Tourism Week 2018 - The future of tourism-Canada’s economic pillar

OTTAWA, ON May 28, 2018 – Throughout Tourism Week, TIAC will lead a nationwide celebration and advocacy efforts in which businesses and stakeholders call on the federal government to support the $97.4 billion industry by addressing the economic opportunity available to Canada through travel and tourism and the public policy challenges impacting the sector.

Tourism Week aligns tourism organizations, businesses and other partners from across the country around a common vision: a globally competitive tourism sector, supported by government policies and recognized for its contribution to the Canadian economy.

During 2018, the industry has much to celebrate

• 8M International visitors in 2017 – a record year!
• $97.4B in economic contribution – greater than agriculture and fisheries combined
• 8 million jobs attributable to tourism
• Responsible for more youth employment than any other sector

“As Canada’s tourism industry enters the high season, TIAC is pleased to kick-off tourism week, a nationwide celebration in which industry and stakeholders come together to celebrate the importance of tourism and discuss ways to strengthen our industry”. Tourism currently contributes $97.4 billion to the economy, makes up 2% of Canada’s GDP and is responsible for creating 1.8 million jobs in every area of the country. “Throughout this week, members of our association and tourism businesses across Canada will engage in collaborative activities and policy discussions to help us reach the New Tourism Vision (NTV) goals and continue to move Canada’s tourism sector forward, said TIAC President and CEO, Charlotte Bell.

In Ottawa this week, TIAC and industry champions from across the country will hold meetings and activities that highlight tourism’s current momentum and illustrate the issues requiring updated measures to ensure Canada meets tourism’s full potential and continues to strengthen local economies in urban, rural and remote locations.

Tourism is calling on the federal government to implement the following measures:

LABOUR

• Path to immigration for all streams and for all skill levels that include hospitality
• Immigration streams must meet labour market needs at all skill levels
• Federal funded, skill and capacity programs that prioritize tourism jobs

ACCESS – VISA PROCESSING/BARRIERS TO ENTRY

• Canada needs to streamline its visa application process
• Bring low-risk countries under the eTA program
• Support pre-clearance measures at the US border
• Biometrics should be introduced in a staged-in approach only

COST COMPETITIVENESS

• No additional federal fees and taxes on tourism products
• Reduce fees, levies and taxes on air travel
• Reintroduce incentives for foreign travelers through GST rebates or other means

MARKETING FUNDING TO SUPPORT TOURISM

• Establish long-term year-over-year incremental funding model to boost tourism’s momentum

TIAC invites you to join our advocacy efforts on and offline by using the hashtags #TourismWeek and/or #TourismMatters on social media.

The TIAC lead tourism industry advocacy team meeting with Parliamentarians this week includes:

Charlotte Bell, President and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC)  

Traci Bednard, VP Communications & Passenger Experience, Edmonton International Airport and Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) board member

Cathie Bolstad, CEO, Northwest Territories Tourism and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

François-G. Chevrier, VP, Industry Partnerships and Development, Alliance Touristique du Quebec and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

Darlene Grant Fiander, President, Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA) 

Craig Foley, CEO, Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador (HNL) and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

Kevin Kelly, CEO, Travel Nunavut and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

Fittipauld Lourenco, Director, Government Affairs - Federal Government and Ontario, Air Canada

Dave McKenna, President, Brewster Travel Canada and Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Board Member

Kevin Mouflier, Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI) and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

Beth Potter, President and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), Chair of the Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

Blake Rogers,Executive Director, Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon (TIA Yukon) and Board Member, Provincial Territorial Tourism Industry Association of Canada (PTTIA)

Darren Reeder, Executive Director, Banff and Lake Louise Hospitality Association (BLLHA)

Judy Saunders, Chair of the Board of Directors, Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS)

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For more information please contact:

Marcela Diaz
Director, Public Affairs and Communications
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
mdiaz@tiac.travel
t: 613-238-6378