Recent response measures to the COVID-19 outbreak have created a great deal of concern among tourism stakeholders at all levels. Restrictions in international travel, event cancellations and other developments present an unprecedented set of challenges for tourism operators across the region.
We share your concerns at the CCCTA and we are working to coordinate efforts within the industry and other stakeholders, including operators, other tourism regions, Emergency Management BC and other provincial and federal bodies. This includes planning for messaging, response actions, marketing and recovery planning for the industry. There is ongoing coordination of efforts at all levels to ensure that the needs of the tourism industry are taken into consideration in response and recovery planning.
We will be conducting regular information gathering to determine the ongoing impacts of this event. You may be contacted by our staff as we gather as detailed a picture as we can. This information will be used to inform response and recovery efforts. If you would like to provide information and updates on your business or community, please contact our office at 250-392-2226 and advise the staff person you are volunteering business impacts .
While there is no way to accurately predict how long this event will last, we are encouraging operators to plan for an extended depression in international and regional travel numbers. Early and effective planning will be critical to minimize impacts on businesses and the industry as a whole.
We urge operators to update and refresh their business continuity plans, or to start the planning process. Business continuity planning support is available through the CCCTA, and planning materials will be made available through our website. For more information or planning support, please contact our emergency program coordinator at josh@landwithoutlimits.com or 250-392-2226 .
In the meantime, we advise all operators to stay informed on current developments via official sources and follow guidelines put in place by the BC Centre for Disease Control and your local health Authority. As more information comes available we will update a special website page .
While this event is an unprecedented challenge for our industry and our operators, we are confident that effective planning and the characteristic resilience of our people will carry us through.
Stay well, Amy