December Industry Newsletter

by | Dec 1, 2020 | Tourism Industry News | 0 comments

INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Attention Fixed Roof Operators Northeastern Ontario
Attention Fixed Roof Operators!

Your Input in this Northern Ontario Survey is Very Important

Win $1,250 by sharing your input on your performance and the impacts of COVID-19 on your property, and learn how best to plan and market your business in 2021!

We realize that you may be surveyed out, but as an industry stakeholder, DNO and its partners really need and appreciate your input.

Destination Northern Ontario (DNO), in partnership with Northeastern Ontario Tourism, Algoma Country, Sunset Country and Superior Country, is conducting a new survey that will focus on tracking the fixed roof operating performance, use of government funding/loan programs, and the market impacts of COVID-19 on fixed roof accommodations throughout Northern Ontario. The results of this survey will be put into a final report that can help you to:

  • Assess performance in 2020 by sub-region compared to last year;
  • Measure losses in 2020 due to COVID-19;
  • Forecast short-term top-line and bottom-line results by property type, and consider opportunities to access government funding; and
  • Better plan and market their businesses in 2021.
  • With your help, DNO and its partners will have concrete data to advocate on behalf of the industry. Now more than ever, it is important to track the performance of the tourism industry across Northern Ontario. Our industry is one that will need continuous assistance until it is back on its feet.

Thank you, you are making a difference!

Survey respondents have a chance to win $1,250 to put towards a membership/advertising package with their regional marketing organization of choice! There will be 1 winner in each of the 4 marketing regions of Northern Ontario.

Survey closes Monday December 07, 2020.

WEBINARS & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Winter is Coming: Focus on Snowmobiling

Winter is Coming: Focus on Snowmobiling

 
December 1st, 2020 – 11:00 am EDT

This panel discussion is centred around snowmobiling.

Panelists will discuss trends and best practices and will share their experiences and plans for the upcoming season.

Moderated by: Marla Tremblay, Markey Consulting

Panelists:

Claude Aumont, Destination Ontario
Gino Bourdages, Companion Hotel / Motel & Super 8
Rob Racine, J&B Cyle & Marine Co. Ltd.
Patrick Dzijacky, Timmins Snowmobile Club + lead of Timmins on-street riding initiative
Mitch Garon, OFSC District 15 President

Register Now!

For Northern Ontario Stakeholders
For All Other Locations
Hyper-Local, Hyper-Fast to Drive Visitation and Economic Development

Hyper-Local, Hyper-Fast to Drive Visitation and Economic Development
  
December 3rd, 2020 – 10:30 am EDT

For the foreseeable future, the travel market will be Hyper-Local leisure visitors. As a result, Destination Marketing Organizations acting as Community Catalysts must act hyper-fast to build a Hyper-Local strategy that will help travel partners and generate business for the winter and the first half of 2021.

DMOs must facilitate the creation, development and marketing of point-of-sale travel packages with travel partners and local businesses.

In this session you will discover the process for creating compelling consumer travel packages. Next, you will gain an understanding of current travel trends and the motivations of consumers. In addition, you will learn how to activate your travel partners and provide them with the skills and tools they need to create partnerships that will drive packaging and revenues.

Your organization is key to activating your partners and community businesses to drive visitation and economic development.

Presented by:

Joe Veneto, Chief Experience Officer, Veneto Collaboratory

Register Now!

For Northern Ontario Stakeholders
For All Other Locations

Winter is Coming: Focus on Outdoor Recreation and Adventure
 
December 8th, 2020 – 11:00 am EDT

This panel discussion is focused on outdoor recreation and adventure and how operators and industry associations are preparing for winter.

The panelists will share their experiences so far in 2020 and plans for the upcoming season, including innovative changes to the guest experience and what to expect beyond the pandemic.

Moderated by: Rebecca Godfrey, Director, CBRE Ltd.

Panelists:

Kerry Lamarche, Executive Director, Kivi Park
Paul Amano, Boreal Journeys Sled Dog Kennel
Burton Penner, Borealis Sled Dog Adventures
Alison Cameron, Loch Lomond Ski Area

Register Now!

For Northern Ontario Stakeholders
For All Other Locations
Winter is Coming - Focus on Resorts and Accommodations

Winter is Coming: Focus on Resorts and Accommodations
 
December 10th, 2020 – 11:00 am EDT

This panel discussion is centered around resorts and accommodations.

With a focus on understanding the new current reality, panelists will discuss trends and best practices and will share their experiences and plans for the upcoming season.

Moderated by: Fran Hohol, Director, CBRE Ltd.

Panelists:
 
Grace Sammut, Executive Director, Resorts of Ontario
Andrea Whitmarsh, Spa Manager, Cedar Meadows Resorts & Spa
Kelly McAree, General Manager, Killarney Mountain Lodge and Conference Centre
Stephanie Brown, Totem Lodge

Register Now!

For Northern Ontario Stakeholders
For All Other Locations

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Calling All Artisans!

Do you know an artisan based in the district of Nipissing, Sudbury, Manitoulin, Timiskaming or Cochrane? If yes, Northeastern Ontario Tourism would like to promote their product(s)!

Now more than ever, artisan businesses need our support.

Please pass this survey link along to artisans you know, post the link to your organization’s Facebook page, website, share it on your region’s FB marketplace, with local Farmer’s Markets, etc…
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L5KLVF7

Donations - Together we can overcome

ICAN Launches Indigenous Feast Boxes Fundraising Campaign

In the spirit of giving this holiday season and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Feast Café Bistro is raising funds in partnership with the Indigenous Culinary of Association Nations (ICAN) to help support Indigenous People across Canada, with the help of Indigenous chefs, their teams, and communities at large.

