In the ever-evolving world of tourism, thriving isn’t just about more visitors—it’s about mindset, connection and bold collaboration. The 2025 Ontario Tourism Summit (OTS25), in Ottawa (October 28-29), is two transformative days where business growth and future-readiness go hand in hand.
Get ready to engage with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and build meaningful partnerships. From deep-dive breakout sessions to interactive workshops, OTS25 is where the future of Ontario’s visitor economy takes shape.
Below are the exciting sessions and special events set to accelerate your journey—your next big idea, new collaborator or breakthrough strategy might be just one conversation away.
OTS25 AGENDA: SESSION OVERVIEWS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
Day One - What to Expect
Day one will showcase speakers and sessions offering insights on the new Ontario Tourism Strategy; breakout discussions on workforce issues; creative leadership, and future-ready operations, Interactive sessions exploring cross-sector partnerships and sustainable business models.
Day One Session Overviews - Morning
Opening Session – Fireside Chat with The Honourable Stan Cho, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming (MTCG)
Kick off thenomic opportunities ahead — setting the stage for Ontario’s new strategic playbook.
People Over Profit – Showing Leadership as We Responsibly Grow
Discover how Ontario’s tourism and public safety leaders are collaborating to create destinations that are safer, stronger, and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.
Putting Altruism in Tourism
Explore how giving time, knowledge, and resources builds trust, pride, and long-term success within local communities and tourism organizations.
Niagara Supercluster
Niagara’s wine industry drives jobs, innovation, and growth, serving as a strong destination anchor for the entire region. Learn about Niagara Supercluster’s bold strategy to level-up, strengthening the global reach of the region and driving prosperity for the local visitor economy.
Elbows Up – Arms Wide Open: Navigating Politics, Policy, and Purpose
Explore how tourism must bridge divides in an era of political uncertainty and global tension. This candid cross-border conversation with a U.S. tourism insider unpacks how Canada and the U.S. can use hospitality, collaboration, and shared values to strengthen understanding and sustain visitor growth.
Digital Cultural Learning: Unlocking Urban Exploration Through Storytelling and Gamification
Experience how storytelling, gamification, and cultural learning can transform urban exploration into deeper, more engaging visitor experiences.
Key Tourism Performance Metrics - One Year Later
Back by popular demand, get the latest industry performance metrics and trend insights from Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming.
Bringing Indigenous Tourism to the Heart of Your Sales Strategy
Discover how authentic Indigenous experiences and respectful partnerships can enhance visitor satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth — positioning Ontario as a national leader in Indigenous tourism.
Day One Session Overviews - Afternoon
Permanent Residency & Customer Engagement
Explore how the innovative Canoo Program connects newcomers with Canada’s top attractions, fostering inclusion, loyalty, and long-term engagement with tourism experiences.
Canada Strong Pass: Providing Access for That Final Step
See how national partnerships and innovative transportation models are enhancing mobility and access to amazing visitor experiences across the province.
The Human Edge: Power Skills for Innovation & Leadership in the Era of AI
Unpack the essential human skills — creativity, collaboration, and adaptability — that define strong leadership and innovation and are needed now more than ever in an AI-driven world.
Turning Community Challenges into Economic Opportunity
Learn how one community forged an Indigenous and municipal partnership to create new pathways to solving big community challenges like attainable housing, childcare, and more.
Federal Lens: The Parliamentary Bureau
Join a national dialogue on tourism’s future — from workforce and marketing priorities to federal investments and economic competitiveness. Introducing The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) and new Tourism Industry Association of Canada President and CEO, Sébastien Benedict.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025
Day Two - What to Expect
Day two will feature discussions on investment strategies and destination development; data-driven sessions on visitor trends and market opportunities; breakout workshops designed to spark innovative thinking and actionable planning.
Day Two Session Overviews - Morning
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Elevating a Destination
Learn how collaboration among tourism and sport partners is leveraging the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience last far beyond the event.
Cross-Border Travel Insights: Understanding U.S. Visitors to Ontario
Gain new intelligence on U.S. traveller perceptions, motivations, and barriers — and how Ontario can sharpen its appeal in this critical market.
AI’s Impact on Search & Digital Marketing
Understand how generative AI and conversational search are reshaping marketing and discover new strategies to keep your business visible and competitive online.
Sustainable Solutions: Ottawa’s Pilot Carbon Calculator Program
See how Ottawa Tourism’s carbon-tracking initiative is helping businesses measure, reduce, and communicate their environmental impact.
Just Be Yourself! Bay of Quinte’s Honest Approach to Rural Destination Development
Learn how embracing authenticity, rather than replicating others, helped a rural region build a stronger, more inclusive tourism identity.
Day Two Session Overviews - Afternoon
Investment Attraction – Futureproofing Visitor Economies
Explore how a diverse approach to tourism investment drives jobs, innovation, and community vitality — fueling Ontario’s long-term prosperity and pride.
Therme Group Canada: Investing in Wellness, Culture, and Community
Discover how the $700-million Therme project at Ontario Place will redefine wellness tourism in Canada. This conversation explores the vision, design, and community partnerships behind one of Ontario’s most ambitious destination redevelopments.
Developing a Global Attraction in Rural Ontario with Your Municipality
See how a creative arts community is partnering with local government and national organizations to elevate its destination to global prominence.
Visitors’ Choice
Celebrate Ontario’s most-loved attractions and learn how award-winning operators use recognition to drive engagement, visibility, and success.
Harnessing Regional Data to Grow Tourism
Explore how data integration and literacy are transforming regional strategies, product development, and collaboration across Ontario’s tourism ecosystem.
Building Ontario’s International Reach
Discover how Destination Ontario is capturing new overseas audiences through innovative marketing and international partnerships that welcome the world.
Ontario’s Tourism Asset Gap Analysis
Discover what makes tourism investment attraction unique and where the greatest opportunities for tourism development lie, through a new mapping study identifying investment gaps and growth potential.
The deadline for tickets to the 2025 Ontario Tourism Summit is fast approaching. Join us in Ottawa from October 28-29, 2025. With two full days of expert-led talks, hands-on workshops, collaborative discussions and, for the first time, opportunities to advance book one-on-one networking meetings, this is an industry conference not to be missed.
We can’t wait to see you in Ottawa!