ALBERT TSENG:
CITAP President, RTO Director (Sino China)
NTS International Group - President
Born in Taiwan, Albert moved to Vancouver in 1993 and has been involved in tour business since 1996. Before tour business, he worked with several parties in the construction business.
Albert currently sits on Tourism Richmond’s Board of Directors and has been the President of CITAP since 2007.
BILL BESSHO:
CITAP Vice-President, RTO Director (Japan)
Maple Fun Tours Ltd. - President
Born & grew up in Tokyo, Bill immigrated to Canada in 1973. Bill has been working in the Canadian inbound travel industry since 1976 and has started the present company, Maple Fun Tours, in 1981. Bill is currently the Vice President for CITAP, as well as volunteering as a Membership committee chair for 2006-2007, a Membership committee co-chair for 2007 – 2010, and is now assisting with Tactical Committee as a co-chair.
ANDY SHIMIZU:
CITAP Secretary, RTO Director (Japan), Advocacy Committee Chair
JTB International (Canada) Ltd. – General Manager, Corporate Planning
Born in Vancouver, BC, Andy has BA in Political Science, BBA in Finance, is trained as a Certified General Accountant and has been an employee of the JTB International (Canada) Group since 1987. He has strong interests in Politics/Economics, the Arts and the Asia Pacific.
In addition to serving CITAP as an RTO Director (Japan), Secretary and Chair of Advocacy Committee, Andy also is a board member of Tourism Richmond (2004 – present), a member of the Travel Industry Advisory Group (TIAG) with Consumer Protection BC (2004 – present), a member of Tourism Industry Association of BC’s ongoing Working Groups (2009 - present), and a member of JTOA (Japanese Tourism Operators Association) Advocacy Working Group (1995 – present).
ALICE LIN:
CITAP Treasurer, RTO Director (Sino China)
CAL Travel International Ltd. - Director
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Alice immigrated to Canada in 1996 and has been working at CAL Travel since 1999. After work, She enjoys reading, hiking, traveling and watching movie, and also busy taking care only son – Bryan to join a Hockey team. Currently Alice is CITAP’s Treasurer, RTO Director (Sino-China), former president of CCTOS (2005 and 2006) and an active volunteer for China Youth Corps.
YUJI SHIMIZU:
CITAP RTO Director (Japan)
J-PAC Travel – Regional Manager
Born in Japan and moved to Canada in 1975, Yuji graduated from University of Alberta. He joined Pacifico Creative Service, Inc. (later, changed name to JALPAK International American Inc.) in 1983 until it changed name again to J-PAC Travel in 2011. Yuji continues to work as a Regional Manager for J-PAC Travel with his wide range of experiences as a tour guide, tour coordinator and tour planner in the travel industry.
JING WANG:
CITAP RTO Director (Sino China)
Canada CYTS Travel Services Inc.
Born in Beijing, moved to Toronto in 1996 and moved to Vancouver in 2001, Jing had worked in hi-tech industry for more than five years before joining the travel and tours business. He has been working on travel and tours industry since 2001. Jing was the president of Winhonor International Group in Hong Kong, General Manager of GAO Research Inc. in Toronto and has been serving on CITAP board since 2008.
HENRY YAU:
CITAP RTO Director (Southeast Asia), Membership Committee Chair
TPI Silkway – Vice President
The working experience obtained from overseas and Canada has given Henry the opportunity to learn different perspectives in hospitality tourism industry. Having been with TPI-Canada for more than a decade, his prime focus is more to establish the valuable relationship with clients and industry partners as a whole.
Henry has served on CITAP Board of Directors since 2002. Additionally, he had participated in Asia Pacific Trade Council-China/HK Market Advisory Committee and is a member of CTC Asia Pacific Advisory Committee.
HARVEY HAMAZAKI:
CITAP DMO Director, Eastern Chapter Committee Chair
Ontario Tourism - Manager, Marketing, Asia Pacific
Harvey began his career in the Tourism Industry as an employee of Nippon Travel Agency (NTA) Canada in 1990, moving to Japan in 1991 and continuing his employment with NTA Pacific, the Japan based sales office for 4 years. Upon his return to Canada, Harvey continued working in the RTO sector switching direction to the DMO sector in 1998 by joining Tourism Whistler. His experience working for a destination marketing organization has rounded out his knowledge of the tourism industry by giving him a tourism prospective from both a receptive and supplier side of the industry.
In August 2001, Harvey joined the Ontario Public Service as the International Trade Development Consultant – Asia Pacific for Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, moving to Toronto where he currently resides.
Harvey is also an active member of the China National Working Group (CNWG) as well as the National 2010 Tourism Marketing Working Group (2010 NTMWG), working groups organized by the CTC.
Harvey has been an active member of CITAP, organizing the CITAP Eastern Chapter seminars in Toronto and Montreal annually from 2002. Harvey has served on the board of CITAP as a DMO Director for the past 4 years as well as serving in an Advisor role to CITAP previous to becoming a board member.
Harvey avidly continues to recruit new CITAP members in Eastern Canada and looks forward to working with the association and its members for years to come.
