LAST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL AWARDS FOR TOURISM EXCELLENCE, PRESENTED BY THE GLOBE AND MAIL

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada is now accepting nominations for the 2009 National Awards for Tourism Excellence, presented by the Globe and Mail.  Online nominations may be submitted in 15 categories until Noon EDT, Friday August 10th.

The TIAC National Awards for Tourism Excellence presented by The Globe and Mail were developed in 2003 by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to recognize and foster Canadian tourism excellence. The awards are presented annually at a gala dinner during Canada's Tourism Leadership Summit.  The awards allow Canada’s tourism industry to recognize those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada.

It’s simple to nominate an individual, a business or an organization, and it can be a rewarding process for both the nominee and the nominator.  Organizations may be self-nominated or nominated by another party, and you do not have to be a TIAC member to submit a nomination.  Please take the time to nominate those who should be recognized and celebrated.

MINISTER ABLONCZY ENCOURAGES CANADIANS TO EXPLORE CANADA THIS SUMMER

The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced last week that she will be joining the growing number of Canadians vacationing within Canada this summer.

"I’ll be travelling from Ottawa to Calgary by road," said Minister Ablonczy, "I’ll be blogging and tweeting along the way to tell Canadians about some of our country’s hidden travel gems."

The Minister departs Ottawa this week, and will arrive in Calgary by mid-August. Last summer, Minister Ablonczy travelled from Calgary to the North, experiencing the region’s spectacular attractions and unique destinations along the way. “We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful country,” said Minister Ablonczy, “Canadians are enriched by seizing opportunities to see and experience as much of it as they can.”

Minister Ablonczy added that the Government of Canada has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing and promoting Canada’s world-class tourism experiences. Canada’s Economic Action Plan invests in our national parks, historical sites, community festivals and major events with significant tourism draw.

The Economic Action Plan also provides funding for a major domestic advertising campaign through the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). The resulting Locals Know campaign encourages Canadians to share their own authentic stories, comments and photos of Canada’s hidden travel spots with each other. This campaign was recently named one of Forbes.com top ten travel campaigns in the world. Locals Know has exceeded all expectations and has encouraged many Canadians to consider taking a staycation. The CTC will be launching a new campaign out in the fall to influence Canadians’ winter travel plans.

SURVEY OF CANADIANS FINDS SEVEN OUT OF TEN HOLD PASSPORTS; FOUR OUT OF FIVE PLAN TO TRAVEL DOMESTICALLY

While the majority (72%) of Canadians planning to travel in the next six months hold a passport, new regulations regarding entry in to the United States are not spurring those without a passport (28%) into action. Among those who do not hold a passport, over six-in-ten (62%) say the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is not impacting their decision to apply for a passport. 

These are just some of the findings from a joint Ipsos Reid/Tourism Industry Association of Canada survey with adult Canadian residents who plan to travel in the next six months.

Of Canadians who plan on travelling in the next six months, eight-in-ten (83%) plan to travel within Canada, while one half (54%) plan to travel to the U.S.  A much smaller proportion of these Canadians plan to travel to Europe (12%) or Asia (4%).

"With so many unique tourism experiences available to visitors from coast to coast, it is not surprising that Canadians are overwhelmingly choosing to travel domestically," said Randy Williams, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.  "The industry’s success is a testament to Canada’s innovative marketing efforts, and the professionalism and dedication of operators and employees in the tourism sector."

These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted in partnership with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada from June 12-18, 2009.

• To view the complete IPSOS-Reid press release, please click here. For more information on the survey, please contact Kevin Desjardins, TIAC Director, Communications at kdesjardins@tiac.travel or (613) 240-7225

TIAC / PARKS CANADA SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SCHOLARSHIPS:
Five $1000 Scholarships Available to Qualifying Full-Time Students

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada / Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Scholarships are awarded annually to Canadian students in the upper-year of a full-time university or college program in hospitality or tourism with an academic focus or interest in sustainable tourism. The scholarships are designed to support the tourism industry’s future employees, entrepreneurs and leaders as they study how to improve and enhance the quality and sustainability of natural and cultural heritage-based tourism experiences.

Five $1000 Sustainable Tourism Scholarships are awarded annually each fall to students enrolled in qualifying academic programs from across the country. The recipients of the Sustainable Tourism Scholarships will demonstrate an academic focus or interest in sustainable tourism and an interest in the preservation of our natural or cultural heritage. The recipients will also show evidence of high academic achievement, leadership qualities and an entrepreneurial spirit.

• For more information on the TIAC/Parks Canada Scholarship, please visit www.tiac.travel or contact Dave Lauer, TIAC Manager, Communications, dlauer@tiac.travel or 613-238-9400.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Last Call For Nominations for the National Awards for Tourism Excellence, Presented by the Globe and Mail

• Minister Ablonczy Encourages Canadians to Explore Canada This Summer

• Canadian Information Flow Ebbs Passport Demand

• TIAC / Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Scholarships

• Did You Know...

• TIAC Member Benefits

According to the WTO, Canada holds 2.0% of global tourism market share and ranks 14th among the world’s most popular destinations (visitation).

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