A Message from Our President & CEO
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The past year has been a tumultuous one - so many ups and downs. We started the year under restrictions, which we saw gradually ease. We had glimmers of recovery in the spring, and they got brighter when the border opened to US visitors again. By the fall, we welcomed back international visitors, hosted in person meetings, and made travel plans.
The last few weeks seem to have undone all of this as the omicron variant arrived. Case counts have gone up, restrictions on gatherings have come back, and another travel advisory is in effect.
But we got Bill C2 passed. This bill houses the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program, the Hardest Hit Businesses Recovery Program, and other supports that should help our members get through the tough weeks ahead. More work is to be done to ensure that these programs will work for as many businesses as possible, and the TIAC team will continue elevating the issues with the Government to get this done.
When I joined the TIAC team in March, I was blessed to gain such a great team. They have been working tirelessly on your behalf, and I know you join me in thanking them for their dedication and passion.
I also want to thank our Board of Directors. This group of 16 industry champions volunteer their time to guide and support the efforts of the organization. To each of them, I say a big “Thank you”.
My final thank you is to all of you. Thank you for putting your trust in us, rallying when we needed your voice, and sharing your stories from on the ground.
As you all prepare to celebrate this festive season, please take my warmest wishes for a season full of love and happiness. On New Year’s Eve, I will be toasting to a calmer and more prosperous 2022.
Best wishes,
Beth
Beth Potter
President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
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Applications can be submitted for period 22 covering the period of October 24 to November 20, 2021.
The subsidy rate for the Canada Recover Hiring Program increased from 20 to 50 percent.
The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program replaced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, which ended on October 23, 2021.
For more information and how to apply, click here.
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The TIAC Office will be closed over the Holidays starting Friday, December 24th and reopening Tuesday, January 4th.
For this reason, we will be slower to respond than usual to messages, but rest assured that we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
While the office may be closed, we remain committed to addressing issues as they arise and will continue to champion your needs.
TIAC in Action, our weekly advocacy update will resume January 12. In the meantime, please follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for updates.
All the best for the Holidays, and wishing you a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!
See you in 2022!
The TIAC Team
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We still have work to do, but we are Stronger Together – Recognizing 2021 Advocacy Successes |
Without a doubt, this has been an extremely challenging year for our members and the entire tourism industry. While many battles were fought and won on the industry’s behalf there is still much more to be done and we are committed to being your Voice and Championing your needs through recovery, as we regain and rise. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is working for you and with you every step of the way.
We were pleased to see last week’s passing of Bill C2 and hope that you can rest more easily through the holidays. As we move into 2022, we are monitoring the situation and we will keep you informed on the rollout.
The new Omicron variant has caused a lot of confusion with new restrictions. We will be advocating for a process to be followed across the country when new variants emerge, as opposed to making quick decisions about new requirements. The tourism industry needs to be part of developing this process, and it needs to be one that provides for predictability. The constant modifications without notice are a considerable issue for the industry, especially when communication about the new requirements is not clear and not uniformly applied across Canada. We know this, and we are working to ensure consistency and clear communication to industry.
We are also continuing work with colleagues to formulate our strategy to address the labour challenge. We know that many of our operators are busy looking to hire for the upcoming winter season. This is a problem we need to address and recommend solutions for as soon as possible.
A brief overview of some of our work this year can be found here on our website.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected]
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UPDATE: TIAC’s International Business Development Strategy project
Over the last few months, you may have heard about our ongoing work to collaboratively design and develop TIAC’s 2022-2025 international business development strategy (IBDS). Better yet, you may have participated in the process through one of the engagement methods to collaboratively design our IBDS that is responsive to its changing environment, instills confidence in the industry, looks to a future where Canadian tourism is flourishing, and strengthens TIAC’s advocacy efforts!
Since July of 2021, we have made significant and exciting progress on the research and co-design of our upcoming IBDS. Across the process, we have meaningfully engaged a breadth and diversity of stakeholders to include a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and priorities, including industry, partners, and Canadians more broadly. To achieve this, our project team, made up of two consultants along with TIAC staff and Board Members have planned and mobilized a range of engagement methods. This update provides more context and some key takeaways that have come out of this research process and will directly inform the co-design of our IBDS.
