The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), in partnership with Air Canada, is pleased to support the future leaders of the Canadian Tourism Industry by sponsoring two Travel/Tourism students to attend the 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress.

The winning students will receive one complimentary registration, 2 nights hotel accommodations at the Westin Ottawa, and round-trip airfare on Air Canada (Economy Class) to attend TIAC’s Tourism Congress at the Westin Ottawa, November 30-December 1, 2021.

During the Tourism Congress, winners will be presented with special recognition for their achievement. Eligible students must reside in Canada and enrolled full time at an accredited Canadian college or university in Travel/Tourism or related program. Proof of enrolment is required.

Students must be 19 years or older as of November 30, 2021 to apply .

How to apply

We have seen major achievements such as enhanced Federal Budget measures; an expanded Tourism Relief Fund and the extension of CEWS and CERS. As well, TIAC has guided the conversation on a seamless and coordinated approach to vaccination certification and opening the US/Canada land border to American tourists. However, our work is far from over and we want to hear your ideas and industry solutions.

Please submit your response to the following questions:

1. Finding and hiring employees is one of the most critical issues facing tourism operators. What do you feel would be the most effective strategy to attract, retain and encourage students to select a career in Tourism? (Response: 500 maximum word count)
2. As we begin a new norm, how would you build traveler confidence, domestically and international? (Response: 500 maximum word count)
3. What key strategies do you believe tourism operators should prioritize to attract Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1979/80), Millennials (1981/1994/6) and Gen Z (1997 – 2012)? (Response: 1,000 maximum word count)

Include the following details in your submission:

• First name

• Last name

• Institution

• Program

• Graduation date

• Address

• Email

• Phone

• Date of birth

• Instructor, Professor or Head of Program

• Instructor, Professor or Head of Program email

• Answers to each of the 3 questions above

Submit your answers in writing to futureleaders@tiac-aitc.ca on or before October 22, 2021. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

TIAC will select the top two submissions and announce the winners of the contest on November 1.

By entering this contest, entrants consent to the use of their written or video responses for publicity, advertising or informational purposes in any medium or format without further compensation or notice.

2021 Tourism Congress Future Leaders Contest is presented by the Tourism Industry Association in partnership by Air Canada

Air Canada is the flag carrier and the largest airline of Canada by fleet size and passengers carried. The airline, founded in 1937, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 207 destinations worldwide.

As the National Voice for the Visitor Economy, TIAC takes action on behalf of Canadian tourism businesses and promotes positive measures that help the industry grow and prosper. Since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, TIAC has been the champion for the sector’s survival and recovery.  

Contest Rules and Regulations

The TIAC Tourism Congress Future Leaders Contest (the “Contest”) is open to students who presently reside in Canada and are enrolled full time at an accredited Canadian college or university in Travel/Tourism/Hospitality or related program and who are over the age of 19 as of November 30, 2021.

The Contest Period starts at 12:01 am on August 23, 2021 and continues until October 22. 2021 at 5:00pm.  All times herein are Eastern Standard Times.

Prizing – Each contest prize includes one (1) complimentary full registration to the 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress, hotel accommodations at the Westin Ottawa on November 30 and December 1, 2021, and one (1) return flight (Economy Class) within Canada to Ottawa, Ontario from anywhere that Air Canada flies. Eligible travel dates include up to 3 days before or after the TIAC Tourism Congress (November 27-December 4, 2021). The winner will be required among other requirements outlined below, to show proof of enrolment in a post-secondary school to claim prize.

By accepting the prize, winners’ consent to the use of their name, place of residence, voice, statements, photographs or other likenesses for publicity, advertising or informational purposes in any medium or format without further compensation or notice.

Any costs associated with receiving the prizing are the responsibility of the winner.  TIAC will not be responsible or liable for any possible damages or injuries that may occur as a result of the use of a Prize(s). To be declared a winner, the selected entrant may be required to sign a release, waiver of liability and indemnity in favour of TIAC.  

Selected winners will be contacted by email at the email address indicated on his/her entry. 

If the selected entrant cannot be reached within five (5) business days following the first attempt of contact or declines the prize, TIAC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to select another entrant or to cancel the prize.

Prize must be accepted as awarded. No substitutions, alterations, cash equivalents or redemptions will be made. Prizes may not be transferred or assigned except if expressly consented to by TIAC. Any charges and/or expenses not specifically mentioned as included in the Prize are the responsibility of the winner. TIAC does not assume any liability for lost, damaged or misdirected Contest Entries or Prizes. Other restrictions may apply.

TIAC is collecting personal data about entrants for the purpose of administering this Contest and promoting the TIAC Tourism Congress. No further informational or marketing communications will be received by entrants unless entrants provide explicit permission to do so.

By entering this Contest, entrants release and hold harmless the Contest Sponsor(s), Contest Supplier(s), its advertising and promotional agencies, and the contest judge(s), their affiliates and respective directors, officers, owners, partners, employees, agents, dealers, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively the “Releasees”) from any liability in connection with this Contest or, if declared a winner, the prize.