TIAC Hill Days 2023

October 16-18, 2023

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is once again leading a series of advocacy meetings with Parliamentarians and federal departmental officials during its Hill Days event, taking place Oct. 16-18, 2023. These meetings aim to raise awareness of the issues faced by the tourism industry and to champion policies the Government can introduce to help rebuild the visitor economy.

KEY PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TIAC is working toward the following as the path to growth: Business Debt Load Working toward building long-term, sustainable solutions to businesses’ debt concerns, through targeted policies. Tailored debt management resources to ensure SMEs remain competitive. Rebuild the Tourism Workforce Immigration streams that meet labour needs at all skill levels (including the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMP) Program). Tourism sector stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW). Indigenous tourism workforce strategy. Core funding to Tourism HR Canada (THRC). Rejuvenate Tourism Infrastructure and Assets Tourism Infrastructure Fund to support major capital projects. Tax credit program to incentivize investment. New capital for airports to expand, update, and upgrade infrastructure. Expedite Access for Visitors to Canada Improve IRCC’s capacity to process visitor visa applications (including expediting access for international travellers attending business events). Increase Cruise Ship Operations (CSO) ports and expedite CBSA’s cruise ship clearance procedures. Invest in the motor coach industry via federal transit funding programs to connect travellers to rural Canada. Environmental Sustainability Fund and incentivize private investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and in new green solutions. Housing Affordability Support tourism hubs and rural communities across Canada. Cross-sectoral working group to evaluate housing targets and optimal approaches.

Taking our message to the Hill

TIAC’s messaging during these Hill Days meetings will be focused on the specific recommendations laid out in its submission for its pre-budget submission.

Here's how you can help!

Help us ensure the most robust recovery possible for tourism. Each day of Hill Days we’ll be sharing a message to raise awareness of the importance of our sector and the challenges it faces. Please amplify these on your channels, either directly from our pages or by downloading the images beside it.

We thank you for all your support – don't forget to tag us in the post!

Monday, October 16	Tuesday, October 17	Wednesday, October 18
TIAC members are on the Hill this week as part of our annual Hill Days event. We’re raising awareness with Parliamentarians around what is needed to build back better for Canada’s visitor economy. #TourismCounts #TIACHillDays #CdnPoli	Tourism businesses across Canada continue to struggle financially, face barriers to recovery, and have considerable challenges attracting workers. Follow along as we meet with Parliamentarians this week and ensure your voices are heard. #TourismCounts #TIACHillDays #CdnPoli	By investing in tourism, we create jobs; we promote environmental protections; we support culture; we support Indigenous tourism; and we support communities through housing and sustainability. #TourismCounts #TIACHillDays #CdnPoli

Tourism by the Numbers

Tourism is massive, globally. Prior to the pandemic, it was:

One of the world’s largest sectors, accounting for 1 in 4 of all new jobs created in the world, 10.3% of all jobs (333 million), and 10.3% of global GDP (USD $9.6 trillion). International visitor spending amounted to USD $1.8 trillion in 2019 (6.8% of total exports).

At the end of 2019, tourism spending hit an all-time high of $105 billion. By the end of 2020, this dropped to $53 billion, with domestic spending decreasing by 40%, and international spending dropping by 87%.

Tourism accounted for 748,000 direct jobs and just over 2 million in total prior to COVID-19. One out of every ten workers in Canada had a job related to tourism. In 2020, direct jobs decreased by 30%, and all related jobs dropped by 23%.

The growth rate of global tourism before COVID outpaced that of the global economy for nine consecutive years. And despite the pandemic, tourism demonstrates a very high potential for strong growth into the future.

By the end of December 2022, total tourism spending in Canada from both domestic and international sources reached $93.7 billion or 89% of 2019 levels. We have come a long way, but we are not fully back yet.

Tourism matters.

It is the best way to demonstrate to the world our ideals as a nation – resilience, tolerance, sustainability, and inclusivity. Tourism is crucial to fostering a sense of national pride and civic engagement, as well as in in sharing Canada’s values and principles with the world.

Our collective beliefs are needed in the world now more than ever.

Investing in tourism also leads to economic growth, job creation, and environmental protection, and supports the flourishing of local culture, including Indigenous heritage.; It also promotes peace, prosperity, and a respect for human rights.

It also generates considerable revenue in Canada for all levels of government, which ultimately benefits all people across the country.

Check out the photos of Hill Days 2022 presented by TIAC!