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.ASSOCIATION NEWS
Ontario Transportation Expo is back
OMCA
For the first time since 2019 (thanks, pandemic!) the Ontario Transportation Expo is really happening. The conference will be held at the Delta Marriott Toronto Airport Hotel July 17th - 20th with the Trade Show across the street at the Toronto Congress Centre on July 19th. A lot of changes have happened over these very tumultuous years and now is the time to reintroduce yourself, reintroduce your services, and reintroduce your staff to the Ontario busing industry! Don’t miss your chance to be at the forefront of the revitalization of the passenger transportation industry. Registration opens March 14th — more information at www.ote.ca!
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Update from the OMCA President
OMCA
The association continues to call on governments to lift restrictions that are hampering our member’s ability to start the recovery process. Our team has been hearing from many of you about the immediate positive impacts of loosening public health measures and the need for the federal government to lift border testing restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers.
We have been clear on calling for border testing to be lifted. The government’s announcement on accepting rapid tests was a step in the right direction but didn’t go far enough and jeopardizes the booking window for many considering a cross-border vacation this season.
This month I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many Ontario MPPs, including Minister Lisa MacLeod, and with Federal MP’s to discuss the importance of continued and timely support for our members and to gain support for our prebudget submission.
I continue to sit on the steering committee for the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses. Next week the associations will be joining nearly 150 coalition members in launching a new grassroots campaign in advance of the 2022 Federal budget. We will be sharing the details of this campaign, key messaging, and social shareables with you shortly. Our members have been incredibly supportive of our government advocacy, and we will need your voices to secure additional support.
We recognize that it will be a long road to recovery and thank our members for your loyalty and engagement. It’s your support that allows us to continue to advocate for government support. In the next few weeks, all current members will be receiving the details on their 2022 membership renewal, including the 2022 loyalty incentive and opportunities to support the association in rebuilding our industry.
Please remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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.INDUSTRY NEWS
Vacation deprivation blues
Travel Industry Today
Canadians took two fewer vacation days (16 days) than the global average in 2021, leaving the majority feeling vacation deprived (55%) and more burned out than ever (71%), according to Expedia’s annual Vacation Deprivation Survey.
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TICO approves $135,000 in Ontario Travel Compensation Fund claims
Travel Pulse
Between December 2021 and February 2022, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario’s (TICO’s) Board of Directors approved 82 claims against the Ontario Travel Compensation Fund totalling just under $135,000.
The claims represented 149 consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid.
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Indigenous Leaders: Lifelong approach to learning fuels tourism leader's advocacy
Northern Business Ontario
When asked, “What are your earliest memories of being around or involved with business?” Kevin Eshkawkogan was quick to credit his family’s entrepreneurial spirit.
He fondly recalled early memories of his grandmother and family slinging Indian tacos and selling birchbark crafts and listening to stories of his family traversing the Great Lakes region in both Canada and the U.S. as a harvesters in the fruit and timber industries.
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The Ottawa VIP Program offers tour operators $50 per room night at a qualifying hotel, when accompanied by a paid admission to an eligible attraction. There are no minimum room night requirements. Hotels and attractions must be paid by the tour operator and proof of payment is required for the funding. Travel must be completed by October 15, 2022.
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New adjustments to travel restrictions
Travel Industry Today
Last month, the Government of Canada announced a series of adjustments to the current border measures, representing the beginning of a phased easing of travel restrictions. As of February 28, 2022, some of the adjustments include changes outlined here.
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After conservation efforts reintroduced Saskatchewan bison to their traditional lands in 2019, they helped archaeologists uncover 1,000-year-old petroglyphs and the tool used to carve them.
This historic find uncovers a new chapter in the story of the Northern Plains Indigenous People who have gathered on this land for over 6,000 years.
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Southwestern Ontario border mayors, groups call for end to COVID-19 testing at land crossings
CBC News
Mayors of southwestern Ontario border cities, along with a U.S. counterpart, and tourism groups are calling on Ottawa to end any COVID-19 testing at land border crossings.
Mayors of Windsor, Niagara Falls and Sarnia in Ontario and Niagara Falls, N.Y, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and the Hotel Association of Canada held a news conference Friday underlining the economic losses due to the border testing "barrier."
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Canada's new travel rules explained
CBC News
Canada is easing several travel measures on Monday for people entering the country.
But some rules remain, including the pre-arrival COVID-19 test requirement, which means returning home from abroad can still be complicated and costly.
Here's what you need to know if you have upcoming travel plans.
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Let three bald and blue men take you on a spectacular journey filled with music, laughter and surprises. OMCA members’ all-in pricing: $63-Chicago, $59-NYC. Contact bmg.sales@blueman.com
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Book on Google for hotels to shut after low take-up
PhocusWire
Google will shut down its “Book on Google” option for hotels as of May 25 due to low usage from both partners and consumers.
Google launched the option in 2015 to facilitate transactions for hotels and online travel agencies whose sites were not optimized for mobile web, which at the time was beginning to overtake desktops for Internet usage.
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