Tourism Opportunities Forum 2025

To launch this year’s Tourism Week, TIAO hosted the Tourism Opportunities Forum 2025 – which was met with an overwhelming response, selling out and bringing together over 130 tourism leaders, municipal representatives, and industry professionals. Thank you to Destination Ontario, Context Research Group, and to all of our panelists for their invaluable insights and contributions. We are grateful to our sponsors, Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, Alphabet, and Restaurants Canada.  

We were honoured to have Minister Neil Lumsden open the event, sharing his vision on how government is working to maximize the economic potential of sport tourism for communities across our province. Thank you to Minister Stan Cho, Minister Bethelenfalvy, and Associate Minister Nina Tangri for their words and continued support and commitment to strengthening Ontario’s tourism industry.  

Thank you to all who attended! 

A key highlight of this year’s forum was the discussion surrounding the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). Since its introduction in 2017, the MAT has proven to be a transformative tool for over 70 municipalities, driving tourism growth, increasing visitation, and bolstering local revenues. TIAO has been advocating for critical enhancements to MAT regulations to enable municipalities, industry stakeholders, and the provincial government to unlock additional funding, foster greater collaboration, and overcome existing barriers. 

TIAO partnered with Restaurants Canada to host the Forum at the Enercare Centre coinciding with the 2025 RC Show. Premier Doug Ford kicked off the show announcing an increase to the LCBO wholesale discount for bars, restaurants and convenience stores to 15 percent. This is a show of great support for the hospitality side of the industry through this time of economic uncertainty.