ACITA is calling on the Canadian government to implement a series of changes to the travel industry to not only better support travel advisors, but make the overall travel process smoother for everyone.
The group met with Senior Staff of Minister Alghabra's office last week to provide an update on the landscape of the segment of the Travel Industry that has been overlooked by the Government during the past 2 years, namely, Independent Travel Advisors.
ACITA says they are seeing an increase in 2022 and 2023 bookings for clients, but due to the nature of the revenue model of being paid after clients depart, recovery will not begin until that travel takes place.
"With all Government assistance having been removed, this puts us in a precarious situation," says ACITA co-founder Judith Coates. "As a result, we have seen many Travel Advisors leave the industry that they love, and others hanging on by a thread as they've had to re-finance home, go into heavy debt, and use up retirement savings. Many Independent Travel Advisors are reporting that they are still struggling with mental health issues."
During the meeting, ACITA called on the Transport Minister to:
1 -Improve signage at entranceways and hallways leading to CATSA areas in all International Gateways, so that travellers are better informed of which items need to be removed from carry-on luggage and from their person.
2 - Invest in up to date technology for screening in security areas, following the lead of airports in the EU, such as Shannon Airport, which informs passengers on their website that they can now bring whever liquids they require as long as they are stored within cabin baggage without restriction on bottle size allowing them to pass through security in a much quicker time. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport has been utilizing this CT technology at all major checkpoints since 2020.
3 - Extend an invitation to ACITA to occupy a seat at the table of the Transport Ministry's Air Advisory Committee. As stakeholders in the industry (24,000 Travel Advisors in Canada, and 85% female) we play a major role in communicating ever changing requirements and protocols with passengers prior to departure. The Transport Ministry must recognize the value that Travel Advisors bring to the table, as we are the eyes and ears on the ground, and have a direct line to consumers.
4 - Keep the public informed by way of video announcements on Social Media, to let consumers know that steps are being taken to alleviate backlogs, not just in CATSA areas but also in Customs Halls for arriving passengers. Media accounts of planeloads of passengers waiting on the tarmac for hours before they can disembark are common, and instill fear and uncertainty in travellers. In these announcements, the Minister should be stressing the importance of booking with a professional Travel Advisor.
5 - Provide better training for new CATSA agents. We have received messages from passengers who had to remove liquids from their 1 liter ziplock bag and transfer them to a CATSA 1 liter ziplock bag. MP Michelle Rempel relayed her experience on May 14th via Facebook video, however, sadly, her experience is not uncommon and is a result of poor training of new CATSA employees. The CATSA website clearly states that liquids are to be packed in any 1 liter closed and resealable plastic bag - there is no mention of it having to be an "official" bag.
"We look forward to continuing to meet with high level Transport and Tourism Ministry staff, to keep them better informed of the realities of air travel in our current landscape."
