The federal election campaign is in full swing, and ACTA says if the travel agency community wants to ensure its needs are heard by the next government, the time to act is now.
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) is urging Canada's travel professionals to participate in its Twitter campaign highlighting the need for additional financial support for travel agencies and advisors as the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) winds down.
In a press release, ACTA pointed out that candidates running in the federal election have mentioned very little support, if any at all, for independent travel agents (ITA's).
ACTA has asked travel advisors to support the industry by putting pressure on their local politicians during the campaign, as OpenJaw has reported before.
Wendy Paradis, ACTA's president said on 16AUG, “Now more than ever, ACTA is urging members to engage in grassroots advocacy efforts by meeting with Members of Parliament, all candidates, and other decision-makers to ensure sectoral support for Travel, Tourism and Travel Agent issues becomes an election issue."
Now, ACTA is specifically asking ITA's to demand a tailored subsidy program of political candidates.
“We are urging members to share the importance of financial support for independent travel agents until the travel industry can recover. Our message will be directed to all political parties. It is very important to share your story and the need for financial support with key electoral candidates.”
ACTA’s Government Relations firm has advised members to spread the message on Twitter, as "it is the most impactful platform to share our message,” said Paradis.
ACTA suggests their agents and industry message either compose their own Tweets or use the following templates:
- As a hardest-hit tourism business, independent travel agents need the next government to create a transitional support program to ensure our business survival. We call on @JustinTrudeau @theJagmeetSingh @erinotoole @YOUR LOCAL CANDIDATE to save our business. #cdnpoli
- I’m an independent travel agent who relies on the CRB. I call on all parties to create a transitional program to help us survive and see economic recovery. @JustinTrudeau @theJagmeetSingh @erinotoole @YOUR LOCAL CANDIDATE #cdnpoli #Election2021
- @JustinTrudeau @theJagmeetSingh @erinotoole @YOUR LOCAL CANDIDATE, how will you help independent travel agents, who are hardest hit independent contractors and sole proprietors, survive to see recovery? We need urgent sector-specific support beyond October! #cdnpoli #Election2021
ACTA is once again highlighting its previous message of contacting one's local candidate, and is hoping that the Canadian Travel and Tourism industry can reach 1,000 meetings per week between now and 20SEP.
On 24AUG 2021, Paradis said ACTA was "pleased with" the Liberal's proposed wage and rent subsidy program, but is not endorsing the party. On the other hand, ACTA said the Conservative Party of Canada's Job Surge Plan was not good enough to help the travel advisor community.
