Destination: Northern Ontario

Northern Ontario’s tourism sector is at a crossroads. There are big challenges to navigate, from global economic uncertainty to seasonal realities. Yet, visitor numbers and spending are up, new builds are rising across the north, and there's real momentum in the sector.

In this episode, Gord Knowles, Destination Northern Ontario's Senior Coordinator of Investment Attraction and Economic Development, shares insights into what's driving investor confidence right now, why tourism businesses need to diversify beyond the US market, and the emerging trends that should be on every tourism business operator’s radar.

00:00 Introduction

02:54 The State of Northern Ontario Tourism Right Now

03:44 US Market Uncertainty

04:55 What’s Driving Increasing Investment and Tourism Receipts

08:29 What to Know If You’re Thinking of Selling Your Business

10:37 Is Now a Good Time to Invest in a Northern Ontario Tourism Business?

13:28 Available Capital

14:35 Challenges Investors Should Know About

15:55 Emerging Trends

18:31 Final Thoughts and Credits

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.

If you're an employer in the North's tourism sector, you know how hard it can be to find workers. The good news is that you don't have to tackle this challenge alone. There are organizations that want to help you hire, train, and retain good employees.

For this episode, we've assembled a panel of three leaders from three of those organizations to talk about the state of the tourism workforce in Northern Ontario. The panel includes Laurie Marcil of Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario, Chantal Makela of Spark Employment, and Karen Peacock of Tourism Excellence North.

We cover the common challenges everyone is facing, what tourism workers are looking for, and the creative ways some employers are stepping up. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped to step up your recruitment efforts too.

00:00 Introduction

01:43 Current challenges faced by Northern Ontario tourism operators

09:23 Creative approaches employers using to tackle these challenges

16:18 What are workers looking for in an employer today?

19:03 What operators can do to be more attractive to workers

23:00 Trends tourism operators should be paying attention to

24:40 Resources for training and hiring

32:19 One thing operators could do differently this year to improve their workforce situation

35:15 Wrap-up & closing remarks

Learn more

• Tourism Excellence North (TEN) website: tourismexcellencenorth.ca
• Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO) website: noto.ca
• Spark Employment Services website: sudburyemployment.ca

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.

Northern Ontario is big—REALLY big—which can be a challenge for anyone trying to get from one city to another or to escape into our great wilderness. Roads, air, and rail networks are critical to the success of our tourism industry (and economy at large) and that’s why Destination Northern Ontario is making it a priority.

Ian Wood is a director on Destination Northern Ontario's board of directors and the chair of its ad hoc committee on transportation issues. In this episode, he lays out the current state of our transportation network, what should be done to improve them for visitors, and what YOU can do to help.

00:00 Introduction

01:18 Why Transportation is Key For Northern Ontario Tourism

03:19 Formation and Goal of the Transportation Issues Committee

05:32 Road Transportation in Northern Ontario

10:38 Air Transportation Post-COVID

14:40 Rail Transportation in Northern Ontario

17:36 Opportunities for Air Transportation

21:49 Opportunities for Rail Transportation

26:42 Opportunities for Road Transportation

30:10 How DNO is Advancing Improvements

31:36 Call to Action for Tourism Operators

32:35 The Top Priority

34:16 Postscript: New Air Routes!

Mentioned resources

1. Northern Ontario Transportation Challenges & Solutions destinationnorthernontario.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/MC_Transportation%20Challenges%20and%20Solutions_04-14-25_LowRes.pdf

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.

Are you resisting digital marketing for your tourism business? Maybe you think your business is doing just fine without it, or that new technology feels a little overwhelming, or that you've got a Facebook page and isn't that enough? Whatever the reason, this episode’s guest—Mike Jacobs of The New Business—might just convince you to spend more time and money promoting yourself on the worldwide web. If you’re brand new to digital marketing, we’ve got actionable strategies for where to start. If you’re a veteran, you still want to tune in for Mike’s fascinating crystal ball insights on AI and the future of marketing.

• 02:59 Mike’s Case for Investing in Digital Marketing
• 08:51 The First Things You Should Invest In: Branding and a Website
• 16:35 The Next Step: Social Media
• 18:56 How Much Money to Spend and Where to Spend It
• 23:31 How AI is Changing Marketing
• 28:03 A Digital Marketing Success Story
• 31:12 Future Trends in Digital Marketing

Mentioned resources

• Emily Baillie’s episode of Let’s Talk Northern Ontario Tourism: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6bb28c5d-3291-48fb-836c-d6e1fbca0e4b/

Find out more about The New Business and the Tourism Technology Company

• The New Business website: thenew.business
• Tourism Technology Company/Whereabouts website: tourism.tech

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.

Introducing a whole new podcast from Destination Northern Ontario. Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores.

Find Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism at tourismexcellencenorth.ca/podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts.

