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ADVOCACY in ACTION
Yesterday, TIAO hosted a Northern Ontario Tourism Roundtable with MP Michelle Ferreri (Shadow Minister for Tourism), MP Chris Lewis (Shadow Minister for Labour), and MP Eric Melillo (MP for Kenora).
The group was joined by Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario, Destination Northern Ontario, and Northern Ontario tourism business operators who discussed the ongoing obstacles facing the resource-based tourism sector, including the border restrictions, debt, and the labour crisis.
Thank you to the MPs and industry stakeholders for taking the time to meet with TIAO!
SAVE THE DATE: TOURISM DAY AT QUEEN'S PARK
Save the date for the first return to Tourism Day at Queen's Park in person!
September 20, 2022
This is a members only event. Ministry meetings are limited in attendance. Everyone can attend the Taste of Ontario Reception. Registration is required. Watch your email for information coming soon on how you can indicate your interest in attending.
NOMINATIONS FOR 2022 ONTARIO TOURISM RESILIENCY AWARDS ARE OPEN!
2021 continued to be a year that challenged our industry, reinforcing our need for determination and perseverance. It just made sense for us to continue to recognize those that have shown resiliency, gained inspiration from others and look towards rebuilding with the Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards.
Click the here to learn more and begin the nomination process!
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR ONTARIO TOURISM SUMMIT 2022!
Gather with industry colleagues and tourism leaders for two days at Deerhurst Resort to network, gain new insights, explore trending topics and celebrate excellence at the 2022 Ontario Tourism Summit.
Click here to purchase your early bird tickets for OTS22!
Are you looking for a job in the Ontario Tourism Industry? Do you identify as Indigenous? Or, are you an Ontario tourism business looking to hire new employees? If you answered yes to one of these questions, we want you to Save the Date!
We have several Employee-to-Employer Matching Events taking place this summer. If you haven't already applied for the program, there is still time!
This program has been designed to facilitate interviews between Indigenous jobseekers and tourism businesses in their region. Once your application has been completed you will be invited to participate in our Employee-to-Employer Matching events. Hosted virtually, our online platform will allow you to schedule online interviews with potential employers, and vice-versa, to interview for eligible positions in 2022.
Click here to apply today!
SURVEY: TOURISM GROWTH STRATEGY - PRIORITIES FOR TOURISM OPERATORS
In its recent Budget, the Federal Government stated that “to continue supporting Canada’s tourism sector, the Minister of Tourism will work with the tourism industry, provincial and territorial counterparts, and Indigenous tourism operators to develop a new post-pandemic Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which will plot a course for growth, investment, and stability.”
Government has initiated national consultations. TIAC will be actively participating in these consultations, including drafting a detailed submission that reflects the tourism industry’s priorities for moving towards growth, investment, and stability. To assist TIAC in this regard, please click here to complete the survey.
RTO8 SEEKING NEW MEMBERS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RTO8 is looking to fill the following 4 vacancies at the Annual General Meeting on September 15th, 2022
➔ City of Peterborough Representative
➔ Northumberland County Representative
➔ County of Peterborough Representative
➔ Kawartha Lakes Representative
All applications to join the Board of Directors for the 2022-23 term must be submitted by 4pm on August 2nd, 2022. Apply on RTO8.com
JOIN TIAO IN TAKING THE PLEDGE - AND ENSURE THAT ONTARIO IS THE MOST COMMITTED PROVINCE TO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Are you interested and committed to being more sustainable? Are you curious, but don't know where to start. Start your 2022 by taking the pledge.
The Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is a commitment to improve the sustainability performance of your tourism business or destination between now and 2030... but this is more than a pledge.
Launched in June 2021, the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is a global movement of individuals, businesses, and organizations within the tourism and hospitality industry that believe tourism has a tremendous opportunity to become a force for good and change the world. We believe that improving the social, cultural, environmental, and economic performance of our industry in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is not a trend or a cause, but is essential to the long term health and well-being of this important sector of the global economy. The Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is built upon the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism criteria, which is aligned with, and in the case of the business criteria, has achieved “Recognized” status, with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. We have set a goal of achieving this.
Take the pledge here: https://www.sustainabletourism2030.com/pledge/
TOURISM & HOSPITALITY EMERGENCY RECOVERY (THER)
As businesses and operators prepare for a strong summer season, workforce recovery remains a challenge. Access tools and strategies specific to your region, including readiness assessments, real-time data, and workshops for businesses. Learn more at LetsGetReady.ca
Vous vous préparez pour la saison printemps-été? Les renseignements sur le marché du travail local et des données sur les prévisions économiques doivent être fournis aux destinations en temps réel pour les aider à prendre des décisions. Pour en savoir plus sur la manière dont l’OTEC et ses partenaires appuient la relance selon les destinations, visitez onseprepare.ca
SAFE TRAVELS STAMP ADMINISTERED BY TIAO
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TIAO has been chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the Safe Travels Stamp in Canada. The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. |
As we are being asked to limit our travel, recognize that the Safe Travels Stamp contributes to comfort with consumer sentiment both from travelers to your area and for your local community. This recognition can lend itself to peace of mind.
Our online application system has been updated and you can access it here. Over 2000 businesses have been approved. See list of successful applicants here.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR TIAO PROUD MEMBER LOGO?
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We value our members and are proud to show you off, which is why we have a special TIAO "Proud Member" logo for your use. If you are a member and
don't have the updated version, please reach out here. |
MEMBERSHIP IN 2022 – IS IT COMPLIMENTARY?
