Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) The voice of Ontario's tourism industry. Because

The voice of tourism in Ontario, advocating to government on behalf of the province's tourism industry.

08/25/2026

ICYMI 🎙️ What could Canada’s first high-speed rail project mean for the way we travel?

In this clip from Forward Motion, Peter Paz of Alto breaks down the vision behind the project, including trains travelling at speeds of up to 320 km/h and the potential to connect Toronto and Montréal in under three hours.

But Alto is about more than speed. Peter also points to some of the bigger challenges the project is designed to address, including congestion, transportation capacity and cost.

And the conversation continues at OTS26.

At the 2026 Ontario Tourism Summit, Alto will lead a dedicated focus group with tourism industry representatives from communities along the proposed high-speed rail corridor, giving stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about the project and provide industry-specific feedback as its development moves forward.

Hear the full conversation in Beyond the Tracks: High-Speed Rail and Economic Growth.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast platform or visit www.tiaontario.ca/fowardmotionpodcast

🎟️ Get your OTS26 tickets: www.tiaontario.ca/ots26

⭐ OTS26 Speaker Spotlight: Gwen PatrickSession: The Economic Nutrition Label: Making Tourism Spending MatterHow can tour...
08/25/2026

⭐ OTS26 Speaker Spotlight: Gwen Patrick

Session: The Economic Nutrition Label: Making Tourism Spending Matter

How can tourism spending create deeper value for the places and communities that welcome visitors?

Gwen Patrick, CPA, Financial Innovation Lead at the Shorefast Institute, will bring an important place-based economy perspective to OTS26.

At OTS26, she’ll explore Economic Nutrition, a tool developed by Shorefast and modelled after the practice of food nutrition labelling, showing where money goes when a purchase is made and what it pays for.

This is a session that will challenge you to think differently about where money goes, what it supports, and how tourism spending can create deeper value for communities.

If you work in tourism, destination development, community economic development, municipal leadership, or place-based growth, this is the room to be in.

📍 Ottawa | October 21–22, 2026
🎟 Summer heat rate tickets are on sale now, but not for long.
👉 Grab your tickets today: tiaontario.ca/ots26

One day. Important conversations. New connections.The Tourism Opportunities Forum brings Ontario’s tourism industry toge...
08/24/2026

One day. Important conversations. New connections.

The Tourism Opportunities Forum brings Ontario’s tourism industry together to learn from one another, explore practical solutions and build relationships.

This September, we’re digging into two priorities that are shaping the future of our industry: workforce and sustainable best practices.

Come for the ideas. Stay for the conversations, connections and opportunity to learn from tourism colleagues from across the province.

📍 Virtual - Zoom
📅 September 17, 2026 - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎤 Workforce & Sustainable Best Practices

Save your seat: www.tiaontario.ca/tof

Tourism Opportunities Forum - Now VIRTUAL on ZoomWe’ve changed our approach to make this TOF more accessible to tourism ...
08/21/2026

Tourism Opportunities Forum - Now VIRTUAL on Zoom

We’ve changed our approach to make this TOF more accessible to tourism businesses and leaders across Ontario.

We’ll still bring you great speakers, engaging workshops and practical conversations - but in a format that makes it easier for more of the province to participate.

Everyone who registers for TOF will receive a code to use when registering for OTS26, with the value of your TOF registration applied as a credit toward your OTS26 ticket.

From strengthening Ontario’s tourism talent pipeline and connecting young people with career opportunities, to creating more sustainable events and healthier workplaces, this year’s speakers will bring timely perspectives and practical approaches to some of the most important issues facing our industry.

📍 Virtual - Zoom
📅 September 17, 2026 - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎤 Workforce & Sustainable Best Practices

Register today and join us for a day of learning, discussion, networking and connection.

👉 Register: www.tiaontario.ca/tof

⭐ OTS26 Speaker Spotlight: Dr. David ColettoSession: The State of Play: Tourism, Public Attitudes, and Economic Opportun...
08/20/2026

⭐ OTS26 Speaker Spotlight: Dr. David Coletto

Session: The State of Play: Tourism, Public Attitudes, and Economic Opportunity in Ontario

What does Ontario’s visitor economy actually look like right now, and what’s coming next?

Dr. David Coletto, Chair, CEO and Founder of Abacus Data, and one of Canada’s most recognized public opinion researchers, will bring a compelling, data-driven look at the current state of Ontario’s tourism industry.

At OTS26, he’ll unpack how tourism drives regional economies, how today’s travellers are navigating uncertainty and seeking reassurance, what this means for demand, and where new opportunities for growth are emerging.

With municipal elections on the horizon, this session will also explore how the industry can position itself strategically for what comes next.

This isn’t a session you’ll simply sit through. It’s one you’ll leave with a clearer sense of the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping tourism in Ontario.

