Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

06/23/2026

Your input matters for Ontario tourism.

As implementation of Forward Motion: Ontario’s Tourism Industry Strategy continues, TIAO and the Ontario Tourism Strategy Alignment Council are seeking input from tourism partners across the province to help shape priorities for 2026–2027.

This brief industry input survey will help identify existing initiatives, partnership opportunities, gaps, and areas for alignment across three key priorities:

🌎 International Market Growth
💼 Tourism Investment Attraction
👥 Workforce Development

Whether you are a destination organization, tourism operator, municipality, sector association, educational institution, supplier, or industry partner, we encourage you to share your insights.

Together, we can build on the momentum of Forward Motion and focus our collective efforts where they can have the greatest impact.

Complete the survey by June 30, 2026: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5###X9G

06/23/2026

🎙️ Next stop on the Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™: Côte d’Ivoire!

Following Côte d’Ivoire’s match against Germany in Toronto on June 20, we’re exploring the culture, community, and pride Ivorian fans will bring to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience in Ontario.

Host Andrew Siegwart sits down with Viviane Sinan, Vice President of ACIRT, the Association de la Communauté Ivoirienne de la Région de Toronto, for a conversation about community, sport, tourism, and what this global moment means for Ivorians in Canada and around the world.

From the growing Ivorian community across Canada to the food, music, festivals, newcomer support, and deep pride behind Les Éléphants, this episode highlights how FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be about so much more than the matches on the pitch.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Forward Motion (and catch up on past Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ episodes) on your favourite podcast platform or visit: www.tiaontario.ca/forwardmotionpodcast

06/22/2026

TIAO is looking for a new finance & accounting services partner.

As we continue advancing industry advocacy priorities and implementing Forward Motion: Ontario's tourism industry strategy, strong financial stewardship and governance remain essential to our success.

We're seeking a qualified accounting firm or experienced financial professional to support TIAO's financial operations, reporting, compliance, audit preparation, and strategic financial oversight. As a lean, high-impact organization, we're looking for a practical, right-sized partner who understands the realities of the not-for-profit sector.

It's an opportunity to work alongside Ontario's provincial tourism association and contribute to an industry that supports communities, businesses, jobs, and economic growth across the province.

If you know a firm or professional with strong not-for-profit experience, we'd appreciate your help sharing this opportunity.

Proposal Deadline: July 3, 2026

See the request for proposals (RFP): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dwwgjzkaiep4svbg3ppcu/REQUEST-FOR-PROPOSALS-Outsourced-Finance-Accounting-Services.pdf?rlkey=uqdevbfk277hedvlhy4xa9k28&st=5nvxr3g7&dl=0

Please share with your networks!

06/21/2026

Indigenous-led tourism is about more than travel. It's storytelling, culture, language, land, community, and connection.

Across Ontario, these experiences help visitors better understand the places they explore and the Peoples whose stories, traditions, and knowledge continue to shape this province.

TIAO is proud to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day by recognizing the cultures, histories, and traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, and the growing role Indigenous tourism plays in Ontario's visitor economy. Ontario generates 34% of Canada's total Indigenous tourism revenue, with 30% of businesses and one-third of jobs in the sector located right here in the province.

We encourage tourism partners and visitors to discover Indigenous-led experiences across Ontario, explore Destination Ontario's guide to Indigenous events and celebrations, and learn more about Indigenous Tourism Ontario's work with Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs.

https://indigenoustourismontario.ca/
https://www.destinationontario.com/en-ca/articles/indigenous-events-and-celebrations

06/19/2026

Cheers to the weekend and to the final days of Ontario Craft Beer Week! 🍻

As wraps up on June 20, there’s still time to get out, visit a local brewery, enjoy a patio, try something new, and support the independent craft brewers helping make Ontario communities vibrant places to visit.

Craft breweries are more than places to grab a pint. They are gathering spaces, tourism experiences, local employers, community partners, and stops on road trips, weekend getaways, and neighbourhood adventures across the province.

This weekend, choose real local craft beer, explore a brewery near you, and raise a glass to Ontario’s craft beer sector.

Explore a Ontario Craft Beer trail near you: https://ontariocraftbrewers.com/trails/

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

The Ontario Tourism Summit 2026 is your opportunity to connect with tourism leaders, partners, destinations, operators, suppliers, and decision-makers from across the province.

Taking place in Ottawa from October 21–22, this year’s Summit will bring the industry together around the theme Connect & Elevate, with programming designed to spark ideas, strengthen partnerships, and support the continued growth of Ontario’s visitor economy.

Bonus for OTS26 attendees: Your registration includes access to a complimentary Tuesday afternoon session featuring TIAO and Destinations International Advocacy, brought to you by Ottawa Tourism. Another opportunity to connect, collaborate, and build momentum before the Summit begins.

If you’re thinking about joining us, this is your sign. Your voice belongs in the room, and advanced rates close June 22!

Register today: tiaontario.ca/ots26

06/17/2026

Nominations are now open for 2026 Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence: Indigenous Tourism Award! This award recognizes an organization, individual or experience that has demonstrated a commitment to the development and promotion of authentic, cultural Indigenous experiences for visitors to Ontario.

Eligibility:
➡️Organization/individual/initiative must be based in Ontario.
➡️Organization/individual/initiative must be involved in tourism.

Nominations can be submitted here: https://loom.ly/BQmerro

06/17/2026

⭐ OTS26 Speaker Spotlight: Daniel Lewis
Connection is the New Currency: Where Relationships Become the Real ROI

What if the strongest ROI in tourism starts with stronger human connection?

Daniel Lewis — "Human Caffeine" speaker, Canadian entrepreneur, author, and founder of award-winning tea brand T By Daniel — brings a people-first perspective built inside a customer-facing, experience-driven business.

His keynote explores how relationships, workplace culture, and service excellence become some of the most valuable drivers of business success in tourism, hospitality, and culinary sectors.

Expect to leave the room energized and thinking differently.

If you work in tourism, hospitality, culinary tourism, customer experience, workforce development, or leadership — this session is for you.

📍 Ottawa | October 21–22, 2026
🎟 Advanced rate tickets on sale now — grab yours before they're gone.
👉 tiaontario.ca/ots26

06/16/2026

🌈Destination Ontario, in partnership with 20 tourism organizations and Context Research Group Inc. (CRG), has released new research examining travel intentions and behaviours among 2SLGBTQI+ travellers across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico.

The study explores key factors influencing destination choice, including safety, inclusivity, trust signals, event-driven travel, and preferred visitor experiences. It also examines the role of Pride and 2SLGBTQI+ events in attracting visitors and encouraging travel beyond major urban centres.

Ontario is seen as a welcoming destination for 2SLGBTQI+ travellers and stands apart from the U.S. Ontario scores significantly above the U.S. on perceived welcome and inclusivity across every market tested, including among U.S. respondents rating their own country.

For tourism operators and destinations, the findings provide valuable insights into how inclusive experiences, welcoming environments, and authentic destination marketing can help attract a growing and influential travel market. The research is intended to support tourism businesses in developing more inclusive visitor experiences and informed marketing strategies.

Download the report👇🏻
https://www.rto9.ca/images/CRG_DO_2SLGBTQI-Research_Report_2026-05-05.pdf