President’s Message
Happy Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox to our CITAP family. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2021 is going to be a lucky year and we all know we can use some good news in the months ahead. I personally was born in the Year of the Ox and I head in to the year feeling hopeful things will turn around for the better, albeit slowly. We all need to remind ourselves of the good things we have in our lives during these times we’re in. Focusing on positive energy, what makes you feel good, inspired, creative what ever it may be, are all areas we need to continue practicing. I do believe, that after we come out of this dark chapter, there will be some amazing stories to tell. Stories that inspire, make us all laugh, be amazed at and perhaps we come out of all this stronger, more resilient and overall better people. Who knows. What I do know however, is I’ve taken on new things in my life that make me feel good. I’ve dusted off old hobbies, taken courses to stimulate the brain & for enjoyment and like all of us, try my best to remain as positive as possible.
CITAP has had a successful membership renewal effort. Thanks to many of the board members who picked up the phone and called & spoke to so many of you. Your confidence and believing in what CITAP stands for is great to see as the association cannot survive without your valued membership.
We are hopeful the December Winter Marketplace will go ahead in person in Vancouver at the Hyatt Regency. This will be our first in person event since the Winter Function in 2019….and what an event it will be. I know all of you are looking forward to that. I can’t wait to actually hug someone!
All of us care so deeply about our industry and CITAP is one membership you can count on that supports you. We listen to our members and are always available to hear any comments you have on what we can do better as an association that focuses on the Asia Pacific markets. Our important RTO members are strong and will get through this, maybe a little bruised and battered, but will come out on the other end as survivors.
Winter is coming to an end soon with the promise of longer days and warmer weather. We are so lucky in this country with all the great outdoor pursuits we can take advantage of. Being able to be outside more is good for the soul. Knowing there is a vaccine coming to all of us soon gives us hope. Knowing the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter makes us feel certain all of this is winding down. We all just need to stay the course for a little longer.
I wish everyone continued good health, remain safe, be kind to one another, reach out to your colleagues to check in with one another and most of all, stay positive.
My very best to all of you,
John Webster
CITAP President
Interview with CITAP Board Member: Joe Jansen
Executive Vice President & General Manager at Wilson’s Transportation Ltd.
An experienced Board member, Joe has been exceptionally supportive of CITAP over the years, providing much needed transportation to our members and endless hours of his time. Having been on the board of several associations throughout his career, Joe provides CITAP with a treasure trove of regulation and procedures experience. Board members always appreciate the wisdom and deadpan humour he brings to our meetings. Let’s try to get to know him a little better…
- Where did you work prior to managing Wilson’s Transportation?
I have been working with Wilson’s since 2008. Prior to that, primarily tour and transportation services in Alberta and BC. I co-owned Banff/Lake Louise Central Reservations/Summit Vacations Ltd., and Sportsworld Travel Canada Ltd.; the official ticket and tour operator from Canada to the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games, and the official worldwide operator to the Commonwealth Games in Victoria. Prior to Wilson’s, I was the Group Manager for Charter Bus Lines and Quick Coach in Vancouver. Sidelined a couple times by opening GM of a high-speed ferry service, and then owner/operator of a seaside restaurant.
- What made you choose the transportation industry as a career path?
Transportation is only a component of the Tourism / Hospitality industry. My career started as a tour operator, and organically ended up in transportation.
- What have been the greatest challenges in operating a motor coach company during this COVID period? What are some of the solutions your company has implemented?
COVID has decimated transportation perhaps more than any other sector. Provincial Health orders, border closures, global lockdowns, essential travel orders and the lack of consumer confidence from a health perspective have all contributed to the virtual shutdown of ground transportation. This is an industry with extremely high capital and maintenance costs with limited ability to “pivot” the business model. As long as global government responds by restricting travel, our industry cannot recover… indeed may not survive.
- Who would you say has most influenced you professionally? … personally?
Professionally…every person I have ever met in our industry.
Personally… my two children.
- Where would you spend 5 days of complete relaxation, should there be no travel restrictions?
What is relaxation?
DMO Interview: William Hogg, Destination Sherbrooke
CITAP is pleased to introduce William Hogg, Account Manager – Leisure Trade & Product Structure with Destination Sherbrooke. William is involved on several committees at CITAP and kindly contributes his multifaceted expertise to the growth of our organization.
- How would you describe your role at Destination Sherbrooke?
