Why become a member?

TIAO works proactively with stakeholders to resolve policy issues facing Ontario's tourism industry. With your support, TIAO can present a stronger, more unified front when advocating on behalf of tourism—representing industry interests to government, media, the business community and the public.

• Raising the profile and economic importance of Ontario's tourism and hospitality industry with government, media and the public.
• Providing industry input and perspective on government policy that has the potential to impact the tourism industry.
• Working with other tourism industry organizations to respond to critical issues in a timely manner.
• Advocating further investment in Ontario's tourism industry.
• Informing member organizations of important announcements and developments impacting industry.

Our Sustainable Tourism Pledge

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) is a proud Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge signatory, demonstrating our commitment to improving the sustainability performance of our business between now and 2030.

The UN World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

Each year, we commit to measuring and improving our sustainability performance in the following ways:

• Continue to have sustainability and environmental consciousness as part of our organizational thinking and framework.
• When building partnerships, ask potential partners if and what initiatives they are undertaking to support sustainability.
• Ensure work-related flights and accommodations are carbon offset when available.
• Utilize our pan-provincial tourism network to support the education of sustainability by hosting the first Regional IMPACT Conference in Ontario.

Who Do We Talk To?

Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries             Office of the Premier

Ministry of Finance                                                                                        Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade          Ministry of Education 

Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines                      Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks 

Ministry of Government and Consumer Services                                 Ministry of Infrastructure

Ministry of Labour                                                                                          Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry                                           Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities                                      Ministry of Transportation

Opposition Parties including leaders and critics

For more details on TIAO's recent legislative wins on behalf of the tourism industry, please click here.

Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant	Vaccine Certificate Exemption for International Visitors and First Nations Communities	Ontario Staycation Tax Credit
Proof of Vaccination Opt-in	Unpaid IDEL to be Extended to July 30, 2022 to Protect Jobs and Businesses	Temporary ESA Regulation on Termination and Severance Payouts
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and Regional Relief and Recovery (RRRF) Programs	Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program	Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) / Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) / Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)	Permanent Alcohol Wholesale Discount at LCBO	Ontario Taking Steps to Protect Vulnerable Workers
Improving Rural Access to High-speed Internet	Temporary changes to ESA legislation	Ontario Travel and Tourism Small Business Support Grant
Ontario Tourism Recovery Program

Who are our members?

TIAO is recognized as the umbrella government advocacy organization serving Ontario's diverse tourism industry.  We facilitate conversations between government and industry to affirm the economic value of tourism. TIAO is an organization membership, not an individual. TIAO represents the Regional Tourism Organizations (RTO), Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO), Sector Associations, Tourism Operators and Suppliers to the Tourism Industry, as well as any Post-Secondary Education within the Province of Ontario that has tourism, hospitality or culinary within their programming.