🚨In support of ongoing TIAO and industry advocacy on the LaSalle Causeway closure, opposition critics call on the federal government to "do better for the City of Kingston, its residents, and the local tourism businesses and workers, whose peak tourism season is at risk because of federal delays and inaction."
Read the full letter;
🔗https://t.co/Tz2WSuQ44h
I am so touched to receive this gift of appreciation from my former colleagues at @BlueMtnVillage and @BlueMtnResort - Custom crafted by the incredible Rob Sheridan, the man behind the Mountain! The Muskoka chair is a local icon, and a coveted place to rest and take-in all the beauty of Blue Mountain Village. The rainbow colours represent the amazing work the local tourism community takes to be welcoming to all, including the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s this special touch, recognizing who I am as well as what I have achieved, that is the most meaningful & so representative of our industry’s strengths & values. Much appreciation & love! A great message to kick-off #TourismWeekCanada2024 @TIAC_AITC @TIAOtweets @RTO7Connection@townofbluemtns
It was such a treat to run into Steven Hellmann of @thefoodiesgroup & his @CentennialEDU students out on a field trip checking out some amazing culinary hot spots in @SeeTorontoNow ! Love the passion & energy our hospitality & tourism schools, teachers & students bring to the industry!
I was so fortunate to spend time this week with my colleague Carol Greenwood w @TIAOtweets and the amazing Vincenza Ronaldi & Debra Mansillo w @OntarioTravel! Motivating discussion & opportunities ahead as we work together to promote and support #Ontario ‘s incredible tourism industry!
The Ontario government has introduced $1.3 billion in funding aimed at stabilizing colleges and universities. Publicly assisted institutions will see an extension of the tuition freeze for at least three additional years, with a provision allowing a maximum 5% tuition increase for out-of-province domestic students.
The funding package includes $903 million over three years for the new Postsecondary Education Sustainability Fund (starting in 2024-25), $167.4 million for capital repairs, and additional one-time grants. Mental health support receives a boost with a $23 million allocation over three years. The government has also introduced the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024, meant to address transparency, provide more mental health services, and stronger anti-racism policies. Furthermore, there is a proposal to permit colleges to offer applied master’s degrees in high-demand fields, complemented by the launch of a career portal to help students navigate labour market needs.
TIAO is pleased to see that the Province has been receptive to our recommendations to support our postsecondary institutions, which offer critical training programs, employment pathways for in-demand sectors like tourism and hospitality, and infrastructure supporting local and domestic visitor markets. While today’s announcement is a positive step toward addressing the immediate financial challenges faced by Ontario’s postsecondary institutions, it falls short of the policy measures required to bring college and university funding up to at least the national average.
Following the federal introduction of the international student permit cap, TIAO is pleased to see that the Province intends to work closely with the postsecondary sector to achieve fair allocation of the available study permits. Given that Ontario will be disproportionately impacted by the cap due to high international enrolment, TIAO recommends that funds be directed to in-demand programs like tourism and hospitality that will be hardest-hit by the cap—not just STEM programs.
Read the full article to view TIAO's recommendations;
https://t.co/qp0OBodvPk
The federal government has imposed a 2-year cap on international student permit applications as of January 22, 2024. In provinces like Ontario which have welcomed higher proportions of international students in the past, this cap is expected to result in significant decreases. The total reduction in study permits may be as high as 50%. In addition, open work permits will no longer be available to spouses of international students in undergraduate and college programs.
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) is conducting a short survey to understand how Ontario's tourism and hospitality industry will be impacted by these policy changes.
Visit the link below to take part in our short survey and share your valuable insights;
https://t.co/lBYcIE06Ya
Flip the Fair is an innovative online job fair hosted by @TIAOtweets on Feb 16, 2024, where 250 hospitality & tourism student candidates from Ontario post-secondary schools will have 'booths' and employers will have the opportunity to visit them! Resister: https://t.co/02REpBj5Vz
I am very honoured to share this notice by @TIAOtweets. I look forward to joining the team & working with TIAO’s members, industry partners, & government. With a strategic focus on innovation & growth, we will work hard to strengthen our amazing tourism industry across Ontario!
Always great to hear from our partners at @TIAOtweets about how we can further strengthen Ontario’s tourism industry.
By working together, we’re connecting more people to incredible destinations across the province and boosting our economy!
Research has shown that committing to sustainability means increased clientele,
reduced employee turnover, and reduced energy use, waste, and materials.
Take the first step.
Take the #SustainableTourism2030 Pledge.
Learn more: https://t.co/HoNmc1zjc5
We’re thrilled to introduce our newest team member, Madison Simmons! As TIAO’s Vice President of Public Affairs, Madison Simmons brings over a decade of experience in public affairs, government relations, and association management, including 4 years spent working closely with the tourism sector.
Join us in giving a warm welcome to Madison!
From 2021 to 2023, Madison served as Director of Government Affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in Ottawa Ontario, representing over 600 tourism businesses across the country. Madison effectively advocated for member businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing and fostering relationships with tourism stakeholders, department officials and Parliamentarians.
Madison worked on the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses campaign from inception, which successfully advocated for the creation and passing of Bill C-2 in December 2021, ensuring sector specific support continued for the tourism and hospitality industries. Prior to TIAC, Madison worked as a Consultant Lobbyist with Impact Public Affairs for three years. Madison worked with a broad spectrum of teams and stakeholders in the tourism, hospitality, healthcare and automotive industries in the development and advocacy of strategy policy initiatives, including leading government relations and public relations activities.
We're excited to welcome Dr. John Smol to IMPACT Regional Ontario!
Dr. Smol is a Distinguished University Professor at Queen’s University, authored 680+ publications, and received 70+ awards. Join us in Kingston & hear his invaluable insights on environmental challenges & change.
Get tickets at https://t.co/YV34Ai46HH
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is calling for nominations for the 2023 TIAO Board of Directors.
TIAO is seeking individuals who are committed to advancing the mission and vision of the organization and who have the skills and experience necessary to guide Ontario's tourism industry towards a bright future.
To submit a nomination and read the details, visit the link below;
https://t.co/EgBbKYzjCY
Please note that only TIAO members in good standing are permitted to stand for nomination or nominate candidates who are TIAO members in good standing.
Happy Earth Day! 🌍 Today we celebrate our beautiful planet and all the incredible resources it provides us. Let's make every day Earth Day and work together to preserve our planet for generations to come.
#earthday#earthdayeveryday#earthday2023