Today, the Government of Alberta announced that hotels and other lodging providers can delay paying the tourism levy until Aug. 31 for amounts that become due to government on or after today. The news release reads: This will free up more than $5 million in additional cash flow for employers – money that can be [...]
On March 19, AHLA President & CEO Dave Kaiser met by telephone with the Honourable Jason Copping, Minister of Labour & Immigration. The Minister wanted to fully understand how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting Alberta hotels. The AHLA identified a number of impacts, including: Massive layoffs of employees in properties of all sizes in all [...]
On Tuesday, March 17, the Government of Alberta declared a Public Health Emergency, and announced a number of new restrictions that may affect your property: Gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited. Albertans are prohibited from attending public recreational facilities. This includes hotel swimming pools and fitness areas. Restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, and other food [...]
The Federal Government has designated the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to develop liquidity options for affected industries. The programs are already being rolled out (with updates daily) and below is some initial information from BDC. Small- and medium- sized businesses (defined as 499 employees or less) can have access to up to $100,000 [...]
AHLA President & CEO, Dave Kaiser, met with the Premier and Ministers of Finance and Economic Development, Trade, & Tourism on March 17 to ask for additional tools to support Alberta’s hotel industry and its employees as a result of the COVID-19 situation. Recommendations include: Liquidity & Credit Extend the payment deadline for Tourism Levy [...]
As concerns about the COVID-19 Coronavirus spread, The AHLA is working to ensure its members have current and accurate information about the COVID-19 Coronavirus. *Information provided by the Government of Alberta. What is a Coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause respiratory illness in people, ranging from mild common colds to severe [...]
By Shannon Neighbour, Svensen-Neighbour Recruiting Many of us have seen how a bad hire can wreak havoc on an organization. Even the best recruiters and hiring managers occasionally make a hire that doesn’t work out. However, sometimes the issue is not a bad hire. Sometimes, it’s a poorly designed recruitment and onboarding strategy that leads [...]
Cyberattacks on Canadian businesses have been steadily increasing over the past couple of years, with 82% of Canadian businesses reporting an increase in cyberattacks over the last 12 months. The use of ransomware by cybercriminals to target businesses, and even local governments, is increasing. What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a form of malware that is [...]
Starting later in 2020, all Alberta accommodation providers, including short-term rentals, will be required to pay the four per cent Tourism Levy, as stated on pages 175-6 in the 2020 provincial budget. The AHLA applauds the government on this positive first step to fair rules for short-term rentals, and will continue to work with the [...]
The City of Edmonton’s Urban Planning Committee convened on February 25 to further discuss the regulation of short-term rentals (STRs). In August 2019, after hearing from Airbnb hosts; neighbours; and representatives of the hotel industry, including Tracy Douglas-Blowers, the AHLA’s Director of Membership & Industry Relations, council’s Urban Planning Committee recommended that short-term rentals be required [...]
