As we enter the 15th month of the pandemic, we are starting to see the easing of travel restrictions in different countries around the world and an indication by the federal government of a reopening plan based on vaccination rates. 

 

We have been facilitating conversations with the Canadian government and at the global table through the World Travel and Tourism Council, looking at what other countries have been doing to ensure Canada is part of the seamless traveler experience for people that are moving around the world as we recover from the pandemic.

 

As your National Voice fighting for the survival of the travel industry, we are committed to championing the needs of the industry and keeping you up-to-date on the changes impacting your business.

 

Since our last Covid-Update, we, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) have hosted three Tourism Town Halls in Atlantic Canada providing details of our advocacy efforts to ensure programs like the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy & Rent Subsidy remain in place, at existing levels. We created the Tourism Town Hall series to provide you an opportunity to meet with TIAC, Destination Canada (DC), and your provincial or territorial industry association to better understand efforts being made on your behalf as well as a platform to ask questions and share concerns. I encourage you to register and attend a Town Hall; our next virtual session will take place in Nunavut this Friday. 

 

As we look to the future, Rendez-vous Canada+ (RVC+) 2021 taking place next week May 17 -20, is our opportunity to reaffirm our position on the global tourism stage; letting the world know we will be ready to welcome travelers back when restrictions are lifted.  TIAC has been working closely with DC to deliver this event and invite sellers across the country to our virtual lounge to chat and learn more about our work and how to become engaged.

 

We also invite you to partake in Tourism Week activities from May 23-30. Since 2003, TIAC has led this seven-day event and this year's national campaign is calling on Canadians to take the 2021 Tourism Pledge, that is, when restrictions are lifted, to travel in Canada. Please visit Tourism Counts to learn more about Tourism Week, how to be engaged, and access shareable resources.

 

As you can read, we are not slowing down our efforts. We have accelerated our pace of initiatives and actions keeping the industry top of mind. We continue to meet with federal officials to elevate your stories detailing struggles and challenges and offer solutions and recommendations and will monitor federal program roll-outs for gaps and shortfalls.  Please continue to share your stories about the issues you are facing, particularly about federal support programs, so that we can work to address them; email at Beth@tiac-aitc.ca.

 

TIAC is your national voice, however, we can't do this without you. we need your engagement and support. 

 

Our success begins with you.

 

President & CEO

Tourism Industry Association of Canada

 

The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation, as well as highlights of our recent advocacy efforts. We are working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.

 

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:

TIAC continues meetings with federal officials to understand the details of proposed budget programs, particularly the Tourism Relief Fund and the Canada Emergency Wage and Rent Subsidy program changes.

 

Our efforts continue to be around refining our advocacy messaging for those pieces that were not addressed in the budget, and we remain committed to ensuring we are at the table to guide the efficient and effective roll out of anticipated support and relief programs for tourism businesses.

 

We are working to ensure continued funding for the hardest hit sectors, at current levels, to ensure your survival. We are looking ahead, advocating for the smooth and quick opening of our borders both interprovincially and internationally, to ensure Canada is part of the seamless travel experience as people start to move around the world again, and so that our businesses can get back to work. Our conversations also continue around a proof of vaccination system for Canada – with TIAC advocating for one system for the country, as opposed to different regional approaches.

 

TIAC has a number of other initiatives on the go including;

 

The launch of a National Cruise Committee to ensure that the needs of this industry are met and included in our recovery documents as we move forward. For more information on this, please email msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca

 

President and CEO, Beth Potter, facilitated our first monthly Member TALK yesterday, where member questions were answered, and an overview of TIAC’s current work was provided. Member TALKs will take place on the second Tuesday of each month - you can register for the next one by clicking here.

While we continue to address the challenges facing the industry, we are also forging ahead on other efforts including Tourism Week; a national campaign that has been led by TIAC since 2003. This is a seven day event to recognize Canada’s tourism economy, and the impact it has on every community across the country.

 

This year, Tourism Week is May 23 – 30, and we are calling on Canadians to take the 2021 Tourism Pledge, that is, when restrictions are lifted, to travel In Canada first! We are extending an invitation to come together as a country and support our local tourism destinations, businesses, and employees.

 

We invite you to take part, learn more at tourismcounts.ca.

Tourism Town Halls allow tourism operators to provide first-hand input on issues affecting their business and the tourism industry in this time of COVID and provide feedback on government policy for the recovery and rebuilding of our sector. They also provide a front-line forum exposure for governments, TIAC, Destination Canada and event sponsors to collaborate with small and medium-sized tourism business operators.

 

 

 

Register to attend a Tourism Town Hall by clicking here.

 

Our members are our priority. Please reach out with any comments or questions on advocacy initiatives to beth@tiac-aitc.ca.