Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism

Recruiting the Next Generation of Tourism Workers

In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Lawrence Foster, an instructor with Sault College’s Adventure Recreation and Parks program. They discuss the kinds of people registering for the program, what these in-demand graduates want from employers, and Lawrence’s advice for recruiting during a workforce shortage. Lawrence also shares why the producer of the hit show Mantracker called him up and gave him a job. * 01:05 Meet Lawrence Foster: From Law Student to Mantracker to çInstructor * 06:26 Inside the Adventure Recreation and Parks Program * 09:10 Student Backgrounds * 15:08 Tourism Career Opportunities * 18:47 Advice For Owners That Are Succession Planning * 21:10 Opportunities Students Are Looking For * 23:46 What Students Want From Employers * 25:22 Awareness of Government and Non Profit Jobs in Tourism * 28:11 Recruitment Advice For Business Owners and Managers * 32:01 Customer Service Training * 35:52 Filling Education Gaps With Volunteer Experience About Sault College and the Adventure Recreation and Parks Program * Sault College website - saultcollege.ca * Adventure Recreation and Parks Technician program - https://www.saultcollege.ca/programs/school-natural-environment/adventure-recreation-and-parks-technician [https://www.saultcollege.ca/programs/school-natural-environment/adventure-recreation-and-parks-technician] * Contact Lawrence: lawrence.foster@saultcollege.ca About the podcast Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores. For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario: * Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca [http://tourismexcellencenorth.ca] * Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario [http://facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario] * Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario * LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario [http://linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario] If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario [https://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/podcast]. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.   Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca] with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

How a Small Northern Community Does Tourism Development

In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Heather Gropp, Community Development Officer for the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls. They discuss how this small Northern Ontario community with a population of just 727 residents makes the most of its resources to keep tourism flourishing. Heather shares the municipality’s strategies, target markets, and how it’s working to overcome major challenges. The conversation also touches on how Heather helped get the interprovincial Heart of Canada Touring Route across the finish line, and why she loves working on the government side of tourism development.  * 01:10 Introduction to Heather Gropp and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls * 06:27 The Community’s Challenges * 11:25 Collaborations and Partnerships * 15:01 Tourism Strategies and Target Markets * 21:41 Municipal Accommodations Tax Debate  * 24:44 The Long Road to Develop the Heart of Canada Touring Route * 29:26 Labor Market and Housing Issues * 33:19 Working in Tourism and Community Economic Development * 36:12 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview About the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls * Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls website - snnf.ca * Facebook - facebook.com/pages/Township-of-Sioux-Narrows-Nestor-Falls/256114277740141 * Instagram - instagram.com/townshipofsnnf [http://instagram.com/townshipofsnnf] * Pinterest - pinterest.com/townshipofSNNF * X - twitter.com/townshipofsnnf About the podcast Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores. For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario: * Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca [http://tourismexcellencenorth.ca] * Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario [http://facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario] * Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario * LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario [http://linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario] If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario [https://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/podcast]. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.   Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca] with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

Is Cycle Tourism a Growing Trend?

In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Dave Valente, President of the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club in Thunder Bay. He makes a case for why he thinks cycle tourism is a growing trend, what travelling cyclists are doing, and what amenities they’re looking for. Dave also shares the challenges bike clubs face and what tourism organizations and government funding agencies could do to help them attract more visitors. * 00:59 Meet Dave Valente and the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club * 03:55 Programming and Events at Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club * 09:15 Membership and Fees * 11:23 Cycle Tourism Growth, Appeal, and Needs * 13:55 Challenges and Best Practices in Cycling Tourism * 15:08 Emergency Planning * 17:23 Importance of Amenities and Facilities for Cycle Tourism * 20:14 Challenges of Operating a Mountain Bike Club * 22:06 Funding and Grants * 25:23 Events: Opportunities and Spinoffs * 27:59 Final Thoughts and Volunteer Opportunities * 30:05 Next Episode Preview About the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club * Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club website - blacksheepmtb.com * Facebook - facebook.com/BlackSheepMTB * Instagram - instagram.com/officialblacksheepmtb About the podcast Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores. For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario: * Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca [http://tourismexcellencenorth.ca] * Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario [http://facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario] * Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario * LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario [http://linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario] If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario [https://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/podcast]. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.   Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca] with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

