TORONTO — There are now 36 days until the federal election and ACTA is urging the industry to make the most of this opportunity to advocate for the travel industry, now 17 months into the pandemic.

ACTA has launched its ‘Operation Survival: Phase II’ campaign, one day after the news that Canadians will be heading to the polls on Sept. 20.

ACTA President Wendy Paradis says the federal election is a prime opportunity for travel advisors to get their message out to MPs as they vie for support from the electorate.

To that end ACTA is working with other travel and tourism associations on this effort across Canada and the combined goal is for the associations and their members to have 1,000 meetings per week between now and September 20, federal election day.

“Now more than ever, ACTA is urging members to engage in grassroots advocacy efforts by meeting with Members of Parliament, all candidates, and other decision-makers to ensure sectoral support for Travel, Tourism and Travel Agent issues becomes an election issue,” said Paradis. “This election provides a unique opportunity for us to elevate our message.”

Politicians will be looking to their constituents during the election period, and these “grassroots” communications have a real impact on what they see as election issues, she says.

“In addition to requesting and participating in meetings with your local MP and election candidates, writing articles for local newspapers and repurposing ACTA messages on social media is critically important to this effort,” says Paradis.

To meet the 1,000 meetings / week goal, travel agencies and travel agents need to have a combined minimum of 150 meetings between now and election day, she adds.

“This work is critical in ensuring travel, tourism, and travel agent business survival is an election issue,” said Paradis.

ACTA, which has been advocating for agents and agencies since the start of the pandemic, is providing ACTA members with key notes for meetings with MPs and others, and a template email / letter. Click here for more.

ACTA has also launched its Advocacy Meeting Reporting Tool for agents and agencies.

The Advocacy Meeting Reporting Tool allows members to report their meetings to ACTA quickly and online, which will keep ACTA informed of all activity and allow them to engage targeted and more effective advocacy work. 

ACTA says it will acknowledge members who use the reporting tool by entering them in a draw to win a $500 Visa gift card.

ACTA is also available to support members in any way to promote this important initiative, says Paradis.

Members are invited to contact Avery Campbell, Advocacy and Industry Relations Specialist for further support. Campbell can be reached at acampbell@acta.ca.

Watch for more ACTA initiatives over the coming weeks when the election ramps up.