"It's been an interesting journey. And parts of it leave me with a big question mark above my head - what else can we do to get agents to engage their MPs? And engage them in fighting for their survival? What will it take to get those who think, ACITA or my owners are doing that - I won't make a difference?"
Strong words from Brenda Slater, co-founder of Association of Canadian Independent Advisors, which she along with Judith Coates and Nancy Wilson founded in June 2020, just months into the pandemic. The group has fought, successfully, to raise the awareness and for support of independent travel advisors who had been left out of support when COVID pandemic hit.
ACITA has a petition for change and has been underwhelmed by the number of signatures on it - they are now at over 2,000 signatures but are aiming for 5,000 as the higher the number, the bigger impact of the reading in the House of Commons. The petition isn't limited to ACITA members and agents, anyone is encouraged to sign.
The issue for low numbers could be that as we return to "normal" within the industry, bookings are on the uptick. It's a busy time for many advisors and the engagement and support from them, which is so desperately needed, is wavering. But advisors still need government assistance, much like a lot of other industries.
TravelPulse Canada joined a Zoom meeting last week with Wilson and Coates along with members Jamie Badowski, Terry Declare, Kristin Hoogendoorn and Heather Kearns.
"I think people have been let down so much by the government provincially and federally that they're' - giving up, said Jamie Badowski . "I think we need to find a way to show them that we can do this and we do need their help.
I am constantly I'm talking to my MP, but that's my personality. There are people who have a different personality where, they do require a little bit of help and motivation. We need people to see our results which will get them excited again.
ACITA says while they're actively working with the government and have received great responses from them, there has been some confusion even within the government over what protection is needed for independent agents.
"Nobody's saying no, this is not going to happen. They're all saying, Oh, my goodness, I thought you were protected because of what Chrystia Freeland had given us (under tourism benefits),' explains Coates. "So that's been a really big tool in the in the presentations that have gone out recently because they have protected brick and mortars but not us independent advisors."
Wilson says ACITA has been discussing a new overall strategy that would include suppliers, in the hopes they can change some of the commission process in a positive way that would benefit both supplier and advisor. They're also advocating for changes to PCR testing requirements and lowering the cruise advisories.
"We're not just saying you've got to take care of us. All these things of these are important issues, not just for independent agents, but for every travel advisor, and everybody in the tourism industry. Really, at the end of the day, the changes we're advocating for are going to assist and benefit the travel suppliers and our industry as well."
"I know when I'm looking at my bookings that I am nowhere near where I was a couple years ago," says Terry Declare. "It's great now that we're starting to book again, but at the same time, those bookings are not guaranteed, this pandemic is not over. And if we just sit back now and think, oh, the world's opening we're going to get paid commission in January and February … we can't count on that.
ACITA is finally known in the Minister's office. We have to ramp up again. Let's get it done. Now. We have people listening."
To sign the petition, click here.
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