Free Sustainable Tourism Training Program by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is launching a ground-breaking sustainable tourism program to support communities across all 13 Canadian Provinces and Territories. The program will assist small and medium enterprises, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), and other tourism stakeholders and organizations across all sectors of the industry in building awareness and capacity to develop more sustainably; that is, in a manner that maximizes positive environmental, social, and economic impact while reducing negative externalities.

Participation in this program is complementary and is available to all Canadian tourism businesses, not only TIAC members.

The program includes specialized workshops, one-on-one coaching, and certification support around the following topics:

• SDG Decade of Action Planning

• Fast Track to Sustainable Tourism & Pathway to Net Zero Carbon

• Flourishing Business Strategy for Tourism

• Regenerative Event Management

• The Pathway to Regenerative Trails Tourism

• Strong Farm & Rural Shores - Rural Community Strategy

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These topics will be reviewed in the virtual Sustainable Tourism Symposiums. The Western symposium is on January 10, 7:45 AM - 2:30 PM PST.

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Further resources, tools, and materials will be available to participants to continue support once the program is complete.

If you have any questions about the program or how to register, contact TIAC at contact@tiac-aitc.ca or (613) 238-7887.

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Industry Outlines Recommendations for Federal Tourism Growth Strategy

Following a consultation request from government on a Canadian Tourism Growth Strategy, industry advocates across Canada have submitted their recommendations:

1. As a result of consultations with industry leaders and members -- which included focus groups, surveys, and direct outreach -- the Hotel Association of Canada has submitted hotel-specific recommendations as part of the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy consultations. View Submission →

2. The BCHA and HAC are also a part of the Hardest Hit Coalition (HHC) - a collection of more than 120 business associations in the tourism sector, co-chaired by HAC and TIAC. With collaboration from industry, the submission reiterates the four key pillars with attention to tourism and hospitality. View Submission →

3. Expanding on the accommodation-specific recommendations outlined in submissions, the BC Hotel Association outlined specific recommendations and investments needed to support our provincial accommodation sector. View Submission →

4. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada also outlined tourism-specific recommendations; View Submission →

Happy Tourism Week | May 29 – June 4, 2022

Each year, from May 29 to June 4, 2022, tourism partners are invited to come together to champion and promote Canada’s destinations, tourism businesses, and employees to celebrate tourism in Canada from coast to coast to coast.

Get Involved

Operators and communities around BC are encouraged to share their Tourism Week celebrations on social media using the hashtags #BCTourismCounts and #GreenMeansGo.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada has created a toolkit with resources to make it easy to share Tourism Week.

Access Canada Toolkit →

Destination BC and TIABC have provided a toolkit with B.C. specific resources.

Download B.C. Toolkit →

TIABC created a series of Value of Tourism Videos that you can share through your channels. Videos range from about 0:35 seconds to 2:57 minutes, and feature different parts of the province. 

Watch & Download Videos → 

Be sure to follow TIABC and Destination BC on their social channels to share, like and retweet social posts to help all B.C. communities spread the word about Tourism Week.

The Value of Tourism

Tourism is vital to British Columbia, not only for its ability to generate huge economic activity, but also for providing social, cultural and environmental benefits, and showcasing our values as a province: resiliency, reconciliation, peace, tolerance, and inclusivity. These values are needed on the world stage now more than ever.

Tourism improves the quality of life for all British Columbians. Think about the things we enjoy that would not be as viable without the tourism engine: museums and galleries, festivals and sports events, air/highway and coastal transportation, dining and wine touring, parks and recreational facilities, and many other benefits that make life so good here in BC.

Tourism has benefits for both urban and rural communities, provides inclusive and welcoming spaces for all travelers, and acts as a financial and social force for good.

The majority of British Columbians agreed that tourism industry plays an important role in British Columbia’s economic recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic (84%), tourism supports a greater diversity of amenities (such as restaurants, attractions, recreation facilities, and events) than would otherwise exist in their community (79%), while 76% agree that tourism plays a positive role in preserving, sharing, and celebrating the culture and history of their community.

