• TIAC led a coalition of hundreds of tourism stakeholders as well as a letter-writing campaign to advocate for a change to the Canadian Emergency Business Account loan program that resulted in revised terms and deadlines and provided operators more time to pay back. (Summer of 2023)
  
  
• BC & NWT Wildfires - TIAC was actively engaged in ongoing conversations and communications with federal officials and industry partners to determine the best ways to provide assistance. (ongoing)
  
  
• CBSA Work-Around for Business Events Sector (Early 2023): In early 2023, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed to TIAC their commitment to implementing a work-around for the Business Events (BE) sector. This work-around pertained to the importation of temporary goods for conferences and trade shows in Canada, within the framework of the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project. This development marked a significant triumph for TIAC, showcasing the organization's advocacy efforts and demonstrating tangible support for the BE sector. The BE sector expressed profound gratitude for TIAC's instrumental role in achieving this crucial milestone.
  
  
• Federal Budget Allocation for Business Events Sector (CARM-related): In the context of the Federal Budget highlights, it's noteworthy to specify that the $50 million allocation to Destination Canada (DC) is designated to support the Business Events (BE) sector. This funding is strategically aimed at attracting major international conventions, conferences, and events to Canada. By explicitly highlighting this in the Federal Budget bullet, TIAC emphasizes its role in advocating for financial resources that directly contribute to enhancing the competitiveness and appeal of Canada as a destination for significant global events within the BE sector.
  
  
• 2023 Hill Days campaign: The 2023 Hill Days campaign involved TIAC's strategic engagement with some 50 policymakers on Parliament Hill and at several important federal departments. This initiative aimed to advocate for policies favorable to the tourism industry, emphasizing its economic significance and seeking support for policy measures that would enhance the industry's growth and resilience.
  
  
• Debt Relief – New research commissioned by TIAC on the debt situation: TIAC took a proactive stance on addressing the challenges posed by the debt situation within the tourism industry. Through new research commissioned by the organization, TIAC sought to understand the complexities of the debt landscape, providing valuable insights that informed potential solutions and policy recommendations to alleviate financial burdens on businesses. These efforts led to amendments to the CEBA program that were announced in September.
  
  
• Federal Budget highlights: TIAC actively participated in the discourse surrounding the federal budget for the fiscal year. By highlighting key aspects relevant to the tourism sector, TIAC aimed to influence budgetary allocations and priorities, ensuring that the industry's needs were recognized and addressed at the national level. In support of tourism, Federal Budget 2023 announced $50 million in new resources to Destination Canada for Business Events and another $103 million to the RDAs.
  
  
• Influential Submission Impacting Government's Tourism Growth Strategy: TIAC's active involvement in shaping the future of the Canadian tourism landscape was further underscored by the submission made for the Tourism Growth Strategy. The letter from the All-Party Parliamentary Tourism Caucus explicitly acknowledged the pivotal role played by TIAC, ITAC, and THRC in influencing the strategy, which was ultimately adopted by the government.
  
  
• Took part in Tourism HR Canada’s Labour Market Forum: Each year Tourism HR Canada hosts a Labour Market Forum and invites 80 industry professionals from across the country to participate in a conversation about how we can all build a resilient, competitive, and inclusive workforce.
  
  
• Annual Tourism Congress: TIAC shared comprehensive industry data and highlights at the Annual Tourism Congress, providing a platform to discuss key challenges, opportunities, and trends. The attendance of government officials, including ministers, further emphasized the significance of these discussions in shaping tourism policies. Nearly 500 delegates from across the country attended the event in Ottawa.
  
  
• TIAC's Canadian Tourism Awards: TIAC celebrated outstanding contributions to the Canadian tourism industry through its annual awards ceremony. Recognizing excellence in various categories, these awards served to acknowledge and promote best practices, innovation, and dedication within the tourism sector. Hugh Mackenzie was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.
  
  
• Future Leaders (Air Canada Sponsored): The Future Leaders program, sponsored by Air Canada, aimed to nurture emerging talent within the tourism industry. By providing mentorship, educational opportunities, and networking experiences, TIAC and Air Canada jointly supported the development of the next generation of leaders in tourism. Seven future leaders were recognized during the ceremony.
  
  
• Development of the READi Program: TIAC initiated the READi Program, focusing on Research, Education, Advocacy, and Development in the tourism sector. This comprehensive program aimed to address current challenges and opportunities, fostering sustainable growth through informed decision-making and strategic initiatives.
  
  
• Launch of the Sustainable Tourism Symposium and workshops: TIAC took a proactive stance on promoting sustainable practices within the tourism industry. The launch of the Sustainable Tourism Symposium and accompanying workshops provided a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss and implement environmentally conscious and socially responsible strategies.
  
  
• Tourism Town Halls: TIAC organized and conducted Tourism Town Halls across all provinces and territories. These events served as valuable forums for dialogue between industry stakeholders, local businesses, and communities, addressing regional challenges and fostering collaboration for the sustainable growth of tourism. We thank our partners DC, ITAC and THRC for their work in rounding out the discussions.
  
  
• Rendez Vous Canada 2023: The Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) 2023 event, held in Quebec City, was a significant business matchmaking platform. It provided opportunities for tourism professionals to network, forge partnerships, and explore potential collaborations, contributing to the growth and return of international visitors to Canada. It is estimated the event yielded more than $90 million in long-term economic spin-offs for the broader industry.
  
  
• Industry Webinars and Member-only Ask an Expert Webinars: TIAC facilitated a series of industry webinars covering diverse topics such as Commercial Insurance, Culinary Tourism, Travel Marketing Tips, LGBTQ Market and Inclusiveness, Programmatic Advertising, Garden Tourism, Francophone and Bilingual Tourism. These sessions aimed to disseminate knowledge, best practices, and expertise to industry members, fostering continuous learning and skill development.
  
  
• Creation of 5 Advisory Committees: TIAC established five advisory committees to address specific focus areas within the tourism industry. These committees brought together experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders to provide strategic insights, guidance, and recommendations, ensuring that TIAC's initiatives were well-informed and aligned with industry needs. The committees are:
  • DIGITAL READI Advisory Committee
  • EXPORT READI Advisory Committee
  • INVESTOR READI Advisory Committee
  • SUSTAINABLE & REGENERATIVE READI Advisory Committee
  • MEMBERSHIP Advisory Committee

More details on our advisory committees can be found here.

• As an industry leader, TIAC contributes to the industry through the active participation on many boards and committees, including: NorthStar, Future Borders Coalition, Tourism HR Canada Board of Directors, WTTC advisory council, and others.
  
  
• TIAC continues to support the future of our workforce through speaking engagements and student leadership contests. We also contribute to the ongoing discussion of the post education offerings by sitting on the Board of Governors of Centennial College and as a supporting member of the Canadian Council of Tourism Universities.
  
  
• Collaborative work and speaking engagements through the provinces and territories’ network allows for aligned messaging.
  
  
• TIAC is actively working on the international front via the WTTC and UNWTO by working on issue-focused working groups that help to inform policy here in Canada.  Issues addressed included sustainability, climate change, labour, and seamless travel.