Earlier this month, the Government of Canada reinstated the mandatory random testing requirement to our collective disappointment and the detriment of our industry. As tourism reopens, consumer inflation is climbing to 8% year-over-year – further impacting our economic recovery. The road ahead will not be easy; our work remains as urgent as ever. We are renewing our call for the elimination of all barriers to travel, including testing and vaccination requirements, as well as for greater financial supports, and for viable solutions to the chronic labour shortage affecting our industry.  
 
Our team has been working diligently on drafting the industry’s recommendations for the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, after successfully encouraging an extension to the deadline for submissions to Aug. 3, 2022 on behalf of our members. We hope this allows you more time to have your voice heard by making your own submission, and we’ll be sure to make our submission available on our website soon. If your own advocacy efforts take you to Ottawa, please reach out and let us know. Let’s join forces – send an email to TIAC’s Madison Simmons, Director, Government Affairs, at: msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca.  
 
In brighter news, I’m happy to announce that we welcomed Orie Berlasso to the TIAC team, our new Vice President of Events and Engagement. We are thrilled to have Orie on board, especially as we begin planning for RVC 2023 and move towards Tourism Congress.  
 
As a reminder, it takes place in Ottawa Nov. 22-23, so mark your calendars! We will once again be presenting the Canadian Tourism Awards at a Gala Dinner during the event, to be held at the Westin Ottawa. These awards recognize success, leadership, and innovation in our industry, and rewards those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond.  
 
There are nine award categories, and the deadline for receiving nominations is end of September, so please get your nominations in! New this year is a special award that recognizes the contributions of up to 30 individuals, 30 years of age and younger, to the development of a vibrant and professional tourism industry. Recipients will be acknowledged during a luncheon sponsored by Air Canada and will receive a Certificate of Achievement – nominate a colleague today! 
 
We know there are a lot of worthwhile people and businesses out there in our industry deserving of recognition. 

Sincerely, 

Beth Potter 
President & CEO