ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19th, 2012

RTO 8: Our Favourite Place

TRANS CANADA TRAIL DEVELOPMENTPROJECT

Tourism Competitive Study Released in February 2009

“The report makes a strong case for the creation of well-defined and well-managed tourism regions across the province.”

The goal of regionalization is to bring together stakeholders, to oversee the development of new products and marketing initiatives; and to identify and define unique experiences offered by the region.

In January 2010, MTC announces plans to create 13 tourism regions in Ontario, following several months of consultation throughout the province.

Each to be managed by its own Regional Tourism Organization (RTO).

RTO’S BACKGROUND

RTO 8 ABOVE-THE-LINE ACTIVITIES

Product Development Marketing________________________________________

SUPPORTIVE NON-RTO ACTIVITIES

DMOs, Sector Associations, Economic Development Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, DBIAs

Experience Development Destination Marketing

Tours and PackagesCentral Reservation System Trans Canada TrailCyclingArts, Culture, Heritage

Meetings & Conventions

Industry EducatingHR HotlineMarket Readiness TrainingPackage TrainingTourism Marketing Training

MarketingSupport DMO ActivitiesCreate and Promote Regional

ExperiencesTrack and Measure Results

RTO 8 2012/13 Priorities:

Completion of 120 km of Trans Canada Trail in Region 8

• 3 gaps persisted = 37/120km• Most difficult is Peterborough to Hastings ~ 30km• Create a Greenway Trail in 1 year• Multiple agency negotiations• RTO 8 assistance critical/invaluable

Phase I: Trail Connection

ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19th, 2012

Work to date• Successfully held 8 monthly steering committee meetings• Developed a business plan and implementation started• Developed a communications plan and implementation started• Successfully awarded grant from Trans Canada Trail for 50% of building costs• Negotiating land access agreements with the Province and the Township of Otonabee South-Monaghan

Peterborough to Hastings Section

ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19th, 2012

• Destination Trail• Connection to regional cycling routes, Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and link to neighbouring Regions 6,9 and 11• Signage Plan for entire route• Economic driver for local businesses

Phase II: Product Development

ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19th, 2012

ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19, 2012

The opportunity is available NOW