OTTAWA, ON | The Voice of Canada News

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s 2018 Tourism Town Hall series launches during National Tourism Week on May 30th in Ottawa continuing on to Sherbrooke, Quebec on May 31st and stops in other markets in Canada throughout the year. At each stop, local small and medium businesses owners will have the opportunity to meet with TIAC, Destination Canada and tourism partners to better understand efforts being made on national tourism issues.

The Town Halls will allow tourism operators to provide first-hand input on issues affecting their business and the tourism industry such as; labour, marketing, cost competitiveness and access (including the visa process).

The Town Halls also provide a front-line forum exposure for governments, TIAC, Destination Canada and event sponsors to collaborate with small and medium-sized tourism business operators across Canada.

“The Tourism Town Halls bring local businesses a unique opportunity to interact with national tourism partners and discuss the issues impacting their communities,” stated TIAC President and CEO Charlotte Bell. “Taking the pulse of local stakeholders allows industry to incorporate all voices and continue to work together as we strive towards sector growth targets.”

“After a record-breaking 2017 it is the perfect time to check in with industry stakeholders across the country,” says David F. Goldstein, Destination Canada President and CEO. “We look forward to hearing from operators and marketing organizations on how we can work together to maintain our momentum.”

“In 2017, Canada enjoyed its best year ever for tourism. We made new friends from around the world, and we look forward to seeing them again very soon,” says the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism. “The Tourism Industry Association of Canada and its members were key players in our massive success last year as well as our incredible start to 2018. I want to congratulate TIAC on its advocacy and thank the association for its leadership on Tourism Week. By bringing local businesses together, with major tourism industry players, TIAC is helping creating the right ecosystem so that its members and Canadian businesses can thrive and create more growth and good middle-class jobs. Now more than ever, tourism matters!”

The 2018 Tourism Town Halls will take place at the following times and locations:

For more details on the individual events and how to register, please visit https://tiac-aitc.ca/Tourism_Town_Hall_Series.html

The 2018 Town Hall series is supported by local Tourism industry partners and sponsored by Air Canada, WestJet, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), and UnionPay International.