New Federal Minister of Tourism, Official Languages & La Francophonie

On July 18, Mélanie Joly was appointed as the new Federal Minister of Tourism, Official Languages & La Francophonie. Joly, former Minister of Canadian Heritage announced that she is very proud of the new economic and international challenge that has been offered to her with the portfolio of Tourism, also acknowledging that “In Canada, 1 in 10 jobs are linked to the Tourism sector.”

Click here to learn more.

Employment Opportunity: Tourism Sarnia Lambton, Executive Director

Our friends at Tourism Sarnia Lambton are looking for a full-time Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing tourism marketing, public relations and the operations of Tourism Sarnia-Lambton. This position provides leadership, guidance and support to staff.

Click here for the full job posting. The application deadline is August 19th, 2018

Request for Quotation - Learning Tour Coordinator

Ontario’s Southwest is gearing up to host another infamous Learning Tour for Fall 2018 and we’re looking for our next Tour Coordinator. Are you interested in helping us out or know someone who is? Help us create an experience for tourism stakeholders to learn firsthand from established culinary and tourism destinations and operators. The tour will be taking place over a two day period, and the Tour Coordinator will be responsible for all planning logistics as well as hosting the tour.

For quotation requirements and how to submit, click here or head to our Industry News & Opportunities on swotc.ca!

Unlocked and Inspired: Experience Development is for you

Unlocked and Inspired is designed to inspire you to think about creative collaboration, innovation, and raising the bar on experiences that add new revenues and new value to your business and community.

Who should attend: Tourism operators (attractions, hoteliers, tour operators, culinary partners, museums, festivals, etc.) who offer programming, and tourism enablers (Destination Management Organizations, tourism organizations and Economic Development Officers), looking for new revenue streams through offering unique choices for how high-value programming can add just the right new elements to your operation.

Join Celes Davar for this year's Unlocked and Inspired in Oxford County. November 12th - 14th, at Leaping Deer Adventure Farm and Market, in Ingersoll. Registration is $350 without accommodation, and $560 with accommodation, first come first serve.

Click here to register now!

New Experience Shown Above: "From Tree to Table" workshop creating Charcuterie Boards at Ottercreek Woodworks.

Last Call for the "Spark" Mentorships & Grant Program

Selected applicants will receive:

- 3-month mentorship with a recognized tourism innovator and/or industry mentor

- $3,000 "Spark" grant

- Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders

- Guide outlining other resources and support services provided by our partners

All program applicants will be invited to join the "Spark" community of tourism innovators, idea makers, partners and supporters for special networking events, one-on-one's, and development workshops.

Visit www.tourisminnovation.ca for the application guide and more information. The application deadline is August 1.

Working with Travel Media

Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation continues to partner with local DMOs and tourism operators for media FAMS with influencers throughout the region. The strong presence of media influencers is helping to share our stories with their qualified audiences. Influencers have an established pre-qualified audience and this audience trusts their recommendations. As all research has shown, a recommendation from someone you trust is the number one determination for purchases.

Below are a few examples of recent media visits:

30 of the Best Things to do in Southwest Ontario

Happy Camper Paddles the Thames River

Kingsville, Ontario - A Diverse and Delightful Destination In Southwest Ontario 

Summer on the Water

A Weekend Escape to London, ON

Have an interesting story angle you would like help pitching to travel media? Send it to jen@swotc.ca.

Open Year Round?

Is your business open year round, but is perceived as seasonal? Businesses in the Grand Bend area in collaboration with Drayton Entertainment’s Huron Country Playhouse have partnered on a new campaign designed to extend the peak tourism season.

Fall into Broadway, a community-driven initiative is creating the opportunity for the bustling destination to expand on its reputation as a summer first destination allowing visitors to explore what the area has to offer in the shoulder season. For more information on the Fall into Broadway campaign, visit www.fallintobroadway.com

If you have an initiative in mind to promote a longer season for your business or area contact us to share your idea.

July's Poll:

Do you collect postal code information from your visitors?

Let us know here.

In the News:

Hometown Brew Co. to build their own brewery.

Hometown Brew Co. has announced plans to build their own brewery to provide brews with unique Norfolk County tastes. A taproom, bottle shop and brewery are in the plans. Working alongside Eco-Adventures is a natural fit with what's happening in Norfolk and Long Point, where many brewers and vintners are working in partnership with eco-tourism interests to present an image of community culinary entrepreneurialism to visitors.

"It was always our goal to bring our home base to Norfolk. The Tap Room will be opening in Spring 2019 - beers, food, apparel & lawn games. We're so excited and proud to be part of the group making this happen in Norfolk. Hopefully, even more people can learn about how amazing our home is!" Said Tommy DeVos, founding partner of the Hometown Brew Co.

Click here to read the full article.