Ongoing Issues
Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) - Since 2001
In partnership with accommodation providers from around the province, TIANB led the lobby effort with the provincial government for the implementation of an enabling legislation for the collection of a Destination Marketing Fee (DMF).
Minimum wage increase
In November of 2009, the government of New Brunswick announced the cumulative increase to the NB Minimum Wage to the $10.00 per hour level in 2011. As this was a surprise to a lot of our members and to TIANB as well, a letter was then sent to the Minister of Post Secondary Education Training and Labour, the honourable Donald Arseneault, to share our concerns with this considerable increase as well as recommending tip and training differential to mitigate the impact for our tourism operators. In pursuing our representation efforts, a meeting of business owners' organizations (Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association, Conseil Économique du NB, National Golf Club Owners Association, Downtown Fredericton, Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors) was initiated by TIANB to organize a coalition and to elaborate strategies to represent this issue to the NB Government. A number of meetings are being planned and arranged and as soon as more information is available it will be communicated to the TIANB membership.
Licensing issues
As a result of discussion with licensees throughout the province, and with a number of issues raised concerning licensed establishments and the need to work with the Department of Public Safety. A working group was initiated by TIANB. The goal of the group is to gather information through surveys and to develop recommendations to the NB Government on necessary amendments to the NB Liquor Control Act. A recent survey to TIANB membership resulted in minimal responses therefore a new strategy will need to be developed to gather support of this cause.
Visitor Satisfaction Program
The importance of quality and a "quality experience" is synonymous when speaking of a vacation and / or travel experience. Discussions among industry operators and government representatives from across the Atlantic region continuously identify the need for there to be a way to "measure" the quality of an experience or the satisfaction of a visitor at an accommodation, restaurant or attraction. Based on this premise, TIANB offered its services to take over the administration of this Pan-Atlantic program that will provide tourism operators with to-the-minute information and statistics. In addition, so as to ease the transition and to ensure all the accommodation operators (roofed and campgrounds) in New Brunswick get a taste of this invaluable tool, the Department of Tourism & Parks have partnered with TIANB to cover the participation fee for the first year for all accommodations in the province. As the accommodation is the first phase of the program development, the plan is to extend the reach into other sectors of our industry. A presentation of the program will be made at the TIANB 2010 AGM.
Consultation with Business NB
On December 3, a meeting was held with the Minister of Business NB, the Honourable Victor Boudreau, and his Deputy Minister Bill Levesque to discuss priorities for the New Brunswick tourism industry. The following 5 priorities were communicated to the Minister by TIANB:
1- Programs are needed to support the New Brunswick Tourism Strategy;
2- Program is needed to support the development or enhancement of virtual infrastructures ie. Website, IT training, social media, etc.
3- Program for the enhancement of tourism infrastructures including accommodations, food service establishments, attractions, festivals and events including soft costs) and programs to encourage investments to assist people wanting to move and open shop in New Brunswick;
4- Program to assist in the employment of personnel (soft costs) including the expansion of the regular, seasonal and summer student workforce.
5- Program to facilitate and encourage public-private partnerships.
Credit/Debit Card Merchant fees - Since 2008
TIANB is lobbying with its national representative organization the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to take a proactive role in representing its membership on the Credit/Debit Card gouging merchant fees.
In addition, TIANB has decided to take a more active role in the "Don't Stick it to us" coalition work. Lead by the Retail Council of Canada, the position of the coalition is to work with the federal Government officials to develop a voluntary code of conduct. In a recent conference call, we found out that CFIB had taken a different position on the issue than that of the coalition.
Educational Institutions - Since 2008
With the planned move of the NB Community College (and CCNB) out of government process in 2010 to a Crown Corporation,, TIANB continues to engage in talks with the Department of Post Secondary Education Training and Labour in order to minimize the potential impact to our industry. Consultations have taken place and more are planned for early December to investigate avenues for Community Colleges to play a more proactive role in providing graduates in the fields needed for our industry
