TORONTO — As ongoing travel advisories and restrictions continue to hinder the travel industry, ACTA has announced the launch of its 3rd Advocacy Campaign in support of travel agencies and travel agents.

As noted by the organization, the travel industry remains in urgent need of sector-specific support. While other industries have entered a recovery phase, the travel industry has not due to closed borders and Canada’s continued travel advisory against non-essential travel.

As part of its latest campaign, ACTA is asking the industry for help in writing to MPs and other federal ministers to extend the important forms of support to travel agencies and agents. It also notes that each ACTA campaign has a different strategic objecting and should not be confused as one long advocacy campaign.

ACTA members have held over 60 independent meetings with their MPs and MPPs. They stress that it’s important to not only write to MPs but to follow-up and ask for a meeting; ACTA’s telephone script provides assistance with this.

“ACTA really appreciates the help we have received from the industry over the past six months supporting our letter-writing campaigns,” said Wendy Paradis, ACTA President. “However, we cannot let up, we need to keep the pressure on the government because our industry urgently needs continued assistance.”

Specifically, as part of the 3^rd Advocacy Campaign, ACTA is asking the Canadian government to continue to support travel agencies and agents through the following business supports until March 31, 2021:

1. Continuation of the critical wage subsidy program at the 75% level.
2. CECRA – Continuation of the rent subsidy program and with 70% of Travel Agency property owners not willing to participate in the program, ACTA is strongly urging the federal government to amend the rent program and make it available to the tenant directly.
3. CERB Transition to Adapted EI Program and New Canada Recovery Benefit – With travel agency revenues at less than 5%, and the number of travel agents on CERB at 80-90%, it is critical that these lifelines be continued.
4. Sector Specific Loan / Grant Resources – the travel industry is in urgent need of Travel and Tourism Sector Specific loans/forgivable loans/grants that are interest free until 90 days after border restrictions are eased due to the industry’s booking/revenue collection patterns and that have a long-term amortization period for repayment (30 years).
5. Tax Relief: Waive GST/HST payments.

ACTA is also asking the government to work with ACTA and the travel industry to develop clear criteria for safely reopening borders and for future travel advisories.

To join in ACTA’s efforts, go to http://acta.ca/acta-letter-writing-campaign.