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Embracing Canada’s Winter and Shoulder Season |
With winter approaching, take advantage of TIAC's "Developing Winter and Shoulder Season Tourism" Toolkit. Explore the untapped possibilities of broadening your tourism season with valuable insights, worksheets, tips and strategies.
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TIAC Takeaways: 2021 Tourism Congress Insights |
With the theme Forging Canada's Tourism Future, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada's 2021 Tourism Congress and Canadian Tourism Awards was successfully held in-person and online on November 30 and December 1 at the Westin Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario.
TIAC's partner Alphabet® worked with industry thought-leaders to share their key takeaways from live and online sessions during the two-day event. We are pleased to share the collection of TIAC Takeaways and hope it might be helpful for your organization to motivate action through advocacy, partnerships, community outreach, product development, sustainability, marketing, and performance measurement.
As a reminder, if you missed an online session from the 2021 Tourism Congress, don’t worry, you can login through your registration link and access all recordings on our virtual event platform. Click here to login.
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2021 Canadian Tourism Awards Recipients |
Five organizations and individuals were honoured at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) 2021 Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star & WestJet, and hosted by Ottawa Tourism.
The awards were presented in a ceremony at The Westin Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario on the evening of December 1, 2021
"The Canadian Tourism Awards highlights the creativity, diversity and originality found in tourism, and we applaud the organizations and individuals whose hard work will inspire new generations to seek a career in tourism and join the businesses large and small that power local economies across Canada," said TIAC President and CEO, Beth Potter.
The Canadian Tourism Awards 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 showcase Canada’s very best and offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.
Click here to see the 2021 Canadian Tourism Award recipients. |
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Rendez-vous Canada+ 2022 Buyer and Seller registration is now open! |
In 2022, RVC+ will be a hybrid event, bringing back in-person attendance while also incorporating a virtual component. Buyers and Sellers can select the participation level that best meets their business needs – in-person, online, or a combination of the two.
Taking place from May 24 – 27 2022, the in-person portion of RVC+ will be a buyer-seated marketplace in Toronto, Ontario. This will be Canada’s RVC and hosted by Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, creating an exciting opportunity to welcome international buyers back to Canada and showcase the beauty of this country, as well as the truly meaningful travel experiences on offer across each province and territory.
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RVC+2022 Sponsorship & Branding Opportunities |
RVC+2022 Sponsorship and Branding are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis to RVC+2022 Sellers.
DEADLINE TO SECURE AN OPTION: March 15, 2022.
Sponsors who have an active (paid) membership with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) through to May 31, 2022, will enjoy a 20% savings on sponsorship opportunities.
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membership account? Please click here, submit your
email and check your inbox for details.
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Next Member Talk is January 11, 2021 – join us! |
Mark your calendar for our next MEMBER Talk on Tuesday, January 11th, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET.
Join TIAC President and CEO Beth Potter in the first Members' meeting of the new year to review action plans for early 2022.
MEMBER Talks is an informal and friendly gathering of members to network and share concerns, stories and ideas.
When you register to attend, you have the opportunity to submit a question in advance to be addressed during the virtual meeting. Of course, you can also ask questions throughout the session.
MEMBER Talks take place on the second Tuesday of every month; are recorded and available to access in the Member Area of the website.
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Hello to New and Renewed Members |
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is a not-for-profit membership organization. Our advocacy initiatives and efforts are only possible through the investment and support of our members.
TIAC is delighted to welcome our newest members who have joined since September:
Thank you to the members who renewed throughout the month and continue their support of our advocacy efforts. Our success depends on you!
