Episodes

Germany: Beer, Football, and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Boom
June 9, 2026

Germany: Beer, Football, and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Boom

As Ontario prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion continues its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament exp...
Bosnia and Herzegovina:  Culture, Community, and the Road to the World Cup 2026™ with Daniela Colic
June 4, 2026

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Culture, Community, and the Road to the World Cup 2026™ with Daniela Colic

As Ontario prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion launches its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament expe...
Destination Canada’s Playbook for Investment-Ready Tourism
May 21, 2026

Destination Canada’s Playbook for Investment-Ready Tourism

In this episode of Forward Motion, Andrew Siegwart sits down with Johanna Griggs to explore the growing connection between tourism, economic development, and investment attraction. Drawing from her experience across municipal...
Shore Lunch, Shared Lakes, Unequal Playing Field: Fixing Cross-Border Angling Policy
May 7, 2026

Shore Lunch, Shared Lakes, Unequal Playing Field: Fixing Cross-Border Angling Policy

This episode of Forward Motion dives into a growing challenge I’ve been hearing more and more about from operators in Northwestern Ontario. I speak with Laurie Marcil, Executive Director of the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfit...
Ontario’s Lakes Are Changing. Here’s What It Means for Tourism
April 22, 2026

Ontario’s Lakes Are Changing. Here’s What It Means for Tourism

Water is Ontario's most powerful tourism asset. Our 250,000 lakes drive billions in visitor spending every year — from angling and paddling to cottage country getaways and waterfront dining. But those lakes are changing in wa...
Beyond the Matches: FIFA World Cup 2026™ and Ontario’s Opportunity
April 16, 2026

Beyond the Matches: FIFA World Cup 2026™ and Ontario’s Opportunity

Andrew Siegwart explores what the FIFA World Cup 2026™ means for Ontario’s tourism industry and how destinations can leverage this once-in-a-generation opportunity. Andrew is joined by Alex Mazanik of Context Research Group’s...
Ontario Budget 2026: Tourism’s Role in Ontario’s Economy
March 25, 2026

Ontario Budget 2026: Tourism’s Role in Ontario’s Economy

This week’s episode of Forward Motion: The Ontario Tourism Podcast is a little different. Instead of an interview, host Andrew Siegwart shares some personal reflections as Ontario prepares to release its 2026 provincial budget, and what the tourism industry should be watching for.
Elevating Black Tourism Experiences in Ontario
March 11, 2026

Elevating Black Tourism Experiences in Ontario

Andrew Siegwart explores how Black tourism in Ontario is evolving from a niche offering to an essential driver of both culture and the visitor economy.
Kelly Jackson on Toronto’s Visitor Boom, FIFA World Cup 2026™, and the Next Decade of Growth
March 5, 2026

Kelly Jackson on Toronto’s Visitor Boom, FIFA World Cup 2026™, and the Next Decade of Growth

Toronto’s visitor economy is the focus of this week's guest, Kelly Jackson, Vice President of Destination Development at Destination Toronto. Listen in, while they unpack Toronto’s record-breaking 2025: 28.2 million visitors,...
Danny Murrell and The Story Behind Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day
Feb. 23, 2026

Danny Murrell and The Story Behind Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day

We explore the origins and impact of Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day in Ontario through the story of Danny Murrell, founder and CEO of Harrison Staffing. Host Andrew Siegwart traces Danny’s journey from an international ...
Ready for What’s Next: Sebastian Benedict on the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry
Feb. 12, 2026

Ready for What’s Next: Sebastian Benedict on the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry

Canada’s tourism industry is emerging from recovery into a high-stakes transition, and TIAC President & CEO Sebastian Benedict argues that the sector is both underestimated and ready. In conversation with Andrew Siegwart, he ...
Special Edition: Andrew Interviewed
Dec. 27, 2025

Special Edition: Andrew Interviewed

Andrew Siegwart, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is interviewed by Samuel Miele and discussed the development of a five-year tourism strategy to address regional needs and economic conditions. The str...
Tomorrow's Tourism Talent: Challenges and Opportunities in Education
Dec. 11, 2025

Tomorrow's Tourism Talent: Challenges and Opportunities in Education

Dr. Chris Gibbs from Toronto Metropolitan University joins Andrew to explore the critical challenges facing tourism talent development. Drawing from his extensive experience, Gibbs discusses the evolving expectations of students, who are increasingly motivated by financial stability and career grow…
Plate, Policy, and Progress: Inside Canada’s Restaurant Landscape with Kelly Higginson
Nov. 26, 2025

