Respond, Restart & REcover
On Thursday May 21st we held a Tourism Town Hall to release our RESPOND, RESTART and RECOVER plan – a round map to responding and recovering from COVID-19 in the Tourism & Hospitality industry. Please click here to view our RESPOND, RESTART & RECOVER plan.
In the event you were unable to attend, you can view the Town Hall by clicking here – the town hall begins at the 8:17 mark (email registration required to view the webinar).
ORHMA Webinar
On Wednesday June 17th Tourism Windsor Essex held an information & Q&S session with the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association and local tourism & hospitality partners on the affects of COVID-19 on the industry and resources available.
If you didn’t have the opportunity to participate you can CLICK HERE to view the session.
WINDSOR ESSEX INDUSTRY IMPACT
Between May 11th & May 18th we conducted a survey to see the local impact of COVID-19 on our industry. You can click here to view the full results.
ACCESS TO PPE
Access to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has been highlighted as one of the top roadblocks in reopening businesses. Click the button below for a list of businesses in Windsor Essex that are currently selling PPE.
Exclusive offer for our partners. Check out ppeonline.ca for locally sourced PPE products. Use promo code TWEPI and save 5% on your order. Offer expires August 5th, 2020.
Provider |
Phone |
Supplies available |
| Bull & Barrel/The G.O.A.T | ppeonline.ca | Masks, Sanitization, Eye Protection, Gowns, Coveralls, Gloves, Sneeze or Counter Guards |
| Dynamic Design | 519-254-4367 | Masks, Gloves |
| M&M Designs | 519-982-5252 | Masks, Face Shields |
| Smartex | 800-387-4478 | Masks, Face Shields, Goggles |
| Wolfhead Distillery | 519-726-1111 | Sanitizer |
| Windsor Beauty Supply | 519-944-2300 | Masks, Sanitization, Gloves, Sneeze or Counter Guards |
| Macsomo Distributors | 519-980-1456 | Masks, Sanitization, Gloves, Sneeze or Counter Guards |
| Essex Weld Solutions Ltd.Supplies | 416-206-5499 | Masks, Eye Protection, Gowns and Coveralls |
| Talbot Marketing | 800-265-2607 | Masks, Eye Protection, Gloves, Sneeze or Counter Guards |
| Apex Health & Safety | 519-852-0021 | Masks, Sanitization, Eye Protection, Gowns, Coveralls, Gloves, Sneeze or Counter Guards |
Strategic partner RESPONSE
Tourism Windsor Essex partners with Ontario Southwest (RTO1-SWOTC) on a strategic research project to see how the pandemic has impacted travel intentions in 2020 in Windsor Essex, Southwestern Ontario,and the Province of Ontario. The results have been released and are available below:
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) hosts weekly calls for the opportunity for stakeholders to stay informed and engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Calls generally take place on Tuesdays at 3pm.
Click on the banner below to see past call notes and past survey results from the industry.
LATEST SURVEY RESULTS
- The results from the sixth TIAO survey on the industry impact due to COVID-19 are available, specific to RTO 1 (Ontario Southwest including Windsor Essex). Click here to download the PDF file.
- The results from the sixth TIAO survey on the industry impact due to COVID-19 are available. Click here to download the PDF file.
PAST SURVEY RESULTS
- For the fifth TIAO survey for RTO 1 Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the fifth TIAO survey Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the fourth TIAO survey for RTO 1 Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the fourth TIAO survey Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the third TIAO survey for RTO 1 Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the third TIAO survey Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the second TIAO survey for RTO 1 Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the second TIAO survey Click here to download the PDF file.
- For the first TIAO survey Click here to download the PDF file.
TIAO CALL NOTES
- On Tuesday March 17th TIAO held an industry stakeholder conference call. A summary of the Q&A from the conference calls is available here.
- On Tuesday March 24th TIAO held an industry stakeholder conference call. A summary of the Q&A from the conference call is available here.
ADDITIONAL TIAO INFORMATION
- TIAO has released an industry response for economic recovery based on comprehensive information and real-time financial data. To read the report please click here.
W.E Tech Alliance has put together a list of resources (most free or minimal cost) to help you amplify your digital footprint and evolve your business during these challenging times. Click here for their ‘Go Digital With These Tech Tools and Resources’ list.
