The Air Canada Future Leaders Luncheon was held Wednesday afternoon to honour those whose experience masks the impact they have had on the industry. Taking place amid TIAC’s Tourism Congress and the Canadian Tourism Awards, held this year in Vancouver, British Columbia, from Dec 3 to 5, the event shined a spotlight on four individuals from the generation that will eventually take up the mantle and carry on the hard work completed by today’s industry titans.

 

David Rheault, Vice-President, Government and Community Relations for Air Canada, had the privilege of welcoming to the stage Gabrielle Heschuk, Ramachandran Gomathi, Harshveer Dhaliwal, and Tiffany Sanford, who won the contest designed to encourage students to pursue a career in tourism. The essays and videos they each submitted illustrated their significant contributions to the vibrant tourism sector and, during the luncheon, received from Rheault a certificate recognizing their efforts.

 

Heschuk, a master’s student in sustainability at UBC Okanagan, explained how she hopes to contribute to the industry: “I’ve grown up travelling, being a tourist, and I decided to combine my passion for sustainability with travel and tourism, and so my master’s is focused on sustainable tourism and looking at how climate disasters in particular are impacting the future of the tourism industry and how to make a more resilient and sustainable tourism industry.”

 

Sustainability is a concern for Dhaliwal as well, though more in terms of history, with a focus on the Indigenous peoples. “What Canada is today comes from those Indigenous people… It’s about creating experiences for people who know nothing about Indigenous tourism like myself and giving them an opportunity to build connections and support the community and sustainability at the same time… I want to work in the future at something that is sustainable and Indigenous. And I’d love to contribute to that growth by ensuring that the stories that are told respectfully and on the terms of the Indigenous people.”

 

Gomathi was a relative late-comer to the world of travel, never having left the country before his 24th birthday. Lacking the financial means to explore the globe but harbouring the desire to do so, he landed a job as a photographer on a cruise ship. “Now I’m 31. I’ve been to 31 countries, thanks to the cruise ship. And the best part is, they pay me! Then I realized the power of tourism; now I can explore my passion for tourism. I’m at Humber College now, studying tourism and travel services management, hopefully to contribute more to tourism and travel.”

 

Said Tiffany Sanford, whose revelation that she was a 40-year-old college student and mother of three was applauded by those in attendance, “My passion for meeting people and forming personal connections inspired me to pursue a career in the tourism industry. What excites me most about tourism is the chance to connect with diverse cultures and people, while exploring new places, traditions, and outdoor adventures. I grew up partaking in many years of Outdoor Education and now I find it incredibly beneficial to teach my own children to enjoy the outdoors as well. Don’t get me wrong – I do love 5-star experiences. Additionally, contributing to sustainable travel practices and creating unforgettable experiences for travellers is incredibly rewarding."

 

Rheault concluded the chat with the four winners by acknowledging their hard work and urging them to continue their contributions to the industry: “Thanks for your accomplishments you already have. Congratulations on winning the prize. We need strong leaders today and tomorrow. Other people count on you to keep promoting Canada here and around the world.”