TORONTO, ON – January 19, 2026 – From January 18–20, 2026, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) is leading a delegation of tourism industry leaders at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference, Ontario’s premier annual forum for rural municipal leaders, provincial decision-makers, and sector stakeholders.
During the conference, the tourism delegation is meeting with MPPs from all parties and key provincial ministries to advance discussions aligned with Forward Motion: A Strategic Playbook for Ontario’s Tourism Industry (2025–2030). These conversations reinforce tourism’s role as a province-wide economic driver as the government focuses on economic growth, workforce readiness, regional development, and investment attraction.
Tourism plays an essential role in rural and Northern Ontario, supporting local employment, sustaining small and seasonal businesses, and contributing to municipal fiscal health, particularly in communities with limited non-property tax tools.
At ROMA, TIAO and industry leaders are highlighting both the sector’s economic importance and the challenges that must be addressed to drive sustained growth, including gaps in U.S. and overseas visitation, rising operating costs, pressures on the tourism workforce pipeline, and lagging private-sector investment.
The delegation is also advancing a focused set of pan-provincial foundational recommendations designed to support rural tourism growth across all regions of Ontario. These recommendations emphasize increasing visitation and spending, rebuilding the tourism talent pipeline, and unlocking private investment in new and enhanced tourism experiences. They are intended to complement and strengthen regional strategies, including recent provincially led initiatives, by providing the enabling conditions needed for success in communities of all sizes.
“Rural communities are foundational to Ontario’s tourism economy, and the solutions needed to strengthen the sector must work across the entire province,” said Andrew Siegwart, President & CEO of TIAO. “At ROMA, we are focused on advancing practical, inclusive actions that support local communities, reinforce regional strategies, and ensure tourism remains a reliable driver of jobs, revenues, and long-term economic resilience.”
Tourism in Ontario is a more than $30-billion industry that supports jobs, culture, and community vitality in every region. TIAO believes the time is right for governments, municipalities, and industry leaders to align efforts and build on recent momentum. Forward Motion provides a clear, industry-led roadmap to unlock the full economic and social value of tourism and position the sector as a contributor to prosperity and pride across Ontario.
About TIAO
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) represents the voice of tourism in the province, advocating for the interests of its diverse industry membership and working with stakeholders to foster growth and a competitive business environment.
www.tiaontario.ca