Doug Ford Government Establishes Task Force to Boost Ontario Tourism

Doug Ford Government Establishes Task Force to Boost Ontario Tourism

March 11, 2021 ctn_admin

The Ontario government is getting serious about boosting the province’s tourism sector.

The Doug Ford government has announced a new Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force. The group will be chaired by former MPP and Cabinet minister Tim Hudak and give expert advice and recommendations on how to help the province’s $36-billion tourism industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details were provided by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

“The impact of COVID-19 has been absolutely devastating for Ontario’s tourism industry,” said Minister MacLeod. “The Tourism Economic Task Force will play a vital role in helping our government rebuild and reshape the future of tourism in our province. It is critical to help industry organizations, operators and communities find new ways to engage Ontarians and, when it is safe to do so, reconnect tourists from at home and abroad with everything our province has to offer.”

Last week, MacLeod announced a $27 million program for six Toronto and area cultural attraction, including the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Ontario Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum, to help them cope with the ongoing pandemic. That money is part of a $62-million fund to help attractions across the province.

The Ford government has also promised $150 million to pay for a 20 per cent tourism credit for Ontario residents to travel within the province this year to encourage local tourism or “staycations.”

The mandate of the voluntary task force includes providing strategies and advice that will help position Ontario and its local communities as destinations of choice for travel, as well as identifying products and experiences that enhance destination development. It will also offer a forum for sector partners and leaders to share ideas, collaborate, and provide advice and information to the minister on approaches to support the economic recovery of Ontario’s tourism industry. The tourism sector supports more than 400,000 jobs provincewide.

“Like so many Ontarians, my family and I cannot wait for the chance to travel across Ontario and enjoy the incredible attractions, heritage, beauty and culture of our province when it is safe to do so,” said Tim Hudak, Chair of the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force. “I am tremendously honoured that Minister MacLeod has asked me to lead this task force to support the desire of countless Ontarians to get out of their homes and support our local businesses, operators and attractions as they have been struggling through this very difficult period.”The task force will deliver a report with its recommendations to the minister in spring 2021.