If you work in tourism, destination development, municipal leadership, advocacy, or economic growth, this is the room to be in.

📍 Ottawa | October 21–22, 2026
🎟 Summer heat rate tickets are on sale now, but not for long.
👉 Grab your tickets today: tiaontario.ca/ots26

🎙️ A new episode of Forward Motion is out!High-speed rail could change more than how we get from one city to another. It...
08/20/2026

🎙️ A new episode of Forward Motion is out!

High-speed rail could change more than how we get from one city to another. It could reshape how visitors move, create new opportunities for destinations and businesses, and strengthen connections across Ontario and Québec.

In our latest episode, Andrew Siegwart sits down with Peter Paz, Senior Director of Public and Government Relations at Alto, to explore what Canada’s first high-speed rail project could mean for tourism, communities and economic growth.

And the conversation doesn’t stop with the podcast.

At the 2026 Ontario Tourism Summit, Alto will lead a dedicated focus group with tourism industry representatives from communities along the proposed high-speed rail corridor, giving stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about the project and provide industry-specific feedback to help inform its ongoing development.

🎧 Listen to the episode on your favourite podcast platform
🎟️ Get your OTS26 tickets: www.tiaontario.ca/ots26

08/19/2026

ADAPT 2026: Wildfire Preparedness & Best Practices for Northern Ontario

Wildfire preparedness is more important than ever for tourism businesses and communities across Northern Ontario. Join us for five upcoming ADAPT 2026 webinars designed to help tourism operators prepare, respond and adapt to wildfire-related challenges.

Check out the full webinar lineup and registration details through the link in our bio or visit the Events Calendar on the Destination Northern Ontario website.

Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario

🌟 TOF26 Speaker Spotlight: Brad BookerMeet Brad Booker, Account Manager with myBlueprint and a key partner in TIAO’s wor...
08/19/2026

🌟 TOF26 Speaker Spotlight: Brad Booker

Meet Brad Booker, Account Manager with myBlueprint and a key partner in TIAO’s work to strengthen connections between Ontario’s tourism industry and the next generation of workers.

🎤 Session: The Student Connection: Building Industry Awareness and Partnerships with Our Schools

Attracting young people to tourism starts with showing them the opportunities that exist and creating stronger connections between employers, educators and students.

Through the Skills That Travel initiative, TIAO, Tourism HR Canada and myBlueprint are working together to help make those connections easier, including the development of a new directory connecting educators with tourism businesses and organizations.

In this interactive session, Brad will explore how tourism operators and communities can connect with local schools and reach students through myBlueprint, creating opportunities for co-ops, work-integrated learning, workplace tours, guest speaking, part-time and full-time employment, and more.

Join us to learn how your organization can play a role in introducing young people to tourism careers and building Ontario’s future tourism workforce.

📍 Nottawasaga Resort & Conference Centre
📅 September 17, 2026
👉 Register: www.tiaontario.ca/tof

The summer heat is on, and so are the savings (but not for much longer) 🌞Summer pricing for the Ontario Tourism Summit 2...
08/18/2026

The summer heat is on, and so are the savings (but not for much longer) 🌞

Summer pricing for the Ontario Tourism Summit 2026 is now live, but rates won’t stay here for long. If you’ve been waiting to register, this is your moment.

OTS26 brings together tourism leaders, partners, destinations, operators, suppliers, and decision-makers from across Ontario for two days of connection, insight, and momentum.

Join us October 21–22 in Ottawa as we Connect & Elevate, with programming designed to spark ideas, strengthen partnerships, and support the continued growth of Ontario’s visitor economy.

And if you haven’t heard, your registration includes access to a complimentary Tuesday afternoon session featuring TIAO and Destinations International Advocacy, brought to you by Ottawa Tourism. More time to connect before the Summit even begins.

Your voice belongs in the room. Register at summer rates before they’re gone👉 tiaontario.ca/ots26

🎉 The Silent Auction is back! 🎉This year, proceeds from the Silent Auction will help support Ontario’s tourism businesse...
08/18/2026

🎉 The Silent Auction is back! 🎉

This year, proceeds from the Silent Auction will help support Ontario’s tourism businesses and workforce, including those facing challenges caused by climate-related events such as wildfires, flooding, and other disruptions affecting communities across the province.

By participating, you’ll be helping support the businesses and people who make Ontario such an incredible place to visit, while showcasing your organization to tourism leaders from across the province.

🎁 Contribute an in-kind experience, product, gift certificate, package, or other item to the Silent Auction.

📣 Showcase your brand to 450+ tourism industry attendees at the Ontario Tourism Summit.

🔗 Your logo and URL will be featured alongside your auction item and on branded banners throughout the auction app.

Help us make this year’s Silent Auction our most impactful yet.

📩 Donate today: [email protected]

Address

207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 405
Toronto, ON
M5J1A7

Telephone

+14164831691

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