As of the start of this month, the removal of testing requirements at the border that TIAC has been heavily advocating for are now in place and we are hearing from you that bookings are starting to ramp up. While you are working to rebuild your business this spring, know that we are working hard to ensure that this positive momentum is not short-lived. 

As TIAC’s representative, I am actively involved with several committees – the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, the Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable, and the Future Borders Coalition among them – to align and amplify our messaging when speaking to government; and have seen significant strides advocating on your behalf.  

This past weekend, Canada welcomed the first cruise ship into port in two years and the excitement is palpable! My sincere thanks to TIAC’s very own National Cruise Committee, which not only has been working steadfastly toward this achievement, but also to set the stage for an exciting return to cruising in Canada.

The Federal Budget 2022 was released last week, and you can read more about it in this issue of the newsletter. Although dedicated funds to tourism were noticeably lacking in the new budget, which was heavy on housing and defence spending, the federal government did allocate $1 billion to tourism in 2021. And of that allocation, $750 million will be spent this fiscal year, and we will continue to work with Deputy Prime Minister Freeland and Minister of Tourism Boissonnault to get those dollars into the hands of your businesses as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Beth Potter
President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada