BRAMPTON: As an emerging tourism destination and cultural hotspot, the City of Brampton is proud to announce a five-year Tourism Strategy is being developed by consultants Bannikin Travel & Tourism and the Culinary Tourism Alliance.
A key component of work will be to engage residents, visitors, tourism stakeholders, and industry representatives, including local attraction operators, cultural institutions, event producers, accommodation providers, and restaurant managers for input that will help guide the development of the strategy.
The strategy will address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brampton’s tourism sector and identify opportunities to increase local tourism, where residents can travel in and explore their own city. According to the Tourism Information Association of Ontario, local and regional tourism is expected to be a crucial contributor to the Ontario tourism sector’s short-term economic recovery.
The strategy will align with the City’s Culture Master Plan, Economic Development Strategy, and recently approved Economic Recovery Strategy. Each strategy recognizes arts, culture, and tourism as cornerstones of a resilient and competitive Brampton.
The City aims to present Brampton’s first Tourism Strategy to Brampton City Council in winter 2020. Visit www.brampton.ca/tourism for updates.
Bannikin Travel & Tourism is a Toronto-based consulting firm dedicated to destination development, travel trade development, content and media relations, specializing in experiential tourism and responsible travel.
Bannikin has recently supported similar projects for Visit Oakville, the City of Orillia and Grey County, and is currently consulting on tourism recovery strategies for Peterborough & the Kawarthas and Prince Edward County.
The Culinary Tourism Alliance is a not-for-profit food tourism development organization based in Toronto. Its mission is to bridge the gap between the food and drink industry and travel industry by continuing to be a global leader in food tourism destination and development.
Mayor Patrick Brown said: “I am excited to support the development of Brampton’s first Tourism Strategy. Beginning work on this strategy is a milestone in helping our city recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Our community is full of talent and our city is packed with hidden gems, and I invite everyone to experience Brampton!”