Another Successful Leadership Summit Wraps Up: TIAC Honours Industry Leaders; Photos and Presentations Now Available
Canada's tourism industry leaders wrapped up another successful edition of Canada's Tourism Leadership Summit earlier this month in Saint John, New Brunswick. The annual event organized by TIAC provided delegates with a wealth of new information how leaders could inspire confidence in the tourism community from coast to coast, and lead our industry through its economic recovery.
One of the highlights of the Summit was the National Awards for Tourism Excellence Gala Dinner held on November 3. 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. Awards were presented in fifteen categories, with winners selected from among nominees comprising individuals and organizations from all ten provinces, as well as Canada’s north. Click here for information on this year’s recipients.
Over the course of the Summit, TIAC also recognized two individuals with the Bulldog Awards. The Bulldog Awards recognize people not in the association advocacy business who exhibit the tenacity of their canine namesake in their advocacy efforts, and loyalty to our industry’s cause. This year the Bulldog Awards recognized two gentlemen who have done yeoman’s work to push things forward in their respective areas: George Petsikas, Director, Government and Industry Affairs, Air Transat, and the President of the Executive Committee of the National Airlines Council of Canada, as well as Gary Clarke of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. As both gave significantly of their time, efforts and influence of the past year, we have awarded them with the Bulldog Awards as a token of our gratitude.
Photos and Presentations now available
The PowerPoint presentations and photos from Canada’s Tourism Leadership Summit as well as photos from the National Awards for Tourism Excellence are now available. Information is also available on the NATE award finalists and recipients. Please visit TIAC’s website by clicking here. |
September International Visitation Numbers Continue Downward Trend
In the November 18 edition of The Daily, Statistics Canada released international travel numbers for September of 2009. Overall, international visitation to Canada is down 9.3% for the period from January to September versus the same time period last year.
Visits of one or more nights from the United States over the first nine months of the year are down 3.4%, while visits from all other international travellers are down 13.2% of the same period.
While visitation from most of Canada’s major markets are down, Canada has welcomed 1.1% more visitors from China and 8.8% more visitors from the Philippines in the first three quarters of the year.
For more information on Statistics Canada’s international travel numbers, please click here or contact Catherine Sadler, TIAC Manager, Research at csadler@tiac.travel or 613-238-6378. |
Finance Minister Unveils Draft Code of Conduct for Credit and Debit Card Industry
On Thursday November 19th, Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty unveiled a draft Code of Conduct to govern the Canadian debit and credit card markets. TIAC, as part of the Stop Sticking It to Us Coalition, had advocated in recent years for the government to intervene in order to provide merchants with greater transparency and greater choice, both in transaction routing and card acceptance.
Among the highlights of the new Code are:
- Enhanced transparency and disclosure of information regarding the cost of transactions.
- Proper notice provisions to merchants about changes in their existing contracts.
- The issuance of premium cards to consumers only on request.
- The ability for merchants to offer a variety of cash discounts and a provision giving the merchant control of how transactions are routed.
With its introduction, there is now a 60-day consultation period between the industry and consumers to examine the Code.
Click here to view the draft Code, or visit www.creditanddebitwatchdog.ca for more information.
For more information on TIAC's efforts, please contact Chris Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557. |
Federal MPs Briefed on Impact of Olympics on Tourism
The Federal Tourism Caucus, a group of Members of Parliament with a specific interest in tourism and tourism issues, met with members of the industry at a briefing and reception on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.
The MPs in attendance were briefed on the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the impact which they can have on the tourism sector across Canada. Officials from VANOC, the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) and TIAC provided an overview of the steps being taken to capitalize on these opportunities and drive future visitation to Canada. CSTA provided insights into how sport tourism in general can be a meaningful tool for economic development at the community/destination level.
Also speaking at the briefing was Senator Nancy Greene Raine, winner of two Olympic Medals and a member of the Senate representing British Columbia. Senator Greene Raine noted that ski tourism is an essential aspect of Canada’s winter travel experience.
Click here to view the presentations to the Tourism Caucus.
For more information, please contact Chris Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557. |
Welcome to Canada Initiative Makes Friendly First Impression of Canada at Busiest Airport
International visitors coming through Toronto Pearson International Airport are getting a warm welcome and a sneak peak at Ontario’s great tourism experiences almost as soon as they step foot on Canadian soil.
With the launch of the Welcome to Canada initiative at Canada’s busiest airport, more than 26,000 international passengers a day will enjoy images of Ontario’s travel gems as well as inspirational Olympic and Paralympic messaging to support awareness of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as truly being “Canada’s Games.”
The Welcome to Canada program is an unprecedented partnership between the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and provincial tourism marketing organizations. The activation at Toronto Pearson International Airport was completed in partnership with the Ontario government and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).
TIAC has long called for a more welcoming environment at Canada’s ports of entry, and therefore supports the launch of this initiative, which is designed to give visitors a friendly first impression of Canada as soon as they disembark from the plane.
For more information, please view the CTC’s press release or contact Chris Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557. |
Last Chance to Register for HR Forum
The CTHRC invites you to the 8th Annual Tourism HR Forum. This growing national event will take place at Montreal’s Delta Centre-Ville hotel from November 23rd to 25th, 2009.
The HR Forum has become a “must go” event for anyone involved in managing and developing people for the tourism sector - executives, managers, corporate trainers, educators, and association representatives.
Titled On Your Mark! Get Set! Change!, this year’s event addresses significant human resource concerns currently facing the tourism sector.
For more information or to register, please visit www.cthrc.ca/hrforum |
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Tourism GDP was $30.3 billion in 2008, an increase from $19.5 billion in 1998. Tourism activity represents 2% of Canada’s GDP.
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