ACTA Talks Tourism With Boissonnault
As part of the 2022 federal budget, the federal government began stakeholder consultations on its renewed Tourism Growth Strategy in order to plot a course for growth, investment and stability in Canada’s travel and tourism sector.
Specific areas of focus are labour gaps and instability, investment attraction and destination development and long-term economic growth across the country.
In its submission, ACTA offered eight key recommendations:
- Attract and retain a sustainable travel & tourism workforce
- Embrace a whole-of-government approach, including all Ministries in the strategy
- Improve access for travellers to and within Canada
- Tie any new COVID-19 restrictions with financial subsidies for hard-hit travel & tourism businesses
- Ensure independent travel agents are included in future federal support programs
- Forgive federal COVID-19 loans for hard-hit travel & tourism businesses
- Build a regenerative and inclusive travel & tourism industry to rebuild an economically stable sector
- Mandate that travel agent commission protection be included in all federal supplier support programs
ACTA’s submission puts forward recommendations that support travel agencies and independent travel agents.
As a member of the steering committee, ACTA’s recommendations were developed in close cooperation with the Coalition of Hardest-Hit Businesses to build industry consensus.
On Aug. 3, ACTA met with The Hon. Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism, to share its recommendations personally.
It was a productive discussion with the ACTA team and board members, and the Minister shared that he values the role Canada’s travel agencies and independent travel agents play in Canada’s travel and tourism industry and looks forward to continued dialogue with ACTA and its members.
Seen in the photo:
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism; Wendy Paradis, President of ACTA; Richard Vanderlubbe, Board Member; Gary Gaudry, Board Member; Geneviève Dupuy-Duplessis, Board Member
