Letter to the Premier - September 28th
Please see below for a recent Advocacy Activity:
NATIONAL ADVOCACY
TIANS continues to work with TIAC on key issues affecting Canada’s competitivness as a tourism destination. The national issues were highlighted in the TIAC Report; TIANS will continue to support TIAC on these important issues by ensuring Nova Scotia Members of Parliament are aware of the tourism issues.
QUALITY - IMPROVING THE NOVA SCOTIA PRODUCT
Nova Scotia Approved - Register Today!
Nova Scotia Approved provides you, the accommodation operator, with a quality program option that is not a rating system. Nova Scotia Approved is a benchmark of quality standards focused on cleanliness and state of repair. The quality standards were developed after extensive collaboration with representatives of fixed-roof accommodations, campgrounds and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
The program is available to all licensed properties and complimentary for 2010 to register for the program. Once you complete the online application, your property will be receiving an unannounced visit by our Quality Consultant who will assess your property based on the benchmark of the quality standards.
When your property meets the benchmark of quality standards, it will then be designated as a Nova Scotia Approved Accommodation and you will be eligible to participate in tourism partnership programs, sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
For more information, please visit www.nsapproved.ca.
FINANCIAL ADVOCACY
Consultation to Premier’s Economic Panel
On September 8th and 9th TIANS Chair and President attended a roundtable consultation with members of the Premier's Economic Committee. Representatives from various sectors and businesses were represented.
Convention Centre
TIANS continues its involvement of the Champions Roundtable hosted by the World Trade & Convention Centre to continue to support efforts that will result in a new Convention facility. On May 4, 2009 the Province of Nova Scotia and the Halifax Regional Municipality signed a memorandum of understanding to work together toward the development of a new convention centre. At the TIANS AGM Scott Ferguson, the interim President & CEO of Trade Centre Limited, recapped the benefits such a development would bring to the province, highlighting how the investment would contribute to the province's continued growth. To view this message, please click here.
In the fall edition of Atlantic Hotelier, TIANS submitted an article on the value of a new centre to the province. For full article, please click here.
Financial Review Interim Report Released
The findings of Phase 1 of the Province's Independent Financial Review by Deloitte were released on August 17th, showing the financial situation is worse than was presented by the previous government.
The report focuses on the province's current and future financial position with emphasis on the economic assumptions underlying the May 2009 budget, the impact of the former government's Building for Growth infrastructure plan, and an analysis of revenue and expenditure forecasts. To view the full media release, please click here. To view the Financial Review - Interim Report, please click here.
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
On August 18th, TIANS met with the new Minister of the Environment, the Honorable Sterling Belliveau, as a member of the Public Lands Coalition to encourage continued action on key priorities affecting tourism. To view the full presentation, please click here.
Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area Designated
On Thursday, September 17th, the Nova Scotia Department of Environment designated Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness as a protected wilderness area. Nova Scotians have a new protected wilderness area to explore, study, and enjoy near the Eastern Shore of Halifax Regional Municipality. The designation by the province of Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area helps protect the environment, gives today's families a protected place to experience nature and will bring a variety of economic opportunities to the region. To view this media release, please click here.
TIANS sent a media release applauding this announcement and urges government to continue to move closer to its goal of protecting 12% of Nova Scotia's landmass by 2015.
A Question of Balance - Green is the New Black Workbook and Self-Audit Forms
At the 2009 AGM, TIANS relaunched "The Question of Balance - Green is the New Black" self audit workbook which has been developed to provide operators with helpful information and a method for conducting your own sustainability audit.
Nova Scotia's tourism industry depends on a healthy environment. Visitors are attracted to tourism destinations that are successful at demonstrating environmental practices and stewardship. Responsible practices along with the use of local products and services tell a visitor we care about the place we live in. TIANS is committed to encouraging sustainable business practices. To download a copy of the workbook and self-audit forms, please click the links below.
