Title: President and CEO Report
1President and CEO Report
Randy Williams President and CEO Presentation
to the Annual General Meeting of the Tourism
Industry Association of Canada November 2, 2009
2TIAC Achievements 2002-2009
- From staff of four to a strong team of 16 people.
- Strong revenues and secure financial reserves.
- Rebranded with respected, recognizable trademark.
- Founded Hall of Fame and National Awards for
Tourism Excellence - Rebranded TIACs conference Canadas Tourism
Leadership Summit - Tourism Week National, united and cohesive.
3TIAC Achievements 2002-2009
- Boards governance and election policies.
- Grown membership from 200 to more than 400 full
members and 6000 affiliates. - Building strong links with
- Travel and Tourism Research Association,
- Destination Management Association of Canada,
- Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance,
- Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry
Associations, - Biosphere Reserves Association of Canada,
- Duty Free Association of Canada and
- National Airlines Council of Canada.
4Effective Lobbying Efforts
- TIAC has compellingly lobbied for
- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative,
- Marine Liability Act
- Open Skies agreement with the European Union
- Visitor Rebate Program
- CTC marketing investment
- Parks Canada funding
- airport rent reduction and ATSC reductions
- Smart Border Agreement
- Investments in land border infrastructure
- China ADS Tour Operator Guidelines
5TIACs Enhanced Value
- TIACs value and capacity to serve the industry
has been enhanced - Financial security and resources solidified
- Credibility with governments at all three levels.
6Global State of the Industry
- Global financial crisis in Fall 2008 created
significant challenges for the global travel and
tourism industry this year. - UNWTO initially predicted 0 to - 2 growth this
year. - Those numbers revised downwards in June, now
predicting worldwide declines of -6 to -8. - Canada projected to be -3.5
7Tourism and the Economic Downturn
- Fall in the economy would exacerbate the
competitiveness issues. - Tourism is a part of the solution A way to
stimulate the economy.
8Budget 2009Important Gains for Tourism
- Jan. 27 Federal Budget included more than 800
million in tourism-related funding, including - 40 million over two years to the CTC
- 100 million for marquee festivals
- 150 million for Canadas national parks system
- 407 million for improvements to passenger rail
service - Funding of projects which will assist in the
development of vital tourism infrastructure - These investments will help address many of
tourism issues, but there is still more to do!
9Making Tourism Growth Happen What Comes Next
- To achieve growth in these trying times, we need
to address following issues - Airlift and Aviation Costs
- Approved Destination Status
- Borders, WHTI and new traveler identification
- GST/HST Rebate for Visitors
- Sustainable Tourism
10Canadian Sustainable Tourism Advisory Council
(CSTAC)
- Through the CSTAC, the industry is working on a
national certification program for sustainable
businesses. - This system will allow us to market to the
growing numbers of discerning, ethically-minded
green travelers who want to lessen their
footprint.
11Governments are vital shareholders in tourism
- Government oversees regulation in key areas for
tourism Borders, transportation infrastructure,
visa process, etc. - Federal and provincial governments own and
operate important tourism products. - National and Provincial Parks, museums,
historical areas, and marquee events are
essential elements of Canadas tourism success. - By the same token, public sector cannot be
successful without private industry confidence
and investment in a vibrant tourism economy. - Public and Private sectors need to collaborate
and nurture this symbiotic relationship if we are
to thrive.
12Roundtable with PM Top Level Commitment to
Growth Strategy
- PM Harper The next step is to improve the
coordination of our efforts and better sell
Canada as a tourist destination for both domestic
and international visitors.
13Federal Growth Strategy
- An integrated and rational approach to promoting
growth in the sector through vital investments - This initiative is a top priority for the
Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism,
Diane Ablonczy - June 4 meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Commitment to the growth strategy.
14Collaboration is the key
- Public and Private stakeholders need to work
together. - Both sectors need to respect the value of their
partnership.
15Tip of the Cap
16Bulldog Awards
- The Bulldog Awards recognize people not in the
advocacy business who exhibit the tenacity of
their canine namesake in their advocacy efforts,
and loyalty to our industrys cause. They are
truly TIACs best friends.
172009 Bulldog Award Recipients
- George Petsikas, Director, Government and
Industry Affairs, Air Transat - For his exceptional work with the NACC on
aviation issues. - Gary Clarke, Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
- For his contributions to CSTAC and his continued
work on sustainable tourism
18Thank You!