Many ask why they should join TIAC, what is in it for them and will the benefits offset the membership fees? Is the return greater than the investment? What is the compelling business case to join TIAC?   

Simply put, TIAC tackles industry challenges "your issues", develops solutions and advocates for programs and policies that can ensure you can successfully run your business and grow. 

There is no better example of what TIAC has done for you than in the last 18-months. Throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic TIAC has elevated your voice and championed your needs, pushing for programs and influencing policy changes.    

Early in the pandemic, TIAC brought together a representative group of members from across the country, representing the diverse suite of sectors that make up our industry, as the Tourism Recovery Committee. This committee created a series of recommendations for the federal government that lead to many programs of support for the industry. 

TIAC has successfully: 

• advocated for wage and rent relief programs as well as extensions to keep your business operating and staff employed; 
• advocated for border reopening, both the US and International to start the reboot of the visitor economy; 
• Advocated for tourism relief programs and as well as monitored and advised the government on the needed areas of improvement; 

• Advocated for the accelerated timeline for resuming cruise ship activity in Canada; 

TIAC has co-chaired industry groups including the Coalition of Hardest Hit and the Canadian Travel and Tourism Round Table to elevate the industry issues, formulate and present solutions. TIAC has also worked with every Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Association and other sector associations including the Indigenous Tourism Industry Association of Canada to ensure information is shared and we collectively address needs from coast to coast to coast.  

TIAC rolled out the National Tourism Week in Canada Campaign and the Pledge to Travel in Canada; encouraging Canadians to support their tourism industry. 

TIAC created the TourismVotes.ca website, providing the industry with the tools and resources needed to elevate the industry as a vibrant sector with all politicians leading up to the election.    

TIAC is currently working with partners in the development of policy language to ensure the successful passage by the new federal government of the proposed tourism survival program.  

TIAC is also collaborating with Tourism HR Canada to address our labour crisis and is working behind the scenes to solve the industry's commercial liability insurance challenges. 

There is a long list of other successful initiatives TIAC has undertaken on behalf of the industry, including well before Covid-19 entered the equation. There is no doubt the work ahead to ensure your full business recovery will take the organization down different paths of engagement and effort. Like the pandemic, TIAC is positioned to address the uncertainties the industry faces on the road ahead. 

So why join TIAC? If you have been able to access relief programs, wage or rent subsidies, seen an increase in visitation over the last few months, it is because TIAC has been behind the scenes advocating for you. 

As a not-for-profit, membership-driven organization, we invite you to add your voice to the association and join fellow tourism colleagues across the country in solidarity. We are stronger together, join TIAC today.  

Sincerely,  

Jennifer Taylor
VP, Business Development and Member Relations