Tourism HR Canada congratulates the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) on hosting yet another hugely successful Tourism Congress. Held this year in Vancouver, the event brought together tourism champions from across Canada to discuss key issues impacting the sector, explore innovative ideas, collaborate on actionable solutions, and celebrate the best of our industry.
Workforce topics were front and centre, and Tourism HR Canada thanks TIAC for the opportunity to share our expertise on several panels:
Strengthening Canada’s Global Position: A National Panel on Enhancing Competitiveness
Philip Mondor, President and CEO, joined leaders from fellow national tourism organizations to exchange ideas on enhancing the country’s status as a premier global destination. There was unanimous recognition among all partners of the critical role the workforce plays in maintaining and strengthening this position. From addressing labour shortages to investing in skills development, it was clear that people are at the heart of tourism’s success.
Additionally, the strong partnerships built among these national organizations stood out as a significant factor in fostering consistent growth. Their collaborative approach to tackling challenges and innovating solutions is a testament to what can be achieved when industry leaders unite for a shared purpose.
Thanks to moderator Beth Potter of TIAC, and panellists Marsha Walden of Destination Canada, Beth McMahon of the Hotel Association of Canada, Keith Henry of the Indigenous Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Christine Loth-Bown of Parks Canada, and Kelly Higginson of Restaurants Canada for a robust and engaging discussion, and for the ongoing support of the people providing Canada’s tourism experiences.
Get the latest on labour at our January 22 webinar “Losing Ground: The Definitive Workforce Update”.
Ensuring Tourism Thrives When All Belong
Jasmine Qi, Director of Workforce Inclusion, moderated the “Ensuring Tourism Thrives When All Belong” panel, exploring how inclusive and accessible employment practices can transform the sector.
Panellists Jazz Mclarty, Prep Cook for Krackers Katering, Rami Kassem, President at Javaroma Gourmet Coffee & Tea, and Jamie Millar-Dixon, Principal Consultant with MacLeod Silver HR Business Partners, shared their experiences and advice to emphasize how the industry can leverage diverse talents to boost innovation and enhance guest experiences. Their insights showcased what it truly takes to create accessible and inclusive workplaces in tourism, and that there are many resources and programs to help employers begin and progress along this journey.
A heartfelt thank you to the panellists for their bravery, their expertise, and their ability to inspire actionable change and create a space for learning, growth and inspiration.
Discover Belong, Tourism HR Canada’s initiative to create inclusive and accessible workplaces.
Building Partnerships and Employment Pipelines with Canadian Educational Programs
Moderated by Joe Baker, Dean of the School of Business at Okanagan College and Tourism HR Canada Board Director, this panel highlighted the Canadian University Tourism Coalition’s vision to bridge the gap between education and the tourism industry, ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled, passionate individuals ready to lead the sector into the future.
Philip Mondor joined Dr. Wayne Smith of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, Dr. Brian White of the School of Tourism and Hospitality at Royal Roads University, and France Dionne of the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), who each shared their unique programs to equip students with not only academic knowledge but also industry-needed skills and experiences, such as work placements at college-led tourism enterprises and reverse student fair. This approach not only equips students with practical experience but also fosters stronger collaboration between academia and industry.
The group also explored solutions to tackle the challenges around international student caps, ideas to increase domestic student enrolment, and possibilities to transfer course credits among universities and colleges.
As the lead of this Coalition, Tourism HR Canada will continue supporting its members, such as through the SMART+ accreditation program, exploring innovative ways to align academic training with industry needs, and strengthening partnerships to drive growth, sustainability, and excellence in tourism.