Member Testimonials
Our members represent a diverse and experienced community of tourism professionals across Ontario. From advocacy and education to networking and industry support - we’re proud to share their experiences and the impact TIAO continues to have on their businesses.
Heartbeat of the Industry
“I see TIAO as the heartbeat of the industry. TIAO is the organization that can provide us with insight, access to government, and government advocacy — something our industry needs."
LESLEY BOUGHEN
TOURISM MANAGER FOR YORKDALE AND SQUARE ONE, OXFORD PROPERTIES
Being the VOICE of Tourism in Ontario
“In addition to the Ontario Tourism Summit and relationship-building with its members, TIAO is the voice of tourism in Ontario. There needs to be a voice out there advocating on behalf of its members to the government and TIAO fulfills that role."
MARK IKER
ADVERTISING MANAGER, THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Investing in Professional Development
"TIAO has had a tremendous impact for our organization by allowing students to get a perspective on how the tourism industry works. The Student Chapter at George Brown provides a space for students to apply their own knowledge and bridge the gap between theory and real-life industry activity.”
KRIS CAMPBELL, ERIC SNOW & VIRGINIA VARGA
STUDENT CHAPTER AMBASSADORS, GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE
Strength in Numbers
“I’ve always said that strength is in partnerships and I think that is one thing that TIAO does really well, is bringing different groups of people together [such as hotels, DMO's, RTO's] to share a common goal for tourism in Ontario. Our strength in numbers is really what builds the whole tourism story in the province."
DAVE MACNEIL
CEO, FESTIVALS & EVENTS ONTARIO (FEO)
Networking in the Industry
“Being a TIAO Member has been a great springboard to help us network with other businesses and raise our profile within the Ontario and Canadian tourism landscape.”
LISA MCLEAN
MARKETING MANAGER, LE BOAT
Championing the Best Interests of the Industry
“TIAO has the best interest of the tourism industry in mind. Whether it’s helping to figure out the labour shortage or being that champion for tourism on the government and legal side—that’s important. Without that, there’s a void. And not everybody realizes how important it is.”
JASON RIZZUTI
MANAGING PARTNER, GO TOURS CANADA
Creating Dialogue
“I think that TIAO is doing some great work in terms of creating dialogue with the province and having sessions where they’re able to have open dialogue with the province. I think mainly we want to be able to align our objectives and our strategies with the provincial strategies, and TIAO helps us achieve this.”
LUKE WASSEGIJIG
TOURISM MANAGER, WIKWEMIKONG TOURISM
Advocating on Behalf of the Industry
"As involved as we are in our own area, it’s interesting and important to know what’s going on in the rest of the province. It’s also very important to have someone advocating on behalf of the industry for the entire province. As much as we try to do those things our ourselves in our own areas, I believe TIAO’s presence and importance lies in the fact that it represents the whole province."
MARTY KALAGIAN
BOARD CHAIR, DESTINATION NORTHERN ONTARIO
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to our free newsletter and get the latest information direct to your inbox every Thursday.