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Canada's Government Designates More Canadian Carriers to Serve Mexico

Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird, announced June 25 changes to air designation allocations for scheduled Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet and Sunwing air services between Canada and Mexico, which will benefit travellers and our country's tourism industry.

"I am pleased with these changes and additions, which will provide more options for the travelling public and shippers," said Baird. "It will encourage competition, innovation, and growth in the Canadian airline industry, and promote international travel options for consumers from both countries."

Under the Multiple Designation Policy, as applied under Canada's international air transportation policy, all Canadian air carriers may apply to the Minister for designation to operate scheduled international air services. These latest designations were made possible by the 1961 Canada-Mexico bilateral Air Transport Agreement, as amended in 1999 and 2007.

"This is excellent news for our tourism industry. Mexico is a growing market for Canada," said Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism. "There will now be more routes to take visitors to the spectacular destinations and attractions our country has to offer."

"Increased air access to Canada for the growing Mexico market is an important development that is a good step in meeting the tourism industries needs," said Randy Williams, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

For more information, please view the Transport Canada Press Release by clicking here.

Nahanni National Park Expansion Receives Royal Assent

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada announced that the Bill to massively expand Nahanni National Park in the Northwest Territories received Royal Assent this past June 18.

The expansion makes Nahanni six times its current size, and the third largest park in Canada. It will protect over 30,000 square kilometres (a little less than the size of Vancouver Island), which is approximately 91% of the Greater Nahanni Ecosystem in the Dehcho region. It will enhance Nahanni’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation as a protected area, and further enhances Canada’s leadership in international protected area conservation.

“Today's act to protect this magnificent area in law, under the Canada National Parks Act, is a gift to future generations and will ensure Nahanni National Park Reserve is managed according to the most stringent conservation standards,” said Minister Prentice. “This is a great day for all Canadians. Nahanni is one of the Crown jewels of our incredible system of national parks and it is with pride that I take part in the greatest conservation achievement in a generation.”

The legislation, which was tabled by Minister Prentice on June 9, was supported by all parties. “I’m very happy to acknowledge all of Parliament, and all of our partners and stakeholders, in particular the Dehcho First Nations, who have come together with the purpose of creating this incredible new national park reserve,” added Minister Prentice.

To view the complete Parks Canada press release, please click here.

CTHRC Launches Revamped Employee-Rated Employer of Choice Program

The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) has released a fresh update of its free employee-rated Employer of Choice program. The online program has a new look and feel, new functions, and a user-friendly sign-up wizard to guide participants through the process. It has been specially tailored by human resource experts to reflect the needs of all sizes of businesses, giving owners the flexibility to assess multiple business locations or individual departments.

The Employer of Choice program is an extension of the Discover Tourism brand; its primary focus is recognizing employers who have developed and implemented leading human resource practices. Attracting and retaining skilled employees is a key means to remain competitive in any economic climate. The Employer of Choice program makes a vital contribution to shaping a skilled Canadian tourism workforce by encouraging employers to motivate and train talented staff.

The program consists of online questionnaires which assess and rate employers' attraction and retention strategies, employee satisfaction, motivation, and work environment based on established standards in today's workplace. It then provides specific recommendations, tools, and resources to assist employers in achieving Employer of Choice status.
Employers who achieve the Employer of Choice designation benefit from increased visibility as organizations that value their employees and put top HR practices at the forefront of their goals. This recruitment edge will allow businesses to distinguish themselves as choice employers, thus attracting the talent they need to negotiate the economic downturn and emerge ahead of the competition.

To sign up or to obtain more information on the employee-rated Employer of Choice program, please visit www.discovertourism.ca .

Self-serve baggage tagging for air travellers starts July 1, 2009

The Government of Canada will begin to allow self-serve baggage tagging at airports across the country, Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird announced June 25.

"This innovative approach, a first in North America, is a positive move for travellers, air carriers and airports," said Baird. "The self-serve baggage tagging is designed to maintain high levels of security and oversight. It also helps passengers reduce the time they spend checking in, and allows airports and airlines to use their resources more efficiently."

Self-serve baggage tagging lets passengers print their own baggage tags at airport kiosks and attach them to their checked bags, rather than waiting for an airline attendant to do it. This option saves passengers time, reduces lineups and helps airlines control costs without compromising security. It also frees up valuable space that would otherwise be required for additional check-in counters.

Successful trials at Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver international airports over the past three years have shown that self-serve baggage tagging, used in conjunction with new and existing security requirements, is as safe and secure as conventional tagging by airline attendants. Passengers, airlines and airport operators have all responded positively to the convenience of the self-serve option at these airports, where conventional baggage tagging remains available.

As of July 1, 2009, Transport Canada will permit self-serve baggage tagging at all Canadian airports. Some airlines, with the support of local airport authorities, plan to expand the service to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa and Halifax international airports. Once successfully implemented at these airports, self-serve baggage tagging may be introduced at more airports across Canada.

For more information, view the complete Transport Canada Press Release by clicking here.

National Awards for Tourism Excellence to Honour the Industry’s Outstanding Organizations and Individuals

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, Monday, 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.  Further information can be found by clicking here or by contacting:

L.A. Palamar
BTE Tourism Training and Consulting
(613) 266-2831
palamar@BuildingTourismExcellence.com

Third Annual Responsible Travel and Tourism Forum set for October 14 in Toronto

Baxter Travel Media’s third annual Responsible Travel and Tourism Forum (RTTF 2009) is set for October 14 at The Old Mill Inn, in Toronto, Ontario, and will focus on how adopting sustainable business strategies will help your business by reducing operational costs, engaging employees, improving your product, building brand trust and generating long term customer loyalty.

With the economic landscape expected to improve over the next 12 months, businesses need to recognize that long-term survival is grounded on having a sound sustainability plan. This includes understanding how to cut energy costs, reduce waste, improve the travel product, attract talent and retain the best employees, gain brand value and build customer loyalty.

RTTF 2009 seeks to provide travel and tourism professionals the tools to identify and manage environmental, social and economic risks as well as capitalize on emerging green opportunities.  The one-day forum will be comprised of two plenary sessions and four workshops. The plenary sessions will address the business case for sustainable travel as well as present global trends in responsible travel businesses practices.

For more information, please click here.