TOURISM/CULTURE--Tourism Ministers Focus on Air Travel Issues

Provincial and territorial ministers responsible for tourism met in Halifax on Monday, May 20, to discuss key challenges facing Canada's $55-billion tourism industry. Among the issues discussed were air travel and the relationship with the federal government.

Air travel issues dominated the agenda. The ministers reviewed a report and recommendations of staff regarding airline industry restructuring and a presentation by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) on air travel concerns. They said they appreciated the effort by Air Canada president and CEO Robert Milton to meet with them. The ministers agreed they would continue to work with the tourism industry to resolve air travel and air policy issues.

The provincial and territorial ministers said they recognize and acknowledge the importance of security within the air industry. But they were united in their concerns regarding the negative impacts of the new Air Travellers Security Charge. They have agreed to a national study on the effect of the tax and will work together to fine-tune recommendations to mitigate the implications for tourism.

The ministers also discussed federal/provincial/territorial funding agreements and strengthening partnerships with the federal government in developing tourism policy. Particularly, attention was given to disparity in tourism-funding agreements across the country, especially in Northern Canada, where no such funding agreement exists.

The ministers will request a meeting with the federal minister responsible for tourism, Industry Minister Allan Rock, in the next two months.

The ministers said they believe tourism requires a champion at the federal table to ensure that efforts to support the sector are co-ordinated within the federal government and with provincial initiatives. The federal government role extends beyond marketing and includes policy, such as air issues, and development, such as infrastructure. The ministers said they feel strongly that effective results will be achieved only with the federal government at the table.

Throughout the discussions the ministers focused on efforts to improve Canada's international tourism competitiveness. They participated in a discussion with the Canadian Tourism Commission on the its strategic priorities to grow the industry.

Nine provincial ministers and three territorial ministers attended the meeting. Quebec's tourism minister, Richard Legendre, was unable to attend because the World Ecotourism Summit was being held in Quebec City. For the fourth year in a row, the federal minister responsible for tourism did not attend the annual meeting of provincial and territorial tourism ministers.

British Columbia assumes the chair for the next Provincial/Territorial Tourism Ministers' Meeting.