Rob Thorburn Chairman Scenic Caves Nature Adventures on

Rob Thorburn Chairman Scenic Caves Nature Adventures on behalf of the Georgian Bay Destination Development Partnership 1

Tourism Industry • $2 Trillion in sales world wide • Goal $50 billion in Canada

Destination Marketing • Creating ICONS within the province • 7 regions

Georgian Bay = ICON ? Scenic Beauty • Windswept pines • Majestic towering cliffs • Endless beaches • Clear blue water

Georgian Bay = ICON ? Natural Attractions • 2 UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves • Niagara Escarpment • 30, 000 Islands • Canada’s Longest Footpath – Bruce Trail • Best Freshwater Boating • Deepest Freshwater Harbour – Parry Sound • 2000 km of shoreline – entirely in Ontario • World’s Longest Freshwater Beach – Wasaga Beach • World’s Largest Freshwater Island – Manitoulin

DMOs Bruce County Tourism Industry Scenic Caves Nature Adventures Grey County Tourism Blue Mountain Georgian Triangle Tourist Association LAMBAC Town of Wasaga Beach Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce Owen Sound Transportation Company (Chi. Cheemaun) Georgian Bay Country Parks Canada Sudbury Tourism Ontario Parks Rainbow Country Travel Association Ministry of Tourism Manitoulin Tourism Association Partners Ministry of Northern Development & Mines

Goal and Objective To develop, position and communicate Georgian Bay as an ICON tourism destination in Ontario; thereby enhancing economic and community benefits while respecting local traditions and environment.

How did we get here? • 2006 - Ministry of Tourism IDO $45, 000 • OTMP Great Drive • DMO Tourism Expertise • Project Manager • 2007 Partners $22, 500 • 2007/08 Ministry of Tourism IDO $60, 000

5 Tours Motorcycle Tour • Best Roads • Stops along the way • Motorcycle friendly accommodations & restaurants

5 Tours RV Tour • Best Places to RV • Amenities • Facilities

5 Tours Beach Tour • Best Georgian Bay Beaches • Family Friendly Accomodations & Restaurants

5 Tours Lighthouse & Marine Heritage Tour • 20 Lighthouses • 32 Marine Heritage Attractions • Accommodations & Restaurants • Mature Market

5 Tours Scenic Vistas • Scenic vista • Stops around the Bay

2 Product Packages Outdoor Adventure • Best Outdoor Adventure Opportunities • Do-it-yourself, or • Guided

2 Product Packages Top Ten Things To See & Do • in each region around the Bay

www. visitgeorgianbay. com

Letters of Support • • • • Manitoulin Island – GABE WILLIAMSON, CAO City of Greater Sudbury – JOHN RODRIGUEZ, MAYOR Rainbow Country Travel Association – DONNA GRAZIOTTO, PRESIDENT Parry Sound Area – CHRISTINE KING, GEORGIAN BAY COUNTRY Town of Midland – JAMES DOWNER, MAYOR Town of Penetanguishene – ANITA DUBEAU, MAYOR Town of Wasaga Beach – CAL PATTERSON, MAYOR County of Simcoe – JANE SINCLAIR, GENERAL MANAGER Town of Collingwood – CHRIS CARRIER, MAYOR Town of The Blue Mountains – ELLEN ANDERSON, MAYOR Blue Mountain/Intrawest – BEV PHILP, VP SALES MARKETING Scenic Caves Nature Adventures – ROB THORBURN, CHAIRMAN Owen Sound Transportation Company – IAN DEAN, MANAGER OPERATIONS & ADMIN • Corporation of the County of Grey – BOB PRINGLE, WARDEN • Bruce County – CHRIS LAFOREST, DIRECTOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

How can you get involved? • Support • Educate • Discussions with your DMO committee representative

Questions? DMO Representatives • Bruce County - CHRIS HUGHES • Grey County – BRYAN PLUMSTEAD • Georgian Triangle Tourist Association – NANCY KINDLER • • • Town of Wasaga Beach – BONNIE SMITH Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce – DENISE HAYES Georgian Bay Country – CHRISTINE KING Sudbury Tourism – MEREDITH ARMSTRONG Rainbow Country Travel Association – DONNA MACLEOD • Manitoulin Tourism Association – JENNIFER SAYYAE Industry Representatives • Scenic Caves Nature Adventures – ROB THORBURN • • • Blue Mountain – DON BRADEN Lambac – JOHN HODDER Owen Sound Transportation Company – IAN DEAN Parks Canada – DON WILKES Ontario Parks – CHRIS TOMSETT