What Will It Take to Grow Ontario Tourism?
As Queen’s Park prepares to return for the fall session, Ontario’s tourism industry is facing both significant challenges and new opportunities.
In this episode of Forward Motion, TIAO President and CEO Andrew Siegwart sits down with Nathan Olmstead, Senior Manager of Public Affairs, Policy and Strategic Communications, for a wide-ranging look at the policy priorities TIAO will be advancing this fall.
Against the backdrop of continued Canada-U.S. trade uncertainty, Andrew and Nathan explore why tourism must be viewed as a core part of Ontario’s economic development strategy. Tourism brings new money into the province, supports businesses and jobs in communities across Ontario, and can play an important role in diversifying markets and strengthening the economy.
The conversation builds on TIAO’s recent government engagement at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference and explores several key priorities for the months ahead, including:
- Increasing investment in international tourism marketing and strengthening Ontario’s ability to compete for global visitors
- Catalyzing private tourism investment and supporting the development of new, market-ready visitor experiences
- Rebuilding Ontario’s tourism workforce pipeline and creating stronger long-term workforce infrastructure
- Modernizing the Municipal Accommodation Tax framework as destination management continues to evolve
- Improving regional transportation connectivity and ensuring tourism has a stronger voice in major infrastructure planning
Andrew and Nathan also discuss the growing importance of data in TIAO’s advocacy work and the opportunity for industry to help shape major investments, including the Alto high-speed rail project.
It’s a look at what TIAO is bringing to government this fall, and how the Forward Motion strategy is translating into practical policy recommendations designed to grow Ontario’s visitor economy.
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