Tourism Industry Partners

PARTNERS AND INDUSTRY LINKS

Below are a number of organizations that are grouped into various segments that generally make up the Tourism Industry in Ontario. There are a few Federal organizations that are integral to the general hierarchy. The list of organizations below are identified as the main tourism partners in the the Ontario Tourism Structure. The groupings are further divided to show the RTO 13 composition.

Canadian Tourism Commission

The Canadian Tourism Commission was formed in 1995. The Canadian Tourism Commission Act was assented to in October 2000, which made the Commission a special operating agency. The change in legal status was meant to give the Commission more flexibility and freedom to partner with the tourism industry and the federal government to sustain a vibrant national tourism industry.

For more on the Commission read the: Canadian Tourism Commission Act

Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture

This ministry oversees the activities and accountabilities of attractions and agencies that promote tourism, economic growth and job creation and offer a wide range of educational, recreational, cultural and entertainment programs.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

The tourism industry in Ontario interacts on a continuous basis with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Ministry of Natural Resources is working to promote healthy, sustainable ecosystems and to conserve biodiversity. Tourism in Northern Ontario is largely nature based and MNR provides support and guidance in many respects that allows nature based tourism to take place without adversely affecting the natural resources of the province.

Tourism Agencies

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

The OTMPC's mission is to grow Ontario’s tourism sector year-round by stimulating increased consumer spending and visits, and by generating greater partnership participation. The Corporation works strategically, proactively and collaboratively with the tourism industry to market Ontario’s tourism experiences, and leverage multi-year marketing opportunities and investments in key markets. OTMPC profile. OTMPC video

Planning your Trip to Ontario

This website is the consumer website of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Cooperation. It is quite comprehensive with an excellent site map that provides essential information with regards to things to do, family fun, places to go, travel tools and resources.

Planning your Trip to Northern Ontario

Northern Ontario Web Portal

This web portal is the OTMPC's consumer marketing site specifically geared to market northern Ontario. It is driven by northerners. A very good source of information if you are looking to tap into the vast nature and outdoor tourism offered in this region.

Northern Ontario - Ontario Canada's Great Outdoors

Another portal geared for marketing Northern Ontario. Essential information on main activities base are highlighted.

SummerFunGuide.ca is a comprehensive directory of all things fun, exciting and interesting in Ontario. Targeted at Ontario residents and visitors alike, it is a well-organized site filled with useful information.

The six Northern Ontario Travel Associations that form NORTA (Northern Ontario Regional Tourism Alliance)

Northern Ontario Regional Tourism Alliance (NORTA)—The role of the NORTAs is to be the voice of the local industry to the provincial and federal tourism ministries and their programs. In addition, they are the grass roots of the industry and assist small operators to market to regions that they would not be able to reach on their own. By creating regional partnerships, the NORTA program supports and enables local partners to work together and create more opportunities for the visitor. It is not financially viable for most Northern Ontario businesses to take advantage of programs offered by OTMPC and the CTC, therefore the NORTA is the logical choice for them to partner.

Ontario Sunset Country

North of Superior – NOSTA

Algoma Country

Rainbow Country

Ontario’s Wilderness Region

Ontario’s Near North

Tourism Travel Associations that were established under the Ontario Travel Association Program are:

Muskoka

Haliburton Highlands

Ottawa Valley

Kawartha Region

Northumberland County