No images? Click here March 12, 2021 Dear Members, As the Provincial Legislature resumed this week under our new Premier, TIANS met with the new Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth, the Hon. Labi Kousoulis, to discuss the critical state of the Industry. The need for targeted supports and relevant policy adjustments were on the agenda as well as a strategic, industry wide plan for the upcoming year and beyond. A subsequent announcement this morning from Minister Kousoulis outlined a $7.3 million program to support Nova Scotia’s accommodation sector. Created as a follow up support to the Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program, this measure provides qualified operators a 50% rebate on payment of the first six months of their 2021-22 commercial property tax. This will be welcomed by many operators who have been seeking further tax relief, however, TIANS will continue to advocate for robust, targeted and strategic support for all five sectors of the industry. Later today you will receive a Business Supports Survey to identify gaps and frame future sector requests. We look forward to working with Minister Kousoulis and the new government as we rebuild and ensure an even stronger tourism economy in Nova Scotia. While there has been other positive news recently of vaccination rollouts and federal government supports being extended for Federal Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy TIANS is keenly aware that many operators and specific sectors within tourism are struggling. Early in March we worked with our partners at TIAC to participate in a series of advocacy calls with MP’s across the country, calling attention to the need for the federal government to implement the National Tourism Recovery Framework. Securing support for HIAA and our regional airline routes, protecting our motorcoach infrastructure are all important pieces to ensure we maintain our connectivity in the region and that we will be open for business as we begin the rebuild of the Nova Scotia tourism economy. TIANS is optimistic for the future of tourism – but we all have work to do to get there. Operators need to be prepared to do business differently – focusing on innovation, quality and leveraging our reputation as a clean, safe destination. A crucial element of rebuilding will be our workforce. Next week, our partners at Tourism HR Canada are hosting the National Tourism Labour Market Forum. This complimentary event features inspiring speakers, national sectoral updates and outlooks and will provide the latest labour market data to help you rebuild the people side of your business. We also continue to provide access to our suite of Service Excellence programs including those focused on risk mitigation such as Clean it Right and Serve Right. There is a saying – “If you want to go fast, go alone…If you want go far, go together.” TIANS will continue to be here, to work with you and for you as we take this journey of rebuilding together. For the latest news, research and updates on COVID-19 recovery supports, please be sure to visit Tourism Strong. Thank you, TIANS Staff TOURISM HR CANADA - LABOUR MARKET FORUM
It's almost here! The 2021 Labour Market Forum presented by Tourism HR Canada, takes place March 15 - 18th. COVID-19 has changed the way we do business and also, the way we bring you valuable, timely information. Tourism HR Canada’s annual Labour Market Forum is a key part of creating a more resilient and inclusive labour market. Delegates representing tourism businesses, associations, governments, and the education sector work together to define ways to improve workforce strategies, resources, and the capacity to implement them. This year’s free, interactive event centres on four pillars: Skills, Supply, Sentiment, and Strategy. These reflect the devastating impact of the COVID pandemic on the tourism sector as well as the need for innovative approaches to restart tourism in the face of dramatic labour losses. The event gets underway at 11:00a.m. (EST) on Monday, March 15th with a Welcome & Introductions from THRC President and CEO, Philip Mondor, and THRC Board Chair, Darlene Grant Fiander. This will be followed by a State of the Industry, with National Associations - including Alana Baker, Senior Director, Policy & Public Affairs with HAC, Olivier Bourbeau, VP, Federal & Quebec with Restaurants Canada, and Vince Accardi, Acting CEO & Vice President, TIAC. TIANS and NSTHRC encourage you to register for the 2021 Labour Market Forum. Online Registration is open and additional Labour Market Forum details are available on the Tourism HR Canada Website. View FULL Program. PVSC - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) is responsible for assessing all property in Nova Scotia. Every property is reassessed on an annual basis, and for income producing properties the reassessment process includes the collection and analysis of the income and expenses associated with the property. As part of PVSC’s statutory mandate, they are currently requesting income and expense information from operators. A letter with this request and more information was mailed out in February. This information is used to assist PVSC in determining the value of both your property and properties of a similar type. The income and expense information they collect will cover the 2020 calendar year and plays an important part in PVSC's analysis for the 2022 assessment roll. The more data PVSC collects from commercial operators, the better idea they will get, of any impacts of the pandemic, in preparing for next years assessments. If you have not yet submitted the requested information, you can do so by way of an online submission or by completing and returning a downloadable form. Visit the PVSC.ca website for full Assessment details. SERVE IT UP
Recruiting Employers for the 2021 Serve It Up High School Culinary Program! Now more than ever it is important to mentor youth entering the the tourism sector, in many different roles. In Nova Scotia, we continue to see a demand for skilled, trained workers in the Culinary sector. The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council and TIANS are proud to be working with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and the NS Department of Education and Early Childhood Development once again to offer the 2021 Serve It Up High School Culinary Program. We are currently seeking employers from across Nova Scotia interested in hiring an engaged High School Student in a trainee kitchen position for at least 200 hours during the summer. Employers are to have a Red Seal Cook or Baker on their team willing to be part of this rewarding program. If you would like additional information or are interested in applying as an Employer Participant for Serve It Up 2021, please contact Ainsley Bartram at ainsley@tourism.ca or 902-300-7286 UPCOMING WEBINARS
