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TIAC’s Annual Tourism Congress Brings Industry Together to ‘Reimagine Tourism’ | More than 460 tourism professionals from across Canada gathered at The Westin Ottawa last week for Tourism Congress (Nov. 22-23), an annual event hosted by TIAC. This year's theme of "Reimagining Tourism" featured Destination Think’s CEO Rodney Payne delivering the keynote address on the need for transformative change in tourism before two days of lively discussions on the industry's present challenges and future opportunities; including a fireside chat between TIAC’s Marc Seguin, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, and special guest Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance. Those that missed tourism's marquee event are invited to view recordings now available for a fee – reduced exclusively for TIAC Members! | |
Message from the President & CEO | |
Just like that, we arrive at the last issue of TIAC Talk this year, and what better way to cap things off than with a look at Tourism Congress 2022! Months of planning, weeks of excitement, and dizzying days of frenzied activity culminated in a Congress to remember for all of us.
Over two days at the end of November, we heard from an incredible line up of speakers and panellists, who collectively challenged us to reimagine what a better tourism industry could look like. From the opening keynote (...)
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TIAC Announces Canadian Tourism Awards 2022 Winners | |
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TIAC presented the winners of its 2022 Canadian Tourism Awards, sponsored by WestJet and the Toronto Star, at a gala reception on the last day of Tourism Congress (Nov. 23). Congratulations to all winners below!
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Floor13 Business Event Award: Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada 2022 PDAC Conference – Toronto ON
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Air Canada Business of the Year Award: Great Wolf Lodge – Niagara Falls, ON
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ITAC Indigenous Tourism Award: Heritage Path Tour – Elisipogtog Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre
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VIA Rail Canada Innovator of the Year Award: AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village
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Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award: ERTCU Travel Group
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Air Transat Sustainable Tourism Award: Eagle Wing Tours
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Tourism HR Canada Employee of the Year Award: Kaleigh Potts, Adventure Canada
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Tourism HR Canada Employer of the Year Award: Tourism Kingston
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TMAC Travel Media Award: Must Do Canada, Karla and Matthew Bailey
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Last Chance to Join TIAC's Board of Directors
On Jan 17, 2023, TIAC will hold its Annual General Meeting virtually (save the date; registration will take place soon). At that time, a new Board of Directors will be elected. This notice is to serve as a call for nominations for five open seats on the board. Applicants must work for a company that is a TIAC Class A member in good standing. For full eligibility requirements and to submit your nomination, click below, enter your TIAC Membership login information, and select “Call for Nominations 2023.” But hurry! Nominations are due soon, on Dec. 9, 2022.
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Forecast 2023: TIAC Weighs in on What the Future Holds
Will the New Year see a recovery to Canada's tourism sector? That's the million-dollar question. To answer it, Canadian Travel Press interviewed several top executives from across the industry, including TIAC's President & CEO Beth Potter in its latest edition (on page 14). In it, Beth speaks about the challenges and opportunities that 2023 will bring - and the overarching need to balance recovery with sustainability.
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Image courtesy of Baxter Media | | | |
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Destination Canada Unveils Fall Tourism Outlook
Canada’s destination marketing organization says this country’s tourism sector recovery is strengthening; with domestic travel leading the way, international arrivals returning slowly, and the U.S. market seen as the biggest opportunity.
Leisure travel is now expected to recover to 2019 levels by 2024, one year earlier than previously forecasted in Spring 2022.
The outlook predicts domestic tourism will continue to lead the sector's recovery. Domestic travel market spending is expected to reach 92% of 2019 levels by the end of this year, and fully recover in 2023.
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Worldwide Tourism Recovery Accelerates to Reach 65% of Pre-Pandemic Levels
An estimated 700 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September this year - more than double (+133%) the number recorded for the same period in 2021, reports the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This equates to 63% of 2019 levels and puts the sector on course to reach 65% of its pre-pandemic levels this year worldwide, in line with UNWTO scenarios. Results were boosted by strong pent-up demand, improved confidence levels and the lifting of travel restrictions in an increasing number of destinations.
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You are Invited to TIAC’s New Ask an Expert Webinar
Need an expert opinion? Attend a virtual session that’s part of a brand-new webinar series launched by TIAC! Ask an Expert provides all TIAC Members (including Associate Members!) with access to crucial information, insights, and knowledge to help grow your business and improve your organization's bottom line. All sessions are recorded and made available to TIAC Members on demand. Webinars will take place on the third Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. ET, depending on speaker availability. The first one is set to take place this Thursday Dec. 8 (2-3 p.m. ET) – sign up below!
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TIAC Launches Associate Member Program
TIAC is launching its new Associate Member program, a special tier that lets members of other membership-based tourism organizations opt-in to join TIAC at a more affordable introductory rate. Through the program, Associate Members can be a part of TIAC’s efforts advocating on behalf of the industry at the national level and enjoy a sampling of the many great benefits that come with a full TIAC Membership. With the Associate Member program, two distinct tiers of TIAC membership are now available to tourism professionals! Do you belong to a membership-based tourism organization? Contact TIAC’s Julie Gauvreau, Manager of Member Services, to find out how your organization can partner with TIAC to get started!
