Northern Ontario is known for its landscapes, diverse communities, and resource-based economy. It offers businesses a combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and industry-focused opportunities to innovate and thrive. Local initiatives and training programs at Tourism Excellence North (TEN) help businesses tackle shifting market demands and labour shortages by providing the knowledge and support needed to adapt and succeed. TEN bridges the skills gap by offering tourism operators, communities, and destinations the knowledge, connections, and training needed to grow and strengthen their businesses.
Tourism Excellence North, the Workforce Development and Industry Training pillar of Destination Northern Ontario, focuses on enhancing business success through training solutions designed to strengthen the ability of tourism operations to respond to marketplace changes, adapt to quality visitor expectations, develop innovative experiences that raise the bar on visitor value, and deliver increased returns for operations and the destination as a whole.
The Fast Track to Success: Personalized Coaching for Your Business and Experiential Travel Training for Operators program offers fresh ideas and opportunities for growth. The Fast Track to Success program is a one-on-one coaching program where a TEN Trainer provides practical advice to business owners and operators during their operating season over 24 hours. The program benefits businesses wanting to confirm they are ‘on track’, need help responding to shifting market interests, want to prepare for the future, or need assistance with visitor experiences.
One of the key areas explored is the Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (OPTIS) and Northern Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (NOPTIS) Micro-Credential programs. Designed in partnership with top industry leaders in Ontario tourism, these programs upskill existing employees within their current roles while supporting the tourism sector’s recovery and growth post-COVID-19. These micro-credentials are for individuals working in organizations that support operators and foster growth in the tourism industry. This includes provincial and federal tourism advisors, municipal staff, economic development officers, destination marketing and sector organization staff, as well as tourism operators and management professionals in the tourism sector.
In Northern Ontario, online learning platforms have become instrumental in helping business owners and employees develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Several online learning courses, such as Visitor Appeal Assessment Tool, Experience Fishing, Improve Your Digital Health to Reach More Tourists, Tourism Business Essentials, and ADAPT webinars, cater to the region’s specific needs. Tourism Excellence North offers an extensive library of free courses on business management, digital marketing, self-assessments, and e-commerce. Learners can access these valuable resources anytime online.
As Northern Ontario businesses face challenges, support from Tourism Excellence North, recovery initiatives, and online learning platforms is helping them seize new opportunities. Whether through technology, new markets, or revitalizing industries, Northern Ontario is evolving into a hub of entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability. Find out more here.
These advancements are inspiring business owners to seek new ways to adapt and thrive, prompting questions about the available tools and resources that can support their journey.
Dear Tourism Excellence North,
My business has faced several challenges in recent years, particularly after COVID-19. During the pandemic, we experienced a temporary boost in sales as we remained open while other venues were closed. However, as the market normalized, we saw a decline in sales. How is Northern Ontario embracing new training tools and solutions to drive business success, positioning the region as a hub for outdoor recreation and innovative business practices? In what ways are these innovations and fresh ideas being implemented to enhance the guest experience and improve operations at destinations?
Sincerely,
Searching for Solutions
Dear Searching for Solutions,
As a fellow Northern Ontarian, I understand the challenges you’ve faced in recent years. The pandemic certainly created a unique business landscape, and adapting to the "new normal" hasn’t been easy. But there are encouraging developments in our region to share!
Northern Ontario is embracing innovative training tools and solutions to drive business success, particularly in outdoor recreation and tourism management. Tourism Excellence North (TEN) is leading the charge with several exciting programs:
Fast Track to Success: This personalized coaching program pairs you with an expert TEN Trainer for 24 hours of one-on-one guidance during your operating season. They provide practical advice to help you respond to shifting market interests, prepare for the future, and enhance your visitor experiences.
Experiential Travel Training for Operators: This program helps businesses develop unique, memorable experiences that set them apart in the marketplace.
Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (OPTIS) and Northern Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (NOPTIS) Micro-Credential programs: These industry-recognized certifications are designed to upskill existing employees and support our tourism sector’s post-COVID recovery.
TEN is also leveraging online learning platforms to make skill development more accessible. They offer a variety of free courses on topics like digital marketing, business management, and e-commerce. For example, the Experience Fishing program provides operators with tools and resources to offer standardized, safe fishing experiences for new anglers.
These innovations are being implemented to enhance guest experiences and improve operations in several ways:
- Personalized coaching helps businesses identify and address specific challenges.
- Online training allows employees to upskill at their own pace.
- Experiential travel programs encourage the development of unique, memorable offerings.
- Digital marketing courses help businesses reach new audiences and adapt to changing consumer behaviours.
Remember, you’re not alone in facing these challenges. Northern Ontario’s tourism industry is coming together to support one another and drive innovation. I encourage you to explore the resources available through Tourism Excellence North and consider how they might benefit your business.
Stay strong and keep embracing the spirit of innovation that makes our region so special!
Warmest regards,
Tourism Excellence North