Federal Budget 2022 Highlights

The Government of Canada unveiled its 2022 federal budget on April 7. Spending was largely focused on housing and defense and notably excluded targeted support for the tourism industry by means of wage and fixed-cost support, and an extension of the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program. It also did not include amendments to the Tourism Relief Fund, nor extensions and amendments to debt relief such as the RRRF and CEBA programs.

The Office of the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development spoke to Budget 2022 and noted that it is an innovation-forward budget that is focused on fiscal responsibility as Canada recovers.

Many initiatives in the budget are designed to support Canadian businesses as they scale up, including investments in the Canada Growth Fund, the Canada Innovation and Investment Agency, and the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network.

Other commitments include investments to build a world-class IP regime, grow global innovation clusters, and ensure the resilience and stability of supply chains.

View Recording → (Password: ZtWrptm2)

To learn more about how the federal budget relates to the tourism industry, view the following summaries:

• Government of Canada: Budget 2022

• Destination BC

• Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC)

• Hotel Association of Canada (HAC)

• Canadian Ski Council (via Capital Hill Group)

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Tourism Hospitality Recovery Fund Survey & Advocacy for Additional Relief Funds

On October 21, 2021, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced that the government was taking targeted action to create jobs and spur economic growth, including the Tourism Hospitality and Recovery Program (THRP), which would provide support through wage and rent subsidy programs to tourism and hospitality operators, with a subsidy rate of up to 75%.

While the program is currently available until May 7, 2022, the subsidy rates were decreased by half as of March 13, 2022.

TIAC has been advocating for the original rates to be maintained and extended to September 2022.

As discussions with government officials continue, TIAC wishes to obtain more up-to-date information from tourism operators on the impact this cut will have on your business.

Please help TIAC advocate on your behalf to increase support by answering this brief survey.

Take Survey →

Survey on Tourism Relief Fund

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada has been advocating for the faster roll out of Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) support to the industry and asked the government to consider supporting projects under this Fund that help tourism operators recover and relaunch their businesses from the pandemic in addition to projects which:

• Create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors; and

• Help the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors.

To properly advocate and make changes, TIAC needs up-to-date information from operators on whether the Fund is responding to your current needs, where you are experiencing challenges in accessing the program and the nature of those challenges, as well as how you believe improvements to the Fund could be made.

Take Survey →

BC Meetings & Events Industry PHO Distinction for Business Events

Submitted to TIABC by Joanne Burns Millar, BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group

Originally published in TIABC Dec 7 Email Newsletter

"Since March 2021, when the BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group submitted its COVID-19 Safe Restart Plan to the BC Government and the Public Health Officer (PHO), the working group has been actively engaged with industry and government working toward a recognized distinction for business events from public and social gatherings.

Alongside advocacy efforts from the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and BC Hotel Association (BCHA), the working group has been in regular discussions with the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation (JERI), and the PHO, bringing awareness to the importance and rationale for such distinction.

Following a pivotal discussion last week with Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Brian Emerson, chaired by Tourism Minister Melanie Mark, the working group was successful in receiving the distinction for business events in the latest provincial health order.

Here are some key relevant points extracted from the order.

1. Business Events are allowed to have standing events. Networking, receptions, mingling are all acceptable. Holiday parties associated with businesses are considered “business events”.

