with cabinet officials and policymakers, both provincially and federally. We have been advised that a national tourism support package is being developed and will be announced soon. Also, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Atlantic will be deploying a regional program in the coming days to support tourism businesses.
We have been sharing with relevant government representatives where gaps have been identified by industry with existing programs and measures. To that end, we were pleased with today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that the Wage Subsidy Program will be extended beyond June. This will be a crucial support as seasonal operators begin to open their doors. Additional concerns around the practicality of the Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program, access to favourable loan conditions, interest rate deferrals and reduced credit card rates continue to be raised as key points of concern. As new data released by Stats Can today reports that over 880,000 tourism jobs in Canada were lost since the pandemic started, the need for strong and flexible supports for industry are critically evident.
TIANS continues to have sectoral discussions around the province to provide input for models around reopening the economy. We understand it will be a phased approach and TIANS will ensure sector information and current efforts are shared to influence policy around this. As businesses prepare to reopen, commitments to cleanliness and standards around disinfection processes will be crucial in building visitor and staff confidence. We are working with our national partners and have secured a program for Nova Scotia that we will be launching for industry use in the days ahead.
Training and education remain paramount for the tourism industry, as we prepare for a gradual reopening. TIANS and the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council have been working to provide you with the latest information via Webinars, online training and free access to a number of emerit Occupation specific modules.
Please remember, you will find many relevant resources and updates on our Tourism Strong digital hub. We hope you continue to make Tourism Strong your source of current COVID-19 data. Join your fellow industry members in a real-time discussion. Do you have a question another operator may be able to help with? A feel-good story to share from your community? How are you managing your business; your customers? What are you doing now to plan for the future. Join the TIANS Discussion Forum.
TIANS remains committed to our Members and Industry Stakeholders during these unprecedented times. Office staff can be reached at 902.423.4480 during the week from 9-4. Or you can choose to email us at icentral@tourism.ca.
Stay Well. Stay Tourism Strong.
Sincerely,
The TIANS Team
WEBINAR SERIES
As our community continues to cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, TIANS is here to help. TIANS and our partner associations in PEI, New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador are hosting a series of specialized, free webinars to tackle the challenges faced by COVID-19. These webinars are geared at equipping businesses with the skills and knowledge they need to survive the new realities of our COVID economy.
Guiding Your Tourism Business Through
Covid-19 | May 13, 2020 | 10 AM
An updated webinar on navigating current support programs and cash flow best practices presented by team members from Grant Thornton LLP. Register Here
Where’s the risk? Impact of COVID-19 on your Business | May 20, 2020 | 10 AM
Grant Thornton LLP addresses cyber security and increased risk to your business when working remotely, and hackers are using the coronavirus threat to their advantage. Registration opening soon.
In addition, be sure to visit our Webinar Series page on TOURISMSTRONG for additional upcoming and recorded webinars from Tourism Nova Scotia, eCornell, Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Cape Breton Partnership, Euromonitor International and more.
HELPING THE TOURISM WORKFORCE PREPARE FOR REBUILDING
A reminder that NSTHRC and Tourism HR Canada are offering select emerit online training free of charge. These online training modules for frontline, supervisory, and managerial positions can assist with ongoing training needs or help provide those whose jobs have been adversely affected by COVID-19 the opportunity to upskill or crosstrain.
Preparing Tourism Employers for the Shift from Business Survival to Recovery
Tourism HR Canada is in the process of creating a no-cost, easy to access and use, comprehensive online COVID-19 Tourism Workforce Recovery Toolkit.
This new resource is based on best practices and aligned with needs identified by employers. Its insightful and business-friendly content will directly support Canadian tourism SMEs as they recover and build medium- and longer-term resiliency, including preparing for potential next waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit the Tourism Workforce section on TOURISMSTRONG for the THRC Hub.
