Federal Tourism Strategy Taking Hold - Banner Month for Tourism in Canada

February is already shaping up to be a banner month for Canadian tourism, after a series of noteworthy meetings and announcements that will positively impact the travel industry.  These developments serve as further evidence that key decision-makers in Ottawa - including senior members of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister himself - are committed to working collaboratively with our sector to find practical solutions on those matters.

Among the exciting developments of the past month:

TIAC Leads Industry Representation at Inaugural Federal Tourism Strategy Roundtable (FTS)

On Tuesday, February 7th, Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism) chaired the first meeting of the Federal Tourism Strategy (FTS) Roundtable in Ottawa.  Bringing together the 15 federal government departments and agencies that impact on tourism, the meeting was the first of many more to come as the Harper government delivers on the whole-of-government approach promised in the FTS.

TIAC was pleased to lead the industry presentation alongside the other members of the National Roundtable on Travel & Tourism (NRTT), including the Canadian Airports Council, the National Airlines Council of Canada, and the Hotel Association of Canada.  Along with its counterparts in the NRTT, TIAC looks forward to working with Minister Bernier and supporting the FTS Roundtable on the implementation of the strategy going forward.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper Highlights Tourism Growth in China

On Wednesday, February 8th in Beijing, Prime Minister Stephen Harper helped launch the Canadian Tourism Commission’s 2012 marketing campaign as part of his trade mission to China.  TIAC welcomed the announcement, as the newly unveiled campaign will help to spur economic growth and create jobs across the country.

The announcement came on the heels of new data showing that travel from China to Canada has grown significantly since the 2009 signing of an Approved Destination Status agreement between the two countries. Over the past year alone, Canada has seen a 24% increase in visitors from China, rapidly making it one of Canada’s most vital inbound tourism markets.

“China is Canada’s fastest growing tourism market, and one of Canada’s great economic opportunities,” said David Goldstein, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. “These strategic investments by the Harper government will help us to promote ourselves to this burgeoning outbound travel market, creating vital economic activity and job growth across the country.”

“Tourism is the world’s fourth fastest-growing export sector, and increasing travel between countries has been demonstrated to encourage more trade in other economic sectors,” said Goldstein. “Increased travel from China to Canada will unquestionably help to open that market to many of our other exports.”

Environment Minister Peter Kent Signals Great Tourism Opportunity as Glacier Discovery Walk Approved

On Thursday, February 8th, Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced that the government would move forward with Brewster Travel Canada’s proposal for a Glacier Discovery Walk project in Jasper National Park.  The project would create a spectacular, fully accessible, viewing and guided interpretive experience of the unique ecosystem of the Columbia Icefield area.

“The Glacier Discovery Walk will be a compelling addition to Canada’s tourism product, and will provide a great opportunity for Canadians and international travelers alike to connect with Canada’s mountain national parks in a unique way,” said David Goldstein, TIAC President and CEO.

This new initiative is precisely aligned with the goal stated in the Federal Tourism Strategy to “attract 10 percent more visitors to Canada's national parks and historic sites over the next five years by increasing their attractiveness as destinations and improving the quality of visitor experiences.” Moreover, it provides a great opportunity for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors to help entice international travellers to choose Canada as a destination.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney Announces New Reasonable Admissibility Policy

On Friday, February 13th, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism signed a special public policy instructing Canada Border Services agents to issue temporary residential permits to foreign nationals with minor criminal convictions on their record.  This had been a longstanding concern for many in our industry, as US visitors with historic minor criminal records were being denied entry to Canada.

This was a particular irritant in the MC&IT and in the adventure/outdoors business, where one person travelling as part of a group being denied entry often resulted in the entire party cancelling or abandoning their visit to Canada.  This new policy will streamline the permit process for international visitors who made a one-time mistake and are of no threat to the country.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenny Commits to Opening up to 150 Additional Visitor Application Centres by 2014

Also on Friday, February 13th, Minister Kenney announced that his department will work to set up an additional 150 Visitor Application Centres (VACs) by 2014.  Visa Application Centres (VACs) are run by private companies authorized by the Canadian government to accept applications from people within a geographic area who want to come to Canada temporarily or permanently. VACs provide an more efficient and cost effective model to issue visitor visas, especially in the key markets of India, China, Mexico and Brazil.

This announcement is a ringing endorsement of one of the key recommendations in our recent whitepaper, Gateway to Growth  on modernizing Canada’s visitor visa process (published by the NRTT last fall),  This new announcement sends a strong signal that the government is committed to reducing the red tape that discourages travellers from visiting Canada.

 
It is clear from these recent developments that the Government is taking the Federal Tourism Strategy rather seriously and is moving forward on many of the initiatives being championed by the industry.  TIAC will continue to work with Minister Bernier, Minister Kent and Minister Kenny, as well as the Prime Minister’s Office and the key federal ministries to continue to build on the momentum of the FTS.

TIAC Welcomes Another New Member: Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute

TIAC is pleased to welcome another fine new member to our ranks.  Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute is the only Canadian campus of Le Cordon Bleu. Located in Canada's capital, Le Cordon Bleu's culinary arts programs allow students to master the classic techniques of cuisine and pastry in only 9 or 10 months.

Under the guidance of world class chefs that are respected worldwide, Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa students receive hands-on training while learning skills and techniques that form the foundation of skills and knowledge that can be applied to any cuisine.

If you would like additional information on becoming a TIAC member, please click here to download our 2011-12 membership brochure.

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Desjardins
Vice-President, Strategy and Public Affairs
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
613-240-7225

Twitter: @TIAC_Kevin