To learn more about why you should join TIAC visit our website or contact Jennifer Taylor, VP Business Development & Member Relations at [email protected]. |
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Save the Date! TIAC Annual General Meeting |
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada's (TIAC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. ET virtually
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MMBC Elects Board of Directors and Appoints Executive Team for 2022 and 2023 |
During its recent annual general meeting, Meetings Mean Business Canada (MMBC) welcomed an updated Board of Directors and Executive Team for 2022 and 2023. As Canada’s meetings and business events industry moves forward, MMBC’s advocacy efforts will benefit immensely from the decades of executive experience offered by the leadership team and newly convened board.
Two-year terms for Board members as well as the Executive Team began immediately following MMBC’s annual general meeting, held in Ottawa on November 29, 2021.
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Many businesses across the country have been facing labour challenges while they look to ‘staff up’ to accommodate the ease of COVID-related capacity restrictions and a boost in business; student interns are a great solution to fill these roles while helping to train and solidify the future workforce for years to come.
Supporting employers and students, Tourism HR Canada’s Propel—a federally funded student work placement program offering paid work-integrated learning opportunities—offers one of the hardest-hit sectors a chance to rebuild their workforce lost during the pandemic.
The program offers Canadian tourism employers a wage subsidy of up to 75 per cent of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500. The position must be a work-integrated learning opportunity for a post-secondary student but can be accessed by any businesses in the tourism sector: accommodations, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and travel services. This includes positions related to events, concerts, meetings and conventions, museums, galleries, cultural and heritage sites, destination marketing, and more.
To learn more about the Propel program and to apply, please visit PropelCareers.ca
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Consider highlighting products or services, sales or promotions, personal bios, and more. Use images that complement your message, and link your images to supporting resources. |
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QUASEP Programs for Workforce Assistance |
Short on staff and time? As a TIAC member, take advantage of QUASEP’s programs to assist your team members. With options available for multiple functional areas of your operation, getting the support you need is easy and affordable.
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The tourism and hospitality sector is struggling to recruit talent. Ski operators, winter resorts, restaurants and hotels are worried about turning away guests because they don’t have enough staff. According to our most recent Labour Force Survey report, total employment in Canada has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but employment within the tourism sector remains significantly suppressed. Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery, led by OTEC, is working with partners across Canada to drive recruitment and support sector recovery. Learn more at LetsGetReady.ca
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Is Regenerative Tourism More Sustainable? |
Contributed by GreenStep Solutions
Sustainability can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. One of the things I find frustrating, and which makes sustainability confusing and unapproachable for many businesses and destinations, is the regular changing of the goalposts or the language that describes what we’re ultimately trying to achieve.
Over the past decade or two, some have claimed that “sustainability is dead” and that we need to make way for “resiliency” instead. More recently, the term “regenerative” tourism has emerged. While both resilience and regeneration are incredibly important, they are both a means to achieving what has long been defined as sustainability.
The term sustainability first became mainstream in 1987, when the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as
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Carbon Measurement Series: Carbon Footprint Measurement, Reduction and Offsetting 101 with GreenStep Solutions
Join GreenStep Solutions for this informative webinar to learn about the technical side of carbon measurement. We will also cover carbon reduction tactics and how to offset what you can’t reduce.
By 2030 the price of carbon will increase fossil fuel-related operating costs by 30% to 100%, not including cost increases related to inflation. To get ahead of the carbon risk to your business, it will be important to understand your carbon footprint and make a plan to reduce it.
- Measuring your carbon footprint is actually not that complicated, and similar to financial accounting standards, greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting standards exist
- Learn how to determine your organizational and operational boundary
- Determine your reporting year and your base year
- Learn about emission (direct vs indirect) sources that apply to your organization
- Identify the data that you need to collect and how to track it over time
- Learn about setting reduction targets and how to offset some or all of your carbon footprint on the path to carbon neutrality
Date: Jan 13th, 2022 10am-11am PST / 1pm - 2pm EST
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Nominate a volunteer for Canada’s Volunteer Awards 2021
Now is the time to nominate an outstanding individual, a not-for-profit organization, a social enterprise or a socially responsible business who has made a significant contribution in improving the lives of others in their community through volunteering. Help them get the recognition they deserve.
The nomination period is officially open and will run until March 4, 2022.
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QUESTIONS?
TIAC Communication
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