Long-term approach to tourism will support well-being of residents, businesses & visitors
Picton – The County of Prince Edward is in the process of creating a five- to seven-year Destination Development Strategy that will guide the tourism sector’s long-term sustainable growth.
An online resident survey is now open, designed to gather input from those who call Prince Edward County home.
“It’s crucial that tourism development considers the needs of both our economy and the people who call The County home,” says Todd Davis, Director of Community Services, Programs and Initiatives. “This strategy sets out to do just that.”
The primary objective of the Destination Development Strategy is to ensure a balanced and inclusive approach to tourism that supports the well-being of residents, businesses, visitors and the environment.
The project is led by travel and tourism consulting firm Bannikin Travel & Tourism, which has completed similar projects for the Town of Orangeville, the County of Dufferin, the City of Brampton and Visit Oakville. The Prince Edward County process began in Spring 2020, with oversight from a steering committee made up of local tourism stakeholders and members of The County’s Destination Development and Marketing staff.
The development of the strategy includes community engagement and consultation and relies heavily on resident and business insights. Over the past eight months, tourism professionals in The County – including a variety of tourism business owners and operators – have been engaged through interviews, workshops and surveys.
County residents now have the opportunity to provide their perspectives on strengths, challenges and opportunities for tourism in The County. Public consultation includes an online resident survey and a public information session.
Key dates for community engagement are as follows:
- Resident Survey: Available online between February 10-24, 2021
- Public Information Session: March 2, 2021 via Zoom (Advance registration is required.)
These links, plus information about the Destination Development Strategy, can be found at haveyoursay.thecounty.ca/destination-development-strategy.
The Destination Development Strategy is a separate strategy and process from the staff-led Tourism Management Plan, which seeks to address challenges presented by summertime visitor volume in time for the 2021 tourism season.
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For media inquiries, please contact Mark Kerr, Communications and Consultation Supervisor, at 613.476.2148 ext. 1009 or by email at mkerr@pecounty.on.ca.