With 100 per cent attendance from across Canada, the newly elected Board of Directors of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) agreed “in principle” this week to a new plan for its membership that will be launched this fall.

ACTA Board Chair Jacqueline Jamieson of Absolute Travel Services Inc. in Vancouver, B.C. said the new plan evolved from a two-day board meeting and planning session held in Winnipeg August 25 & 26. “I am confident our membership will be enthused with the benefits and opportunities included in our new plan,” Jamieson said. “As a board, our toughest job will be to keep it a secret until we launch the details,” she said.

With coast to coast participation of the new board, the professional association representing over 2,600 travel agencies and over 18,000 travel employees in communities throughout the country, Jamieson said she was “impressed with the passion and dedication” board members displayed in tackling issues facing the association.

Protecting travellers

New Chief Operating Officer David McCaig said the sessions provided “valuable input” and direction for both the short and long term plans of the association. “The board is made up of diverse and experienced leaders in the travel industry and they came to these meetings armed with new and innovative ideas aimed at strengthening and growing our association,” McCaig said.

“As the new COO for ACTA, it gives me a great deal of confidence in knowing that our travel professionals are dedicated to meeting the needs, improving the service and protecting the interests of Canadian travellers,” he said.

Ombudsman for Consumer

New Acting Chief Communication Officer and Vice-Chair of ACTA, Moscou Cote of Voyages Constellation in Montreal and the Director of the Quebec region, said the Board is committed to advocating on behalf of consumers and communicating the value provided through its member agencies.

“The board did a thorough job of identifying the opportunities and the threats facing our industry,” Cote said. “The planning session provided a thorough airing of our strengths and weaknesses, but identified clearly that part of our duty is to continue being the voice of and an ombudsman for the consumer. It is part of the added value that ACTA agencies provide.” he said.

ACTA Board members were in full attendance and include: Ellen Tucker of Freedom Tours & Travel in St. John New Brunswick, representing the Atlantic Region; Rick Yearwood of Trek Escapes in Edmonton, representing Alberta and the Northwest Territories; Robert Durant of W.D. World Travel in Vancouver representing British Columbia and the Yukon; Philip Houde of River East Travel & Cruise Centre in Winnipeg (ACTA Secretary-Treasurer) representing Manitoba and Nunavut; Mike Foster of Uniglobe Instant Travel in London representing the Ontario Region; Sharon Kaendo of Leisure Travel 2000 in Saskatoon, representing the Saskatchewan Region; Steve Gillick of Toronto representing the CITC; Rocky Racco of Toronto representing the CCTA; Lyle Farquharson, Vice-President & General Manager Business Travel Canada, Amex Canada Inc; Cote & Jamieson.