President’s Message
How unusual it feels to be home for months on end without having been on a plane for equally as long. Autumn is typically when so many of us travel to various parts of the Asia Pacific region attending either Showcase Canada Asia, Focus Japan, Focus Korea or conducting sales calls in various countries. How we all miss that part of our job.
We all know the challenges we have faced over these past 7 months with the current situation likely to continue for some time ahead. CITAP is committed to acting on every member’s behalf striving to provide leadership, guidance, education and support where needed.
The Asia Pacific inbound markets to Canada remain an integral part of this country’s tourism industry and to remain relevant, we need to continue placing a focus on these markets which up until COVID-19, contributed to the $102 billion annually that make up Canada’s thriving tourism industry.
CITAP has been busy over the past few months carrying out various RTO sessions whereby for the 1st time, we connected virtually with Destination Canada’s in market offices in both Tokyo & Beijing. These meetings proved to be successful events with positive engagement from both the RTOs and tour wholesalers in market. What these virtual events allowed for was discussions on what the current situations are in the respective countries identified and here at home. These events were conducted in Japanese & Mandarin. CITAP plans to continue these virtual meetings for other Asia Pacific markets soon.
Our External Relations Committee has been hard at work putting together various recommendations to The Honorable Melanie Joly, House of Commons in Ottawa focusing on the Asia Pacific visitor segment playing a vital role in Canada’s tourism industry recovery efforts from COVID-19.
In the meantime, as your new President, I can say this…I am extremely grateful for the trust you place in me and your board. We are all in this together and we will all get out of this together, coming out stronger, more resilient & more connected than ever before.
In the words of BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, “this is our time to be kind, to be calm and to be safe.”
Sincerely,
John Webster
President, CITAP
Interview with CITAP Board Member: Mariko Ishikawa
We are delighted to interview Mariko Ishikawa – long time supporter of CITAP. Many of you already know Mariko, but hopefully you will learn new things about her here…
1. What is your earliest travel memory?
The Shinkansen was extended to my hometown, Kobe, in 1972 when I was ten years old. I really wanted to get on the super express, so I gathered up my pocket money and bought a train ticket to the farthest station I could afford. I sat by the window alone. I was looking at the sea shining in the spring light feeling free and very content. I didn’t tell my mother about my little adventure. That’s the origin of my wanderlust and my first secret to my mother.
2. Have you always worked in tourism? What is your favorite thing about our industry in normal times?
When I was in my early twenties, Japan was at the height of the bubble economy. Overseas tours became popular, and there was a shortage of tour conductors. As a result, though I had little training and no experience, I had to take so many elderly customers abroad as a tour conductor. It is fair to say that I learned everything I needed to do my job from the tour members of that time. The best moment is when my clients say, “Thank you, it was a lot of fun.” I think I’m still working in the travel industry just to hear that.
3. What would you say surprises Japanese tourists the most when they visit our country?
When I ask people in Japan who have never been to Canada about the image of the country, they all say, “Great nature, maple syrup, cold.” After enjoying a trip to Canada, when I ask the same question, everyone says, “People are so friendly and food is delicious. I want to stay longer next time!” My guests rediscover “Joie de Vivre” in Canada, regain lost energy, and return to their busy life in Japan.
4. Where would you spend 5 days of complete relaxation, should there be no travel restrictions?
I don’t think I can choose just one. If you insist, I would choose Okanagan for a combination of both exploration and complete relaxation. First, I need time to relieve my daily stress and simply lounge in a comfortable resort hotel. After fully recharging, I want to visit organic farms and dine at must-try restaurants.
5. You have worked in France and Turkey. Can you tell us a bit about that?
When I was traveling in Turkey as a tour conductor, one of the tour members asked me to be the business coordinator for his trading company. I was stationed in Paris for about a year and helped Japanese buyers purchase luxury European handbags at the trade shows. Then, I was stationed in Istanbul where I worked with Japanese bag designers and Turkish craftsmen to create high-end bags for about two years until after the 1991 Gulf War. I still cherish the good memories in France and Turkey.
6. You have been in Canada for many years – what was your most memorable experience as a newcomer?
When I first went to Granville Island’s Canada Day festival, I was impressed by how proudly everyone was singing O Canada. I felt the enthusiasm to improve the country in which we live, regardless of age, gender, or race, and I strongly realized that I was one of them.
7. If you could only eat one type of cuisine for a whole year – what would it be? (Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, etc…)
I would choose Korean or Japanese food because both are very balanced and versatile. All I need is rice, tofu, fresh vegetables and chicken karaage!
DMO Interview: Stephanie Clovechok, Tourism Saskatoon
CITAP is pleased to introduce Stephanie Clovechok, Tourism Saskatoon’s (brand new!) chief executive officer.
1. You’ve recently been appointed as CEO for Tourism Saskatoon, taking over the role that Todd Brandt occupied for over two decades. What’s your greatest challenge?
The greatest challenge that I face right now is shared by all tourism professionals around the world. Defining our purpose and communicating the critical need of our sector to municipal, provincial and federal governments to ensure we are stabilized into the future is critical. That external communication has also begged us to turn inwards and define or find clarity in how our purpose and strategies not only enhance economic wellbeing but also, drive social wellbeing and implement regenerative, sustainable and inclusive principles so that we can be sure that these spaces we are responsible for are left better and more viable than when we found them. We are being called to serve our communities in ways that go beyond room nights and while that is an incredible challenge, I also see it as a great opportunity and a gift.