2. Events such as wedding receptions, funerals, theatrical and musical events, concerts must be seated.

3. The health order separates the meaning of inside events into A & B categories:

A. "inside event” means (a) a gathering of more than 50 participants in an inside place for one of the following purposes: (i) a form of entertainment involving a performance such as a theatrical production, a concert, a symphony performance, a choral performance, any other type or musical performance or a dance performance; (ii) business, but limited to a lecture or presentation; (iii) a wedding reception; (iv) a funeral reception not held at a funeral home, (v) a sponsored or ticketed party at which there is musical entertainment, other than for the purpose of providing background sound;

B. a gathering of more than 50 participants in an inside place for one of the following purposes (i) a business purpose not described in (a), and including a conference, convention, commercial trade fair or workshop or home show; (ii) gambling; (iii) recreational education or classes, including arts, crafts, music, photography, culture, or travel education or classes (c) a gathering of any number of participants in an inside place for the purpose of an adult sports activity, an adult exercise or fitness activity or class, or an adult dance class; (d) a sports event in an inside place; (e) a program for children or youth in an inside place; (f) a worship service in an inside place.

This indicates that only events in category “A” must be seated events. Category “B” events are legally able to be standing events.

1. A person must not permit a place to be used for or must not organize an inside event with a purpose described in paragraph (a) (Category A) of the definition of an “inside event” unless the event is held as a seated inside event.

2. A person must not permit a place to be used for or must not organize an inside event as a standing event, if the purpose of the event is described in paragraph (a) (Category A) of the definition of “inside event”

A note on dancing: There is still no dancing allowed unless it is a performance. There have been conversations and advocacy around this issue, however, it is not expected that restriction to be lifted in the near future. Things are still in a tenuous place and while they had hoped that all restrictions would be lifted by now, the PHO is not ready to remove this one.

While progress for the sector has moved more slowly than we need to begin a measurable recovery, this distinction in the health orders is a big step in the right direction."

Tourism Industry Association of Canada announces MOU with Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) have agreed to formalize their partnership through a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). This represents a concrete collaboration between the national Indigenous tourism organization and the national advocacy organization for the tourism industry in Canada.

The primary goal of this MOU is to work collaboratively and coordinate efforts to provide leadership, advocacy and engagement opportunities, supporting the recovery of the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada. ITAC and TIAC will work together to share and develop knowledge, complementary expertise, and market intelligence.

TIAC encourages the development of tourism in Canada and serves as the national private-sector advocate for the tourism industry. Responsible for representing tourism interests at the national level, TIAC contributes advocacy work supporting policies, programs, and activities that will benefit the tourism sector’s growth and development nationally.

Notice of TIAC AGM - January 19, 2022

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada's (TIAC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 10:30 am. to 1:30 p.m. PST virtually – details still to come.

To access the proxy vote or nomination form, click on the following:

1. Proxy Vote Form

2. Nomination Form

These documents and the link to register to the AGM require you to log in to your membership account with TIAC.

If you have forgotten your login information to access benefits or renew your membership, click here and input your email address and check your inbox.

Developing Winter and Shoulder Season Tourism - Elevating Canadian Experiences

TIAC launched its Elevating Canadian Experience (ECE) program to provide tourism stakeholders with free learning resources in culinary tourism and tools for the winter/shoulder seasons.

The ECE program provides content ranging from strategy development to practical tools and tips - all designed to help grow and adapt your tourism business as an operator and build tourism capacity in your region as a destination partner.

The latest module "Embracing Canada’s Winter and Shoulder Season" has been developed to assist tourism operators and destination partners in broadening the shoulders of your tourism season and provides valuable insights, worksheets, tips and strategies.

TIAC 2030 International Business Model Industry Questionnaire Survey

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada is working to research and collaboratively design a strategy to attract more international visitors and business to Canada. This strategy needs to be responsive to its changing environment, instill confidence in the industry, look to a future where Canadian tourism is flourishing, and strengthen our advocacy efforts.

Everyone’s unique perspective is valued, and opinions on the future of collective international business development efforts are important to the tourism sector as a whole.

Please take the time to complete this 5-question online survey before the end of day on November 4. You will have the opportunity to have your name entered into a random draw taking place on November 8 for one in-person ticket to the 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress being held from November 30th – December 1st, valued at $795-$995.

