Thank you to members who took time out of their busy days to complete the Annual TIAC Member Survey.

Congratulations to Laura Barry Walbourne, Manager of Travel Trade with Pacrim Hotels Atlantic Canada, for winning the VIA Rail gift certificate.

We are pleased to share some of the highlights of the survey.

Summary of findings:

• 169 total responses (21.5% response rate)
• Response received from every province and territory.
• 94% rated the value of TIAC's membership benefits as valuable.
• 94% recommend joining the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to other industry professionals.

The following summarized the challenges respondents identified that negatively impact Canada's Tourism Industry.

• "Labour" challenges remain front of mind for tourism operators, with 77 responses pointing to talent attraction and retention issues that persist post-COVID-19 pandemic.
• "Affordable housing" is not only a general concern for Canadians but in tourism hubs and rural communities, the cost of housing for tourism employees is a significant barrier to talent attraction and retention efforts.
• Increased investment in "tourism assets" is a key policy pillar for TIAC. Of the 23 survey responses that identify "product development" challenges, ten challenges pertain to hotel accommodations, including a lack of room availability, affordability and needed investments in hotel infrastructure, while ten challenges are identified pertaining to a desire for new investment in tourism assets.
• Respondents identified "access" on the part of international travellers as a key tourism sector challenge. Sentiments were focused on ensuring our borders are open and welcoming to foreign travellers, primarily through easing requirements around visitor visas for foreign entrants.
• Respondents indicated that "Air Access" is a current challenge related to a perceived need for more flights to and from Canada; the rising cost of air travel; and limited air travel to rural, northern, and remote communities in Canada.
• Sentiments around "funding" challenges are wide-reaching in nature, from funding for SMEs and specific industry activities to a desire for more funding for DMO marketing activities.
• Challenges related to "High prices" equate to cost-of-living concerns. This is very similar to "Recession/inflation" responses which pertain primarily to general economic conditions and the rising of living in Canada.
• "Marketing" challenges identified are broad ranging -- from concerns that Destination Canada and DMOs lack needed funds to challenges related to attending international events and trade shows to help promote Canadian businesses abroad.