July 2026

Greetings!

Before Parliament rose, we asked MPs to do one thing this summer: Be a tourist in their riding. To sample what the tourism industry has to offer in their communities, from dining and shopping to experiences and the special spaces that make somewhere feel like home. To realize that tourism supports livelihoods, connection, culture, and prosperous places to live and work. To understand that what tourists seek is what residents and investors want, too.  

We’d be happy to try to arrange a visit to your operation by an elected official. Please reach out to TIAC_Advocacy@tiac-aitc.ca.  

I hope you have a bright July, 

Sébastien Benedict 

President and CEO 

Tourism Industry Association of Canada 

Thank you to our

INDUSTRY PATRONS

Calgary Stampede: National associations joint statement

From left to right: Monette Pasher, President of the Canadian Airports Council; Beth McMahon, President & CEO of Hotels Canada; Sébastien Benedict, President and CEO of TIAC; and Kelly Higginson, President & CEO of Restaurants Canada.

CEOs from Canada’s national tourism and hospitality associations, including the Canadian Airports Council, Hotels Canada, Restaurants Canada and TIAC, marked the opening of the 114th Calgary Stampede, one of the country’s most iconic celebrations of culture, community, and the visitor economy. 

The tourism and hospitality industry is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy. From the moment visitors arrive, to where they stay, dine, travel and experience the destination, the industry supports a wide range of businesses and communities. 

Welcoming more than 1.4 million visitors annually, the 2025 Stampede generated approximately $872 million in economic activity across Canada, including more than $720 million in Alberta.  

From left to right: Sébastien Benedict with Darren Reeder, President & CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta; David Goldstein, President & CEO of Travel Alberta; Alisha Reynolds, President & CEO of Tourism Calgary; and Paul Lamoureux, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Sport.

While in Calgary, association leaders met with elected officials to discuss priorities, including infrastructure, labour shortages, global competitiveness, and private-sector investment needed to grow Canada’s visitor economy. 



At a time when economic growth and diversification are national priorities, Canada’s tourism and hospitality sectors offer immediate and scalable opportunities to create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen communities across the country. With the right policy support, the visitor economy can play an even greater role in building a more productive, competitive, and resilient Canadian economy. 

Air Canada Names New President and CEO

Air Canada announced today that Anko Van der Werff will become its next president and chief executive officer, and a member of the Board, by the end of January 2027. A global aviation executive with more than 25 years of international airline leadership experience, he has held senior roles across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. TIAC warmly welcomes Anko and looks forward to working with him and Air Canada to take Canadian connectivity to greater heights.

Resources

Emergency Preparedness Resource Library

TIAC and the Government of Canada are making it easier for people in tourism to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Browse more than 200 free resources, featuring practical guidance and funding options, in our online resource library.

Destination Canada Launches National Tourism Investment Hub

Destination Canada has launched the Tourism Investment Hub, connecting communities, partners, and investors with investment-ready tourism projects across the country. The Hub combines a national pipeline of investment-ready projects with market intelligence and an AI-powered funding tool that surfaces incentives and financing programs. Tourism partners are invited to submit investment-ready opportunities to be featured on the Hub and showcased to potential investors. 

Travel Trends Podcast: Rendez-vous Canada edition

Recorded live from Rendez-vous Canada 2026 in Toronto, Dan Christian, host of Travel Trends Podcast, shares the expert scoop from five of Canada’s top tourism leaders on what powers the country’s tourism progress and popularity. Listen now to Sébastien Benedict, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada; Marsha Walden, former President and CEO of Destination Canada; Meaghan Ferrigno, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Destination Canada; Vincenza Ronaldi, President and CEO of Destination Ontario; and Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto.

Congratulations to Marsha Walden and Meaghan Ferrigno of Destination Canada

TIAC wishes Marsha Walden a happy and healthy retirement. As President and CEO of Destination Canada, Marsha guided the industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, building lasting partnerships and strategies that have strengthened Canada’s visitor economy for years to come. In 2020, tourism spending was $53.4B. Now it’s $132.9B. We thank Marsha for her vision and significant contributions.  



We also welcome the opportunity to collaborate more closely with Meaghan Ferrigno, CFO and Chief Data and Analytics Officer, now acting as interim President and CEO of Destination Canada. Here’s to investing in Canadian tourism, together.