2. How have you coped with the challenges of working from home in the last few months, as the mother of young children?
Acceptance and flexibility have allowed me to unhinge from the heavy expectations of myself and my children while working from home. In the early days of our lock down, I felt the weight of being able to perform professionally while ensuring my children were being given all of the resources they needed to continue learning. I remember those days of asking the children to be silent while I was on calls and trying to prepare spaces for them to work in only to be met with resistance because really, what 6 year old wants to be away from their peers and learn from their mom? The freedom that comes from accepting that at times, my children would be seen in my zoom calls and that some days would equal productivity for my children and, some wouldn’t. My presence for my children is what I believe they will remember and, what will provide them with the tools they need to succeed, not hours of class work at the kitchen table. My acceptance of imperfection was freeing, for all of us and my lessons in impermanence give way to a place of deep gratitude every day. Nothing lasts and the more we try to control our situations, the harder they become.
3. Aside from tourism, you also have a passion for Health & Wellness. What do you think everyone should include in their daily routine or diet?
If there is one thing that creates health, well-being and balance in my life it is food as fuel. When I am preparing meals days in advance so I do not have to worry or chose foods that do not fuel my mind or body, I am always better. In my daily routine, I make unnegotiable space for physical activity, meditation, reading, writing and visioning what I want and hope for in my life. Some days, I can do all of them, some days I can’t. Meditation is one thing that I make sure is a daily practice knowing that where my mind goes energy and activity will certainly flow. There are so many free apps that allow for guided meditation and support the most incredible start to every day.
4. Although travel is out of the question for now, dreaming about it is fine. Where would your dreams take you, should you allow yourself a fantasy?
I often dream of travel. I have been on the road from the moment I became a tour guide when I was 17 years old until the moment COVID grounded us all. I dream of Canada the most now that I have realized how little I have seen of my own country. I dream of adventures in the Great Bear rainforest accompanied by my first Potlatch experience. I want to see the polar bears in Churchill and I can’t wait to travel to Yellowknife to visit friends that I met in Japan last year and stand beneath the Northern Lights.
5. What’s your favorite cuisine? How do you feel about ordering food? Does it make up (a bit) for dining out? (sorry, three questions in one 😉)
There is not one cuisine that is my favourite however, living in Saskatoon has dramatically my perspective and experience of food and now, I have a deep appreciation for food that is cultivated locally from regenerative practices, foraged for and ethically sourced just 20 minutes from my doorstep. During the first stage of lock down, I had full access for my entire family to eat locally. Sure, we didn’t eat pineapples and mangos but, we had fruit, vegetables, pulses and the most incredible protein options delivered right to our doorstep. Many of our restaurant partners stayed open and my absolute favourite restaurant in Saskatoon called Odd Couple features a menu of Hong Kong and Vietnamese inspired fusion dishes and when it would arrive at my doorstep, it felt like a hug. Connecting, even from a distance through food has been an incredible experience. We are now very comfortably dining out and intentionally do so once a week to support these fundamental businesses that help Saskatoon be one of the finest culinary destinations in Canada.
6. What are some of your favorite authors? Do you have any reading recommendations for us?
Absolutely and, like I mentioned, reading is something I do every morning, even if I can only get a few pages in!
- Simon Sinek – The Infinite Game
- Pema Chodron – When Things Fall Apart
- Presence – Amy Cuddy
- Grit – Angela Duckworth
CITAP Letter to Minister Joly
CITAP took the initiative to write a letter to Minister Joly earlier this month, in which we outlined in detail the various suggestions gathered from our many discussions with you, our members. You can read the full letter here.
We wanted to acknowledge the response we had from Bill Knowlton, Executive Vice President at Jonview – as it illustrates our consolidated views:
I just wanted to say thank you for the comprehensive letter you have sent to the Minister. You have been able to dive into the specifics of what is hurting our inbound industry…and offer solutions….with more detail than other lobby efforts have achieved.
The specifics referred to cover both Human Resources (for existing staff, skilled and foreign workers) and Financing support (to assist in business development and marketing), in preparation for the recovery.
As Bill says, “… our industry is bleeding more than any other…. It will be a long a difficult struggle before the industry gets back to anywhere close to being solvent. We do need the short term fixes you suggest and then of course we need to leverage our reputation through good use of marketing funds and good value through hard cash savings (well done to bring the GST/HST rebate back into the conversation).”
2020 Winter Function Update
Thank you for being a part of the CITAP community. We have reluctantly decided to cancel our 2020 Winter Function, which was scheduled to take place on December 1st. Instead, we will be partnering with Destination Canada in a virtual winter event on Wednesday, November 25th from 4-6pm PST.
This Zoom event will feature panel discussions with CITAP’s RTOs and Destination Canada. We will cover the following markets: Australia, South Korea, Japan, China, and India. Please register here as spaces are limited. Please note that due to time constraints, we will not be taking questions from the floor. We invite you to submit your questions for our panelists through the online registration form in advance so we can be sure to address your topics.
We hope that you will join us! Stay tuned and stay safe!
(note: If you are unable to make this event, it will be recorded and uploaded to our website so that you may view it during a more convenient time).
Members’ Corner
In this Members’ corner, you can share your latest news and updates with other members, or learn other members’ latest updates and news! In this issue, 16 organizations have shared their latest updates with us. Click below to see their updates.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association
Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
Heritage Park Historical Village
