New strategy provides the region an opportunity to recalibrate and continue growing the regional tourism economy.
The Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association (HHBRTA) announces the release of RTO3: The Heart of Ontario – Strategic Plan for Regional Tourism Development 2024-2026.
Tourism plays an important role in the region. The range of outdoor activities, culture, heritage, arts, multicultural communities, exciting tastes, and awe-inspiring landscapes bring in visitors from near and far. In the face of a greatly evolved visitor economy and renewed demand for travel, there is a unique opportunity to not only revive, but by working together, strive to become a more compelling tourism destination. The RTO3 Board of Directors thus identified the need for a new forward-looking strategy to guide the organization in its efforts to elevate the regional tourism economy.
RTO3: The Heart of Ontario’s 3-Year Strategic Plan for Regional Tourism Development is the result of a stakeholder-driven and community-based participatory research approach that engaged a diversity of stakeholders in Hamilton, Halton which includes: Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills and Milton, County of Brant, Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Our strategic direction is founded on an inspiring vision for the future of tourism in our region, a strong mission for our organization, and a comprehensive mandate illustrating our approach to work and collaboration. To guide our path as a leader, supporter, developer, marketer and regional destination stewards, we have identified 23 strategic actions that we will undertake through collaborative and innovative approaches and initiatives. They are organized into four (4) areas of focus that include the following:
- Relationship Development and Communications: We are highly connected and engaged with a strong network of stakeholders and partners who we collaborate with to activate a welcoming and thriving region of destinations.
- Leadership and Representation: We are a recognized and trusted leader representing the needs and priorities of our sub-regions both inside and outside our region.
- Ecosystem Development and Value Co-creation: We are working collaboratively with our regional partners and stakeholders to maximize the value that tourism can bring to our region.
- Resource Management: We are a resilient organization that is fully equipped to respond to the needs of our stakeholders.
The RTO has invested in the development of a new 3-Year Strategic Plan for Regional Tourism Development to be the organization’s newest road map for our near and future actions to co-create value with our partners and stakeholders. The pandemic and its recovery process for our industry has presented new challenges and opportunities to strengthen our destination’s development to flourish into the future. The strategy builds upon our existing values and pillars of performance while setting a vision for tourism in our region. I am excited for the new leg of our journey towards elevating our region’s tourism for you and with you.
