In an effort to strengthen the Orillia and area tourism sector, a new research project is compiling an inventory of positive tourism assets available for development and promotion in Ontario’s Lake Country. The study, which will be completed by June, will also identify tourism opportunities in the region for the purpose of attracting new tourism development.
“We need to understand where the opportunities are in the tourism sector,” said Wendy Timpano, General Manager of the CDC. “Do we have assets that could be better marketed? Are there ways we can attract investment in tourism to our community? How do we attract more visitors? We need to understand the answers to these questions so we can build an even stronger tourism sector and a stronger economy.”
With pooled resources, as well as funding provided by the Government of Ontario, the project promises to engage local tourism businesses in an effort to identify positive assets and opportunities for growth.
Over the next several weeks, tourism businesses will be provided the opportunity to contribute to the project through a brief survey. By participating, businesses can ensure that their operation or tourism asset is captured in the list of what Ontario’s Lake Country has to offer. Business owners can also voice their opinion about what they see as the greatest opportunities for the region.
The Tourism Asset Mapping project partners include the Regional Tourism Organization 7, Tourism Simcoe County, the City of Orillia, the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Ontario’s Lake Country, and the CDC.
The results of the Tourism Asset Mapping project are expected to be made available on June 9, 2016 at the Annual General Meeting for Ontario’s Lake Country, to be held at Casino Rama.
The research for this project is being conducted by Sierra Planning and Management. To find out how you, and your company can participate, please contact Wendy Timpano at 705 325-4903 ext. 106 or
wtimpano@orilliacdc.com.