TIAM acting board members held their quarterly meeting with the Hon. Glen Simard, Minister of Sports, Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

Thursday April 11, 2024 – At the meeting TIAM representatives shared the industry’s response to the recent provincial budget.

While it’s disappointing that Manitoba continues to fall further behind other provinces with no increase in Travel Manitoba’ s budget, TIAM is pleased to hear the Minister’s commitment to returning to the 95/5 funding formula within a year. TIAM also discussed collaborating with the Minister by bringing together government and industry to tackle key issues such as the hospitality and tourism labour shortage, tourism staff housing, supporting Indigenous tourism, and the challenge being faced by operators in Riding Mountain National Park.

TIAM also shared our appreciation for the Government’s support to keep Clear Lake open and stepping-up enforcement against Aquatic Invasive Species in response to the federal government’s potential decisions that could have multi-million dollar impacts to communities and the economy. TIAM looks forward to hearing Minister’s Simard’s remarks in the fire-side chat at our upcoming conference!

Representatives from TIAM’s acting board met for the first time with the Hon. Jamie Moses, Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade, and Natural Resources.

Friday April 12, 2024 – This meeting was an important opportunity to introduce Min. Moses to TIAM as the voice for the tourism industry in Manitoba. Also discussed was the value of tourism, the role the tourism industry plays in Manitoba’s economy, and how investment in tourism brings an incredible and immediate return to Manitoba.

The TIAM representatives highlighted how Min. Moses’ department can play an important role in supporting the tourism industry and tourism operators, and appreciated his commitment to ensuring the department is prepared to step up and work across departments with industry to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. TIAM looks forward to its next meeting with Minister Moses.

TIAM Representatives Meet with Honourable Glen Simard

On December 13, 2023, TIAM Acting Board Members were pleased to meet with the Honourable Glen Simard, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage, and Tourism. This was a valuable opportunity to build a relationship with new Minister Glen Simard and his Department. It was an important opening to further discuss our industry’s priorities as identified by our members.

At the meeting, TIAM representatives stressed the importance of having dedicated leadership and a strong voice advocating for tourism at the cabinet table. Manitoba tourism operators understand the challenges faced in the tourism industry and the impact on many portfolios within government. The new Minister must play a key role and coordination is critical to ensure that government decisions on policies and programs are viewed through a tourism lens. This includes tackling the current tourism & hospitality labour shortage and TIAM looks forward to working with the Minister and his colleagues to explore solutions to this complex and multifaceted challenge.

TIAM’s acting board members also advocated for strengthened, sustainable, and predictable funding for Travel Manitoba under a strengthened 94/6 model. Manitoba’s funding model means that when tourism succeeds, everyone succeeds, and it’s important that Travel Manitoba funding no longer falls behind provincial neighbours when it comes to investing in and promoting tourism. As the government prepares for its first provincial budget under Premier Wab Kinew, TIAM asked Minister Simard to champion a sustainable, predictable, and robust funding model for Travel Manitoba. TIAM looks forward to preparing a formal budget submission for government’s consideration through this important process.

The TIAM representatives were pleased to hear Minister Simard commit to regular meetings with TIAM, and TIAM looks forward to advancing the many issues and priorities of its members as the organization prepares for its first Conference and inaugural Annual General Meeting and board election occurring Wednesday, April 17th and Thursday, April 18th.

TIAM continues to follow up with the Minister and his staff, and looks forward to his attendance and participation at the TIAM AGM and conference, and the many other exciting events taking place during Tourism Week April 15-19, 2024.