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Happy Holidays! OMCA would like to take a minute to say thank you to all of our wonderful members, partners, and other industry professionals for a great 2020. We hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to creating a bigger and better 2021 with you.
As we reflect on the past year for the industry, we would like to provide the readers of the OMCA Report a look at the most accessed articles from 2020. Our regular publication will resume Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.
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Many tour ops are focusing on Canada tours, but are they actually selling?
Travelweek
From Oct. 9: Canada hasn’t typically been a big seller for travel agents, with Canadians opting for sun and fun abroad rather than vacations in their own backyard. But with COVID-19 restricting travel around the world, and a mandatory quarantine still in place for Canadians upon their return home, industry experts are predicting a record rise in domestic tourism in the coming months.
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Global tourism will look different
Travel Industry Today
From May 8: Six months ago, the global tourism industry was celebrating a record year for travel. Now, it’s decimated and facing a recovery that could take years. Tourism Economics, a data and consulting firm, predicts global travel demand won’t resume its normal pace until 2023.
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Canadian, American tour boats at Niagara Falls become symbol of COVID-19 contrast
CTV News
From July 24: To some observers, a pair of tour boats at Canada's landmark Niagara Falls have become a symbol for how the country's COVID-19 response compares to the virus-ravaged United States.It's a tale of two countries as shown by capacity levels on board the Hornblower Cruise on the Canadian side of the falls, and the famed Maid of the Mist on the American side.
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Travel sector may recover more quickly than after previous recessions: report
Advisor's Edge
From Aug. 21: The COVID-19 pandemic and the closed Canada-U.S. border delivered a “deep shock” to the Canadian hospitality sector this summer, a report from CIBC Economics says. Though challenges remain until a vaccine is approved, the report outlined positive factors that could aid the sector’s recovery.
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The University opens its residences to tour groups, conference guests, sports teams, and vacationers visiting the region. Conveniently located downtown and within walking distance of major attractions, the residences allow you to enjoy your stay in Canada’s capital with ease. Plan your stay at uOttawa now!
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Economic de-regulation update
OMCA
From Oct. 16: Last week, after 8 years and several rounds of formal and informal consultations, the Ontario Government introduced legislation to end economic regulation of the motor coach industry by repealing the Public Vehicles Act and disbanding the Ontario Highway Transport Board effective July 1, 2021. Subsequent to the introduction of the Bill, OMCA had the opportunity to discuss the government’s plan for repealing the PV Act with MTO.
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Join the new OMCA Online Community
OMCA
From April 3: OMCA has launched an online members-only community for open discussion and mutual support from industry colleagues. We look forward to seeing the positive and creative discussions that can manifest as we all plan for what’s next.
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Time to prepare for the 2021 season! Experience the best of both worlds: a complete forest immersion combined with thrilling sensations! An amazing waterfall, 3 suspensions bridges including one sitting 60 meters high. And soar at 50km/h, 90 meters in the air with AirCANYON!
Ask about our group rates!
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Say hello to the new OMCA Board of Directors
OMCA
From Nov. 27: There have been some changes to the executive seats on the OMCA Board of Directors as well as two new faces. Marc Laplante of 417 Bus Lines is now the Chairman of the Board, Doug Badder of Badder Bus is the new Vice-Chair, Brian Denny of Denny Bus Lines has become the new Secretary-Treasurer and Ray Cherrey of Pacific Western Transportation moves to Immediate Past Chair. In addition to these changes, we give a warm welcome to two new board members; Shawn Geary of McCoy Bus Services and Caroline Ravazzolo of Great Canadian Coaches. The full list of directors is available on the OMCA website and they are all available to OMCA members if you have any questions or comments for them.
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CANADA AND COVID-19: A look at provincial attitudes on tourism, recreation and sports
Travel Industry Today
From May 29: As the lockdown rules ease across the country, the public seems to relax attitudes to physical distancing. Do they think the danger is over, don’t they care, or do they even think about it? “It’s warm and sunny how can it be dangerous — besides I’ve been good for weeks? I’m owed some fun.” Wrong folks, COVID-19 is still with us and it’s still a killer.
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In Loving Memory of Michael Dubeau
OMCA
From Aug. 14: A prominent OMCA member and past Chairman of the Board, Michael Dubeau will be missed deeply across the industry. If you wish, please click this link to read Michael’s full obituary and send your condolences to the Dubeau family.
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DeNure Tours keeps office open after selling building in Lindsay
MyKawartha
From Sept. 11: They may specialize in taking people places, but DeNure Tours isn’t going anywhere. Recently, owner Ray DeNure sold the building at 71 Mt. Hope St. in Lindsay but is still operating the motorcoach, sunshine vacation and custom tour company from the same location.
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Bus tour companies in Kawartha Lakes chart own course to bounce back from pandemic
MyKawartha
From Aug. 28: As life continues to move forward, many people’s thoughts are turning toward those little extra things such as attending concerts, dining out and travel. But it’s likely going to be a while longer before any resemblance of normal returns to the latter. “Travel was one of the first things hit and it’s one of the last things to bounce back. There’s just so many unknowns out there,” said DeNure Tours spokesperson Julia Bryan.
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10 things your tourism business can do during a global crisis
BC Hughes
From March 27: We know it’s challenging to have a small business during uncertain times... we are one too. We also know that tourism and travel is one of the industries that can help drive recovery. We saw it first-hand during SARS. Once it’s safe under the "new normal," it’s our job to help build confidence and get people smiling again; and governments will look to tourism for leadership to help get people moving and spending money. While we’re all on standby, we’ve compiled a list of things to think about, to help get you prepared for when the time is right.
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Tour bus owner wants to offer fleet to help with COVID testing
CTV News
From May 29: Angie Ricci has a big idea she hopes could help in the fight against COVID-19.
Ricci is the owner of Angel Tours and Entertainment Inc. Since the pandemic, her fleet of 25 motor coach buses has been sitting idle with nowhere to go.
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Member Alert: Massive increases in liability insurance for tour operators
OMCA
From Jan 24: A number of tour operators have recently attempted to renew their general liability insurance only to find that their current carrier won’t renew them or that their rates are skyrocketing, sometimes by as much as 700 percent!
OMCA has reached out to the insurance industry, both to people in the industry and to the Insurance Bureau of Canada to get an explanation, and the best answer seems to be that the insurance market is tightening, and all companies are reviewing their rates vs the liabilities. In the case of tour operators, particularly those responsible for school trips/children, there is a view that the current rates don’t reflect the very real risk of a multi-million-dollar suit and therefore the insurance companies have reassessed this product and either dropped it or substantially increased rates.
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2020 OMCA Marketplace goes digital!
OMCA
From June 5: 2020 has been a year unlike any other and unlike anything we thought we would have to experience. The travel and tourism industry has been the earliest and the hardest hit by this pandemic and OMCA wants to offer every support possible to help our members and our industry rebuild. With the great deal of uncertainty around the possibility of hosting an in-person event and around the affordability of a traditional Marketplace in this struggling industry, we are proud to offer a completely virtual Marketplace!
One of the first of it’s kind, this virtual marketplace allows you to take your face-to-face timed appointments from the comfort of your home or office. A revolutionary virtual cocktail party will simulate the environment needed for the casual conversations and friendly connections that we all miss so dearly. Join us on November 9th and 10th as we use new mediums to maintain the long-standing, durable, and energetic relationships that our Marketplace sees every year. Registration opens July 2nd — and you don’t want to miss out on the first virtual event in OMCA’s 90-year life!
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