A Message from Our President & CEO
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The TIAC team has been going non-stop all summer to ensure that our members are gaining access to the tools and supports that they need during the pandemic. While summer has seen a reduction in restrictions across the country and the border to the US open for fully vaccinated travellers, travel and visitor spend is still down significantly over normal times.
To make life more interesting, Prime Minister Trudeau asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and dropped the writ for an election on August 15th.
As I write this, there is one month left in the election as we will head to the polls on September 20th. No better time then now to check your voter registration and also make the decision on how and when you will vote. You can choose to cast your ballot in one of three ways:
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Mail in – you need to apply to vote by mail before 6pm on September 14th.
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In person Advance polling – vote at your assigned polling station on Sept 10, 11, 12 and 13.
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In-person voting on September 20th.
We have been pleased to see tourism figures early in the campaign by both the Liberal and Conservative parties. TIAC continues to message all parties on the importance of on-going support for our suite of sectors, and a detailed account of our key messages can be found at tourismvotes.ca. I urge all tourism operators to get out and meet with the candidates in your riding. They need to hear directly from the voters about the need for on-going support for our industry. The candidates will take this information back to their parties, which in turn will heighten the urgency of the message.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t remind you all to register for the Tourism Congress, Nov 30-Dec 1. The program is complete, speakers are being finalized, and you can choose to attend in-person or virtually. Registration is ahead of previous years, and we look forward to an engaging and celebratory couple of days in Ottawa. I hope to see you there.
Speaking of seeing you…as of September, I will begin travelling again and look forward to meeting as many of our members as possible. My first trip will be to Banff right after Labour Day, and then Saskatoon for Hospitality Saskatchewan’s conference at the end of September.
And finally, I want to thank the TIAC team on your behalf. They have been working extremely hard for you over the past 18 months and we would not be gaining the ground that we have without them. You have a rock-star team working for you!!
Until next time,
Beth Potter
President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
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The 2021 federal election is underway, with Canadians going to the polls on September 20. This means we have 25 days to ensure our voices are heard by all political parties, and by candidates across the country, on the importance of necessary targeted, ongoing support for the tourism industry.
While TIAC continues to meet with key decision makers and candidates in Ottawa and across the country, it is equally important for industry to make an effort to meet with their local candidates from all parties. Local constituents and businesses are able to provide their candidates with a more specific community perspective on issues related to tourism’s local impact.
Our voice is stronger together.
Please visit tourismvotes.ca to download your election toolkit and find information on how to get involved. Contact Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
Our Priorities
TIAC is calling on all parties to commit to support the hardest hit of the hardest hit if elected. Our main priorities continue to be;
1. Supporting the Hardest Hit Sectors
- Support for the temporary wage and rent support program for up to 75% for sectors like hotels, tour operators, convention centers and festivals experiencing a minimum of 40% revenue loss from September 2021 until May 31, 2022;
- Ensure targeted support programs address the tourism industry’s unique needs including conditions for seasonal businesses and high debt service ratios;
- A key learning over the past 15 months is that Indigenous tourism operators have disproportionally fallen outside the criteria of government relief measures. To protect viable businesses in this emerging sector, it is vital to place an Indigenous lens on all recovery measures.
2. Support and implement one proof of vaccination system across Canada
- TIAC continues to advocate for a national, easy to use and understand, secure system for international travel;
- Ensure system is on par with other countries in G20 – Canada must be part of the seamless travel experience moving forward.
3. The Labour Challenge
- COVID-19 has caused significant disruption to the tourism labour market, much greater than the economy overall – disproportionately impacting youth and minority populations. TIAC recommends, in consultation with the tourism industry, the elected party commits to;
- Conduct a comprehensive review of all current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) programs to identify opportunities and align policies that will work for tourism, and to create a dedicated immigration pathway for the sector;
- Launch a campaign to promote employment opportunities in the sector and to address reputational damage or growing negative sentiments of the industry;
- Invest in a comprehensive Indigenous tourism workforce strategy to increase the number of Indigenous workers in the sector and boost the skills and cultural knowledge to help Indigenous tourism businesses thrive while firmly establishing Canada as a premiere destination for authentic Indigenous tourism experiences.
4. Opening our International Borders and resuming travel
- The elected party should commit to encouraging Canadians to be confident in travel moving forward, by acknowledging the health and hygiene protocols put in place by tourism businesses, and by using a positive narrative to communicate regarding travel and tourism.
Party Platform Commitments
TIAC is heartened to see the inclusion of tourism support commitments in the Liberal, Conservative and NDP platform announcements thus far. Click any of the links below to learn more:
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High-level Summary Results from TIAC’s August 2021 State of the Industry Survey |
In a recent industry wide survey with respondent representation from tourism businesses in every province and territory, TIAC found the following;
- 1/3 of respondents expect up to a 50% decline in revenue for 2021 as compared to 2020
- Comparing July 2021 revenue to July 2020 revenue:
- 13% of non-accommodation tourism businesses expect a decrease in revenue between 76% and 100%
- 11% of accommodation operators expect between a 26% and 50% reduction in revenue
- 30% of accommodation operators have taken on debt between $100,000 and $500,000 to keep their business afloat, compared to 16% of non-accommodation tourism businesses
- 39% of tourism businesses would shut down today if they could no longer receive support from government programs
- Majority of respondents predict it will take between 1 to 3 years for sufficient tourism demand to return to pre-pandemic level of profitability; with the border reopening
- Top five issues facing industry
- Wage and Rent (need for fixed cost subsidies)
- Labour (critical resource shortfall)
- Border restrictions (loss of summer traffic)
- Restart costs and COVID protocols (need for financial support)
- Proof of vaccination policies (lack of clarity and consistency)
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Leadership Report: Together We Are Stronger
Don’t miss TIAC’s President & CEO Beth Potter as she highlights TIAC’s efforts to support the industry and the powerful collaboration and unity that emerged among industry stakeholders during this challenging year. Beth will unveil TIAC’s strategic roadmap to rally the industry and work together to recover post-pandemic.