The Windsor-Essex Small Business Centre, W.E. Tech Alliance and the EPICentre has launched the Nimble Program for small business support. The Nimble Program will support traditional small businesses looking to adapt technology to create new revenue streams or pivot to a new business model to achieve sustainability through a program valued at over $6,000. For details or to apply please click here.
Destination Ontario has released a report ‘Impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian Economy and Consumer Sentiment’ that helps understand the impact of COVID-19 as of July 16th, 2020, the consumer mindset and to inform marketing recovery strategies moving forward. To view the report please click here.
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has released a report ‘State of the Tourism industry in Canada’ (released the week of April 20th). To view the report please click here.
The Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation (SWOTC – RTO1) is providing COVID-19 resources for tourism suppliers
RESOURCES AT A NATIONAL LEVEL
Federal Funding & Support Measures for Businesses
The Government of Canada is providing COVID-19 Resources for Business and a Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
The Business Development Bank of Canada is providing federal and provincial support measures during the pandemic. Click here for more. Timely webinars assisting businesses to adapt and recover can be found here.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has created the Canadian Business Resilience Network offering critical resources to assist businesses through the pandemic.
RE3 (Rebuild, Reopen, Revive) is a government funded program that provides non-repayable performance based contributions up to $5,000 to assist Southern Ontario women-led SMEs rebuild, reopen and revive their businesses. Click here for program details.
Tourism HR is helping the tourism workforce prepare and react.
Assistance for Tour Operators & Small Businesses – click here for details.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has created a COVID-19 resource guide for small businesses.
Restaurant Canada has released the Reopening Best Practices for local restaurants opening and following proper social distancing measures
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has released COVID-19 Reopening Guidance: Considerations for the Global Attractions Industry
TripAdvisor is offering resources for Hospitality, Restaurants, Tour Operators and Experiences
In response to COVID-19 the Hotel Association Canada is offering a guide to enhanced industry-wide hotel cleaning standards and practices, social interactions and workplace protocols.
RESOURCES AT A PROVINCIAL LEVEL
Provincial Supports for Businesses
The Province of Ontario is offering Support for Businesses during the pandemic. Click here for the latest on the COVID-19 emergency status by the province. Click here for the current plans to reopen Ontario after COVID-19
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services is providing resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace. Please click any of the links below for downloadable files for your workplace, as they relate to the Tourism Industry.
- General Health & Safety Guidelines for the Tourism & Hospitality Sector
- Health & Safety Guidelines for Housekeeping and Laundry Employees
- Healthy & Safety Guidelines for Hotel Reception, Room Service & Front Line Staff
- ‘Return To Business’ Checklist‘Return To Business’ Checklist
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is providing COVID-19 updates for the agri-food industry
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has created a COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness for Ontario Businesses
The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) is providing COVID-19 updates for BIAs across the province.
Google Business – Make sure you update your Google Business Profile to reflect the current status during COVID-19
The Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Toronto Board of Trade and World Trade Centre, Toronto to offer the Recovery Activation Program (RAP) to non-main street businesses. It is an immersive online workshop program that connects businesses with industry experts for guidance, mentorship and practical advice on process modernization and end-to-end digital transformation.
Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORMHA) Hospitality Resource Page
In addition ORHMA has released a practical guide and support program for reopening and creating guest confidence. You can find details and relevant information at dinesafe.ca.
ORHMA has developed Rules For Opening Ontario’s Indoor Restaurant And Event Areas In Stage 3.
As we move into Stage 3 of re-opening, gatherings including Meetings, Conferences & Social Events will be permitted. To assist, ORHMA has developed the Practical Guide for the Safe Reopening of Meeting and Events in Ontario.
Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) has created a COVID-19 Resources Page for local festivals and events. Please check out their Event Business Disruption and Continuity Planning infographic for additional information.
Ontario Live has created MusicTogether to allow musical artists to put on virtual concerts and get paid for their performance
Government of Ontario Resources to Prevent COVID-19 in the Workplace
The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board is providing COVID-19 updates, including a Financial Relief Package for Businesses
Retail and Professional Services Task Force “how to guide” is a resource that provides procedures and guidelines to help businesses with their recovery efforts as they begin to prepare for reopening.
