About Us

What is ACTA?

Established in 1977, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), is a national trade association representing the retail travel sector of Canada's tourism industry. ACTA is an industry-led, non profit, membership based organization governed by Regional Councils whose Chair takes a seat on the National Board of Directors.

Our membership is made up predominately of retail travel agencies and also includes categories for Certified Professionals, Independant Contractors and Travel and Tourism Suppliers. ACTA represents the interests of Canadian travellers with over 1,500 members employing 12,000 travel professionals.

Who is ACTA?

ACTA's 'owners' are its members. They are represented by ACTA's seven Regional Councils - Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba/Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Alberta/NWT, and British Columbia/Yukon. ACTA is governed by a twelve member policy Board of Directors which include the seven regional council chairs.

ACTA's head office is located in Mississauga, from which its President & COO manages the secretariat as well as seven regional offices, each staffed by a Regional Manager, which provide decentralized services to members across the country.

ACTA also captures member input and involvement in the future direction and strategies of the organization and overall industry through regular open forums and ad hoc committees, set up on an as required basis.

Why is ACTA here?

• To ensure consumers have professional and meaningful travel counselling by providing effective leadership in a number of key strategic areas on behalf of the retail travel industry members.
• Advocacy and Lobbying federal and provincial governments and national and multi-national corporations to ensure a positive environment exists for travel retailers to provide service to travel consumers.
• Communications & Public relations to government and travel industry partners to insure they are aware of the importance of the retail travel sector; to the general public to ensure they are aware of the benefits of using ACTA member retailers for their travel needs; and to members and non members to better equip them to manage their businesses.
• Perform and communicate Research which is relevant and meaningful to members and partners to enable them to better manage their businesses and work more effectively together.
• Facilitate or deliver Education and Training to further professionalize the retail travel sector and add greater value to travel consumers. -Membership Development to ensure the greatest participation rate of the retail travel community in ACTA and maximum impact for businesses and consumers in Canada.

History

The Alliance of Canadian Travel Associations was launched in 1977 when ACTA became autonomous from the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). The Alliance was at that time formed of regional associations with Regional Boards all across Canada.

Following an extensive review of ACTA role and governance done with the Pickard & Laws Firm in 1998-1999, ACTA became a national organization rather than a federation of regional organizations.