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Sport Tourism Industry gathered in Edmonton for Sport Events Congress 2022
Almost 400 delegates attended Sport Events Congress 2022 (SEC22) in Edmonton recently, for the first in-person gathering of Canadian sport event rights holders, destinations, and event suppliers since March 2019.
Organized by Sport Tourism Canada, the event took place at the Edmonton Convention Centre Nov. 2-4, 2022, in partnership with Explore Edmonton, the Government of Alberta, and Travel Alberta.
Plans are now underway for SEC23, which will be held June 6-8, 2023, at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel & Vancouver Airport Marriott in Richmond, B.C.
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Government Launches International Experience Canada Program
The Government of Canada is launching the 2023 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program, with a 20% increase in the number of applicants who can apply. Applicants will be able to apply as of Jan. 9, 2023. The IEC is a reciprocal program that allows Canadian and international youth to work and travel in each other's countries. This increase means that nearly 90,000 candidates will be able to work and travel in Canada, helping employers fill labour gaps in Canada's tourism industry.
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Employers and temporary workers to benefit from family work permits to address labour shortages | |
Starting in January 2023, through a temporary two-year measure, Canada will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers at all skill levels. This would include families of workers in health care, trades and hospitality, for example. As a result of this new approach, it is estimated that family members of more than 200,000 foreign workers could begin working in Canada, offering a greater opportunity for both foreign workers seeking to work in Canada and for employers addressing their labour needs. | |
Hello to New and Renewed TIAC Members | |
TIAC is delighted to welcome our newest members who joined us in November:
- Association of Mountain Park Protection and Enjoyment
- Barkerville Historic Town and Park
- Brockville Tourism
- Cape Smokey Holding Ltd.
- Capital information Kiosk
- Connect Media
- EXAR Studios Inc.
- Explore Summerside
- Foodietown.ca
- InterVISTAS Consulting
- Meewasin Valley Authority
- MMGY NextFactor
- Tourism Squamish
Thank you to the TIAC Members who have renewed and continue to support our advocacy efforts. Our success depends on you!
TIAC represents all industry stakeholders, including leisure, business meetings, sports, and event travel.
As the national voice of the industry and the champion of the visitor economy in Canada, TIAC has a 90-year track record of creating positive change and growth opportunities and driving success for our members.
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TIAC’s own Jennifer Beatty, Director, Partnerships, has been selected to join the International Board of Directors with Meeting Planners International (the governing body responsible for developing and leading MPI's strategic plans).
Jennifer will also assume the role of the 2022 Chair of the Global Board of Trustees for the MPI Foundation (a not-for-profit organization that funds grants, scholarship and pan-industry research to support the global meeting and events industry).
She will officially assume her dual role on Jan. 1, 2023, for the term ending Dec. 31, 2023. Kudos to Jennifer!
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Our most pressing issue we face as a region is the misconception that we are just another Oil and Gas Town. Certainly, we have Oil and Gas, but we have so much more. We are the major retail centre of the north, servicing almost 300,000 people in our trade area annually. We have some of the largest retail outlets in Canada. We also have such a diverse culture of wide-open, unique adventures awaiting visitor’s discovery while maintaining an uncommercialized urban settings in our regional centres. Our forestry, agriculture, galleries, theatre, sports facilities all contribute to the most excellent experiences for our guests.
Why are you a TIAC Member?
We are members because TIAC it is our voice at a much higher level. We have access to greater opportunities via TIAC. It provides us a platform to be heard and our message taken to regions and destinations we otherwise could not access. The advocacy undertaken to maintain the tourism sector’s vibrancy and relevancy nationally and internationally is fundamentally vital.
What TIAC member benefit do you find most useful?
Historically the GPRTA has not made full use of all the offerings and benefits TIAC has. Being in my role as the Executive Director for only the past year and a half there has been many learnings during this time. We will be moving forward in promoting TIAC’s benefits throughout our membership; to provide support to our operators and expand their vision to increase their operational effectiveness.
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Did You Know?
Membership has its privileges! As a TIAC Member (not available to Associates), you can post your events in our online calendar free of charge. Click here, log in, post the information, and share with your peers from coast to coast to coast.
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With the new addition of Jennifer Beatty to TIAC’s Business Development and Member Relations team, you can now call it your Triple J Team (rounded out by Jennifer Taylor and Julie Gauvreau). The team is in place to create connections and opportunities to help you grow. Got a question for TIAC? They're here to serve you! Email them today for the following:
Jennifer Taylor, Vice President of Business Development & Member Relations:
- Overall Membership and Business Development programming and partnering options, including Rendez-vous Canada and other TIAC initiatives
Julie Gauvreau, Manager of Member Services
Jennifer Beatty, Director of Partnerships
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Partnership Opportunities in TIAC’s READI Program
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TIAC Thanks its Industry Patrons | | |
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