Executive Director’s Message
Dear CITAP+ Members,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As we find ourselves in the midst of the vibrant summer season, I wanted to take a moment to reach out to our dedicated members at CITAP+. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to our shared mission of promoting responsible and enriching tourism experiences. The past few months have been a testament to your dedication, and I am incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made as an organization.
In recent news, we have witnessed a significant development that has captured the attention of our industry. The decision by China to exclude Canada from the list of approved international travel destinations for tour groups has sparked conversations across the industry. While this decision undoubtedly presents challenges, it is essential for us to approach it as an opportunity for growth, adaptation, and innovation. We have joined with TIAC in writing our federal ministers in our disappointment on this event.
The summer break also marks a time of transition as we gear up for a productive return to work. Our team has been diligently working on strategic initiatives that will further bolster our association’s impact on the tourism industry. CITAP+ in partnership with Destination Canada will be providing to our membership a series of 5, 8 minute seminars on opportunities for the Chinese market. Starting within the next few of weeks, Shan Tsang of NTS will be the facilitator of this educational and informative presentations.
Additionally, I am thrilled to announce that our upcoming Winter Function is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5th at the River Rock Casino Resort Hotel in Richmond, BC. This event promises to be an excellent opportunity for networking, sharing ideas, and celebrating our achievements as an association.
Full day activities will include morning RTO/DC educational sessions followed by a marketplace and finally a cocktail reception and sit-down dinner. I know it sounds funny getting excited about something we have been doing for years but it’s one step forward in getting back to normal. I would also like to take this time to thank Josephine Wasch at Via Rail Canada Inc., in providing our association with the generous offer in supplying the Vancouver station these past two years in hosting our event. Also, a a big thank you to our Winter Function committee members for their creativity and hard work in working around insurmountable challenges and thinking outside the box mentality it getting everything to work. Personally, I will miss the beer food and beer truck, but not the outside winter dining experience!
Thank you for your continued support, dedication, and passion for the industry. Let us stand united, embracing challenges as opportunities, and propelling CITAP+ to new heights of excellence on the global stage.
Sincerely,
Joe Volk
Executive Director, CITAP+
Interview with CITAP+ RTO Member : Susan Tomihiro, Fresh Tracks
CITAP+ is pleased to introduce Susan Tomihiro, Director, Product at Fresh Tracks. Susan shares with us some professional insights, as well as a few tidbits from her personal life…
1. You have recently been elected to the board of CITAP+ for the first time. What are you hoping to contribute to the organization?
As one of the first Americas operators to join CITAP+ (thanks for expanding!), I hope to help with the + and share our knowledge of the U.S. market. I will join some committees soon!
- What do you love most about working for Fresh Tracks/Rocky Mountaineer?
I love collaborating with our partners across Canada and my fellow Fresh Trackers to find ways of improving the guest experience and grow our respective businesses together. I still wear my Destination Canada hat too, it’s hard to take that hat off once it’s on.
- Have you seen a significant rebound in international clients this year? Do you think you’ll reach numbers like 2019? Maybe surpass them?
We surpassed 2019 numbers last year and will so again in 2023. The US market recovered quick, and we were well positioned with our train product.
- It’s summer in BC – what’s your favourite day/weekend trip? And if you could go anywhere else in Canada for a week vacation during the sunny season, where would you go?
Vancouver Island, though I haven’t been over since 2019. My dad grew up on the Island until the war broke out, so I like to visit every so often. There’s a great little museum in the town of Cumberland plus some good restaurants in nearby Comox and Courtenay, and everyone is so lovely.
Newfoundland is high on the list for a summer vacation, one day I’ll make it there! Fall is my favourite time to travel though, and hands down it’s Ontario and Quebec.
- Summer is also outdoor cooking season! What’s your al fresco meal go-to?
Anything Italian with lots of olive oil, cheese, and bread!
Interview with CITAP+ CUS Member : Violet Thumlert, Rocky Mountaineer
Please meet Violet Thumlert, Vice President, Global Sales at Rocky Mountaineer
- You have recently been elected to the board of CITAP+ for the first time. What are you hoping to contribute to the organization?