I’ve been with DS for almost 6 years now, and my role has evolved since the start. Sherbrooke hosted the 2015 edition of Bienvenue Québec, and for the next 3 years I strictly focused on the Tour & Travel sector, attending marketplaces and building up notoriety. Since 2018, I have broadened out to developing partnerships with regional Eastern Townships attractions, developing a sort of local tourism association for marketing and promotion inside and outside of Québec, all the while deepening my relationship with members of organizations like CITAP. 2020/21 and COVID-19 brought on a new challenge as I’ve added product structure/development to my job description.
- What motivates you in life? At work?
Travel is a big part of what motivates me. Luckily, I work in tourism 😉. Once COVID-19 is over, I can’t wait to get back out on the road to attend marketplaces (and of course CITAP’s Winter Function), interact with everyone in-person again. I’ve made a bunch of new friends this year, from CITAP and other organizations, yet I’ve never seen them “live”!
And for those of you who have had the chance to participate in one of my “live” FAM tours, can’t wait to host them again. I was luckily able to host one in the fall of 2020 (with Maple Fun and HIS), and just interacting face-to-face with people was amazing. I think we all have some pent-up demand for travel and human interactions. Everyone’s going feel grateful for the ability to travel. That’s a big motivating factor for me…while 2020 was extraordinarily hard on the industry, I think 2021 (and especially 2022) will be amazing travel years.
- Can you share with us about one of your proudest achievement since you’ve been working in the Tourism industry?
COVID-19 allowed me to develop two things I am most proud of. Roughly two weeks after the mid-March lockdown during the first wave, I sent out a bunch of invites to RTOs and tour operators for what I was calling at the time a “Virtual FAM Tour.” Let’s just say the idea caught on throughout the industry. Many CITAP members were part of that first cohort of “graduates.” It was nice to see my efforts covered in Destinations Magazine, published by the ABA. Then in June I was able to launch a Tour & Travel Incentive Fund, a project that I had been working on for several months. Folks who book and use a block of 50 room nights in Sherbrooke will now receive cash grants, which are topped off with an additional “Buy Local” grant for the use of local restaurants and attractions. I see this as a great way to help tour operators and RTOs offset some of the increased costs we’ll see post-COVID, and also a great way to incentivize travel to Sherbrooke and the heart of the Eastern Townships.
- Aside from the well-known beauty of the Fall colors, what would you say is the best reason why people should spend time in the Eastern Townships? What is your favorite season, and why?
I’m originally from Port Carling in the beautiful Muskoka region of Ontario. EVERYONE knows Muskoka! Well, the Townships are French Muskoka with mountains. So, we have everything you’d want in a destination – an awesome foodie scene, amazing agritourism, wine routes, microbreweries and some of the best cheese producers in Canada. We have a vibrant urban nightlife, Zen urban and rural hiking trails, beautiful religious heritage (think the Abbaye St-Benoit du Lac), water sports, rustic camping and 5-star hotels. The region abounds with winter sports too! Underlying all of this is our great mix of English and French cultures and shared history. This is all nicely packed into an area of about 50 km2. And to top it off, we’re Québec’s gateway to New England, one hour from Montréal and 2.5 hours from Québec City.
But nothing beats the Townships’ fall colours. September and early October are my fave times of the year to be here. A nice hike or gondola ride up Mount Orford gets you a maple experience with views reaching all the way to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.
- What food do you crave the most? When restaurants open again, what will you go for?
I’m HUGE local cheese and craft beer fan! I love the La Station, a cheese producer located in the rural village of Hatley in the Coaticook Valley. Their “Alfred Le Fermier” has won several national awards, and is the main ingredient in both their tasty grilled cheeses and cheese fondus, perfect for cold winter nights.
But what I am most looking forward to is going out for a craft beer at the local brew pub. Paired with a good fish and chips…yum! I miss the ambiance of the restaurant scene and can’t wait to get back to supporting some of my faves – OMG (located in a former church in Sherbrooke), Siboire, in an old train station in downtown Sherbrooke, or the Memphré Pub in Magog, just down the street from my place.
- What constitutes a perfect Sunday morning for you?
A good coffee, some bacon and eggs while reading the news, checking up on the Jays or the Leafs. Good thing pro-sports have been able to run during COVID. Then out for a good game of tennis or a hike up one of the local mountains. Not a bad Sunday at all.
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, 12 organizations have shared their latest updates with us. Click below to see their updates.
