tOES members honoured at Ontario Tourism Summit Awards

On the evening of Monday November 8 th, 2010 two members of the Ontario Ecotourism Society (tOES) were honoured with nominations and one with an award at the Ontario Tourism Awards Gala and Dinner.

The Ontario Tourism Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the tourism industry. The program is organized by the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) in partnership with judges such as those with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. The awards presentations were made at the gala dinner portion of the OTMPC's Tourism Summit conference at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario.

tOES members, the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat and Northern Edge Algonquin were both nominated for the Industry Awards of Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, with the latter winning the award. Northern Edge was commended for the example they've set in building their solar-powered nature-retreat centre and over the last 15 years at the NW corner of Algonquin Park and the sustainability of their business and programs that reconnect visitors with themselves, the environment and community. The innovative partnership they engaged in this past year with another tOES member, the Bike Train, through their Rails, Trails and Ales program was highlighted as one of the drivers for judges to recognize this family-run company as an industry leader.

Co-founders of Northern Edge Algonquin, Todd and Martha Lucier both took the stage to accept the award. They gave thanks to the team of staff and partners who have helped build their successfull and sustainable business over the years, mentioning in particular Greg Waters who has not only overseen the building of inspiring spaces with sustainable materials but the serving of delicious, locally sourced and primarily organic cuisine as well. Todd also proved his leadership within the industry, encouraging the significant representation of Ontario's tourism industry present in the room to not consider the field limited to the likes of the two small retreats set in Algonquin Park, but that "everyone in this room can do sustainable tourism". He reminded attendees that energy and water conservation, renewable power sources and sustainable products and waste treatments are not only possible but important for all in the tourism industry to engage with if our industry is to survive and thrive in the future.

The Summit Awards and Conference programs were attended by tOES board members intending to use networking and learning gained there to strengthen our education and marketing programs supporting sustainable tourism in Ontario in the weeks and year to come. Some follow-up will be discussed at the tOES AGM to be held December 4, 2010...could be an expanded tOES Sponsored Sustainable Tourism Awards program, a new partnership proposal with the OTMPC.. join or contact us to support us in these endeavours or to attend the AGM.

written by Kara Mitchell

Ecotourism Marketing...What are the Neighbours Doing ?

~ a selection from summer 2010 issue of Ecotourism Ontario, a quarterly newsletter of the Ontario Ecotourism Society geared towards the striving-for-sustainability members of the tourism industry. This article is contributed by editor, Rod Bilz of FRi Ecological Services

Type “cycling Quebec” in Google and you will be rewarded with a virtual smorgasbord
of cycling adventures in the Province of Quebec. The theme of this issue is “Marketing Ecotourism” and Vélo Québec is a perfect example of a well-executed marketing program for a world-class cycling ecotourism product. National Geographic ranked “La Route Verte” first in the top 10 cycling routes on the planet. They must be doing something right. What makes this
product and the associated marketing so successful?
I just returned from a 5-day cycling tour on the Véloroute des Bleuets around Lac St. Jean (Part of “La Route Verte”) and experienced firsthand what it takes to successfully market and deliver a top-notch product. Obviously the web presence by Vélo Québec is a great starting point and they certainly have done an excellent job ensuring it is easy to find cycling tourism products in Québec. I am not going to spend a lot of time on this component of their marketing because several of the articles in this issue deal specifically with electronic media and marketing.
Perhaps the stronger ties with Europe has allowed Québec to build a culture that sees
cycling as a valid means of transportation and recreation. That cycling culture is evident
everywhere you look. The Véloroute des Bleuets was a showpiece collaboration effort between
15 municipalities, local First Nations, cycling associations and the province. The initial
$10 millon investment has provided an annual return of at least $6 million per year since
2000.
There is no doubt at anytime that you are travelling on the Véloroute. The signage is effective and evident everywhere. The signage itself is an effective marketing tool for anyone that is traveling through the region. But it is much more than signs along the route
and a web site. You can feel the commitment of the community with each person that you meet. Everything from signs on the business windows declaring “Cyclists Welcome” to the more concrete things like secure bicycle lock-ups and storage at restaurants and water stations along the route. There is a real atmosphere of promoting the region that is known as the
blueberry capital of Québec. The restaurants offer local foods and the blueberry features prominently.
So what are the neighbours doing? They are doing it right. Marketing really can encompass everything you do and probably should.

To download the rest of this issue of Ecotourism Ontario see us at: www.toes.ca