Official Airline of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada
|
Let them know you support
Connecting America, an industry driven proposal for a new 3-year coordinated, targeted and aligned tourism marketing co-investment initiative. #cdnpoli #travel #tourism #connectingamerica
|
|
Niagara Falls, ON
May 26 - 29, 2015
| |
May 31 - June 6, 2015
| |
Penticton, BC
September 27 - October 1, 2015
| 2015 Ontario Tourism Summit
Toronto, ON
November 9 - 10, 2015
| |
Ottawa, ON
December 1 - 2, 2015 |
|
Promote your business or organization, your photo could be in our next TIAC Talk!
Submit your image today to lczerwinski@tiac.travel.
|
|
TIAC would like to welcome our new members who joined in March 2015:
|
|
|
|
BUDGET 2015 TRAVEL & TOURISM HIGHLIGHTS
|
| Economic Action Plan 2015 Proposes Support for Marketing Campaign in the US |
 |
|
On Tuesday, April 21st, the Government of Canada announced its 2015 Budget, and within it were numerous measures that responded to TIAC's recommendations to benefit Canada's travel and tourism industry by improving Canada's global competitiveness, particularly in attracting US visitors.
The following are highlights from the Budget that affect the travel and tourism industry.
Promoting Canadian Tourism
- The budget proposes to co-invest in Connecting America,TIAC's top priority initiative to launch a new, nationally aligned marketing campaign to attract leisure travelers from the US.
- The government announced investments in Canada's 150th birthday celebrations in 2017, as well as infrastructure investments in public transit, museums, cultural centres and historic sites.
Facilitating Legitimate Travel to Canada
- Under the new Electronic Travel Authorization, the government has responded to TIAC's request to grant visa waiver status to travellers from the priority markets of Mexico and Brazil.
For a comprehensive list of all Budget 2015 highlights, click here.
|
|
Commitment to Invest in Connecting America Marketing Proposal Great News for Industry
|
|
Some may still be wondering what Connecting America is all about, here are the basics to get you in the know:
WHO: TIAC and industry working alongside the CTC.
WHAT: Connecting America is a dollar-for-dollar matching investment from industry and government. It aligns businesses, destinations and provincial marketing organizations to optimize impact in US markets.
WHEN: Looking to launch in 2016 - depending on timing of funding.
WHERE: The US is our biggest market - 3 out of 4 visitors to Canada are American - we saw 12 M American visitors in 2014.
- Potential for growth - The timing is perfect to re-enter the US with a national tourism marketing strategy because of:
- a recovering US economy;
- favourable exchange rate;
- and record high passport ownership.
WHY: This investment will generate up to $1.4 B in spending for Canadian tourism businesses in every region of the country and create up to 5,300 new jobs (1,700 for youth).
HOW: Industry and the CTC will work together to pinpoint key markets to penetrate - the CTC with their vast marketing knowledge will lead the way.
As more information on the details of Connecting America surface we will make them available.
We encourage all TIAC Members and others to forward TIAC any communications released on
so that we may compile our collective voice for our records.
|
|
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU
|
|
Governemnt Releases New eTA Regulations
|
|
Soon all travellers to Canada from visa-exempt countries (except the US) will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization (eTA) in order to board a Canada-bound aircraft. The eTA will allow officials in Canada to run security checks on passengers before they board the plane as opposed to having the assessment done upon arrival at a Canadian airport.
See full regulations here.
TIAC has had ongoing conversations with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on easing the transition to the eTA program and stressing the need for proper program design, communication and implementation in order to minimize disruptions to the industry's business cycles. On this front, TIAC successfully lobbied for a delay of enforcement. The government has now announced that voluntary enrollment will begin August 1st, 2015 to give travellers time to learn about the program and sign up. The requirements will officially be enforced March 15th, 2016.
What does this mean for the tourism industry in Canada?
- New Changes: Visitors from visa-waived countries will need to apply for an eTA before departing on a flight to Canada. This will consist of a short online application, and in most cases approval will be granted within minutes of submission. It will cost $7 and be valid for 5 years.
- US Visitors: are exempt and will see no changes to their documentation requirements.
- Transiting Passengers: International passengers under the Transit Without Visa and China Transit Program will be exempt. Other passengers transiting through a Canadian airport to another country - including those from visa-exempt countries - will be required to obtain an eTA.
- Removal of Visas for Some Key Markets: As announced in the federal budget, Brazil and Mexico will be moved to the eTA program and therefore no longer need visitor visas. (Timing to be determined)
TIAC is currently in contact with the offices of both Ministers Blaney and Alexander to ensure industry is kept informed as this program is implemented.
|
|
TRAVEL & TOURISM IN THE NEWS
|
|
A Recent List of Media Mentions
|
 |
"The move 'is absolutely crucial for the tourism industry in Canada because the U.S. is our largest and most important tourist market,' said Charlotte Bell, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, which represents Canadian tourism businesses."
| |
|
"TIAC has proposed a three-year Connecting America marketing initiative that would target high-yield travellers from U.S. markets within a four-hour drive of the Canada-U.S. border and at airports offering direct or one-hop access to every province in Canada."
| |
|
"Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said it's crucial this new travel authorization is as easy as possible for visitors to obtain - or tourists frustrated by the requirement could head elsewhere."
|
|
|
|
Become a TIAC Member Today and Save!
|
When you become a TIAC member, your membership pays for itself...
and then some!
|
| Secure, flexible payment solutions for debit and credit transactions
| |
| MAJOR Budget Car and Truck Rental discounts - up to 10% on moving trucks
| |
| Palladium / EPIC Health Insurance program - SAVE 10% or more - savings of more than $200 in premiums compared to competitors
| |
| SAVE $100 per category, per nomination
| |
| Pragmatic Conferencing & Mobile - SAVE up to 80% on conferencing and 30% on mobile services
| |
| Professional translation, copywriting and proofreading services
|
For TIAC membership information contact: Jennifer Taylor
Vice President, Marketing & Member Relations
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Tel: +1 902 698 0984 |
|
|
