Hospitality sector briefing on COVID-19 impacts and responses, including ideas to get through and immediate business support needs

1. COVID-19 impacts
& response
19 March 2020

2.  COVID-19 impacts and response plans
– Jason Dawson, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
 Questions around business support package
– Ashleigh Turner, Regional Business Growth Lead, Te Waka
 Whiteboard brainstorming session
– Vicky Ravlich Horan, Waikato Food Inc
Immediate business needs
Ideas and solutions
 Questions and wrap up

3. Annual visitor expenditure
Domestic visitors
International visitors
SOURCE: MRTEs (YE Jan 2020)
Waikato’s top four international markets Domestic still strong at 75%

4.  Domestic  International

5.  International travel restrictions
– inbound & outbound, 80% flight reduction
 International marketing put on hold
– with Tourism New Zealand
 Domestic & local marketing
– awaiting guidance from Govt
 Events 500 pax (indoor & outdoor) cancelled
– awaiting further guidance from Govt
 Corporate & domestic travel
– significant cancellations, reduced flight capacity
MOOD OF
THE NATION
39%
of NZers planned to
decrease
international travel
17%
planned to
decrease domestic
travel
(KANTAR, 10 March)

6.  $5.1 billion in wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors
$126 million in COVID-19 leave & self-isolation support
 $100 million redeployment package
 $2.8 billion in business tax changes to free up cash flow, including
a provisional tax threshold lift, the reinstatement of building
depreciation and writing off interest on the late payment of tax
 $600 million initial aviation support package – excluding Air NZ
Find out more: www.waikatonz/coronavirus & factsheets

7.  Expanded Regional Business Partner Programme
via Te Waka regional business growth team
 Needs assessment, operator training and business support
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, Te Waka, Chambers of Commerce
(Waikato wide), business associations, etc
 Benefit stand down period removed
 MSD rapid response teams established
across most impacted regions

8.  Famils (local famils for operators)
 Training (local & sector-based)
 Free online training (paywalls lifted)
 Streamed / virtual events
 Self isolation / wellbeing / social distancing
packages & experiences in Waikato (creation
& promotion)
 Move maintenance forward
 Upgrade AV / wifi / capital infrastructure
 Response to Sept-Dec postponement impacts
 Personal shopping / delivery services need
 “Shop local, buy local, eat local, stay local”
 Shared economy – cafes / hotel restuarants
(Uber Eats or promote direct takeout)
 Short-term housing shortage (or) shared co-
working spaces for commercial
accommodation and event venues
 Student capability (resources from University)
 Promote ‘industry rates’ for local operators
 Declaration form for guests / attendees

9. BRING FORWARD & CREATE BLOCK TRAINING COURSES ACROSS THE VISITOR SECTOR:
 Hosting events and famils
 Health & safety
 Te reo Maori language (plus Waikato-Tainui & Kiingitanga history)
 NZ Tourism Sustainability Commitment, initiatives & the Tiaki Promise
 Ambassador programme
 Customer service training + dealing with other cultures (China, halal, etc)
 Digital marketing – Google My Business, TripAdvisor, TNZ, social media, etc
 China Ready workshops (payments, social media, Fliggy, Alipay, etc)
 Polices and procedures – develop standard operating newsletters

10.  Mental well-being for staff
 Casual workforce support and retention
 PAYE reduction and support
 Volunteer support package (mainly 65+ volunteer workforce)
 Community resilience
 Support and advice around business closure
 Advocacy to our banks – free support, advice, loan/mortgage extensions, no fees
 Financial support and budgeting advice for employees (individual support)
 Who to report people breaking self-isolation protocol (international visitors)
– contact Immigration NZ Contact Centre on 0508 225 288

11. PRIORITY NEEDS & ISSUES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Loss of customers  “We’re still open” public messages (depends on Govt
announcement on gatherings) with endorsements from
authorities & public figures
 Take precautionary measures (reduced seating,
increased social distancing, declaration forms on tables)
 Develop loyalty programmes to reward customers
Loss of revenue  Access to business support package - Work & Income
Impact on staff payments  Advice from Business Growth Advisors to resolve this
issue – provide feedback on Business Survey
Threshold of staff sickness / self isolation
support
 Advice from Business Growth Advisors to resolve this
issue – provide feedback on Business Survey
Staff absence or sickness during COVID-19  Waikato Food Inc to offer a talent pool / job sharing
service (initially via Facebook page?)

12. PRIORITY NEEDS & ISSUES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Courageous conversations with banks &
landlords
 Be proactive and talk to your banks and IRD
 Landlords want to retain tenancy, so be proactive
 ‘Business Health’ webinar coming next week from
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism with PWC
Staff wellness – mental & physical  One operator offering staff free Vitamin-C tablets
 Book flu vaccinations for staff early but don’t be
disappointed if you miss out (Anglesea Clinic)
 Display signage around duty of care for staff
Investigate new revenue streams & initiatives  Home & workplace delivery, pick up points
 Create take-home meals options
 Develop quick service offering & food trucks
 Book an order

13. PRIORITY NEEDS & ISSUES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Business resilience training  Reducing discretionary costs
 Streamlining menus, etc
Safety messaging & actions
covid19.govt.nz
 Displaying hand washing & COVID-19 signage –
posters available from the Ministry of Health:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-
novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-resources
 Gatherings & events (now limited to 100 people indoors as at
4pm, 19 March 2020) – guidelines from Ministry of Health:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-
novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-information-specific-
audiences/covid-19-advice-public-events-and-mass-gatherings
 Guidelines for cleaning:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-
novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-information-specific-
audiences/general-cleaning-information-covid-19

14. Find out more:
waikatonz.com/covid19