Keep Momentum of Support Strong with the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses

A critical pillar of advocacy work over the past 20 months has been TIAC’s position as co-chair of the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses. This is a coalition of over 120 tourism, hotel and events businesses including TIABC who are fighting for industry-specific support. Not just businesses - but also the organizations that represent hundreds of businesses behind them.

Check out the website for current campaigns and how you can get involved.

Canada - U.S. Border Update

Building on the previous announcement regarding the Canada-U.S. land and ferry border progress, the U.S will allow travellers with mixed doses of vaccinations to cross for non-essential travel. U.S land borders with Canada and Mexico will be open to fully vaccinated tourists by November 8.

While the U.S. will not require Canadians to show negative test results to cross at land borders, returning to Canada requires a negative PCR test within 72 hours of crossing the border.

Tourism Insurance Survey - Close September 24

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Association (PTTIA) that includes TIABC, have formed a task force on the issue of rising insurance premiums in the tourism industry.

We are continuing to hear from operators concerned with commercial insurance access, premium increase, and limited liability coverage. Insurance is a fundamental element in the industry’s ability to build back stronger post pandemic.

To help with TIABC's advocacy work on this issue, please complete this survey by September 24.

We also request that you share the survey link with others who have concerns to ensure as robust a response as possible. Thank you for your time and input.

Tourism Votes: Canadian Election Resources for Tourism Businesses

TIAC has developed a number of tools to assist you in getting involved on behalf of the visitor economy at TourismVotes.ca. While TIAC continues to meet with key decision makers and candidates in Ottawa and across the country, which is an extremely important part of advocacy, it is equally important for industry to make an effort to meet with their local candidates from all parties. Local constituents are able to provide their candidates with a more specific community perspective on issues related to tourism industry local impact.

Ensure you are registered by visiting Elections.ca. Remember you can register to vote by mail, you can vote at advanced polls, or you can choose to vote on election day, September 20, 2021.

TIAC Federal Election Advocacy Push

Throughout 2021, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has pushed for greater support for the industry. This included major achievements such as enhanced federal budget measures, an expanded Tourism Relief Fund, extension of CEWS and CERS, and opening the US/Canada land border to American tourists.

As an extension of this approach, TIAC will be running a proactive tourism advocacy and media campaign. This will include direct TIAC activity, as well as TIAC’s leadership of the Hardest Hit Coalition fighting for business survival support for the tourism suite of sectors.

What you Can Expect:

TIAC is launching the following proactive steps to keep members informed and ready to engage with local candidates:

• TourismVotes.ca microsite as one-stop shopping for information on the election

• Detailed Platform Analysis for impact on tourism

• Social Media Content to support TIAC issues

• Email updates to members on important developments

• Hardest Hit Coalition actions

• Regional meetings with candidates

• Work with election media

• Digital advocacy tool once candidates are named

• Talking points for members when meeting candidates

TIAC will be busy fighting for our industry, and supporting you to fight for recovery.

Nominations Open for 2021 Canadian Tourism Awards

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to recognize success, leadership, and innovation in Canada's tourism industry.

This year the tourism industry has demonstrated true resilience and a remarkable commitment to continuing to provide top-quality experiences and services to travelers.

If you have a business or an employee in mind that deserves to be recognized for their success in one of the 2021 Canadian Tourism Award categories, submit your nomination before August 31, 2021.

Advocacy Efforts: Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) continues to work closely with the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, working to establish a COVID Tourism and Events Business & Employee Survival Program, in order to provide qualified and limited financial support to tourism and events businesses with significant revenue losses from September 2021 to May 2022.

How You Can Help

• Engage with your local MPs/Candidates this summer – whether it’s a meeting, email, phone call, when they come knocking on your door, or a letter. Find your local Member of Parliament.

• Download and share the key message guidelines

• Send a letter to your local Member of Parliament. It is already written, you simply need to press send on HardestHit.ca.

• Spread the word on social media

• Keep TIAC in the loop - how did it go? Who did you meet with? What kind of reception did you receive? Use the Advocacy Campaign dashboard to report your meetings and share comments.