Dear Industry Partner,
As we come to the close of another week in this extraordinary time, TIANS wants to assure you that we are continuing to share your concerns and industry perspective with government at all levels. Your responses to the COVID-19 Tourism Impact Surveys have helped us navigate how we can best serve you during this pandemic.
A number of government program supports were recently amended to reflect the needs of Nova Scotia’s tourism economy and seasonal businesses. The changes announced for EI will help support seasonal workers who were planning to return to work, and part-time workers who have been laid off with the closure of hundreds of tourism enterprises. Newly introduced wage subsidies, loans for small businesses, taxation deferrals and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit are all examples of government helping workers and businesses.
You will find all of the above information and many other resources and updates on our newly launched Tourism Strong digital hub. Use Tourism Strong as your source for current and relevant Industry news, supports, research and health & wellness information. There is a comprehensive FAQ section and the Latest News is updated in real time, to keep you in the know.
TIANS is confident in the Industry’s resiliency and capacity to rebuild. Although it is difficult at present, we encourage Tourism operators and businesses to prepare for the rebuilding phase. Join the conversation, share your best practices, ask a challenging question by visiting our TIANS Together Discussion Group on Facebook. We are here to assist you and keep the lines of communication open during these rapidly evolving times. Office staff can be reached at 902.423.4480 from 9:00 - 4:00 Monday to Friday or by email at icentral@tourism.ca.
Stay Well. Stay Tourism Strong.
Sincerely,
The TIANS Team
NEW - REGISTER YOUR
TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
Today, April 1st, 2020, the Department of Business has announced the new Registry Portal is now open for hosts to register their accommodations with the province of Nova Scotia. https://beta.novascotia.ca/register-your-tourist-accommodation.
In response to COVID-19, Minister MacLellan has announced the Registration Fee for 2020-21 will be waived for accommodation operators.
The Marketing Platform Registration page is also live: https://beta.novascotia.ca/register-your-accommodations-marketing-platform
COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RENTAL DEFERRAL GUARANTEE PROGRAM
Government has listened to businesses and have removed the requirement of tenant businesses to have 5 or more employees to be eligible for the program. Revised guidelines are online and there is no employee minimum to be eligible https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/#support
Rental deferral agreements must be in place by April 1 and you must register your intent with the Department of Business by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, by emailing NSRentDeferral@novascotia.ca .
Landlord Submission Deadline is April 30, 2020
EMPLOYER ASSESSMENT TOOL
To assist businesses and non-profits seek clarity on how they can comply with the Public Health Order the Nova Scotia government has developed an on-line tool to quickly help employers determine if they may remain open, in compliance with current workplace safety requirements. The link is available on the provincial coronavirus website https://covid19-employer-assessment.novascotia.ca/en and at TOURISMSTRONG.CA
We will be closing Part II of the COVID-19 Tourism Impact Survey this week (April 3). Please take the time to provide your feedback. Thank you.
