Regional Tourism Organization 12 (RTO 12)€¦ · Township of the Archipelago Township of Armour Town of Bracebridge The Municipality of the Village of Burk's Falls ... Communications

Muskoka - Georgian Bay Country -

Algonquin Park - Almaguin Highlands

South Algonquin Twnship

Regional Tourism

Organization 12

(RTO 12)

SHOWCASE ALMAGUIN January 2011

www.rto12.ca




Background

Roles & Responsibilities

Funding

Transitional information

Sub-Committees

2010 / 2011 Projects

www.rto12.ca




Background

February 2009, the Ministry of Tourism released the Ontario Competiveness Study

– Key initiative

Ontario should establish tourism regions to better coordinate tourism marketing and management across the province. Each region should work toward creating a unique brand and stellar experience.

January 2010, After several months of consultations, MTC announces a plan to create 13 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs)

June 2010, Ministry announces RTO funding

www.rto12.ca




Ontario Regions

www.rto12.ca




Region 12

www.rto12.ca




Who is included in

Region 12?

Algonquin Provincial Park

Township of the Archipelago

Township of Armour

Town of Bracebridge

The Municipality of the Village of Burk's Falls

Carling Township

Township of Georgian Bay

Town of Gravenhurst

Town of Huntsville

Joly Township

Town of Kearney

Township of Lake of Bays

Township of Machar

Township of Magnetawan

• Municipality of McDougall

• Township of McKellar

• Township of McMurrich-Monteith

• Township of Muskoka Lakes

• Town of Parry Sound

• Township of Perry

• Township of Ryerson

• Seguin Township

• Township of South Algonquin

• Village of South River

• Strong Township

• The Village of Sundridge

• Municipality of Whitestone

www.rto12.ca




RTO 12 Performance Metrics 2008*

3.5 million person visits

Visitor Spending $662 million

* Source: Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Regional Tourism Profiles 2008

Stats Canada, International and Canadian

Travel Surveys (2008)

www.rto12.ca




Goals

Change how government and industry work together to develop tourism and foster economic growth.

Set standards for success to become more internationally competitive.

Maximize and measure the impact of private and public tourism investments on new and revitalized product.

www.rto12.ca




Goals

Reach out to consumers before they get here and when they arrive, so that we can welcome more tourists.

The Ministry will work in concert with industry partners to identify regional priorities that moves the provincial RTO agenda forward.

Double Tourism receipts by 2020

www.rto12.ca




Roles / Responsibilities

Strategy Development

Marketing

Product Development and Innovation

Investment Attraction

Workforce Development and Training

Coordination

Manage Performance

www.rto12.ca




Funding

Source of funds is HST increase

on accommodation tax from 5% to

8%

RTO 12 Budget

– $1.25 million per year in fiscal 2010/2011 and

fiscal 2011/2012. A total of $2.5 million over

two years.

www.rto12.ca




Transitional

Accomplishments

Since June 2010....

Created transitional Board

Registered as not for profit (By-Laws, etc)

Georgian Bay Country Tourism named as the

Administrator for Region 12

Created Transition Plan / Terms of Reference

Prepared 2010 / 2011 Operational Plan – Approved

Jan 2011

www.rto12.ca




Transitional Board

The transitional board is comprised of business

leaders from different sectors of the tourism

industry and geographic areas in RTO 12

Nominations for an elected Board will take place

in March followed by an election at the first

annual general meeting this spring.

www.rto12.ca




Transitional Board

Al Dare, Wilson Lake Resort, Port Loring

Andrew Ryeland, Bear Claw Tours, Parry Sound

Brenda Scott, iBrand Almaguin, South River

David Stewart, Almaguin Highlands Ontario Inc.

Sprucedale

John Sorensen, Couples Resort Whitney - Algonquin Park

Ken Turner, Woodland Echoes Resort, Magnetawan

Don MacKay, Dream Links Ltd. Bracebridge

Lorne Jolliffe, Manager, Motel 6, Huntsville

Gary Froude, Muskoka Cultural Impresarios, Port Carling

Jamie Hopkins, Santa’s Village & Sportsland, Bracebridge

Shannon Bebamash, Comfort Inn, Parry Sound

Jim Murphy, Park Planner, Algonquin Provincial Park

www.rto12.ca




Transitional Board

Advisory Committee– Muskoka Tourism,

– Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce,

– Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce,

– Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre

– Georgian Bay Country, Parry Sound

Resource Member– Ministry of Tourism & Culture




RTO 12 Sub- Committees

Executive

Communications

Innovation & Research

Investment Review

www.rto12.ca




Communications Committee

committed to open and transparent

communication between RTO 12 and

regional partners / stakeholders.

www.rto12.ca




Innovation & Research

Committee

Identify incremental research projects that help accomplish RTO 12 goals.

www.rto12.ca




Investment Review Committee

Provides a link between tourism partners/stakeholders and RTO 12. Evaluate projects that fit with RTO 12 regional priorities.

– Quick implementation. Demonstrate measurable payback in < 2 years;

– Project fills an identified gap. Does not duplicate;

– Project should be rolled out to benefit the whole region;

– Leverage support. Investment from other partners.

Projects of interest are presented to the Board for further discussion

www.rto12.ca

2010 / 2011 Projects

Social Media

Branding

Research

Attraction Coordination

Training and Education

Mapping

Online Reservation Service

Destination Development Plan

Georgian Bay Coastal Route Sign

www.rto12.ca




Questions?

For further information please visit

www.rto12.ca

or

e-mail: [email protected]

www.rto12.ca

Documents

Regional Tourism Organization 12 (RTO 12)€¦ · Township of the Archipelago Township of Armour Town of Bracebridge The Municipality of the Village of Burk's Falls ... Communications