In 2020, thanks to a grant provided by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industry, we had the opportunity to be able to extend complimentary membership for one year. TIAO then chose to extend this again in 2021 recognizing the continued struggle. We need to move forward and rebuild but we know that Re-opening does not mean recovery.
In yet another transition year - we need to charge for membership - but we are keeping our rates level and asking the RTOs, DMOs, Sector Associations, Government, Tourism Industry Suppliers and Educators to pay - as we work with you to cascade up and down the information so that we can continue to collaborate and work together to deliver the voice to industry.
We are offering complimentary membership to tourism operators IF the tourism operator is a member of their local DMO and/or Sector Association. We recognize that tourism operators are still challenged. By aligning with the DMOs/Sector Associations we are allowing tourism operators to not have to choose IF they can only afford one membership - we want them to work with those that can market and bring them business.
For those tourism operators that are able to and want to contribute to green shoots to support TIAO’s advocacy efforts, this is greatly appreciated.
We look forward to hearing from you, having more input, strengthening our industry’s voices and making sure tourism is represented.
Contact us for 2022 membership by emailing us directly at membership@tiaontario.ca
If you are a tourism operator that would like to contribute more than your membership dollars to TIAO to support our advocacy efforts, you can do so in one of two methods:
- Sponsorship of an existing action - Tourism Issues Forum, Policy Speaker Series, AGM, and/or Ontario Tourism Summit
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Become a Green shoots sponsor 🌱 - For those members that can afford to pay more than their membership, we will recognize the value of their existing membership through sponsorship (Green shoots sponsor) and use this value of their membership to continue the research and vital actions to rebuild and represent the industry’s voice to government in Ontario.
How does this work if I want to become a member of TIAO?
Welcome, we are glad to extend this to the industry. We ask that you reach out to us directly at: membership@tiaontario.ca We will set up your membership. We will also extend to you the option as we do to our existing members.
- Membership within TIAO for a period of one year from date of signing.
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Opportunity to sponsor an existing action - Tourism Issues Forum, Policy Speaker Series, AGM, and/or Ontario Tourism Summit AND/OR become a Green shoots sponsor 🌱 - For those members that can afford to pay more than their membership, we will recognize the value of their existing membership through sponsorship (Green shoots sponsor) and use this value of their membership to continue the research and vital actions to rebuild and represent the industry’s voice to government in Ontario.
 Why Green shoots?
Green shoots is a term used to describe signs of economic recovery or positive data during an economic downturn. The term green shoots is a reference to plant growth and recovery and has been used during down economies to describe signs of similar growth.
Welcome to the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
We are your association, and we are here for you!
NEWS
Scroll down to check out news articles in each of these sections:
- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- COVID-19 IMPACT
- LABOUR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
- FESTIVALS & EVENTS
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SUSTAINABILITY
- OTHER NEWS
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Why more Canadians are adding Indigenous stops to their summer road trips
CBC
Summer vacation season is upon us and the president and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) says a growing number of people want to include learning about Indigenous history and culture into their trips.
A 100-year-old power tunnel opens in Niagara Falls to boost Ontario’s tourism industry
Global News
Opened officially on July 1, the tunnel is at the forefront of the visitor experience at the Niagara Parks Power Station by providing a subterranean glimpse of the vast underground infrastructure of the building.
Unforgettable Ontario's Southwest Signature Experiences
Ontario's Southwest
Ontario's Southwest is home to unique, authentic, and memorable experiences that you won't find elsewhere. To help you find the best of the best Ontario's Southwest created Signature Experiences where visitors can get hands-on, learn the stories behind these experiences and make connections with the hosts as well as the region.
COVID-19 IMPACT
Continued use of ArriveCan app ‘choking’ tourism, travel, trade, and ‘punishing’ cross-border families and friends: Diodati
Toronto Star
Business, tourism and political officials say they’re disappointed with the federal government’s announcement it will extend COVID-19 public-health measures for travellers entering Canada, including use of the ArriveCan app, until at least Sept. 30.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
TD Salsa in Toronto Festival is one week away from hosting Canada's largest Salsa dance party and celebration of Latin culture
TD Salsa in Toronto
Canada’s largest celebration of Latin culture, TD Salsa on St. Clair is happening this Saturday July 9th and Sunday July 10th on St. Clair Ave West. And this year, Canada and beyond will have the opportunity to enjoy and take part in the festivities through the free live stream online at salsaintoronto.com.
LABOUR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Tourism heats up for summer amid significant staffing shortages
CTV News Barrie
The tourism sector took a hard hit during the pandemic, with operators now anxious to recoup their losses.
Tourist towns across Canada are facing another hurdle: Affordable worker housing
Globe and Mail
Businesses in tourist hot spots far from big cities are feeling the pinch of affordable housing, as smaller communities struggle to lure workers amid a labour crunch and rising rents.
SUSTAINABILITY
Tourism and Forestry Industry Shake Hands
Wawa News
Hornepayne Lumber, Columbia Forest Products and Pine Portage Lodge (a Resource-Based Tourism Operator) have signed a Resource Stewardship Agreement (RSA) for the forest surrounding Hornepayne, Ontario.
Do Carbon Offsets Really Help?
GreenStep Sustainable Tourism
Pandemic restrictions are almost gone, summer has returned to the northern hemisphere, and tourism businesses are bracing for, yet looking forward to, the beginning of the long recovery. But there's a catch.
OTHER NEWS
What is revenge travel? A 'potential problem' for the region, says WindsorEats owner
CTV News Windsor
A pandemic-inspired trend is encouraging people to pack their bags and jet off to the places they have missed over the past few years — but the owner of WindsorEats says it has him concerned about its negative impact on Windsor-Essex tourism.
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