The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and Community Futures are collaborating to build a sustainable tourism industry to combat the negative impacts of the pandemic.
In an effort to assist in rebuilding a thriving tourism industry in B.C., TOTA and nine Community Futures offices across the region have signed an agreement to develop a strategy to assist businesses in the tourism industry. As a result, Community Futures hopes to announce new programming in the coming weeks for tourism operators.
With many tourism organizations in the region undergoing costly changes, loss of tourist traffic, a decrease in revenue and full-on closures, Community Futures said they wanted to examine potential partnership opportunities with TOTA where they could come together to support the tourism operators affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Because of the borders being closed and social distancing tourism operators are not seeing the traffic that they would normally see,” said Blair Gray, general manager of Community Futures Thompson Country, adding domestic tourism doesn’t have the volume to fill the resulting gap.
The newly formed collaboration is in the early stages of planning.
TOTA currently operates the tourism resilience program that was created to help tourism businesses navigate through COVID-19 after effects. Community Futures are hopeful they will launch a tourism-specific loan program with the details coming out soon.
“All Community Futures offices provide direct business support,” said Gray. “So if businesses need help with their finances, marketing, or human resources we are always there to discuss those needs to send business owners in the right direction.”
Community Futures also has its own leading program if businesses are seeking capital.
Community Futures received the regional relief and recovery fund (RRRF), the federal lending dollars specific to the COVID-19 pandemic which is very similar to the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) leading program where business owners can receive up to $40,000 through their banks and 25 per cent of it is non-repayable if paid back before 2022.
The vision is to support tourism operators to help keep their business doors open. However, with threats of a potential second wave of COVID-19, some wonder if it’s the right step to push tourism.
“If everyone in the province continues to follow Dr. Bonnie’s recommendations and continues to social distance then it remains safe for residents and travellers,” said Gray, adding most businesses are working extremely hard to keep their operations safe.
In addition, larger tourist centres are better equipped to handle travellers, unlike some smaller remote communities.
Business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are interested in applying to Community Futures funding can go to their website for further information.
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