TIAC In ACTION – March 21, 2023

ADVOCACY UPDATE

Federal Budget - March 28

The Government of Canada will soon deliver Budget 2023 and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), along with the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses , is working to ensure that tourism is prioritized. With the right investments made now, the government can harness tourism to drive economic growth and boost the sector’s international competitiveness.

In last year’s Budget, the federal government committed to a new Tourism Growth Strategy to rebuild the sector and chart a course for growth, investment and stability. This strategy will be critical to tourism’s recovery - no other sector suffered the same degree of loss and destabilization from the pandemic. TIAC advocates for the strategy to:

· Compete internationally

· Rebuild the industry’s workforce

· Invest in new tourism assets

· Improve visitor access to Canada

· Be supported by a central Cabinet Committee

· Establish a Tourism Policy Council for oversight and accountability

Please take a moment to send a pre-written letter that will automatically go to your Member of Parliament at the link below. Then, follow up with a phone call to your MP and don’t forget to share TIAC’s downloadable social media graphic here to help spread the word!

Send Letter

Fighting for Debt Relief

Does your tourism business currently hold a Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), or Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) loan? If so, TIAC wants to hear from you! Last year, the government extended the repayment deadline for CEBA loan holders to qualify for partial loan forgiveness to Dec. 31, 2023; but in recent months TIAC has heard from some operators that are concerned about their capacity to repay by then. As a result, TIAC is launching a study with Nanos Research to more fully understand the issue across Canada. The information obtained will provide TIAC with the critical information it needs to develop its strategic advocacy proposals to best serve the sector.

Take Survey

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tourism Week 2023 

Get set for this year’s weeklong celebration of tourism in Canada! Tourism Week is an annual invitation for all tourism partners to come together to champion and promote Canada’s destinations, tourism businesses, and employees – from coast to coast to coast. This year’s event will take place April 24-30, 2023. After three challenging years for tourism, the upcoming spring/summer travel season will be the first without pandemic-related border restrictions. There’s no better time to celebrate the industry than this year - that’s why this year’s theme is CANADA: Powered by Tourism! We’re calling on all tourism businesses to join the fun – get involved!

Learn More

Your Invitation to Tourism Week Reception

TIAC Members* are invited to attend a special Tourism Week evening reception to kick off celebrations in Ottawa on Monday, April 24, from 6-8 p.m. at the Shaw Centre (55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa). Invited guests will also include Members of Parliament, Senators, and senior staff from all federal departments that play a role in tourism. For those TIAC Members who live out of town, the nearby Westin Ottawa has provided a special room block for the evening of April 24, with accommodation available for $299 (taxes extra). RSVP your attendance to the reception at the link below... but hurry, space is limited!

TIAC Tourism Town Halls Continue

Through May, the TIAC team will be meeting with tourism businesses and stakeholders across Canada as part of its 2023 series of Tourism Town Halls launched earlier this year in January. The sessions are delivered in-person in every province and territory and offer a forum for the industry to meet with TIAC representatives and partners to discuss, debate and have dialogue on the most pressing issues facing the industry. Find a complete list of remaining dates and locations below. Registration is FREE and includes best-practice sessions and a complimentary lunch!

Phase II Launched of Sustainable Tourism Symposium

Full recordings of TIAC’s recent Sustainable Tourism Symposia are now available online, as part of the second phase of the program. SMEs in the tourism sector can make use of free workshops, one-on-one coaching, and guided support as part of Phase II. For more information, contact Anne-Marie Forcier, TIAC Director of Program Development: aforcier@tiac-aitc.ca.

Send Email

READI or Not?

As the national voice and champion of the industry, TIAC has created the READI program to help tourism businesses thrive in challenging times. Made possible with the support of the Government of Canada, the programs and resources under the READI program (of which both the Sustainable Tourism Symposium and the Tourism Town Halls are a part of) are designed to educate and elevate SMEs operating in the space; enabling them to learn, grow, and adapt as the recovery continues.

Learn More

Global Meetings Industry Day

Mark your calendar - March 30 next week is Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID)!

The annual day of international recognition for the positive social and economic benefits that meetings, trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, conventions and incentive travel programs bring to people, businesses and communities is back once more.

Get Involved

CLIA Offers New Sustainability Toolkit

The Cruise Line Industry Association recently launched a new, online interactive resource showing how the sector is advancing its sustainability agenda. The toolkit is intended to help the wider cruise community share stories and raise awareness with local communities and the general public about how cruising is an integral part of societies and economies.

Access Here

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