Budget 2022 Fails To Address Support For Agencies, ITAs
In a statement, ACTA president, Wendy Paradis said the association is disappointed that the 2022 federal Budget failed to address the ongoing need for support for travel agencies and independent travel agents, who are still far from recovery.
Paradis points out that all temporary financial support programs are being phased out, despite the impact of the Omicron variant and the delayed revenue model of our sector.
Through ACTA’s pre-budget submission, political engagements, partnership with the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, and member grassroots work, there was intense advocacy pressure on the federal government to protect travel agencies and independent travel agents — who are among the most impacted by the pandemic.
Said Paradis in the statement: “Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the federal government has not budgeted for an extension to the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program wage and rent subsidies or for independent travel agent financial support.”
As a result, ACTA’s statement points out, it is expected that wage and rent subsidies will end as scheduled on May 7, 2022, and no direct financial support for independent travel agents is forthcoming.
ACTA’s president said that: “At this stage, ACTA’s focus transitions from survival to recovery and advocacy will begin with all levels of government on lifting remaining barriers to travel, reducing regulatory burdens, tackling the labour crisis, and fostering an environment where travel agencies and independent travel agents can thrive.”
Paradis continued: “As a key stakeholder, we will work closely with the Ministry of Tourism on the new post-pandemic Federal Tourism Growth Strategy to ensure resiliency and opportunity in Canada’s travel and tourism sectors.”
And she concluded: “We will have further analysis of the 2022 federal budget at our upcoming townhall. All are welcome to attend our English webinar on April 11 at 1PM Eastern (register here) and in French on April 13 at 11AM Eastern (register here).
