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 then 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.

The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies, known as ACTA, is a national not-for-profit trade association. ACTA’s voting members are retail travel agents. Tour operators, travel wholesalers and national and international travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies and cruise and rail lines also provide valued support and input as allied members. Travel schools, destination marketing organizations and tourism and travel associations round out membership in Canada’s largest travel association.

In fact, ACTA represents the interests of some 2,600 small, medium and large travel retail corporations which employ 18,000 travel professionals in communities across the country.

ACTA’s primary commitment to members is to maintain ongoing, effective representation and dialogue with both industry and government organizations on a wide variety of issues of concern and relevance to their business environment.

Headquartered in Mississauga, ACTA also has seven regional offices to ensure that the association remains responsive to local and provincial issues while promoting the image of travel retailers as a profession centered on the needs and rights of consumers.

One of ACTA objective is to enhance the degree of professionalism within the industry. To help achieve this, ACTA has forged close relations with the Canadian Institute of Travel Counselors (CITC) and sponsors educational seminars at a provincial level and scholarships awards as well.