Only four virtual Tourism Town Halls left to go! 

TIAC, in partnership with Destination Canada and local host partners, have been meeting with Canadian tourism operators across Canada to gain first-hand input on issues affecting their tourism businesses.

Local small and medium-sized business owners have also had the opportunity to better understand the efforts being made on national tourism issues by TIAC, and ask questions directly to TIAC’s President & CEO, Beth Potter.

This #TourismWeek Town Halls were hosted in Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia, and what has become clear is that many tourism operators and owners are dealing with the same issues. Below are two questions that keep popping up across Canada:

What is TIAC’s view on when the industry can reasonably expect to see a sustained recovery?

TIAC has been facilitating conversations with the Canadian government and looking at what other countries are doing around the world to ensure Canada is part of the seamless traveler experience for people that are moving around the world as we recover from the pandemic. With vaccine roll out happening at different rates around the world, we know that recovery will not look the same across the map. 

TIAC recently saw some hope in projections around percentage of Canadians vaccinated and its tie to reopening measures. The reality is that our businesses do need time to re tool, re train, re hire, and market before they can successfully re open. We need a timeline from the government so that we can plan – knowing that we will have to be flexible based on the evolving situation. We do know that Canadian tourism businesses have invested into their operations to ensure they are ready and offering services that meet all health and hygiene requirements for guests, when restrictions allow.

Going forward, what are TIAC’s key priorities?

TIAC’s first priority is its members, and our most important goal at this time is leading the industry through and post COVID-19. We have been advocating for the sector since the onset of the pandemic, and continue to do so.

TIAC’s immediate/mid term goals are to continue our advocacy, especially after the recent budget and proposed programs, to ensure the industry gets sector-specific supports, and that these programs meet our unique needs. 

We are also working to ensure we are at the table and leading discussions on border re-opening and proof of vaccination to ensure Canada is part of the seamless global travel experience as travel resumes internationally. 

Through this, long term, we hope to lead the Canadian tourism industry to be the most competitive in the world.

Our next Tourism Town Hall takes place virtually in Ontario on Tuesday, June 1st, stay tuned for upcoming registration and date announcements in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories.

Click here to register for upcoming Tourism Town Halls