May 27, 2021
Premier Jason Kenney Government of Alberta 10800 97 Ave Edmonton, Alberta
Dear Premier:
Re: Open for Summer Plan
On behalf of more than 700 Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) members, I would like to thank you and your government for your continued support for hotels, restaurants, and the hospitality industry. Your announcement of the extension of the Tourism Levy abatement to June 30, 2021, and the Open for Summer plan, which clearly defines a path to recovery, have provided much needed hope to hoteliers who are focussed on getting back to business this summer.
In support of the Open for Summer Plan, the AHLA is encouraging hotels to:
1. Talk to their staff about the importance of getting vaccinated, and supporting them to do this in any way they can. This may include one on one conversations to provide accurate information and address vaccine hesitancy, or helping with transportation or child care arrangements. 2. Assure the health & safety of employees and guests alike to build consumer confidence when it is time to travel safely once again. To this end, we have developed the AHLA Safe Accommodation Promise (ASAP). In under five months, over 25,000 hotel rooms have achieved the ASAP designation, including some of Alberta’s largest and most iconic properties. 3. Apply for the provincial Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant. 4. Apply for the Alberta Jobs Now program when they are able to hire again.
Our members look forward to welcoming business and leisure travelers and events once again. We thank your government for the measures it has taken to protect public health and restart Alberta’s struggling tourism economy. We believe these measures will enable the accommodation sector, the tourism industry, and our province to get through the pandemic and on the path to recovery.
Yours truly,
Dave Kaiser, CHA President & CEO cc. The Honourable Travis Toews, Minister of Treasury Board and Finance The Honourable Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health The Honourable Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation The Honourable Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Immigration The Honourable Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction Mr. Martin Long, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism
Inspiring Service, Growing Value 2707 Ellwood Drive SW T 780 436 6112 Edmonton, AB F 780 436 5404 T6X 0P7 TF 888 436 6112 ahla.ca