12/18/2025
It’s incredible to think another year has already passed as we prepare for the holiday season here at Destination Northern Ontario.
As we wrap up a productive year, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our partners, stakeholders, and industry colleagues for your continued commitment to strengthening tourism across Northern Ontario. Following a busy and successful fall filled with meetings, events, and planning for the year ahead, the Destination Northern Ontario team will be taking a short holiday break. Please note that our offices will be closed on December 25th, 26th, and January 1st, and some team members may be taking additional time off throughout the season.
As we close out 2025, we reflect on the strong foundation we have established in driving Northern Ontario’s tourism industry forward. Through meaningful collaboration with regional partners, industry stakeholders, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, we have set the stage for continued growth. The coming year will be pivotal as we prepare for long-term planning through 2026–27.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on elevating product quality, enriching visitor experiences, and expanding marketing initiatives that showcase Northern Ontario as a unique, world-class destination. By blending our natural assets with cultural strengths and innovative tourism solutions, we aim to strengthen our position on the global stage. Sustainable travel, authentic local experiences, and the unmatched beauty of our region will continue to anchor our messaging and development efforts.
Growth, research, and capacity building will be central to our strategy.
Comprehensive insights into travel trends, domestic market behavior, and U.S. travel intentions will guide both product development and marketing priorities. Increasing sector capacity and collaborating closely with municipal and regional partners will be essential to maximizing resources and driving successful implementation. Our overarching goal remains clear: to grow the region’s share of provincial tourism receipts to 10%, supported by innovative and research-driven marketing approaches.
Our award-winning Tourism Excellence North program will continue to support workforce development and industry training by offering targeted training, mentorship, and the integration of new technologies. This work is critical as we address evolving visitor expectations, close skills gaps, and align our efforts with key product development priorities.
As we navigate ongoing challenges, including the current trade dispute with the United States, we remain committed to supporting our sector through uncertainty. With challenge also comes opportunity, and we will continue to work with partners to mitigate impacts while seizing new possibilities as they arise.
On behalf of the entire team at Destination Northern Ontario, I wish you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. We look forward to the year ahead, one of growth, innovation, and continued collaboration as we work together to shape the future of tourism in Northern Ontario.
David MacLachlan
Executive Director, Destination Northern Ontario
