The province鈥檚 newly minted tourism task force is hitting the road next week to solicit input and direction from those working in and operating businesses in an industry that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tamara Vrooman, chairwoman of the 11-member group, said the task force has been meeting throughout the past month to prepare to engage with the industry and help map out a path to recovery.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a very strong sense of urgency,鈥� said Vrooman, the chief executive of Vancouver International Airport. 鈥淲e know the tourism industry was hit hard in the summer and fall and now with a second wave, and greater anxiety about the moving of people both domestically and internationally, it signals we may have a ways to go yet.鈥�
Vrooman said there is noticeable anxiety throughout the industry, and the task force, which includes many industry insiders, understands the importance of finding solutions that will support the sector.
When it was established in mid-September, the task force was to identify actions that would help both businesses and workers hit by the pandemic.
The province promised $50 million to implement recommendations from the task force, and then-finance minister Carole James promised there would be more to come in next year鈥檚 budget.
Vrooman said the task force has already identified priorities 鈥� what鈥檚 needed in order to get people travelling safely again, how the industry and government can better support workers, and ensuring there is enough liquidity so businesses can survive until it鈥檚 once again safe to travel.
But she stressed the task force is open to all submissions and wants to ensure everyone鈥檚 voice is heard.
Vrooman said the group will take submissions and hold virtual meetings for all regions of the province and make sure they are speaking with representatives from different parts of the industry.
The task force was unable to start its engagement process during the election period, but used that time to get itself up to speed on all submissions so far, determine what has worked and not worked, and mine the expertise within its own ranks.
The provincial tourism industry last year accounted for $21.5 billion in combined revenue, employed 166,000 people and provided $1.8 billion in tax revenue.
Destination sa国际传媒 expects the industry could see that revenue plummet to about $6.7 billion this year.
The task force is to report back to government before the end of the year.
