TIAO's Weekly Tourism Roundup - August 12

Stay informed with our bite-sized Tourism Roundup, drawn from TIAO's Weekly Newsletter, right here on LinkedIn. Subscribe today at the link below to gain exclusive early access to the most crucial industry updates delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss out - be the first to know.

• Subscribe to TIAO's Weekly Newsletter

JOIN US FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY EVENT OF THE YEAR!

You're invited to the 2024 Ontario Tourism Summit, taking place in the vibrant city of Hamilton, Ontario on October 22 and 23! OTS24, themed around AWARENESS, COLLABORATION, and MAKING IT HAPPEN, will equip tourism professionals across the province with the insights and strategies needed to navigate the new realities reshaping our industry.

Nestled between the stunning Niagara Escarpment and the shores of Lake Ontario, Hamilton is the perfect setting to gather, learn, and build connections. This historic industrial hub has transformed into a thriving destination, boasting a gorgeous waterfront, flourishing art communities, and charming historic towns.

Over two power-packed days, OTS24 will dive deep into four critical focus areas:

Workforce & Infrastructure

Gain expert insights on building a resilient team and ensuring your destination has the right physical foundations in place to meet evolving visitor needs.

Data & Marketing

Discover how to leverage real-time data to make smarter decisions and attract your ideal travelers. Explore the infrastructure and workforce readiness required to deliver exceptional experiences.

Registration is now open - secure your spot today and let's make it happen together in Hamilton! Stay tuned for the full speaker lineup.

TOURISM GROWTH APPLICATIONS OPEN

he Tourism Growth Program is a key part of the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. The program provides $108 million over three years to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small- and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations to grow and develop local tourism products and experiences that will position Canada as a destination of choice for domestic and international visitors.

FedDev Ontario will be accepting applications until September 17, 2024, 8:59 pm Eastern Time.

Indigenous applicants may apply anytime. Contact [email protected] for more information or to request an application form.

FedDev will also hold virtual information sessions to provide an overview of the application process for businesses and organizations interested in applying for funding. Please keep an eye on the agency’s website for more information and updates on upcoming information sessions.

MINISTER BOISSONAULT ANNOUNCES NEW MEASURES TO ADDRESS FRAUD IN CANADA'S TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program is designed as an extraordinary measure to be used when a qualified Canadian is not able to fill a job vacancy. When an employer hires a temporary foreign worker, they are required to provide a healthy and safe workplace, and to treat employees with dignity and respect.

Last week, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, convened representatives from Canada’s largest business associations with one clear message: the TFW Program cannot be used to circumvent hiring talented workers in Canada, and the federal government will take further action to weed out misuse and fraud within the system .

Minister Boissonnault outlined the following actions that are being implemented to reduce the use of temporary foreign workers in Canada:

• Enforcing consistent application of the 20 per cent cap policy for temporary foreign workers. This includes the policy for the “dual intent sub-stream”, which applies to temporary foreign workers who intend to apply for permanent residency. Employers using this stream will be subject to more stringent guidelines;
• Applying a stricter and more rigorous oversight in high-risk areas when processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and when conducting inspections; ?
• Considering LMIA fee increases to pay for additional integrity and processing activities; and,
• Looking to implement future regulatory changes regarding employer eligibility (factors such as a minimum number of years of business operations or history of lay-offs by the employer).

Minister Boissonnault also informed business associations that he is considering implementing refusal to process under the low wage stream. If implemented, this would prevent employers in certain areas and industries from using the TFW Program. Additionally, the Government is working on modernizing the TFW Program with a new foreign labour stream for Agriculture and Fish & Seafood Processing, as announced in Budget 2022.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ENHANCES TOURISM EXPERIENCES OFFERED IN EASTERN ONTARIO

Last week, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands announced an investment of over $3.7 million for 27 organizations across Eastern Ontario that are diversifying their offerings and contributing to attracting new visitors to the region. This includes five projects that support Indigenous tourism across Eastern Ontario. MP Gerretsen highlighted how an increase in tourists leads to spillover benefits into communities while stimulating local economies.

As a TIAO member, you can post job listings and industry events on our platforms at no cost, gaining visibility with our audience of over 6,000 monthly viewers. Leverage these exclusive member benefits to find the right candidates, promote your events, and connect with the tourism community.

Not a TIAO member yet? Discover how a TIAO membership provides the resources, connections, and benefits to drive your tourism organization forward. Learn more today.