Plate, Policy, and Progress: Inside Canada’s Restaurant Landscape with Kelly Higginson

Our guest is Kelly Higginson who provides an in-depth look at Canada’s restaurant industry, revealing the sector’s complex challenges and innovative solutions. Drawing from her extensive experience, Higginson discusses the on...
Burlington's Bold Move: Merging Tourism and Economic Development
Nov. 13, 2025

Burlington's Bold Move: Merging Tourism and Economic Development

Andrew Siegwart is joined by Claire Green from Tourism Burlington to explore the city's innovative approach to destination development. Green shares how Burlington has merged its economic development and tourism departments into a single organization, creating a unified strategy for growth. The dis…
Future Leader Award Recipient Libby Worden: Live with the Tourism Champions
Oct. 29, 2025

Future Leader Award Recipient Libby Worden: Live with the Tourism Champions

In this special live episode, join Ontario tourism leaders Brad Kozak, Trevor Norris and Libby Warden at a live panel moderated by Abdullah el Safadi of Air Canada, where they discuss the evolving landscape of tourism in the ...
Tourism Champions, Brad Kozak & Trevor Norris are Reimagining Ontario's Travel Experiences
Oct. 16, 2025

Tourism Champions, Brad Kozak & Trevor Norris are Reimagining Ontario's Travel Experiences

In this two-part episode, Andrew Siegwart celebrates two 2025 Tourism Champions of the Year: Brad Kozak and Trevor Norris, who are transforming Ontario's tourism landscape through innovative approaches.
Protecting Destinations: Public Safety in Ontario's Tourism Industry
Oct. 2, 2025

Protecting Destinations: Public Safety in Ontario's Tourism Industry

Andrew Siegwart leads a powerful discussion on public safety in Ontario's tourism industry. Joined by Deputy Chief Nick Milanovic, Robert Serpe, and Sumeeta Kohli, the conversation delves into critical issues like human traff...
Indigenous Tourism: Stories, Collaboration, and the Path Forward
Sept. 18, 2025

Indigenous Tourism: Stories, Collaboration, and the Path Forward

Andrew Siegwart is joined by Indigenous tourism leaders Kevin Eshkawkogan (Indigenous Tourism Ontario) , Henry Tso (Indigenous Tourism British Columbia) , and Robert Bernard (Nova Scotia Indigenous Enterprise Network) to disc...
The Better Way Alliance is Building Ethical Employment and Sustainable Practices
Sept. 4, 2025

The Better Way Alliance is Building Ethical Employment and Sustainable Practices

Andrew Siegwart hosts a discussion with Aaron Binder and Liliana Locke of the Better Way Alliance (BWA) on building a fairer, more resilient business ecosystem in Ontario.
Cruising Ontario: How Le Boat is Redefining Cottage Country
Aug. 21, 2025

Cruising Ontario: How Le Boat is Redefining Cottage Country

Lisa McLean, Country Manager of Le Boat Canada, talks to Andrew Siegwart about the company’s rapid growth and the increasing popularity of boat-based vacations in Ontario. Lisa shares her career journey in tourism and explains how Le Boat offers a unique, accessible luxury experience on Ontario’s h…
Resilience and Opportunity: Inside Ontario’s New Tourism Strategy
Aug. 15, 2025

Resilience and Opportunity: Inside Ontario’s New Tourism Strategy

Andrew Siegwart welcomes Rebecca MacKenzie and Michael Crockatt, outgoing and incoming chairs of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s board.
Preserving Ontario’s Past: Heritage, Identity & Opportunity
Aug. 7, 2025

Preserving Ontario’s Past: Heritage, Identity & Opportunity

We spotlight the vital role heritage preservation plays in Ontario’s tourism and community development landscape. Joined by leading experts from the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), we explore how protecting our historic buildings goes far beyond aesthetics — it’s about identity, sustain…
Guelph's Vision: Innovation, Tourism, and Community Leadership with Mayor Cam Guthrie
July 24, 2025

Guelph's Vision: Innovation, Tourism, and Community Leadership with Mayor Cam Guthrie

Andrew Siegwart interviews Mayor Cam Guthrie of Guelph, Ontario, exploring how the city is setting new standards for mid-sized urban centres. Mayor Guthrie shares his personal journey into municipal leadership and highlights ...