CEO'S MESSAGE
by James Chase
Recognizing that 15% of the world’s population is comprised of seniors and persons with disabilities, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), in consultation with the BC & Yukon Hotels’ Association (BCYHA) developed Access Canada.
Access Canada comes at a time when the provincial government just announced funding of $1.14 million to 2010 Legacies Now to ensure that people with disabilities, mobility impairments, or other challenges can enjoy all that BC has to offer.
People with disabilities can greatly contribute to the strength of our industry if we make sure that our attractions and tourism infrastructure are fully accessible to the sizeable market they represent.
Both the Access Canada program, and the recent funding announcement further demonstrate that industry and government are working together to fulfill the goal of doubling tourism revenues in BC by 2015.
Along with the Council of Tourism Associations (COTA), BCYHA continues to champion the cause of improving the fairness and standardization of property tax assessments for hotel operators.
Over the past year, we have expressed concerns over assessment practices and the deterioration of working relationships between accommodation property owners and BCA operational staff. BCYHA, COTA, and BCA, with assistance from the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue, have expressed the mutual desire to address assessment issues and improve working relationships between property owners and BCA staff.
Our immediate objectives include:
• improved predictability, consistency, and
clarity of accommodation property
assessments
• increase in the provision of accommodation
property information (e.g., financials, inventory
changes) to BCA operational staff
• reduced assessment appeals
• improved interpersonal relations between
property owners and BCA operational staff
• adoption of an industry consultation process
for proposed changes to accommodation
property assessment practices;
• communication of accommodation related
appeal outcomes on an ongoing basis
And finally, I’m pleased to report that once again, the 2007 BC Hotels’ Foundation Charity Golf Tournament has sold out. See you there!
