Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism

About Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism

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 at tourismexcellencenorth.ca 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 with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

Publisher

Tourism Excellence North

Category

business · government · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Mar 2025

Latest episode

27 May 2025

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 May 2025

   Recruiting the Next Generation of Tourism Workers

   Host Karen Peacock interviews Lawrence Foster, an instructor, about the Adventure Recreation and Parks program at Sault College and shares advice for recruiting the next generation of tourism workers.

2. 

   20 May 2025

   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.

3. 

   13 May 2025

   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.

4. 

   6 May 2025

   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...

5. 

   29 Apr 2025

   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.

6. 

   22 Apr 2025

   Trends in Tourism Entrepreneurship

   In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Justin Lafontaine, co-founder of the Tourism Innovation Lab. This incubator for tourism businesses runs the very successful "Spark" Program, which awards grants and mentorships to early stage tourism businesses through Dragon’s Den style pitch competitions. In this conversation, Justin shares how the program works, what finalists and winners gain from participating, success stories from Northern Ontario, and the emerging trends he’s seeing among the program’s applicants. 01:29 Meet Justin Lafontaine 03:57 The Birth of the Spark Program and Tourism Innovation Lab 07:45 What the Tourism Innovation Lab Does 08:44 Previous Spark Programs in Northern Ontario and Beyond 13:52 Benefits of Seed Funding 17:32 Benefits of Mentorship for Mentees and Mentors 24:58 Trends Among Early Stage Tourism Entrepreneurs 31:28 Spark Program Success Stories 35:33 Challenges Faced By Tourism Innovators, Entrepreneurs, and Mentors 41:33 Future of the Tourism Innovation Lab 43:07 What Justin Loves About Working in Tourism 46:14 Next Episode Preview About the Tourism Innovation Lab Tourism Innovation Lab website - tourisminnovation.ca Facebook - facebook.com/TourismInnovationCanada (http://facebook.com/TourismInnovationCanada) Instagram - instagram.com/tourisminnovationcanada X - twitter.com/TourInnovation LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/77690429 YouTube - youtube.com/@tourisminnovationlab Contact - info@tourisminnovation.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.

7. 

   15 Apr 2025

   Attracting Tourism, Talent, and TV to Greater Sudbury

   In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Meredith Armstrong, the Director of Economic Development for the City of Greater Sudbury. Meredith highlights how tourism is integral to Sudbury's economy, from attracting talent to attracting TV and film productions. The conversation covers the impact of the Municipal Accommodation Tax, the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, and Sudbury's resilience and growth amid geopolitical challenges. 01:13 Meredith’s Background in Tourism, Economic, and Workforce Development 03:51 Sudbury's Economic Outlook Amid Geopolitical Challenges 06:54 Tourism Excellence North (and Other) Resources For Tourism Businesses 10:02 How the Municipal Accommodation Tax Funds Tourism Infrastructure 14:04 Sudbury's Diverse Tourism Economy 18:57 Trends and Opportunities in Sudbury's Tourism 20:54 Sudbury's Growing Film Industry 23:21 COVID-19 Impact and Recovery in Sudbury 24:11 Tourism Trends and Challenges 25:53 Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot 31:00 Francophone Community and Immigration 33:15 Talent Attraction Opportunities and Challenges 38:53 What Meredith Loves About Working in Tourism 41:01 Meredith’s Most Memorable Visitor Experience 44:51 Next Episode Preview About the City of Greater Sudbury Invest Sudbury website - investsudbury.ca Discover Sudbury website - discoversudbury.ca Move to Sudbury website - movetosudbury.ca City of Greater Sudbury municipal website - greatersudbury.ca Discover Sudbury on X - x.com/sudburytourism (http://x.com/sudburytourism) Discover Sudbury on Facebook - facebook.com/SudburyTourism (http://facebook.com/SudburyTourism) Discover Sudbury on Instagram - instagram.com/sudburytourism (http://instagram.com/sudburytourism) Resourceful City of LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/11432947/admin/page-posts/published Invest Sudbury on X - x.com/resourcefulcity 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...

8. 

