A Busy Season of Collaboration and Advocacy at Destination Northern Ontario
by Sara Currier | June 2, 2026
It has been a busy and productive few weeks for the team at Destination Northern Ontario, with staff attending conferences, meetings, and industry events across Ontario to strengthen partnerships and support tourism growth across the North.
The recent travel schedule began in Thunder Bay at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference, where municipal leaders, government representatives, and organizations gathered to discuss regional priorities and opportunities. The conference provided valuable opportunities to connect with partners and continue conversations around tourism development and economic growth.
Following NOMA, staff travelled to Toronto for meetings at Queen's Park, engaging with provincial representatives to advocate for tourism as a key economic driver for Northern Ontario communities.
The team also gathered in Greater Sudbury for a board meeting hosted at Science North to discuss strategic priorities, partnerships, and ongoing tourism initiatives across the region.
The following week, staff attended the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities Conference, where discussions with municipal leaders and industry partners reinforced tourism’s role in supporting local economies and vibrant communities throughout Northern Ontario.
This past week, Destination Northern Ontario attended Rendez-vous Canada in partnership with Destination Ontario, Northeastern Ontario Tourism, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, and Tourism Thunder Bay. As Canada’s largest international tourism trade show, Rendez-vous Canada brings together more than 500 travel buyers from 24 global markets. These buyers play a key role in shaping leisure group tours, packaged travel programs, and international itineraries around the world.
While the past several weeks have involved many kilometres on the road, each stop has helped strengthen partnerships, support advocacy efforts, and promote the value of tourism across Northern Ontario.