The culinary industry has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our Indigenous brothers and sisters rely on the industry to support their families. This fundraiser helps keep chefs and their supporting staff working while preparing meal kits for Indigenous families in need. 100% of proceeds will go directly to food, labour and distribution costs to feed as many families as possible.

This season give the gift of a warm meal by sponsoring a ‘Feast Box.’ These Indigenous meal kits, lovingly prepared by Indigenous chefs from ICAN contain local ingredients and inspiring contents that are prepped in advance. They will be distributed to those most in need by local Indigenous community groups.

Support the Cause

 

Shop the Summer solstice Indigenous Marketplace this year

Shop local Indigenous this year!

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for a loved one – or yourself? The SSIF marketplace is back online. Visit now and find unique products from over 30 Indigenous vendors across Ontario with new vendors and products added almost daily. Support local and Indigenous small businesses and artists this year by shopping the Summer Solstice Indigenous Marketplace. Local (National Capital Region) next day delivery available with SSIF partners Gopher It! Cross Canada shipping options available as well.

Summer Solstice Virtual Marketplace is produced in collaboration with Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Ottawa’s Indigenous Experiences.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please contact Festival Coordinator, Leanne Vance at [email protected].

Shop Marketplace
REPORTS & RESOURCES
New Research - Destination Canada

Destination Canada continues to release valuable research that can be used to inform your strategy and help make important decisions. On November 20th, 2020, Destination Canada shared updated reports on Canadian resident sentiment, travel measures, and COVID-19 impact and recovery. These reports can be accessed on the Destination Canada website free of cost. Links to follow below.

Canadian Resident Sentiment & Travel Related Measures  
See this week’s reports for the latest on how Canadians across the country are feeling towards visitors to their region, as well as an overview of each province and territories’ updated travel related guidelines.

  • Canadian Resident Sentiment (Nov 17 data). Read more.
  • Travel Related Measures (Nov 17 data). Read more.

COVID-19 Impact & Recovery Reports
These reports provide an overview of the most recent impacts of COVID-19 both at home, in Canada, and internationally, including any signs of recovery in tourism. This week we’ve released the following updates:

  • Japan Impact & Recovery Report (Oct 27 data) Read more.
  • International Impact & Recovery Infographic (Nov 10 data) Read more.
  • Domestic Impact & Recovery Report (Nov 10 data) Read more.
Northern Policy Institute 2019-2020 annual report
Northern Policy Institute recently hosted their Annual General Meeting to appoint the 2021-2022 Board of Directors and to talk about what NPI has accomplished in the past year.In addition to the creation and continuation of partnerships across Northern Ontario, NPI dove into key policy issues for Northern Ontario. Reconciliation, retention, immigration, governance, economic development, living costs, COVID-19 impacts, and labour market demand. Just to name a few. To check out these items and more, be sure to read their 2019-2020 annual report and press release using the links below.
English Annual Report and Press ReleaseFrench Annual Report and Press Release

SAFE TRAVELS STAMP ADMINISTERED BY TIAO

Safe Travels Stamp - Administered by TIAOThe Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has been chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the Safe Travels Stamp in Canada. The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

Northeastern Ontario Tourism encourages its members to strive for traveler confidence; one way to ensure your business is following safety standards and effectively communicating those standards to potential visitors is having a Safe Travel Stamp.
Apply here

See list of successful applicants here

Apply Now

The Conference Board of Canada: New Report Outlines Economic, Health, Conservation Benefits of Trails

Trails offer multiple economic, health and conservation benefits to Canada, as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from The Conference Board of Canada shows.

The report, commissioned by Trans Canada Trail – Trekking Canada’s Trails: The Benefits and Significance of Canada’s Trail System, highlights how using trails can positively impact the physical and mental health of Canadians, as well as provide active transportation corridors, living classroom experiences, and outdoor facilities that boost Canada’s economy.

Read the full findings here. 

Ontario Deploys Rapid Testing to Support COVID-19 Response

The Ontario government has deployed new COVID-19 rapid tests to provide faster results in regions of high transmission and rural and remote areas. As an additional tool to help keep essential workers safe, rapid tests will also be used to screen staff in long-term care homes and select workplaces. These new tests will provide Ontarians with more access to innovative testing options and will help to quickly identify and manage outbreaks to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Full details here

Ontario Extends COVID-19 Orders

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended all orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) until December 21, 2020.

“As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic grips our province, we all need to do our part to protect ourselves and our loved ones and keep our communities safe,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Extending these orders will continue to ensure we have the tools to address urgent public health situations and support the delivery of health care and other critical services, while keeping measures in place to protect vulnerable populations.”

See full Ontario government release here

2020 Entries at Northern Ontario’s 4 USA Border Crossings (to Sept 2020 – the most recent available data)

Community & Partner Highlights

Have you recently purchased a tourism sector business in our region, or has your business recently undergone a major renovation? Let us know so that we can feature you in our social media feeds, in our newsletter, on your partner profile page – to name just a few ways we can promote the changes!

About Northeastern Ontario Tourism

Northeastern Ontario Tourism (NeONT) is a not-for profit organization dedicated to promoting the region as a premier travel destination with the goal of increasing tourism revenue for our Partners, and the region as a whole.