Culinary and winter/shoulder season tourism has been specifically identified as requiring development and support to seize opportunities to expand Ontario’s tourism potential.
The Elevating Ontario Experiences project further builds upon a previously successful project led by TIAC in 2019. TIAO assisted with outreach as only 3 Ontario tourism regions were available with that program.
This project has been designed to build on the existing foundation while ensuring each region is represented and more communities are engaged, in order to further stimulate and drive economic growth.
Click on each item to learn more
About EOE| Project Goals | Benefits | Results | Eligibility | Project Team
About the Project
The Elevating Ontario Experiences Project aims to assist tourism operators across the province through a series of 2 - 2.5hr workshops, helping to uncover potential growth areas in their business within culinary or winter/shoulder season tourism development.
These workshops are curated and tailored to each tourism region in Ontario.
Following the workshop, participating businesses receive a dedicated 30-minute virtual coaching session, to help explore the development of their new or elevated tourism experience.
Project Goals
The workshops aim to provide individual Ontario tourism operators with customized tools, strategies and tangible next steps to build tourism capacity in potential growth areas including culinary and winter/shoulder season development.
The EOE workshops offer recommendations that incorporate the development of a unique and innovative tourism experience or product that can be implemented by the operator to expand their existing business.
Benefits
Customized strategies for culinary and winter/shoulder season tourism development in each tourism region
Inspiration, peer-to-peer input, and one on one post-workshop coaching to finalize and start achieving your idea
Results
As a result of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) Elevating Ontario Experiences workshops and coachings:
Credit Valley Conservation elevated their Maple Syrup by Lamplight experience at Island Lake Conservation Area and expanded it to Terra Cotta Conservation Area.
Alabaster Acres created a Maple Makers Workshop and a Maple Masters Workshop where people will come to the farm to make their own maple syrup.
Fromagerie Kapuskoise enhanced their 'Taste of Place' by improving their marketing efforts and developing several video experiences.
Rabi’s Group elevated the marketing of her cooking classes, highlighting local ingredients and traditional foodways.
Town of Orangeville created a maple experience in the downtown core running from March to April. Search for the town’s 'Sweet Stops'.
Go Tours Canada is offering a Distillery District Breakfast Tour
Cabinscape has created their Cabin Chaser Package. This is a two-night mystery road trip and cabin hopping experience.
Abitibi Sled Dogs ran their first season of sled dog tours and are in the process of planning for next winter with lots of things in the works.
Springwood Cottage Resort have expanded their amenities by creating a game room - acquiring 400 board games and classic arcade games.
Country Heritage Park - Canada's largest winter maze pop-up experience: The Giant Maze! The workshop helped this participant to consider different partnerships.
Pangea House hosted their winter Writers' Retreat. Pamper yourself with a winter retreat where you can write, relax, enjoy the beauty of nature in a cozy town atmosphere.
Stroll Walking Tours teamed up with St. Jacobs Market and created a Food Tour focused on food, culture and history, featuring Mennonite roots.
Stone Manor Studios hosted their Radiant Renewal, two-day workshop and are launching their Tom and Friends in 2026, a rug-hooking retreat created with a craftswoman and local resort.
Over Here launched several initiatives: Art Ruralz Trail Expansion, Plein Air Series, Community-Focused Workshops, and Collaborations with Local Businesses.
Project Team
Hosted by TIAO, the Elevating Ontario Experiences culinary series is delivered by the Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) and the winter/shoulder season tourism sessions are executed by BC Hughes.
To learn more about the program details, please reach out to the Project Lead:
Simone Gonsalves
sgonsalves@tiaontario.ca
