ACTA Names Regional Advisory Chairs for 2026 to Strengthen Canada Travel Industry
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) has unveiled its strategic appointments for ACTA regional advisory chairs across Canada for 2026, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening the nation’s travel sector through enhanced regional representation. These leadership appointments, announced March 3, 2026, represent a pivotal moment for the organization as it adapts to evolving market demands and positions itself for sustained growth in the post-pandemic travel landscape.
Comprehensive Regional Leadership Structure
The newly appointed ACTA regional advisory chairs and vice-chairs span six distinct regions, ensuring comprehensive coverage across Canada’s diverse travel markets. This enhanced advisory committee structure reflects ACTA’s strategic vision to address localized challenges while maintaining unified advocacy efforts for the broader Canadian travel industry.
The appointments bring together seasoned travel professionals with deep regional expertise and proven track records in industry leadership. Each chair and vice-chair represents decades of combined experience navigating the complexities of Canada’s travel market, from seasonal variations in demand to regulatory challenges unique to different provinces and territories.
Regional Chair Appointments Across Canada
For British Columbia and Yukon, Mark Greenwood of Travel Masters assumes the chair position, working alongside Vice-Chair Kimberly Wood of Maritime Travel. This pairing combines extensive West Coast market knowledge with national perspective, crucial for addressing the region’s unique position as a gateway to Asia-Pacific markets.
In Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Peter Keyter from South Travel Inc. leads as Chair, supported by Vice-Chair Shelly Ewing of CTC Tier One Travel. Their leadership comes at a critical time as Alberta’s travel sector rebounds from economic challenges and positions itself for growth in both leisure and corporate travel segments.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan will operate under an innovative dual leadership model, with Mary Jane Hiebert of CTC Oyster Travel Co. and Jamie Milton of CTM UNIGLOBE Carefree Travel Co. serving as co-chairs. Vice-Chairs Melanie Carter from Carmel Escapes and Karen Schabel of CAA Saskatchewan complete this collaborative regional team, reflecting the prairie provinces’ cooperative approach to business development.
Ontario’s representation falls to Maria da Cunha of daCunha Voyages Inc. as Chair, with Jacqueline Mizon of La Salle Travel Services as Vice-Chair. Given Ontario’s position as Canada’s largest travel market, their leadership will be instrumental in shaping national industry initiatives and advocacy efforts.
QuĂ©bec’s francophone market expertise is represented by Chair VĂ©ronique Capra from Passion Monde, Voyages Bergeron, working with Vice-Chair Serge H. Malaison of Voyages Centaures. Their bilingual capabilities ensure effective representation of Quebec’s unique cultural and linguistic travel market requirements.
Finally, Atlantic Canada benefits from Scott Stone of Universal Travel as Chair, supported by Paulette Solomon from The Travel Store/The Travel Clinic, bringing crucial expertise in regional tourism patterns and seasonal market fluctuations.
Strategic Oversight and Industry Impact
The regional structure operates under ACTA’s experienced management team, with Fiona Bowen, Senior Manager of Membership, overseeing Ontario and Atlantic Canada operations. Yacine Bimich serves as bilingual Membership Manager for QuĂ©bec, while Lesley Berry manages the western regions including British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Suzanne Acton-Gervais, ACTA President, emphasized the strategic importance of these appointments: “Working closely with our members through strong regional representation helps achieve the strongest outcomes for Canada’s travel agencies. Our ACTA regional advisory chairs serve as vital conduits for staying connected, sharing critical market information, and advocating effectively for industry interests at both regional and national levels.”
Future Outlook and Industry Transformation
These appointments position ACTA to address emerging industry challenges including technological disruption, changing consumer preferences, and evolving regulatory environments. The regional advisory structure enables rapid response to local market conditions while maintaining coordinated national advocacy efforts. As Canada’s travel industry continues its recovery and transformation, these ACTA regional advisory chairs will play crucial roles in shaping policies that support sustainable growth and innovation across the sector.
Sources:
ACTA Official Announcement, March 3, 2026
Association of Canadian Travel Agencies Website
