New Tourism Advisory Council Chaired by David MacKenzie and Rob Shaw

* Tourism [to Jan 2010]
Members of the tourism industry joined the President of the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI) and the Minister of Tourism to announce the appointment of David MacKenzie and Robbie Shaw, as Co-Chairs of the newly-formed Tourism Advisory Council.

The announcement was made at the Confederation Centre of the Arts and marked the end of a chapter for the Tourism Marketing Authority as the Tourism Advisory Council takes the reins. The new council will have an expanded mandate which will include research and product development in addition to developing the marketing initiatives of the tourism industry.

“We are very pleased that both David and Robbie have taken on this important role as Co-Chairs of the advisory council,” said Philip Brown, Minister of Tourism. “We have spent a lot of time consulting between the offices of Tourism PEI and TIAPEI to determine who could best represent the industry needs and I am very pleased with the outcome. The new council will be working closely with staff from both offices along with industry representatives to move our sector forward.”

The Tourism Advisory Council’s role is to provide strategic leadership, establish guiding principles and policies and recommend direction for the functions of research, product development and marketing for the Island’s tourism sector. The Council will provide advice to the Minister who will enact the principles and policies and respond to the recommendations made by the Council and committees.

“I echo the Ministers gratitude towards Mr. MacKenzie and Mr. Shaw for taking on this position to the benefit of the entire tourism industry on Prince Edward Island,” noted Gordon MacInnis, President of TIAPEI. “The members of the tourism industry on P.E.I. will be looking for some strong leadership in the role as Chair as we develop our tourism marketing, research, and product development on the Island. We have a large task at hand, but I am confident that our Co-Chairs are up to the task.

The Tourism Advisory Council is planning an information session for those involved in the tourism industry at the upcoming TIAPEI Annual General meeting to be held at the Confederation Centre of the Arts on November 26.

Incumbent Co-Chair, Robbie Shaw said, “The operations will involve a democratic style of management requiring, among other things, a shared sense of purpose, an exceptional level of commitment by all Council and Committee members, a willingness to accept personal responsibility for the work of the Council and its committees, and an ability to compromise. We look forward to the challenge.”

Applications can be obtained through the TIAPEI offices, 25 Queen Street, Charlottetown (phone 566-5008) or online at www.tiapei.pe.ca. Deadline for application submission is 5 p.m., November 19, 2004.

Media Contact: Sherry MacDougall