Manitoba Tourism Industry Association develops its own voice – Winnipeg Free Press

After nearly three years of behind-the-scenes efforts by a group of volunteers, the Manitoba Tourism Industry Association opens this week with a two-day conference at the RBC Convention Center in Winnipeg.

While such a community has existed in the past, the complex environment following the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that there are issues that need to be addressed, but lack a collective voice to do so, advocates say.

The fact that Manitoba was such a voiceless province or territory made it all the more important.

Its first conference and annual meeting will be held during National Tourism Week (April 15-19).

Pete Turenne, a task force board member (TIAM formed its first board of directors during a meeting this week) said while organizations like Travel Manitoba and Winnipeg Tourism do a lot of marketing for the industry, many operators need help. other issues.

Turenne runs the Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge, just northeast of Bisset.

“Other organizations have filled the void, but during COVID, it's become clear that there is no advocacy group that can be trusted in many places,” he said on Tuesday. “About 80 percent or more of TIAM's efforts are focused on advocacy.”

For example, one of the issues the organization wants to address is increased funding for Travel Manitoba.

As a provincial Crown corporation, it would be hard to find on its own; As one TIAM member put it: “It would be like biting the hand that feeds you.”

The process of creating a new organization was supported by many. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce provided financial support for the conference. It also provides administrative support when TIAM is up and running.

“Manitoba is unique in that it is the only jurisdiction without a tourism industry association,” said Chambers CEO Chuck Davidson. “For a while we played that role, but it's not something I can spend 24-7.”

“It's great that the industry is coming together again to work together on ways to improve the industry,” said Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, who will address the conference Thursday.

Workforce development is a critical issue for the sector after the pandemic has virtually brought the industry to a standstill.

“It affected a lot of people,” he said. “Workers picked up their skills and moved on to other industries.”

A particular problem for tour operators, especially in rural and remote areas, is the availability of staff accommodation. Potter says this may require creative solutions, but while governments set policies to encourage housing development, accommodation of tourism workers must also be addressed.

There is also a current debate about how to deal with the potential introduction of zebra mussels into Manitoba lakes, which could have severe economic impacts for some tourism operators.

Carly McRae, one of the volunteers who helped build TIAM, runs the Lakehouse Boutique Hotel on the Wasagaming site of Riding Mountain National Park.

“We are having some regulatory challenges with Parks Canada regarding changing access to the lake for Clear Lake because of the zebra mussels,” he said. “It worries me as a local operator.”

McRae says the advocacy group at work can make that clear, but while it may make it seem like there are invasive species, all the research to date shows that's not the case.

Travel Manitoba CEO Colin Ferguson said the establishment of TIAM is an exciting development for the industry.

“This week we will be receiving our tourism awards in partnership with them and Tourism Winnipeg,” he said. “There is considerable value in an organization like TIAM. It aims to be a unifying voice on behalf of the industry.

“They can influence public policy decisions like funding for Travel Manitoba and Tourism Winnipeg. It is difficult for us to defend these positions.”

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Martin Cash
Reporter

Martin Cash has written columns and business news for the Free Press since 1989. Over the years, he has chronicled a number of business cycles and the successes and failures (and booms) of many local businesses.

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