OTTAWA — The passing of Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) president and CEO Charlotte Bell has shaken the Canadian tourism industry.
Bell was appointed president and CEO of TIAC in 2015 and led the organization in its mission since, working to improve the Canadian tourism industry’s global competitiveness as an international destination through leadership and advocacy. And, throughout the pandemic, Bell and TIAC advocated on behalf of the industry and for the future of the visitor economy.
Prior to joining TIAC, Bell was a senior consultant with Capital Hill Group and had been vice-president of Corporate Affairs for the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than 25 years in the broadcasting sector in Canada and had an extensive background in advocacy, strategic planning and public affairs.
Bell also served on a number of boards through her career, including Canadian Women in Communications, The Banff International Television Festival and Advertising Standards Canada.
Last week, Gudie Hutchings, MP for Long Range Mountains, acknowledged Bell’s contributions to the industry in the House of Commons, saying “Many of us know Charlotte as the CEO of TIAC, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. We know her passion for the tourism and hospitality sectors and we know that during the pandemic that passion only grew. Her forward thinking and outright love for this industry, its leaders, workers and clients, many of us have seen first-hand. We have seen the results of her hard work and planning among the many winding roads that she has travelled throughout our country from coast to coast to coast. Charlotte is now travelling another road, and wherever this road leads I know her passion for tourism will always be with her.”
“In her role as president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Charlotte embraced her advocacy role to include MMBC and the importance of business events to the Canadian economy. We will be forever grateful for her leadership and friendship,” Meetings Mean Business Canada stated in an email. “Charlotte will always be remembered in the familiar things she touched, spoke and was passionate about. Her memory will continue to live in the lives of all of us who knew her and the legacy she leaves behind.”