I am honoured to join the CITAP+ Board and I’m looking forward to contributing to the great work the association does. I bring 13 years of experience working in the tourism industry as well as over previous years working in other sectors, which I hope brings a fresh perspective to the table.
- What do you love most about working for Rocky Mountaineer?
I’ve been blown away by the Rocky Mountaineer experience; the product is incredible. I’m convinced that the best way to see western Canada’s epic scenery is from a train. Peering through Rocky Mountaineer’s glass-dome windows as it travels past lush farmland, rushing rivers, turquoise lakes and towering mountains is awe-inspiring. I love the dramatic changes of landscape. Onboard, the immersive storytelling is educational and entertaining. I love food and new dining experiences, so the delicious local-sourced food is something special. It’s very rewarding to be able to share this with our guests from around the world.
I love working for a family-owned business that truly cares about its people. I’ve been struck by how welcoming the team are and how driven everyone is to make Rocky Mountaineer an unforgettable experience for guests.
- Have you seen a significant rebound in international clients this year? Do you think you’ll reach numbers like 2019? Maybe surpass them?
We have seen a very strong bounce-back from the international markets, particularly from the USA and Europe. We anticipate that we will surpass our 2019 numbers across all of our routes this year. Our guest numbers from Australia are taking a bit longer to rebound but we expect to see further recovery next year. We are also starting to see the rebound from emerging markets, such as Southeast Asia and Latin America, which offers some exciting opportunities.
- It’s summer in BC – what’s your favourite day/weekend trip? And if you could go anywhere else in Canada for a week vacation during the sunny season, where would you go?
I live in Canmore, Alberta and I love going to Kananaskis or anywhere in the backcountry that is off the beaten path. I would love to spend some time near Valemount, BC to go mountain biking.
- Summer is also outdoor cooking season! What’s your al fresco meal go-to?
We just got a Traeger grill and we’re making good use of it! My speciality is smoked pork belly on top of slightly smoked romaine hearts Caesar salad.
2023 CITAP+ Hidi Nishi Tournament
In a spectacular showcase of skill and camaraderie, CITAP+ Tourism Association recently hosted its annual Hidi Nishi Golf Tournament in sunny Tsawwassen BC, followed by an exquisite dinner gathering. This event brought together golf enthusiasts, professionals, and dinner guests for an unforgettable day of sportsmanship, networking, and celebration.
After the day on the course, the festivities continued with a dinner gathering that welcomed 111 esteemed guests. The dinner was a perfect opportunity for participants to unwind and share stories from the course.
In addition to the golf tournament, we also hosted a non-golfer FAM! Sixteen participants enjoyed a day exploring the Fraser Valley on the CITAP+ “Summer Sip & Bite” FAM. The first stop was Krause Berry Farms in Langley for waffles with fresh raspberries and whip cream. Then on to Fort Langley National Historic Site followed by a dim sum lunch. Next, a visit to Tuscan Farm Gardens in Abbotsford to see their lavender harvest. The hot summer day was capped at Glass House Estate Winery for a wine tasting before joining the CITAP+ members playing in the Hidi Nishi Golf Tournament for dinner. Special thanks go to CAL Travel for organizing the FAM!
2023 CITAP+ Winter Function
Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated CITAP+ Winter Function! Taking place on Tuesday, December 5th, at the exquisite River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, BC, this event promises a day filled with enriching experiences. Get ready to immerse yourself in a range of activities, starting with insightful morning educational sessions. Whether you’re looking to expand your industry knowledge or network with fellow professionals, this event has it all. The excitement continues into the afternoon with a vibrant marketplace and finally cap off the day with a delightful dinner reception, where you can engage in meaningful conversations and build lasting connections.
Register starting Tuesday, September 5th, and take advantage of early bird pricing until Friday, October 6th at 5pm PT. Join us at the 2023 CITAP+ Winter Function for a day of learning, networking, and celebration. Full event details are available on our event page.
RTO Market Reports
Market updates are written by Receptive Tour Operator members and in this issue we have updates from the following markets: US, Mexico, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and China. Enjoy their anecdotal assessment of each of our markets with a combination of overview, economy, and forecast. Read the full report on our Reports and Presentations page.
Members’ Corner
In this Members’ corner, our members have shared their latest updates with us. Click below to read!
