Agreement will advance workforce development, labour market intelligence, and education and training for Canada’s culinary and agritourism sectors.
OTTAWA, ON (August 19, 2026) — Tourism HR Canada and the Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing a national partnership to strengthen workforce planning, research, and professional development across Canada’s culinary and agritourism sectors.
The partnership brings together Tourism HR Canada’s expertise in labour market intelligence and workforce development initiatives with the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s leadership in culinary and agritourism destination development, marketing, and events. Both organizations recognize that tourism’s ability to grow and compete sustainably is dependent on its ability to train, attract, and retain a resilient and mobile workforce. Together, they will bring workforce-related challenges and opportunities to the forefront of discussions on the sector.
Under the agreement, Tourism HR Canada and the CTA will coordinate the release of labour market data and analysis, pursue joint research to bring greater consistency to workforce intelligence, and further engage culinary and agritourism businesses to help shape national workforce priorities. The organizations will reinforce their collaboration through active roles on Tourism HR Canada’s Research Advisory Committee and at its Labour Market Forum, and on the CTA’s Education & Training Committee and National Experience Standards Working Group.
The partners will champion clear pathways for skills development and career growth by cross-promoting learning opportunities for tourism professionals, such as the CTA’s Culinary & Agritourism READI™ and Taste of Place Leadership programs, and Tourism HR Canada’s Emerit training and professional certification programs.
“Tourism jobs build stronger, more resilient communities, and culinary and agritourism businesses are central to that, strengthening local economies, celebrating regional identity, and creating economic opportunities across Canada,” says Philip Mondor, President and CEO of Tourism HR Canada. “This industry depends on skilled employees from diverse labour pools, as well as the entrepreneurs and business owners who are the backbone of their communities. By working with the Culinary Tourism Alliance, we’ll build a deeper understanding of this important segment of the tourism workforce and help ensure businesses have the insights and resources they need to succeed.”
“Growing culinary and agritourism in Canada is not just about the food on the plate — it’s about the people who grow, prepare, serve, and share it,” states Rebecca Mackenzie, President and CEO of the Culinary Tourism Alliance. “Partnering with Tourism HR Canada allows us to connect our destination development work to the workforce tools and intelligence our industry urgently needs. This MOU is a meaningful step toward a more resilient, inclusive culinary and agritourism sector from coast to coast to coast.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring Canada’s tourism businesses have access to the research, training, and industry collaboration needed to meet evolving workforce challenges. By combining their expertise and networks, Tourism HR Canada and the Culinary Tourism Alliance will help strengthen one of Canada’s fastest-growing tourism sectors while supporting the people and businesses that make it possible. Learn more about workforce resources, research, and training opportunities at TourismHR.ca and CulinaryTourismAlliance.com.
About Tourism HR Canada
Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. Tourism HR Canada facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a dynamic and resilient workforce. Learn more at TourismHR.ca.
About the Culinary Tourism Alliance
The Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) is a not-for-profit organization that supports the growth of the culinary and agritourism sectors through education, research, marketing, and destination development. The CTA works to bring people together from across the culinary tourism industry to support the creation of shared food and drink experiences that celebrate the history, heritage, and culture of a destination.
Media Contacts:
Heather Elder
Director, Marketing
Tourism HR Canada
helder@TourismHR.ca
613-231-6949 x227
Makenna Maiers
Marketing + Membership Manager
Culinary Tourism Alliance
makenna@culinarytourismalliance.com
289-926-6314
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