Official Airline of the Tourism
Industry Association of Canada
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Montreal, QC
April 24 - 27, 2016
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Tourism Week
Locations TBA
May 29 - June 4, 2016 | |
Montreal, QC
October 16 - 20, 2016
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Gatineau, QC
November 28 - 29, 2016
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Promote your business or organization, your photo could be in our next TIAC Talk.
Submit your image today to jodacre@tiac.travel.
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TIAC would like to welcome our new members who joined in January/February 2016:
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Any questions, concerns or feedback? Please contact:
Jessica O'Dacre
Communications Coordinator
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
p: 613.688.1468
i: www.tiac.travel
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Federal Budget Targets Travel and Tourism for Economic Growth
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"Today's Federal Budget demonstrates the government's confidence in the travel and tourism sector's ability to deliver economic benefits to Canada's middle class. These announcements go a long way to improve Canada's competitiveness as a global tourism destination. Investments in marketing, transportation, attractions and infrastructure will help attract international travellers to Canada and improve the visitor experience," stated Charlotte Bell, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC).
TIAC welcomes the proposed $50 million funding increase to Destination Canada's international tourism marketing over the next two years. Unlike many Canadian industries, travel and tourism is experiencing optimal business conditions, particularly from the US market where the combination of economic recovery, increased passport ownership and currency exchange provide an excellent opportunity to generate interest in travel to Canada.
Please click here for the full press release from TIAC. |
The first tourism numbers of 2016 are in and they look good. The overall January 2016 numbers show a 10.3% increase in visitors to Canada over January 2015! A large part of this increase came from visitors from China, one of Destination Canada's target markets. After several months of slowed growth, we are seeing the strongest January visitation from China ever, and the largest percentage growth since 2012; Visitation is up +27% over last January, with total visitors numbering 30,823. Mexico started the year strong, with +21.8% more visitors over January 2015. Further success is seen in the mature European market, where France and Germany had very strong growth at +5.6% and +7% respectively.
The 2016 numbers are very encouraging when compared to 2015, which was one the best years for international visitation to Canada in nearly a decade where Canada outpaced the global growth rate by over 2%. The bright light in 2015 was an 8.3% increase in overnight visitation from the US, and that performance is prior to the launch of Connecting America, the new US leisure marketing program led by Destination Canada.We look forward to seeing more success in the rest of 2016!
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Canadians See Tourism as
Economic Driver
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TIAC commissions Nanos study
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Canadians believe it is time to take advantage of the low Canadian dollar and attract more tourists through tourism investment. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada commissioned a survey through Nanos Research Group to gage what Canadians think about the tourism industry. The results were very favourable to the industry, showing that tourism is perceived as a potential economic driver and indicates that now is the time to invest more money in tourism. Notably, More Canadians believe that the travel industry has more growth potential than the oil and gas sector. Further, a full 75% of respondents support more funding for tourism marketing.
Given these results, it is clear that the public understands the importance of travel and tourism during these economic times. We hope that with the commitment to Connecting America, and an investment in more tourism marketing dollars to Destination Canada, the government will help tourism realize it's economic potential.
For more information on the Nanos study, contact Adrienne Foster - Director, Research & Public Affairs at afoster@tiac.travel.
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UPDATE: Canadian Tourism Awards
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Nominations opening April 18th
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Are you planing on nominating your tourism business for a Canadian Tourism Award?
On April 18th TIAC will be announcing categories for and officially opening nominations for 2016! Potential nominees can look forward to popular favourites as well as a few new options to consider.
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Success in Blocking Amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations
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The department seeks further input from the tourism industry
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TIAC and partners such as Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, have successfully blocked proposed changes to the Marine Mammal Regulations under the Fisheries Act.
In the Fall of 2014 the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations that would have unduly placed restrictions on marine-based tourism businesses (whale watching, boat tours, etc). TIAC intervened with a submission based on industry input and follow up meetings on behalf of our members who have developed responsible practices in consultation with, or endorsed as safe by, marine scientists. TIAC asserted that the current legislative and regulatory framework which includes the Species at Risk Act, Marine Conservation and Parks Canada Acts is sufficient to clearly define appropriate behaviour in these protected spaces.
In conjunction with strong advocacy from industry partners such as HNL, we were able to block the proposed amendments. DFO has recently confirmed that there are no plans to move forward with implementing the proposed amendments and no amendments will be brought into place without further input from the tourism sector and other key stakeholders.
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Tony Pollard of the Hotel Association of Canada is Retiring
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TIAC would like to wish a very happy retirement to the President of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), Tony Pollard! Pollard has been with HAC since 1991, and has made significant improvements for the lodging industry as advocate and spokesperson throughout his career.
During his time at HAC, Pollard has published several important works including "Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes", "Green Key - An Overnight Success Eleven years in the Making" and "Hospitality for Chinese Guests" which won him a USA Today Award of Excellence in 2011.
His voluntary positions include both Vice-President and Board of Directors member for the International Hotel Restaurant Association (IHRA), founding member of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and volunteer President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Pollard has been awarded the Ordre du Merite Hotelier du Quebec, the Pinnacle Award and The Pistilli Environmental Award, among others. Most significantly, he has been presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to his peers, the community and to Canada.
For more on Pollard's contributions to the Canadian tourism industry, click here. |
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Save on Your Conferencing!
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Check out the updated benefits TIAC members receive from Affinity Pragmatic
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Pragmatic is pleased to announce our new and improved exclusive discount pricing being offered to TIAC's valued members! Partnering with Pragmatic, TIAC members can enjoy:
- 24/7 customer support
- A dedicated account executive
- Per second billing
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An exclusive conferencing rate just for TIAC Members
- ...and more!
Find all of the details here.
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Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available!
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| | Click to download sponsorship package. |
Are you attending Rendez-vous Canada in Montréal from April 24-27? Don't miss out on the chance to expose your brand to over 420 nominated, hosted global buyers!
With 11 new options in addition to traditional methods, RVC sponsors have the opportunity to get noticed by key international buyers.
Sponsorships are sold on a "first come, first-served" basis. Call Jenn Taylor at 902-698-0984 or email jtaylor@tiac.travel , to explore how you can maximize your investment and presence in Montréal!
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The 2016 Census is Coming!
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Canada's next census to be conducted in May 2016
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Early in May, census packages will be delivered to households across Canada, providing residents with the information they need to complete their questionnaire online or on paper.
Completed questionnaires will provide valuable information that will be used by all levels of government to make decisions about your neighbourhood and community. Information obtained through the census is needed to plan services such as child care, schooling, family services, housing, public transportation and skills training for employment.
Every person, young and old, must be included in the 2016 Census.
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