By Pete McIntyre

$105 million for B.C.’s struggling tourism industry

Dec 22, 2020 | 10:35 AM

The B.C. government has announced $105 million dollars in relief funding for the province’s tourism sector.

The province was acting on a task force’s recommendations by committing $100 million in dedicated relief funding for the tourism sector, and $5 million to Indigenous Tourism BC to administer relief grant funding targeted for Indigenous businesses.

“This has been the most challenging year that people working in the tourism sector have ever faced, and while news about vaccines arriving in British Columbia give us reason to be hopeful, we aren’t through this storm yet,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “This dedicated relief funding for the tourism sector will help people get through these next few months so we can welcome visitors back to our beautiful province once it’s safe to do so.”

The $100-million dedicated relief funding for the tourism sector will be delivered through the existing Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has met with tourism and hospitality stakeholders, including members of the Tourism Task Force.

“We know how deeply businesses have been impacted by the restrictions in place to keep our communities safe from COVID-19,” Kahlon said. “Working with business owners and stakeholders, we’ve adjusted the application criteria and enhanced the supports for tourism businesses so they can continue to support their employees, address operating costs and be ready to welcome visitors again as soon as it’s safe to travel.”

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The ministry has simplified the application process and streamlined the criteria, making it easier for all businesses to qualify for grants, particularly those in the hard-hit tourism sector. Tourism businesses will now be eligible for up to $45,000, an increase compared to the previous maximum of $40,000, due to a boost in the additional funds now available to help the sector recover.

“On behalf of the Tourism Task Force, I want to thank the Government of British Columbia for its response to the recommendations set out in our report,” said Tamara Vrooman, task force chair, and president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority. “COVID-19 has had a severe impact on our tourism industry and we are confident the funding bridge will provide immediate relief to keep businesses open. This is a good first step to ensure we are well-positioned for recovery when we can once again welcome visitors to British Columbia.”

The B.C. Liberals say the new funding is just creating more delays and bureaucracy for the struggling businesses.

Teresa Wat, the critic for Tourism, Arts and Culture, says the funding comes months too late for many tourism businesses that have already been forced to close.

“Today’s announcement will also create further red tape for already struggling businesses as the funding is being tied to the government’s much-criticized small and medium-sized business grant program — an overly-bureaucratic program that has restricted access to supports for thousands of other B.C. businesses. After more than nine months of waiting for help from government, it is unacceptable and irresponsible that the NDP have wasted so much time before doing anything to support tourism-related businesses,” Wat added.

Quick Facts:

* The new relief fund more than doubles the $50 million announced in September 2020 in the StrongerBC economic recovery plan to implement the recommendations from the task force.

* The task force’s report has seven recommendations in three categories:
* allocation of emergency funds for businesses and the workforce;

* acceleration of growth for the tourism sector and enhancing sustainability; and

* informing a renewed strategic tourism framework.

Businesses can learn more about the eligibility criteria and apply online here.

Read the full Tourism Task Force final report and recommendations here.

by Pete McIntyre

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