For Immediate Release The State of Ontario Tourism Report Sarnia-Lambton, December 13, 2022 – Ontario’s tourism industry was one of the hardest hit and it will be one of the last to fully recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. Border closures, capacity restrictions and lockdowns exacerbated structural issues that have left the industry far from recovery. In need of a path forward, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) worked closely with the sector over the last year to inform and develop: The State of the Ontario Tourism Industry Report. The brief offers a blueprint for the recovery and growth of the industry through practical recommendations to confront both immediate and longer-term challenges.

“Tourism is a vital sector in the provincial and local economy and is critical for economic recovery, said Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce CEO Carrie McEachran. “While domestic and inbound tourism improved in the latter half of 2022, the industry is not expected to fully recover from the pandemic until 2025”.

“With the news of the OCC and TIAO report suggesting full tourism industry recover not taking place until 2025, it is another reminder that reopening does not mean recovery and how many tourism businesses are still facing significant challenges from the pandemic, along with the labour shortage and inflation.”, explained Mark Perrin, Tourism Sarnia-Lambton’s Executive Director. “Tourism Sarnia-Lambton is continuously developing and implementing new economic drivers, programming, and marketing campaigns that are critical in rebuilding and promoting Sarnia-Lambton as a vibrant tourism destination for all to visit, discover and explore. We are optimistic that our industry will continue to be supported adequately to accelerate there generation of over $36 billion dollars to our provincial economy. Locally, our Tourism Sarnia Lambton marketing strategies across Ontario and into the USA continue to show increased results, as the latest traffic numbers reported from the Bluewater Bridge show traffic climbing from 50% of pre-pandemic levels in the summer months to 65% levels in October, and our hotel occupancy rates have also increased month over month in 2022.

”Ontario should be the most attractive place to visit, work and invest in tourism. Prior to the pandemic, the tourism industry was a $36 billion dollar industry in this province. A vital sector for the economy, we need a cross-ministerial strategy to ensure tourism returns to and exceeds pre-pandemic economic activity to support sustained economic growth. In 2018, Ontario was home to 200,000 tourism businesses. The sector directly employed400,000 Ontarians across a range of sub-sectors, including culture and heritage, recreation, entertainment, food and beverage, attractions, transportation, accommodations, and travel services. The sector contributed over $5 billion in annual tax revenues for the province and benefits numerous adjacent industries. The full State of the Ontario Tourism Industry Report is found Here.

Media Contact:

Mark Perrin, Executive Director,Tourism Sarnia-Lambtonmperrin@tourismsarnialambton.com 519-336-3232

Carrie McEachran, Chief Executive Officer,Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commercecmceachran@slchamber.ca 519-336-2400