Tourism-Travel and Eco-Adventure Program Blog: ACTA Conference

Monday, November 3rd, Giannina, Laurie, Kim and Lindsay along with Erin, Simone, Morgan, Sarah, Chelsea, Bekka, Halle, Katrina and Caitlyn flew to Toronto from Thunder Bay to be a part of the ACTA conference.

What is ACTA you may ask?

"…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, nonprofit, membership based organization."
This conference presented a great opportunity for students to attend a professional conference, learn more about different areas of the industry and their job criteria.

We boarded a Westjet Encore Q400 plane at 0630 while the sky was still dark and within two hours we made it safely to Toronto Pierson International Airport. After our arrival we had a bus tour of the tarmac where we saw several planes, plus we learned the basic rules of the runway. Then, we checked into the hotel before heading downtown Toronto to Ripley's Aquarium. There were a lot of children but the building was well laid out and the vast variety of marine life was amazing!

We looked up at the CN Tower but decided that we rather spend our money shopping then going to the top. A group of us walked to The Eaton Centre and proceeded to shop to our hearts content.

The next day, we went to the conference and met with professionals within the travel industry. They answered some questions from students, gave valuable information, and handed out some prizes. Before we had left Thunder Bay, we made a video to be entered in the contest ACTA held to show the importance of travel agents "Without A Travel Agent... You're On Your Own". We won the contest, which added so much more excitement to an already wonderful trip.

Thank you G for inviting us, this trip was awesome and an experience that won't be forgotten.

Erin