For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario:

• Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca
• Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario
• Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario

 Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

Marketing is an essential expense for every tourism business. If you’ve never heard of a destination marketing organization (DMO) or if you’ve been wondering if your local DMO’s membership fee is worth it, then this episode is for you. Dan Bevilacqua, the Executive Director of Superior Country, explains how Northern Ontario’s DMOs can help you maximize your marketing dollars and bring the right visitors through your doors.

• 01:35 Understanding Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs)
• 03:30 Northern Ontario’s Target Markets
• 06:13 Market Research Available to Tourism Businesses
• 08:15 Membership Costs and Benefits
• 13:57 Special Programs and Initiatives
• 21:11 Final Thoughts and Advice

Destination Management Organizations in Northern Ontario (West to East)

• Sunset Country visitsunsetcountry.com
• City of Kenora visitkenora.ca
• Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls www.snnf.ca
• Superior Country superiorcountry.ca
• Tourism Thunder Bay visitthunderbay.com
• Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association algomacountry.com
• City of Sault Ste. Marie saulttourism.com
• Northeastern Ontario Tourism northeasternontario.com
• City of Timmins tourismtimmins.com
• City of Greater Sudbury discoversudbury.ca
• City of Temiskaming Shores temiskamingshores.ca/en/visiting/Events-And-Attractions.aspx

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.

Every tourism business owner should know the fundamentals of accounting. Chartered Professional Accountant Dave Covello, a Partner at MNP, explains the basics, including the difference between bookkeeping and accounting, when you should incorporate, the importance of good record-keeping, and the pros and cons of asset sales versus share sales. He also shares a tip that’ll help you save money on accounting fees.

• 01:23 Meet the Expert: Dave Covello
• 03:03 Understanding Bookkeeping vs. Accounting
• 04:53 Should I incorporate?
• 09:55 Buying and Selling a Tourism Business
• 16:28 Tracking and Claiming Business Expenses
• 21:55 Why You Should File Your Taxes on Time
• 25:22 How to Save Money on Accounting
• 26:35 Final Thoughts and Tips

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

This is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.

In this series, we featured southerners who bought a cottage resort in Northern Ontario and have no regrets. After listening to these episodes, maybe you're ready to make the leap, in theory, but the actual dollars and cents are holding you back. If that's the case, tune in to this episode about one of the North’s best kept secrets: Community Futures Development Corporations. CFDCs are nonprofit funding organizations that offer sizable loans with generous repayment terms, even to businesses considered too “risky” by the banks.

Our guest for this episode is Ryan Raynard, the Chair of the Northwest CFDC Network and the Executive Director of the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation (LOWBIC).

Find a CFDC office in your community:

• Community Futures Ontario: Northwest Region 
• Community Futures Ontario: Northeast Region 

For more information about buying a cottage resort from a retiring owner, visit successionmatching.com.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northern ontario.ca. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

If you came across a real estate listing for an affordable cottage resort deep in the boreal forest, would you be tempted to buy it?

If the answer is yes, then the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast is for you. By the end of this five-part series, you’ll learn everything you should know before buying or starting a tourism business in the north, and hear stories from people who’ve walked the path before and would do it all over again.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced for Destination Northern Ontario by Storied Places Media.

Granary Lake Retreat is a cottage resort near Blind River that is owned by a family of newcomers with roots in Trinidad and Tobago. All of the investors featured in this series are first time cottage resort owners, but you could say that our guest Chris Jaggarnath, his father Anand Jaggarnath, and his stepmother Bettina Abraham were truly rookies. They’d never even been to a cottage before. Yet, this story isn't about failure. It's a story of resilience, hard work, and embracing the northern lifestyle.  

Chris Jaggarnath is the Operations Manager at Granary Lake Retreat. Check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts for photos, amenities, guest stories, and availability.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

If you came across a real estate listing for an affordable cottage resort deep in the boreal forest, would you be tempted to buy it?

If the answer is yes, then the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast is for you. By the end of this five-part series, you’ll learn everything you should know before buying or starting a tourism business in the north, and hear stories from people who’ve walked the path before and would do it all over again.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced for Destination Northern Ontario by Storied Places Media.

Brian Whalley grew up spending summers at Browns’ Clearwater West Lodge, and it’s where he took his now-partner Aniela Hannaford on their first date. It’s a special place to them, so when the owners retired two years ago, Brian and Aniela took a leap of faith and bought the property. In this episode, the couple talks about the experience of taking over the lodge, how offering free accommodations to Ukrainian families was a win-win, and how every season is different and keeps them on their toes.

Aniela Hannaford and Brian Whalley are the Co-Owners of Browns’ Clearwater West Lodge. Check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts for photos, guest stories, packages, and availability.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast

If you came across a real estate listing for an affordable cottage resort deep in the boreal forest, would you be tempted to buy it?

If the answer is yes, then the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast is for you. By the end of this five-part series, you’ll learn everything you should know before buying or starting a tourism business in the north, and hear stories from people who’ve walked the path before and would do it all over again.

The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced for Destination Northern Ontario by Storied Places Media. Learn more about our podcast production services for economic development organizations at storiedplaces.ca.