This is a series for tourism business operators in Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting your tourism business, or you've got years of experience under your belt, Season 2 will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business here in the future, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.
Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.
Northern Ontario’s tourism sector is at a crossroads. There are big challenges to navigate, from global economic uncertainty to seasonal realities. Yet, visitor numbers and spending are up, new builds are rising across the north, and there's real momentum in the sector.
In this episode, Gord Knowles, Destination Northern Ontario's Senior Coordinator of Investment Attraction and Economic Development, shares insights into what's driving investor confidence right now, why tourism businesses need to diversify beyond the US market, and the emerging trends that should be on every tourism business operator’s radar.
00:00 Introduction
02:54 The State of Northern Ontario Tourism Right Now
03:44 US Market Uncertainty
04:55 What’s Driving Increasing Investment and Tourism Receipts
08:29 What to Know If You’re Thinking of Selling Your Business
10:37 Is Now a Good Time to Invest in a Northern Ontario Tourism Business?
13:28 Available Capital
14:35 Challenges Investors Should Know About
15:55 Emerging Trends
18:31 Final Thoughts and Credits
Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/)invest.destination northernontario.ca (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/). Follow DNO on Twitter/X (http://twitter.com/DestNorthernOnt), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario/), or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario/).
About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast
This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.
Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/)invest.destination northernontario.ca (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/). Follow DNO on Twitter/X (http://twitter.com/DestNorthernOnt), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario/), or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario/).
The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media (http://storiedplaces.ca).
5 May 2026
How to Hire, Train, and Retain Good Tourism Workers
If you're an employer in the North's tourism sector, you know how hard it can be to find workers. The good news is that you don't have to tackle this challenge alone. There are organizations that want to help you hire, train, and retain good employees.
For this episode, we've assembled a panel of three leaders from three of those organizations to talk about the state of the tourism workforce in Northern Ontario. The panel includes Laurie Marcil of Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario, Chantal Makela of Spark Employment, and Karen Peacock of Tourism Excellence North.
We cover the common challenges everyone is facing, what tourism workers are looking for, and the creative ways some employers are stepping up. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped to step up your recruitment efforts too.
00:00 Introduction
01:43 Current challenges faced by Northern Ontario tourism operators
09:23 Creative approaches employers using to tackle these challenges
16:18 What are workers looking for in an employer today?
19:03 What operators can do to be more attractive to workers
23:00 Trends tourism operators should be paying attention to
24:40 Resources for training and hiring
32:19 One thing operators could do differently this year to improve their workforce situation
35:15 Wrap-up & closing remarks
Learn more
Tourism Excellence North (TEN) website: tourismexcellencenorth.ca
Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO) website: noto.ca
Spark Employment Services website: sudburyemployment.ca
About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast
This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.
Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/)invest.destination northernontario.ca (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/). Follow DNO on Twitter/X (http://twitter.com/DestNorthernOnt), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario/), or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario/).
The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media (http://storiedplaces.ca).
9 Jan 2026
What Visitors Need from Northern Ontario’s Transportation Network
Northern Ontario is big—REALLY big—which can be a challenge for anyone trying to get from one city to another or to escape into our great wilderness. Roads, air, and rail networks are critical to the success of our tourism industry (and economy at large) and that’s why Destination Northern Ontario is making it a priority.
Ian Wood is a director on Destination Northern Ontario's board of directors and the chair of its ad hoc committee on transportation issues. In this episode, he lays out the current state of our transportation network, what should be done to improve them for visitors, and what YOU can do to help.
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Why Transportation is Key For Northern Ontario Tourism
03:19 Formation and Goal of the Transportation Issues Committee
05:32 Road Transportation in Northern Ontario
10:38 Air Transportation Post-COVID
14:40 Rail Transportation in Northern Ontario
17:36 Opportunities for Air Transportation
21:49 Opportunities for Rail Transportation
26:42 Opportunities for Road Transportation
30:10 How DNO is Advancing Improvements
31:36 Call to Action for Tourism Operators
32:35 The Top Priority
34:16 Postscript: New Air Routes!
Mentioned resources
Northern Ontario Transportation Challenges & Solutions destinationnorthernontario.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/MC_Transportation%20Challenges%20and%20Solutions_04-14-25_LowRes.pdf
About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast
This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.
Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/)invest.destination northernontario.ca (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/). Follow DNO on Twitter/X (http://twitter.com/DestNorthernOnt), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario/), or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario/).
The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media (http://storiedplaces.ca).
2 Oct 2025
Digital Marketing 101 for Tourism Businesses
Are you resisting digital marketing for your tourism business? Maybe you think your business is doing just fine without it, or that new technology feels a little overwhelming, or that you've got a Facebook page and isn't that enough? Whatever the reason, this episode’s guest—Mike Jacobs of The New Business—might just convince you to spend more time and money promoting yourself on the worldwide web. If you’re brand new to digital marketing, we’ve got actionable strategies for where to start. If you’re a veteran, you still want to tune in for Mike’s fascinating crystal ball insights on AI and the future of marketing.
02:59 Mike’s Case for Investing in Digital Marketing
08:51 The First Things You Should Invest In: Branding and a Website
16:35 The Next Step: Social Media
18:56 How Much Money to Spend and Where to Spend It
23:31 How AI is Changing Marketing
28:03 A Digital Marketing Success Story
31:12 Future Trends in Digital Marketing
Mentioned resources
Emily Baillie’s episode of Let’s Talk Northern Ontario Tourism: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6bb28c5d-3291-48fb-836c-d6e1fbca0e4b/
Find out more about The New Business and the Tourism Technology Company
The New Business website: thenew.business
Tourism Technology Company/Whereabouts website: tourism.tech
About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast
This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.
Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca (http://invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca/). Follow DNO on Twitter (https://my.captivate.fm/twitter.com/DestNorthernOnt), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario/), or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario/).
The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media (http://storiedplaces.ca).
4 Apr 2025
Introducing: Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism
Hosts KAREN PEACOCK and industry stakeholders introduce the Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism podcast, which explores trends and insights for tourism businesses in Northern Ontario through expert conversations; this is an introductory episode.
6 Mar 2025
How DMOs Maximize Your Marketing Budget
Executive Director Dan Bevilacqua defines destination marketing organizations and their target markets, revealing how they help tourism businesses maximize marketing budgets in Northern Ontario; this is an interview.
5 Feb 2025
Accounting 101 for Tourism Businesses
Chartered Professional Accountant Dave Covello elucidates accounting fundamentals for tourism businesses, covering incorporation, record-keeping, and sales, in an interview with Michelle Samson.
11 Oct 2023
Need Money to Buy Your Dream Cottage Resort? A CFDC Can Help.
Ryan Raynard, Chair of the Northwest CFDC Network, illuminates how Community Futures Development Corporations provide crucial funding and support for entrepreneurs looking to invest in Northern Ontario, in an interview with Michelle Samson.
27 Sept 2023
Fear and ATVing in Blind River: A Newcomer Family's Experience
Chris Jaggarnath, Anand Jaggarnath, and Bettina Abraham share their experience as first-time cottage resort owners near Blind River, highlighting resilience and embracing the northern Ontario lifestyle in this interview.
6 Sept 2023
Brian and Aniela Buy Their Favourite Hunting Lodge
Co-owners Aniela Hannaford and Brian Whalley discuss purchasing Browns’ Clearwater West Lodge, offering accommodations to Ukrainian families, and adapting to the changing seasons in Northern Ontario.
28 Jul 2023
From a Big House in Collingwood to a Bargain Resort in Algoma
Co-owners Kate Harcourt and Rob Harcourt recount their impulsive purchase of a lakeside cottage resort in Algoma, revealing the challenges and rewards of transitioning from city life to Northern Ontario tourism in an interview with Michelle Samson.
27 Jun 2023
So You Want to Run a Tourism Business in Northern Ontario
Tourism experts Gord Knowles and Paul Pepe discuss Northern Ontario's tourism industry, revealing how organizations support business development and address challenges in this interview episode.
3 May 2023
Introducing Destination: Northern Ontario
Host Michelle Samson introduces the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast, a five-part series exploring tourism business and investment opportunities in Northern Ontario.
Who has been a guest on Destination: Northern Ontario
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dan Bevilacqua
Dave Covello
Ryan Raynard
Chris Jaggarnath
Anand Jaggarnath
Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
27
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Destination: Northern Ontario
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Destination: Northern Ontario
Who hosts Destination: Northern Ontario?
Michelle Samson host the show. Published by Destination Northern Ontario.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Destination: Northern Ontario take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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