Beyond the Lobby: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Canada’s Hotel Industry

Hotels Canada was pleased to host Parliamentarians for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa.

Co-hosted by Senator Karen Sorensen and General Manager Geneviève Dumas, the visit offered a closer look at what it takes to operate one of Canada’s most iconic hotels beyond the guest experience and into the day-to-day realities of running a hotel.

From workforce management to core operational functions, the tour provided a practical view of the scale, coordination, and expertise required to support hotel operations. Parliamentarians had the opportunity to meet staff, observe key areas of the property, and better understand how hotels function as complex, 24/7 businesses.

These visits are designed to connect policymakers directly with the people and operations that power Canada’s hotel sector — an industry that supports more than 320,000 jobs and contributes over $30 billion annually to the Canadian economy.

This tour marks the first in a series of behind-the-scenes across the country this summer, creating opportunities for policy makers to engage directly with hotels in their regions.

Hotels are more than places to stay — they are essential contributors to Canada’s economy and communities.

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