ACTA reports it held its first meeting this week with its newly appointed 2023 Independent Travel Agent Advisory Group (ITAAG), a body tasked with advising ACTA on advocacy issues specific to independent travel agents.

The group is comprised of independent travel agents from across Canada, from different host agencies and with strong regional representation.

“We are thankful to all those who applied and we look forward to working with this excellent and representative group of independent travel agents this year,” said association president Wendy Paradis.

“These groups enable ACTA to develop advocacy priorities that engage the interests of all segments of membership to ensure government and supplier advocacy is comprehensive,” she added.

Following a call for applicants, ACTA says it received an overwhelming expression of interest.

2023 ACTA ITAAG members include:

• Alicia Haldane, CTC, Nexion Canada (Ont.)
• Amanda Beaver, TravelOnly (Ont.)
• Camille Hillis, Independent by Flight Centre (BC)
• Coleen Rogg, The Travel Agent Next Door (Sask.)
• Debbie Ford, CTC, Trevello (NS)
• Johanne Berthiaume, Passion Voyage (Que.)
• Judith Coates, The Travel Agent Next Door (Ont.)
• Linda Skehor, Travel Best Bets (BC)
• Onanta Forbes, Travel Time (Alta.)
• Pierrette Pilon, Expedia Cruises (Que.)
• Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Vision Travel (Ont.)

The group held its first meeting of the year this week.

ACTA is still seeking representation in Manitoba and is welcoming expressions of interest sent to Avery Campbell, Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations, at acampbell@acta.ca

In addition to the Independent Travel Agent Advisory Group, ACTA also engages the National Board of Directors, Regional Advisory Councils, the Travel Agency Leaders Advisory Group, the CCTA, CTC/CTM professionals, and other member groups as part of broad industry consultation on advocacy issues.