NATIONAL PARTNERS
TIANS continues to work with our national partners to ensure the Canadian Tourism recovery is coordinated and strategic. Through the national network of industry associations (PTTIA), we are aligning feedback on national policy areas. Our national partners are also working hard to ensure the Tourism Sector is top of mind with government actions. For updates, visit the national websites indicated below.
Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC)
Tourism Industry Association of Canada have developed a weekly snapshot of recent key global, regional and domestic tourism health and economic updates. View the latest Dashboard Reports from TIAC on our Research page at TOURISMSTRONG.
Destination Canada
On May 12, Destination Canada will host a webinar featuring Minister Joly, DC Chair, Ben Cowan-Dewar and TIAC’s President & CEO, Charlotte Bell. Full webinar details and the latest COVID-19 national news, information and research/resources can be found on the Destination Canada website.
Hotel Association of Canada
Supports for businesses and individuals are available for the Hotel Industry at Hotel Association of Canada COVID-19 Hub. Resources for staff, guidelines for properties hosting those in self-quarantine, procedures for cleaning and making the workplace safe for employees and guests, and much more.
INDUSTRY ADVOCACY UPDATES
Short-Term Rentals
While the focus has been on the current health crisis, additional policy from the provincial government was recently announced as an Order in Council confirming tax rates will be maintained at the current threshold; short term rentals over 4 rooms will be taxed as commercial, the same as legitimate operators – further leveling the playing field.
Seasonal Tourist Business Designation
A pilot is currently being pursued around the Seasonal Tourist Business Designation. The initiative is designed to allow for businesses to extend their operating season, without penalty or a change to their taxation status. As the industry looks to extend their current seasons to partially recoup impacts from COVID-19, this will be an important element of planning for operations.
TIANS WORKING GROUPS
In our ongoing efforts to support industry and plan for the rebuilding phase, post COVID-19, TIANS has formed a number of Working Groups and Committees. By partnering with key stakeholder groups and industry professionals, we are championing issues and implementing supports around a rebuild for Tourism. In recent weeks we have had the following groups engaged:
Atlantic Canada Cruise Association, Sport Nova Scotia, Communities Culture and Heritage, Tourism Nova Scotia, NS Dept. of Labour and Advanced Education, NS Federation of Municipalities, International Film Festival, and Municipal, Provincial and Federal government representatives.
TOURISM NOVA SCOTIA WEBINARS
Tourism Nova Scotia is offering weekly webinar training and information sessions to help support tourism businesses and organizations adapt to the evolving tourism environment, enhance quality and competitiveness and prepare to welcome visitors when the time is right.
Next Webinar: Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m. - Building a Connection with Your Customers Through Social Media – Part 1
This webinar will help you get to the next level to connect with your customers. Topics include deciding which social networks are best for your business, what content to post and how to engage with your followers.
More information on the webinars, how to register and recorded webinar sessions are available at https://tourismns.ca/webinar-series
INDUSTRY RESOURCES
Government Programs and Supports
TIANS has compiled a comprehensive listing of federal and provincial supports and programs available to business operators throughout the province. This Quick Reference Snapshot will be updated regularly and can be found on the Government Supports page on TOURISMSTRONG.
CCOHS Tip Sheets
Use these free tip sheets from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety as guidance while operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each downloadable document offers health and safety tips and good practices, for both employers and workers in specific industries and sectors.
WCB - Working Safely
The Workers’ Compensation Board has a made available a number of online resources to help employers work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Downloadable posters, guidelines and useful links can be shared.
Canadian Mental Health Association's Official Mental Health Week
With the recent easing of some restrictions, now is a perfect time to get outdoors. Give yourself a change of scenery - enjoy the simple elements of nature. A walk through a trail can provide you with an entirely different perspective and provide a distraction of the many unknowns during these unprecedented times. Social Distancing has had us all doing things differently in recent months, and many of us have come to realize the importance of communication and physical and mental health. Take time for yourself. Let's #getreal about how we really feel. Stay well. Stay strong.
