Ontario Tourism Summit takes place in Mississauga

With the theme of "Knowledge, Learning and Confidence," this year's summit convened Ontario's tourism industry leaders to share insights, embrace change and build toward a sustainable industry. OTS23 offered an energizing agenda packed with visionary keynotes, enlightening sessions, and stellar networking opportunities. By taking part in the summit, tourism industry professionals across accommodation, food service, recreation, transportation, travel trade and other sectors returned to their organizations energized with new knowledge and connections.

OTS23 highlights include:

• Jon Bromstein, Google: How AI is poised to accelerate marketing (and everything else)

• Janette Roush, New York City Tourism + Conventions: Discussing AI in Destination Marketing

• Kevin Eshkawkogan, president and CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario reflections on the importance of collaboration

• James McDonald, World Travel & Tourism Council: Research on sustainable aviation's tourism impact

• Fireside chats with Provincial government officials and leaders

• Discussions around Indigenous tourism in Ontario

At the end of Day 2 of programming, the Ontario Tourism Summit also hosted the 2023 Ontario Tourism Awards Gala, where tourism industry professionals were recognized and celebrated for their influential impacts on the industry.

“Over the years, the Ontario Tourism Summit has proven to be a great opportunity for tourism operators and industry experts to come together and collaborate on strengthening Ontario’s tourism sector,” says Neil Lumsdsen, minister of tourism, culture and sport. “Through partnerships with the industry, we are helping Ontario communities to achieve their full tourism potential and supporting continued economic development across the province.”