Tourism Policy is Economic Policy
Ontario's visitor economy generates new spending, supports businesses, creates jobs, attracts investment that strengthens communities in every region of the province.
Tourism is also shaped by decisions made across government—from transportation, workforce and education to investment, municipal finance, infrastructure and trade.
TIAO works with governments, tourism organizations, businesses and industry partners to advance practical policies that strengthen Ontario's tourism competitiveness and create the conditions for long-term economic growth.
Our advocacy priorities support the goals established through Forward Motion: A Strategic Playbook for Ontario's Tourism Industry—our industry's roadmap for growing visitor spending, investment, employment and economic contribution across Ontario.
Forward Motion identifies where Ontario tourism needs to go. TIAO's policy and advocacy priorities identify the actions government and industry can take together to get there.
Policy Priorities
Position tourism as a strategic economic sector capable of generating service exports, attracting investment, creating employment and supporting economic diversification across Ontario.
Learn More: Economic Growth & Competitiveness
Unlock private-sector investment and accelerate the development of new and enhanced tourism products, experiences and infrastructure.
Learn More: Investment & Product Development
Rebuild Ontario's tourism workforce development capacity and strengthen education, training, work-integrated learning, labour-market intelligence and talent pathways.
Learn More: Workforce & Skills
Grow international tourism service exports and diversify Ontario's visitor markets through increased investment in Destination Ontario and collaborative international market development.
Learn More: International Tourism & Destination Marketing
Improve access to and within Ontario and ensure major transportation investments maximize visitor mobility, destination competitiveness and regional economic development.
Learn More: Transportation & Tourism Connectivity
Modernize Ontario's MAT framework to strengthen destination development, governance, collaboration and the effective reinvestment of visitor-generated revenues.
Learn More: Municipal Accommodation Tax & Destination Development
Forward Motion: Ontario's Tourism Strategy
Forward Motion: A Strategic Playbook for Ontario's Tourism Industry is the industry's roadmap for growing Ontario's visitor economy through 2030.
Developed through extensive industry consultation, the strategy identifies six interconnected priorities for strengthening Ontario's tourism competitiveness and economic contribution:
- Grow & Attract Visitors — increase domestic and international demand and visitor spending.
- Transportation Infrastructure — improve access to and within Ontario and strengthen connections between visitors and destinations.
- Workforce Resilience — build the workforce, skills and talent pathways needed to support industry growth.
- Product Development & Capacity Building — develop compelling visitor experiences and unlock investment in tourism businesses and assets.
- Sustainability — strengthen the long-term environmental, social and economic resilience of Ontario's visitor economy.
- Collaboration & Governance — improve coordination, destination capacity and collaboration across industry and government.
TIAO's advocacy agenda builds on Forward Motion by translating these priorities into specific policy recommendations and opportunities for government and industry action.
What does our advocacy look like?
TIAO’s policy work is grounded in industry consultation, research, and evidence: meeting with government, convening sector organizations, speaking with operators, attending industry conferences, submitting policy recommendations, and participating in committees.
If you could use our support, or have more questions about our advocacy work, contact us today!