   8 Apr 2025

   How to Get More Marketing Done in Less Time With AI

   In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with digital marketing and AI strategist Emily Bailey. They cover the basics of digital marketing and artificial intelligence before going deeper on the costs, risks, and opportunities of each. Emily offers practical advice about how Northern Ontario businesses and organizations can use AI to save time and improve customer engagement without losing sight of the importance of human interaction. If you think AI is out of reach, Emily says it's never too late to learn new skills and provides lots of resources to help you take advantage of its benefits. 01:11 Emily's Background in Digital Marketing and AI 03:48 High-Level Overview of Digital Marketing 07:15 Cost of Implementing Digital Marketing 10:40 Understanding Data Analytics 13:55 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 15:54 AI Tools and How to Use Them in Tourism 20:40 Things to Watch Out For When Using AI 26:07 Who’s Using AI in Tourism, and How Are They Using It? 31:49 Risks and Ethical Considerations of AI 39:44 Training and Resources for AI 41:28 Final Thoughts and Conclusion 42:41 Next Episode Preview Featured Resources and Courses Free AI usage policy template - compasscontent.ca/ai-usage-policy Google AI: cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/554 Linkedin AI courses - linkedin.com/learning/generative-ai-for-business-leaders/generative-ai-for-business-leaders?u=56982905 Georgian College Micro-credential: Artificial Intelligence Essentials - georgiancollege.ca/academics/courses/artificial-intelligence-essentials-tech-0653 Humber College Micro-credential: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for Digital Marketing & Communications - mediaarts.humber.ca/future-students/explore/continuous-professional-learning/courses/artificial-intelligence-for-digital-marketing-and-communications.html (http://mediaarts.humber.ca/future-students/explore/continuous-professional-learning/courses/artificial-intelligence-for-digital-marketing-and-communications.html) Emily’s Custom AI Training - https://www.compasscontent.ca/ai-training About Emily Baillie Compass Content Marketing website - compasscontent.ca LinkedIn - ca.linkedin.com/in/emilybaillie (http://ca.linkedin.com/in/emilybaillie) Instagram - instagram.com/emilybailliesocial (http://instagram.com/emilybailliesocial) Threads - threads.net/@emilybailliesocial (http://threads.net/@emilybailliesocial) Twitter/X - x.com/emilybaillie 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 -

9. 

   1 Apr 2025

   5 Steps To Create a Memorable Tourism Experience

   In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Chris Hughes, a TEN training specialist and master experience crafter with B.C. Hughes. They talk about what experiential travel is, the necessity of investing in product and experience development, and Chris's five-step process for creating unforgettable tourism experiences. They also explore recent travel trends, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector, including workforce development and pricing strategies. 01:25 Chris Hughes' Journey in Tourism 05:36 Defining Product and Experiential Travel 10:51 Trends in Experiential Travel Post-COVID 14:25 How Communities Can Support Experiential Tourism 17:05 Five Steps to Building a Successful Travel Experience 20:55 Pricing and Costing For Experiences 24:46 Importance of Storytelling 27:11 Chris’ Most Memorable Travel Experience 29:03 Common Challenges in Developing Experiences 32:24 Upcoming Best Practice Mission to Collingwood 39:58 Workforce Development Challenges and Strategies 42:04 Next Episode Preview Join Us on the Best Practices Mission to Collingwood Best Practices Mission webpage - https://tourismexcellencenorth.ca/best-practices-mission-building-quality-destination-strategic-renovations-enhance-your (https://tourismexcellencenorth.ca/best-practices-mission-building-quality-destination-strategic-renovations-enhance-your) About Chris Hughes and BC Hughes BC Hughes website - bchughes.ca LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/bc-hughes Instagram - instagram.com/bchughestourism Facebook - facebook.com/bchughesconsulting 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.

10. 

    25 Mar 2025

    Taking Northern Ontario Tourism to the Next Level

    In the premiere episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Destination Northern Ontario (DNO)’s Executive Director, David MacLachlan, for a wide-ranging chat about the history of DNO and Tourism Excellence North (TEN), how DNO supports Northern Ontario’s tourism sector, and the future of the sector as the region recovers from COVID and navigates the current U.S. trade war. They also discuss workforce development, programs to help businesses grow (including an upcoming Best Practices Mission to Collingwood), and what it’ll take to get Northern Ontario tourism to the next level. 00:50 About Tourism Excellence North and Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism 02:48 David's Background in Tourism 04:25 The Origins and Role of Destination Northern Ontario 10:31 The Origins and Role of Tourism Excellence North 16:19 Economic Impact of Tourism in Northern Ontario 18:12 Impacts and Opportunities From COVID and the U.S. Trade War 23:49 Opportunities in Francophone and Indigenous Tourism 26:45 How to Get Involved and Grow Your Business 28:52 Upcoming Best Practices Mission to Collingwood 32:58 Workforce Development and Succession Planning 36:37 Future of Northern Ontario Tourism 38:28 Importance of Partnerships and Collaboration 41:14 Closing Thoughts and Memorable Experiences 44:26 Next Episode Preview Join Us on the Best Practices Mission to Collingwood Best Practices Mission webpage - tourismexcellencenorth.ca/best-practices-mission-building-quality-destination-strategic-renovations-enhance-your 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.

11. 

    17 Mar 2025

    Introducing: Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism

    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.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

92

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.