TIAC’s Tourism Congress takes place November 30 – December 1, 2021.
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Early bird registration closes soon!
Register and book your room at the Westin Ottawa by September 6 and you could win a Westin Heavenly Bed or 100,000 Bonvoy points.
You can book your reservation online or call the Westin reservations department at 1.888.627.8528 and ask to be booked into the TIAC Tourism Congress attendee block with code: TOR.
Bonus savings for TIAC Members
TIAC Members enjoy even more savings by registering early. If you’re a TIAC Member and you register before September 7, you’ll save:
- $100 on in-person registration
- $70 on virtual registration
Position your company as an industry leader
The 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress (TTC) brings together business owners, senior management, and key corporate decision-makers for 2 days of focused engagement on the future of travel and tourism. This year the TTC is being planned as an in-person and online event from November 30th to December 1st.
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2021 Tourism Congress Future Leaders Contest |
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), in partnership with Air Canada, is pleased to support the future leaders of the Canadian Tourism Industry by sponsoring a Travel/Tourism student to attend the 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress.
The winning students will receive one complimentary registration, 2 nights hotel accommodations at the Westin Ottawa, and round-trip airfare on Air Canada (Economy Class) to attend TIAC’s Tourism Congress at the Westin Ottawa, November 30-December 1, 2021.
During the Tourism Congress, winners will be presented with special recognition for their achievement. Eligible students must reside in Canada and be enrolled full time at an accredited Canadian college or university in Travel/Tourism or related program. Proof of enrollment is required.
Students must be 19 years or older as of November 30, 2021 to apply.
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Canadian Tourism Awards Nominations Deadline Extended |
The CTAs are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership, and innovation in Canada's tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations, and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.
Don’t miss our key deadlines:
→ Nominations close September 7th
→ Finalists announced October 1st
→ Awards Ceremony December 1st
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Mark your calendar for our next Member TALK taking place Tuesday, September 14th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm EDT. to discuss priorities and advocacy efforts as we head into a Fall Federal election.
As a TIAC member, this is your opportunity to share your priorities and concerns.
Member TALKs take place on the second Tuesday of every month.
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membership account? Please click here, submit your
email and check your inbox for details.
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Our success depends on you |
Since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), your National Voice, has advocated for support and survival of the Visitor Economy and its full suite of sectors.
TIAC has fought for greater and continued support and relief. We have led the conversation on a seamless and coordinated approach to vaccination certification; implemented a national campaign to embrace domestic travel, and championed the reopening of the US/Canada land border to American tourists.
We have elevated the challenges and issues facing our hardest-hit industry and maintained the media narrative on tourism pandemic concerns.
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"TIAC is one of the only indispensable representatives of the Canadian travel industry, no one could forget their endless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic."
- China Travel Service (Canada) Inc.
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COMING SOON to TIAC Members |
Members of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) will soon start their day with a custom news feed allowing you to stay up to date with what TIAC is doing and what is happening in Canada's Visitor Economy. This new member benefit will be available in September. |
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Hello to New and Renewed Members |
TIAC would like to extend a warm welcome to our new members, as well as those who renewed their membership since our July 2021 TIAC Talk edition:
New
Renewed
Thank you to the members who reaffirmed their support of TIAC by renewing their membership in July. We know these have been challenging times and we thank you for your continued investment, confidence in TIAC, and engagement.
For more information on our renewed members and a complete list, click here.
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New Program Aims to Better Identify LGBT+ Friendly Businesses |
Not only is having LGBT+-friendly policies in your company the right thing to do – it’s also good for business. That’s why Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) has launched the Rainbow Registered LGBT+ Friendly Accreditation Program.
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Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Travel & Marketing Toolkits |
PHAC has developed tools to help you and your clients/customers better understand new border measures and what travellers will need to know before, during, and after their entry to Canada.
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What Canada Needs: A call to political parties to support the rapid decarbonization and recovery of the tourism industry in Canada |
Contributed by Angela Nagy, GreenStep Solutions
With the most recent release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, the warning is clear: Earth is warming faster than previously thought, and unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, preventing irreversible warming and ultimate planetary catastrophe will be beyond reach.
If that doesn’t hit home, most of Canada’s populated areas are currently being impacted by an unprecedented level of fires, smokey skies, and poor air quality, and we know incidents of droughts, fires and floods will only worsen over time with climate change. Several Canadian tourism destinations and businesses, already devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, are now contending with cancellations due to forest fires, and thousands of Canadian businesses and families on evacuation order or notice.
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QUESTIONS?
Leanne Czerwinski
Brand Manager
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