KIM HOOD:
CITAP DMO Director
Tourism Whistler – Leisure Sales Manager
Kim has been with Tourism Whistler since May 2008. Prior to that, she held Sales Manager roles in the hotel sector, specifically with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (Whistler), Delta Hotels and Resorts (Whistler, Sun Peaks and National Sales) and Powder Resort Properties (Whistler). These Sales positions primarily focused on the Asia Pacific markets. Kim has also worked for the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and was part of the Advisory Committee overseeing the start up of Tourism Squamish. Kim has been involved in various CITAP committees, including the Membership, Advocacy and Tactical committees, and has been involved in emceeing the Market Update at the Winter Function for the last two years. Kim looks forward to continuing her role as an active volunteer with CITAP for many years to come
Kim enjoys the outdoor lifestyle of Whistler and Vancouver as often as possible, and is currently attempting to learn to skate ski in the Callaghan Valley. In summer she can be found running and hiking on local trails. Kim is a firm believer that if you want to enjoy professional success, you have to contribute in a positive way to your industry. It is her goal to be a productive and passionate member of CITAP as new directions are explored in emerging markets and marketing strategies are re-energize in areas where we have enjoyed years of success.
MERV GUNTER:
CITAP CUS Director (Attraction)
Frontiers North Adventures - President
Born and raised in Rural Manitoba, Merv graduated from Red River College in 1970. Worked with Royal Bank of Canada for 27 years and retired from Senior Management position in 1999. Owner/operator of Frontiers North Adventures and Frontier North’s Tundra Buggy® Adventure since 1987.
Merv was elected as CITAP’s CUS Director in 2010, while continuing with his other commitments including; Advisory Council of Polar Bears International, Advisory Council of TIAC Sustainable Tourism Committee, Advisory Council of Travel Manitoba Sustainable Tourism Committee, President of Destination Churchill, Winnipeg Airport Authority Advisory, Red River College Alumnus of Distinction Award Winner 2009, President of 2 different Kinsmen Clubs of Canada and a founding member and Board Member Continuity Care.
CHERYL LEE:
CITAP CUS Director (Others)
Muskoka Language International Inc. – Director
Born in Red Deer Alberta and raised in Vancouver, BC, Cheryl graduated from UBC with a degree in Economics and Urban Studies. She has worked in the tourism industry from 1986 onwards, first with Expo 86, then in Toronto as the Director of Sales for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and later with Ontario Tourism in the International Marketing Department. Cheryl returned to BC in 1995 to Salmon Arm and began the development of MLI as a partner within the company to help grow the student business to Western Canada. During this time she was a Director of the TOTA Board for several years before relocating to Vancouver in 2005. Cheryl works closely with local Inbound Operators as well as overseas agents from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Europe as well as Mexico and South America.
LORNE NAKADA:
CITAP CUS Director (Accommodation)
Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa – Sales Manager
Born and raised in Vancouver, Lorne’s 23 year career started off in the Japanese Receptive Tour Operator sector then moved on to develop and establish a strong retail travel agency focusing on travel to Japan, S.E. and Asia, etc.. For the last 8 years, he has been working in sales and marketing in the Hotel Industry. Vocal and Proactive support for the Tourism industry through participation in trade shows, conferences, and dialogue with various public and private agencies. Lorne has an extensive background in the Tour and Travel Market both as a buyer and a seller and is actively involved as co-chair in CITAP’s Advocacy Committee as well as the Golf, and Winter Function Committees, even before been elected as a CUS Director. He has established international working relationships from tour, cruise, rail and receptive operators from Canada, Japan, S.E. Asia, China, USA, UK, Germany, France, and Australia.
ERIC SUZUKI:
CITAP CUS Director (Accommodation)
Wall Centre Hotels – Regional Sales
Following a seven year tenure in the Vancouver golf industry, Eric has embarked on a new area of his career in the accommodations sector where he is responsible for Regional Sales for the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre and the new Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport in Richmond. Through this role, Eric will be deeply involved with the development of tourism for the Wall Centre Hotels and represent the two brands at various industry levels. Eric has made various contributions to CITAP and has a passion for the Asian markets. Eric hopes to continue his role as a director and chair of the tactical committee to enhance the role of CITAP in the tourism industry.
CITAP Board of Director (CUS): 2006-2009
CITAP Tactical Committee – Chair: 2006 – 2009
Wall Centre Hotels – 2009 – Present / Regional Sales Manager
Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa – 2009 / Resort Sales Manager
Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club: 2003 – 2009 / Sales Manager - Tourism & Corporate Sales
Tourism Vancouver: 2000 - 2003 / Asia Pacific Market Development
JTB International Canada Ltd.: 1991 – 1997 / Tour Package Operations
BRANDON FURYK:
CITAP Advisor
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Brandon gained his hotel operational experience working at the Rim Rock Hotel in Banff National Park for four years, followed by almost six years at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in sales where he directly oversaw all wholesale and receptive business from the
Asian markets. Today, Brandon is responsible for promoting and selling Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts globally both inbound and outbound. He plays a key role within Fairmont in Canada by establishing strategic plans for mature and developing markets.
Brandon holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario.
CINDY GOBIN:
CITAP Advisor
Tourism British Columbia/Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation – Market Development Manager, Asia
Cindy Gobin has been engaged in the travel and tourism industry for more than 20 years. Prior to joining Tourism BC Cindy worked with a variety of national and international organizations including Air Canada Vacations and Continental Airlines.
Since 1998 Cindy has been the market development manager, Asia for Tourism British Columbia, now a division of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. Cindy is responsible for Tourism BC’s fully integrated consumer, travel trade, online marketing and public relations activities in China, Japan and South Korea.
LEE MORRIS:
CITAP Advisor
Tourism Kamloops - CEO
Lee has been a member of the CITAP Board for many years, serving as the Secretary as well as on the Advocacy Committee, prior to being appointed as an Advisor in 2007.
Lee has been a senior manager in the Province of BC for over 30 years, including over twenty years as a DMO in the Tourism Industry.