TIAC UPDATE ON THE IMPOSITION OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELLERS FROM MEXICO AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

On Tuesday, July 14, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced the imposition of new visa requirements, effective immediately, for travelers from Mexico and the Czech Republic to Canada. These requirements were introduced because the number of leisure travelers from these two countries claiming refugee and asylum status has risen exponentially in recent years, and the refugee determination system has been overwhelmed.

The Federal Government is fully aware of the negative impact this will have on the tourism economy, but is compelled to weigh this against other challenges.

TIAC has spoken with the Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business and to the office of CIC Minister Jason Kenny on this issue, and has conveyed that while it understands the rationale, this decision will have a negative effect on the 257,000 visitors who come from Mexico annually. 

TIAC has called on the government and Citizenship and Immigration Canada to ensure that there are sufficient resources and personnel to process the applications for visas at the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City and the various consulates. TIAC understands that, in the days following the announcement, visa applications have been dealt with expeditiously at the embassies and consulates in Mexico. Moreover, resources are being allocated on a priority basis to deal with the immediate accumulation of applications.

Advice received from the office of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is that all Mexican nationals with travel imminent or pending ought to file their visa applications ASAP at the embassy or consulate as every effort is being made to process these applications quickly.

TIAC has also expressed its wish to government officials that this not be a permanent measure.  Canada had been using successfully its “no visa” requirement as a competitive advantage to lure Mexicans to Canada rather than the U.S. and this marketing advantage is now gone.

TIAC has already conveyed its willingness to work with Citizenship and Immigration to assist in facilitating the visa issuance process in a variety of emerging market economies such as Mexico from which in-bound travel to Canada is increasingly important. 

TIAC recognizes the hardship that that this sudden decision has caused for travelers, in-bound tour operators, airlines, cruise ship companies and hotels, and is working diligently to ensure that the government provides appropriate resources to help mitigate this situation.

In the coming year, TIAC will work with government and other stakeholders to examine the visa issuance process, and the impact of the refugee determination system’s backlog on Canada’s tourism sector.

• For more information on this issue, please contact Randy Williams, TIAC President and CEO at rwilliams@tiac.travel or 613-238-8765 or Kevin Desjardins, Director, Communications at kdesjardins@tiac.travel or 613-240-7225.

TIAC TESTIMONY ON WHTI INCLUDED IN FINAL COMMITTEE REPORT

TIAC’s recent testimony before the Standing Committee on International Trade has been included in the final report of its inquiry into Canada-US border issues.  Randy Williams, TIAC President and CEO, and Chris Jones TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs appeared before the committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, March 12, 2009.  Included in the final report was testimony by Randy Williams that spoke to the low passport and passcard possession rates in the US, and the relatively low enrolment in the NEXUS program on both sides of the border.  The committee concluded that the “lack of awareness in the US about the documentation requirements for foreign travel is a major concern for Canadian businesses and stakeholders.”

The committee also acknowledged that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative had contributed to declining visitation to Canada by American travellers.  Williams said “We need to get Americans informed about what documents they need to cross the border, and that requires a penetration of their awareness levels by communicating to them through an advertising campaign.”  While a recent Ipsos-Reid survey found an overwhelming number of Canadians (91%) were aware of the new identification requirements for entry to the US, it is unclear whether American citizens share the same level of awareness.

• For further information on identification requirements for U.S. or Canadian ports of entry, please visit www.getyouhome.gov.

• For more information on WHTI as it relates to the Canadian tourism industry, please contact Chris Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Relations at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557.

SENATE COMMITTEE REPORT SUPPORTS STOPSTICKINGITTOUS COALITION'S RECOMMENDATIONS

In a unanimous report released on June 30, 2009, the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce supported a the need for government action on a number of concerns highlighted by the Coalition in its testimony and submission. The Senate report is a major first step toward creating a new “Made-in-Canada” payment system that will ensure accountability, transparency and a level playing field for all stakeholders.

• For more information on the Stopstickingittous Coalition, please visit www.stopstickingittous.ca or contact Chris Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Relations at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557.

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

• TIAC Update on the imposition of visa requirements for travelers from Mexico and the Czech Republic

• TIAC Testimony on WHTI Included in Final Committee Report

• Senate Committee Report Supports StopStickingItToUs Coalition’s Recommendations

• TIAC / Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Scholarships

• Did You Know...

• Membership Benefits

According to Statistics Canada, Canada's international travel deficit climbed $2.6 billion to $12.6 billion in 2008, the highest level ever

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