Nearly 150 Gather at Royal Ontario Golf Club for ACTA’s 2026 Advocacy Golf Event

Travel Market Report was on hand as close to 150 travel industry professionals came together at Royal Ontario Golf Club for the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors’ (ACTA) annual Advocacy Golf Event, a day focused on networking, industry collaboration and supporting ACTA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of Canada’s retail travel sector.

The day began with a networking breakfast as participants from across the country gathered before heading to the course for a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start.

Throughout the event, ACTA highlighted the importance of its Advocacy Fund and the role it plays in ensuring the association can effectively represent the interests of travel agencies and travel advisors at all levels of government.

Association officials noted that successful advocacy depends on building trusted relationships with elected officials, regulators and policymakers long before legislative or regulatory decisions are made. Contributions to the Advocacy Fund help ACTA maintain those relationships while supporting research, government engagement and expert resources needed to advocate on behalf of Canada’s retail travel industry.

Speaking with Travel Market Report Canada during the event, ACTA President Suzanne Acton-Gervais said “Advocacy isn’t something you start when there’s a crisis. It’s about building relationships and having conversations before decisions are made so you have the opportunity to influence the outcome. We want to be quicker, more strategic and more impactful in our advocacy, and that’s exactly what the Advocacy Fund will help us do. ”

Acton-Gervais added that one of her top priorities is removing interprovincial barriers to the sale of travel insurance. ” If we can move the needle on that issue, it would be a significant win for travel agencies and travel advisors across Canada. Advocacy is a game of inches—sometimes it feels like a game of millimetres—but every step forward matters.”

Funds raised support ACTA’s ongoing engagement with federal, provincial and territorial governments, Parliamentary Hill Day, research initiatives, and the advancement of the association’s key advocacy priorities with government, suppliers and industry stakeholders. The fund also provides ACTA with the ability to respond quickly to emerging issues affecting travel agencies and travel advisors across Canada.

Beyond raising funds, the annual golf event provided an opportunity for travel advisors, agency owners and supplier partners to strengthen business relationships in an informal setting while reaffirming the industry’s collective commitment to a strong and effective national voice.

ACTA also recognized the organizations whose support helped make the event possible, including title sponsor Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, major sponsors Manulife and Globus Family of Brands, and destination sponsor The Bahamas.

Marco Pozzobon, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Business Development for ACTA said: “Today’s event is really about relationships. Our supplier partners value the travel advisor community, and getting everyone together outside the office creates the opportunity to connect, share ideas and strengthen the partnerships that drive our industry forward.”

As participants wrapped up the day, ACTA reminded attendees that advocacy is an ongoing investment and encouraged continued support of the Advocacy Fund, noting that every contribution helps ensure Canada’s retail travel industry has a strong, credible and influential voice when it matters most.