Why Sustainable Tourism is a Workforce Solution

In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Carol Greenwood, VP of Operations and Partnerships at the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). They start with a discussion on TIAO's advocacy role and the key issues it’s raising with the provincial and federal governments before diving into its work to advance sustainable tourism across Ontario. Carol answers the questions of why TIAO became GreenStep certified, what that means for day-to-day operations, and why Northern Ontario tourism organizations and businesses should seriously consider getting certified too.  * 01:25 Meet Carol Greenwood * 05:03 How TIAO Serves as the Voice of Ontario’s Tourism Sector * 08:36 Key Issues the Sector is Facing * 14:48 A Primer on Sustainable Tourism * 17:14 TIAO's Role in Advancing Sustainable Tourism * 22:03 Why TIAO Became GreenStep Certified and What it Means * 29:20 Why Organizations and Businesses Should Care About Sustainable Tourism * 31:50 Measuring and Improving Sustainability Performance Over Time * 33:11 The GreenStep Certification Process and Benefits * 36:17 Advice for Organizations and Businesses Interested in GreenStep Certification About the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and GreenStep * TIAO website - tiaontario.ca * TIAO’s GreenStep webpage - tiaontario.ca/cpages/sustainabletourism2030 * GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge page - sustainabletourism2030.com/pledge * IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Regional Event (May 5-6, 2025) webpage - tiaontario.ca/events/impact-sustainability-travel-tourism-ontario-a-regional-event-2 [http://tiaontario.ca/events/impact-sustainability-travel-tourism-ontario-a-regional-event-2] * Facebook - facebook.com/TIAONTARIO * Instagram - instagram.com/tiaogram * LinkedIn - ca.linkedin.com/company/tiaontario * X - x.com/TIAOtweets About the podcast Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores. For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario: * Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca [http://tourismexcellencenorth.ca] * Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario [http://facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario] * Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario * LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario [http://linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario] If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario [https://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/podcast]. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.   Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca] with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

Lake Superior's Growing Cruise Industry

In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Paul Pepe, the Manager of Tourism Thunder Bay, to talk about Lake Superior’s growing cruise industry, which contributed $4.3 million to Thunder Bay’s economy and brought nearly 7,000 passengers and crew to the city. Paul unpacks what Thunder Bay did to become a coveted ‘turnaround’ port, what cruise passengers are looking for, and how businesses, artists, and communities can get a piece of this pie.  * 01:23 Paul Pepe's Journey in Tourism * 02:54 History of Cruise Ships in Thunder Bay * 07:25 Economic Impact of Cruising * 09:31 Promoting Thunder Bay as a Cruise Destination * 13:21 The Role of Cruise Media * 15:21 Cross-Border Partnerships * 17:26 The Allure of Great Lakes Cruising * 20:34 Connecting Local Operators with Cruise Lines * 26:22 Popular Attractions and Shore Excursions * 28:15 Opportunities For Communities * 34:47 Challenges of Engaging With the Cruise Industry * 39:45 Thunder Bay’s 2025-26 Cruise Seasons * 41:31 Environmental Sustainability and Community Engagement About Tourism Thunder Bay  * Tourism Thunder Bay website - visitthunderbay.com/en/index.aspx [http://visitthunderbay.com/en/index.aspx] * Cruise Port Thunder Bay webpage - visitthunderbay.com/en/plan-your-trip/cruise-port-thunder-bay.aspx * Facebook - facebook.com/VisitThunderBay * Instagram - instagram.com/visitthunderbay * LinkedIn - ca.linkedin.com/company/tourismthunderbay * Paul Pepe Contact Info - visitthunderbay.com/en/about-us/contact-us.aspx#Manager-Tourism-Thunder-Bay Other Resources * Great Lakes Cruise Association website - greatlakescruiseassociation.com About the podcast Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores. For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario: * Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca [http://tourismexcellencenorth.ca] * Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario [http://facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario] * Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario * LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario [http://linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario] If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario [https://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/podcast]. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.   Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca] with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.