President's Message: 2026 - A Strong Start and Even Bigger Things Ahead

As we step into 2026, I’m excited to say: we’ve hit the ground running.

Already this year, ACTA has made meaningful progress on key priorities that strengthen our association and support our members across the country. The election of the ACTA Regional Advisory Committees is now complete, ensuring strong regional representation and engagement nationwide. At the same time, the ACTA Referral Program is officially up and running—creating new opportunities to grow our community and amplify the value of ACTA membership.

And this is just the beginning.

We have bold announcements coming soon, with more details to be shared in February 2026—so stay tuned as we continue to build momentum and deliver meaningful initiatives for our members.

Education and Advocacy: Front and Centre

Education and advocacy remain core to ACTA’s mission. This February, ACTA will be hosting two important webinars in partnership with Global Affairs Canada:

• February 11 – English
• February 12 – French

Inside Canada’s Travel Advice & Advisories will give members a clearer understanding of how travel advisories are developed and how to interpret them—essential knowledge for advising clients with confidence in an ever-changing travel landscape.

This past month, I had the pleasure of attending a reception at the Embassy of Cuba in Ottawa, hosted by the Ambassador of Cuba to Canada, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz.

(Left Photo: Cuba's Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz with Suzanne Acton-Gervais, ACTA President. Right Photo: Cuba's Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz presenting)

It was a well-attended and engaging evening, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues and leaders from across the political spectrum. I was pleased to meet Yves-François Blanchet, Leader of the Bloc Québécois, as well as Don Davies, Deputy Leader of the NDP.

(Left Photo: Don Davies, Deputy Leader of the NDP with Suzanne Acton-Gervais, ACTA President. Right Photo: Suzanne Acton-Gervais, ACTA President with Yves-François Blanchet, Leader of the Bloc Québécois and Gabriel Ste-Marie, Member of parliament, Bloc Québécois, Joliette-Manawan Quebec)

I also continued ACTA’s advocacy efforts by attending the TICO Joint Consumer and Industry Advisory Council meeting, where I represented the interests and perspectives of our members. These discussions provide an important forum for constructive dialogue between industry and regulators and help ensure that the voices of travel agencies and travel advisors are heard as consumer protection and regulatory issues continue to evolve. ACTA also made a formal submission to the Minister of Finance of Ontario as part of the Province’s Budget 2026 consultation, outlining key priorities and recommendations on behalf of our members.

ACTA Events: Learn, Connect, Be Inspired

ACTA has also announced its 2026 Events, and we look forward to seeing you there. These events are your passport to learning, inspiration, and networking, bringing together travel professionals from across the industry. Be sure to visit the ACTA website for full details and upcoming dates.

Thank you for your continued engagement, leadership, and support. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of action, collaboration, and impact for ACTA—and we’re just getting started.

Suzanne Acton-Gervais
President, ACTA

2026-01-29 14:38:03