Learn to Camp at Ontario Parks wins Provincial Tourism Innovator of the Year Award

TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) is pleased to announce the winner for Tourism Innovator of the Year is Ontario Parks for their Learn to Camp program. Presented at the 2013 Ontario Tourism Summit in Toronto, Ontario, this award recognizes a person or business that has created a new, innovative product that promotes and enhances tourism in Ontario, or demonstrated an innovative approach to surviving the challenges of the tourism industry.

TIAO judges selected Learn to Camp for its highly successful program that increases tourism, improves visitor satisfaction and builds a market of new visitors who will explore Ontario and return to camp in Ontario Parks.  Learn to Camp represents a significant success for Ontario's tourism industry in its ability to engage and introduce new Canadians and reluctant markets to travel in Ontario and participate in outdoor recreational activities.

In 2011, the Learn to Camp Team was formed and implemented a Learn to Camp test pilot. The pilot project was an overwhelming success for participants and staff. In 2012, the Learn to Camp team was tasked with developing and implementing a Learn to Camp program reaching across Ontario's urban markets. Drawing on initial market research and feedback received from test pilot staff and participants, Ontario Parks expanded the Learn to Camp program.

The Ontario Tourism Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the multi-billion dollar tourism industry, which is a key contributor to Ontario's economic prosperity. Nominations were open to all individuals in the tourism industry operating in Ontario and were judged by an independent, third-party panel of industry and marketing experts.

Quotes

"The Learn to Camp program is a great way to promote outdoor tourism and a great way to introduce camping and Ontario's parks to new Canadians."

Beth Potter, President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Quick Facts:

• Tourism is an important part of Ontario's economy, supporting over 300,000 jobs, according to preliminary numbers.
• According to preliminary results, visits to Ontario increased by 1.4 per cent to 105.2 million for the year 2011 over 2010.
• Preliminary results show that tourism receipts increased by 4.8 per cent in 2011 to over $23 billion.

Learn more:

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario - www.tiaontario.ca

Ontario Tourism Summit - www.ontariotourismsummit.com

Learn to Camp - www.ontarioparks.com/learntocamp/

SOURCE: Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

For further information:

Catarina Cunha
Executive Assistant
TIAO
416.483.1691
[email protected]