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Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp. Thursday, September 15, 2011. RTO #1 includes all of southwestern Ontario, from Lowbanks on Lake Erie to the east, southwest to Windsor, north to Sarnia, north east to Grand Bend, and east to Tavistock. SWOTC.
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Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Southwest OntarioTourism Corp. Thursday, September 15, 2011
RTO #1 includes all of southwestern Ontario, from Lowbanks on Lake Erie to the east, southwest to Windsor, north to Sarnia, north east to Grand Bend, and east to Tavistock.
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp SWOTC Role of Regional Tourism Organizations: Independent, not-for-profit corporations responsible for working with tourism partners to enhance and grow regional tourism products and marketing activities. How: By providing regional leadership and coordination to attract more visitors, generate more economic activity and create more jobs.
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp SWOTC History: Transition team consisting of representatives of each of the 9 different destination marketing groups came together over the past 2 years creating a strategic plan for 2011/2012 after identifying and completing 7 different priority projects. SWOTC Board: Appointed in February 2011. Interim Executive Director was contracted for 6 months. Permanent ED announced September 14, 2011. Temporary office in Woodstock.
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp SWOTC Strategic Direction: 1.Invest Wisely through innovation & product development and investment attraction and retention. 2.Develop a communications plan for stakeholders, media and public. 3. Work Collaboratively developing leadership and building on the priority projects. 4. Reaching out through consumer marketing and educating the region of tourism industry opportunities. 5. Setting standards for success including job creation, workforce development, industry relations, accountability and research.
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Seven Priority Projects • Market Development • OTMP research • Agritourism • Culinary • Recreation (Golf, Camping, Fishing) • Birding • Motorcycle • Ports, Waterways
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Market Development SWOT Analysis Branding
UNDISCOVERED • Brand development – brand statement established, agreement on referencing area as “Ontario’s Southwest” • Further work is being conducted on the application of the recommended logo and tagline
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Agritourism Lots of opportunity for product development, partnerships Culinary Trail
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Culinary Tourism 100,000 copies of Culinary Guide in circulation
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Recreation – Golf; Fishing; Camping Opportunities for new market growth: Packages New Product Fishing Tournaments
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Birding 23 quality birding sites identified within the Region Develop a Lake Erie Coastal Birding Trail connecting various birding opportunities
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Ports, Coastal and Riverfront Development 7 nodes identified with high development potential: Leamington Port Dover Port Stanley Dunnville Thames River Wallaceburg Sarnia
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Motorcycle Tourism Four key ‘rides’ with our Region: Haldimand County to Port Stanley Oxford County to Grand Bend Leamington to Grand Bend St. Thomas to Point Pelee
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Commonalities (amongst reports) • Certain tourism products are more market ready than others. Should be the focus of further attention • Series of websites recommended – may best be best linked to one SWOTC site • Additional market research is required to keep abreast of opportunities • Focus on creating “new” opportunities – products, services, promotion and packages
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp Results of Priority Projects: www.tourismregion1.com Agritourism Online Tool Kit: www.osw-agritourismtoolkit.com Port Coastal Riverfront Communities Development Plan & Investment Strategy: www.osw-portsofontario.com
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