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.ASSOCIATION NEWS
Last Chance for your registration to win you $50!
OMCA
OMCA members registered for Marketplace 2021 by July 31st (tomorrow!) are entered to win a $50 gift card of their choice. There are multiple prizes to be won, but you can’t win unless you’re in! Register today.
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Thank you to our faithful members
OMCA
OMCA wants to send an enormous thank you to members that have renewed with us for 2021. We are acutely aware of the financial strain that our members are facing and truly appreciate being considered a priority when funds are scarce. We will honour your commitment to us by fulfilling our commitment to you through our advocacy efforts, our educational webinars, and our business/social networking opportunities. If you aren’t sure whether you have renewed with us for 2021, please take a minute to check the Member Portal under the invoices tab. Thanks again for your continued support.
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Sponsorship Opportunities Available for the OMCA Marketplace
OMCA
Many thanks to our returning sponsors at this year’s 2021 OMCA Marketplace! There are still a few opportunities left for those that want their names at the forefront of the industry’s recovery. Check out our website for current opportunities and connect with us directly if you have sponsorship ideas that we haven’t though of yet.
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Update from the OMCA President
OMCA
This week I had the opportunity to meet with the Senior Policy Advisor for Minister Mulroney at the Ministry of Transportation and Senior Policy Advisor for the Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra’s office at Transport Canada. Both meetings provided our association the opportunity to highlight policy issues that are hammering our recovery and to discuss how the association, our members and the minister’s offices can work together on proactive and business forward policies. We continue to address members question with government on the recent border announcement and are working with ABA and US Travel to get clarity on the CDC’s acceptance of mixed vaccines as fully vaccinated travelers. If you haven’t done so, I would encourage you to connect with your Regional Development Agency and consider applying for the Tourism Relief Fund. This $485 million fund aims to directly support businesses to help them adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. Contributions are either non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs or fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs and projects can be back dated to April 22, 2021. Since this fund is a 50% grant, I suggest that members consider projects that include funds already spent (since April 22, 2021) and funds that will be spent on restarting your businesses. If successful, applicants could receive a 50% grant for these expenses. As we progress through Ontario's Reopening plan, the government has indicated that they are looking to further reduce restrictions, resuming more business operations "with some public health measures, if appropriate." The team will be monitoring any changes and will communicate impacts to our members. This move forward is contingent upon hitting certain key health indicator targets, the main one being vaccination rates. So, if you haven’t done so, please make an appointment and join the fully vaxxed club! Please reach out with any comments or questions. Vince Accardi
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Updated COVID-19 Screening Tools for Step 3 of Reopening
OMCA
OMCA received notice from the Heritage, Tourism and Culture Ministry that following COVID-19 screening tools have been updated to align with the requirements in O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3. Please read the following material for information on how these changes apply to your business operation or organization.
- The COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Patrons) has been updated to align with requirements for patron screening per Step 3, and wording has been clarified from the previous version. The tool can be accessed online or downloaded (PDF) from the Ontario government website.
- The COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers) has been updated. The tool can be accessed online or downloaded (PDF) from the Ontario government website.
- The COVID-19 Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations (Signage Instructions) has been simplified. The instructions can be downloaded (PDF) from the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Sector website.
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.INDUSTRY NEWS
BRINGING IN TOURISTS: Small Ontario town gets creative
Travel Industry Today
In tough times it helps to think outside the box. The small town of Erin, Ontario, situated about 80 kilometres northwest of Toronto, is doing just that. With a population under 12,000, Erin is considering bylaw changes that would enable local farms to operate agri-tourism ventures like farm to fork restaurants, cideries, culinary schools and overnight accommodations in structures like bunkies and yurts.
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Changes in travel are likely here to stay. And that's a good thing
Travel Weekly
As the world finally starts to reopen and we emerge from the pandemic, there are so many things that have been altered or impacted by COVID-19.
For us in travel, we were among the first industries that had to adapt and introduce all the sweeping changes or measures to be COVID-safe. As we all look to return to normal, there are several measures that will likely be long-lasting, permanent and even — dare I say — welcomed ones.
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WHAT TRAVELLERS WANT: Understanding the new mindset
Travel Industry Today
New research from Expedia Group release yesterday reveals shifting views on travel, including positive sentiment on vaccine passports, increased budgets, and an enduring demand for safety and financial security. Moreover, the research — based on a survey of 8,000 people, including Canada, and detailed in the Traveler Value Index — suggests that price is no longer primary driver of travel decisions.
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'How are we going to survive?': CFIB petitioning to have wage and rent subsidy extended
CTV News
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on the federal government to extend the wage and rent subsidy programs for businesses.
Since the pandemic began, Ottawa has provided financial support to businesses through subsidies, but as the Canadian economy gradually reopens, the government is winding down these programs.
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