Halifax PartnershipBusiness Recovery & Continuity Webinar Series Register now for the next two sessions:Session #2 - Business Resilience Lessons from the Pandemic March 23, 2021 The impacts of COVID-19 have certainly shown us how businesses can be disrupted with little notice. Any big change can throw your business for a loop, but a solid business continuity plan can get you back on track quickly. The webinars will cover how a business continuity plan can help your small- or medium-sized business be prepared for any major disruption. These webinars are part of Halifax Partnership's Business Recovery and Continuity Toolkit which offers you a step-by-step guide for building your own plan.Tourism Nova Scotia Webinar SeriesOnline Marketing – Going Beyond Social Media Thursday, March 25, 2021 10:00 am Join Tourism Nova Scotia and Digital Nova Scotia for a webinar presented by Alison Knott, founder of Alison K Consulting, exploring opportunities to market your business online and get the results you want. Alison will share strategies that go beyond social media promotion to bring traffic to your website, generate leads, and close the sale. The webinar will cover the following topics: EVENTS NOVA SCOTIACOVID-19 Safe Event Planning Webinar Series If you are planning to host an event this spring and summer, Events Nova Scotia are there to help! This webinar series, COVID-19 Safe Event Planning, is a series focused on helping you plan safe events under current event guidelines. Though guidelines are in place ENS know that interpreting those guidelines can sometimes be daunting. They’re bringing together staff from a variety of government departments to provide you with advice and answer your questions around the types of activities allowed, gathering limits, food service or COVID-19 protocols, and more. Webinar content will provide tips on planning your event; ENS will be joined by the departments of Labour and Advanced Education, Environment, and Alcohol & Gaming, answering any questions you may have. Sessions will take place Thursdays on the following dates at 3:00 PM: TIANS Member Exclusive - First Aid/CPR Training and Discounts from LifeShieldLifeShield - Canadian Red Cross Training Partner is providing the following message and offer to TIANS Members. 'Recent events have been tough on everyone, the Tourism Industry in particular. Whereas the Tourism Industry has supported us for SO long, we are pleased to offer complimentary Emergency First Aid & CPR training to TIANS members.Presently, this initiative is available exclusively in HRM, though we endeavour to expand complimentary training elsewhere in NS as resources permit. Project Details:
In the interest of broad industry access, we ask that TIANS members claim one complimentary seat per calendar year; Should additional training be sought, TIANS members are welcome to consult our public training calendar by clicking here. Please use coupon code TIANS15OFF at checkout to claim a further 15% discount; As always, we're happy to offer on-site training for groups of 10+. The aforementioned 15% discount would apply;' Upcoming Dates for TIANS Members: March 29; June 7; September 27; December 3 LifeShield are also providers of Personal Protective Equipment, including masks, digital non-contact thermometers, gloves, etc. Additionally a 10% discount will be made available on their inventory of AED equipment (defibrillators). Take advantage of this great opportunity to get staff current on OHS training requirements. Workplace approved certification will be provided. To read more or get staff signed up visit LifeShield's website. TRAINING FOR INDUSTRY
A Program to Support the Rebuilding of Nova Scotia’s Tourism IndustryClean It Right is a training program provided through TIANS to provide awareness and education on cleaning your establishment with the goal of regaining consumer confidence. The program was designed to increase the safety of guests, visitors and the workforce in the Tourism industry. This will help reassure customers that may be hesitant to travel, shop and eat out during the post COVID-19 period. Businesses who put all of their cleaning staff through the training will be provided with Clean It Right business designation, with CIR branding and recognition on NovaScotia.com listing. Sign up now to earn your CIR business designation and gain the competitive edge while providing a safe environment for your visitors and staff. Online registration is quick and easy - simply fill in your contact information and select from the three training modules available through Clean It Right: 1. Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts Serve Right - Responsible Service Training for the Tourism Industry The Serve Right Program examines modern views on alcohol service in the tourism/hospitality industry. The goal of the program is to help participants develop the skills necessary to implement Responsible Beverage Service Policies and Procedures. The Serve Right Program was enhanced to provide training elements for serving staff to address cannabis use. This important and relevant training is available online for both Servers and Managers. The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council gratefully acknowledges support from Labatt Breweries of Canada for the Serve Right Responsible Beverage Service Program. Do your part. Be Responsible. Sign up for Serve Right Training online. View the full suite of online training offered by the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council INDUSTRY SUPPORTS
TIANS continues to work closely with our partners and stakeholders to support the Industry during this challenging time. We provide ongoing resources and updates for tourism operators through the Tourism Strong digital hub. Use Tourism Strong as your source for timely and relevant Industry news, government supports, research, health & wellness, and rebuilding into the future. While we may be exploring unchartered territory, we are on this journey together. We are confident in the Industry’s resiliency and capacity to rebuild. We want to hear from you. Join the conversation at the TIANS Together Discussion Group on Facebook. Tourism Strong #TIANStogether Be sure to follow along and engage with us on social media: Facebook Twitter GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS AT-A-GLANCE FACT SHEET For a summary Snapshot of the most up-to-date Federal and Provincial Supports and Resources, please see Tourism Nova Scotia's COVID-19 Fact Sheet. This resource includes the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). |