Self Audit Forms by Sector:
TRANSPORTATION ADVOCACY
TIANS continues to support key transportation issues. In a submission to the new Minister of Tourism, TIANS highlighted key transportation issues related to roads, access to the province and the overall lack of strategic transportation strategy for the province.
TIANS is also continuing to support TIAC’s priorities related to the need for new air bilateral; the ongoing concerns with airport rents and landing fees. It is crucial that our airports are competitive as we compete with global destinations that are much cheaper to do business with.
HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES AND ADVOCACY
Food and Beverage Professionals Needed for National Occupational Standards Update!
The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council, in partnership with the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council, is currently recruiting Tourism Professionals from the Food and Beverage Sector to participate in a brief on line survey. The purpose of the survey is to ensure that the national occupational standards for Bartender, Food and Beverage Server and Food and Beverage Manager are relevant and up to date. National Occupational Standards are reviewed every three to five years to ensure that they reflect the current responsibilities of the position. Nova Scotia leads the country in representation for national projects!
If you are interested in participating in the survey, please click here for a direct link. The deadline for completing the survey is September 30, 2009. If you have any questions or would like to participate in future projects, please contact Jane Rozee at 496-7476.
Canadian Tourism Sector - Compensation Study National Report
The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC), with the assistance of provincial / territorial Human Resource Organizations (HROs) and other tourism associations, is pleased to provide compensation and benefits information for the tourism sector across Canada. This compensation study was conducted through the services of Hay Group. Hay Group is pleased to present the 2008 Canadian Tourism Sector Compensation Study. Participation has grown to 2,016 organizations and 76,195 incumbents from all provinces and territories. The study has been expanded to include the travel services industry and now includes information on 33 benchmark positions. The four primary tourism industry groups covered by the study are: Food & Beverage Services; Accommodation; Recreation & Entertainment; and, Travel Services. For details on how you can obtain the 2008 Research, please contact Jane Rozee jane_rozee@tourism.ca or (902) 496-7476
August 2009 Labour Force Survey Highlights
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The overall unemployment rate in the tourism sector was 7.5% in August 2009, below the national average of 8.7%.
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Since October 2008, overall employment in Canada has declined by 387,000 jobs. However, more than 92% of these jobs were lost between November and March. Over the past five months, employment has fallen by just 31,000 jobs.
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Notwithstanding this positive trend, the 2009 summer labour market was one of the most challenging for students aged 15 to 24. Their average unemployment rate reached 19.2% over the summer months, the second highest rate since comparable data became available in 1977.
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Within the tourism industry groups, the food and beverage services labour force saw the highest level of unemployment in August (9.0%), though employment within “drinking places” was up slightly compared to the same month last year. With an unemployment rate of 7.6%, the accommodations industry group also continues to be affected by job losses.
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Employment within the recreation & entertainment industry group performed fairly well in August. While the monthly unemployment rate was 5.0%, this was just half a percentage point higher than the rate seen in August 2008. Furthermore, the unemployment rates reported for the labour force in many of the individual recreation and entertainment industries were lower in August 2009 than in August 2008.
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On a regional basis, the tourism labour forces in Ontario and Quebec experienced higher proportions of unemployment compared to other areas of the country. This can be partially explained by the size of the tourism sector in these regions, but also by reduced tourism spending in these areas as a result of broader economic challenges in the provincial manufacturing, construction, and automotive industries.
WCB Announces 2010 Employer Rates
The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia announced its 2010 assessment rates to employers this week. It provided an excellent opportunity to remind employers of the importance of injury prevention and return to work as a means to reduce the cost of workplace injury insurance especially in tough economic times. To view the media release, please click here.
Toward a New Direction - Tourism Labour Market Issues: 2008- 2015
The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council has recently developed and released a Strategic Plan that highlights the tourism labour market challenges, issues and solutions for the next seven years. This document along with a presentation is being delivered to all sector groups and industry stakeholders ensuring that the tourism industry continues to address the key labour market issues that will affect its long term competitiveness and sustainability. To review the document please click here (6MB)
