ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19 th, 2012 RTO 8: Our Favourite Place TRANS CANADA TRAIL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Tourism Competitive Study Released in February 2009 “The report makes a strong case for the creation of well-defined and well-managed tourism regions across the province.” The goal of regionalization is to bring together stakeholders, to oversee the development of new products and marketing initiatives; and to identify and define unique experiences offered by the region. In January 2010, MTC announces plans to create 13 tourism regions in Ontario, following several months of consultation throughout the province. Each to be managed by its own Regional Tourism Organization (RTO). RTO’S BACKGROUND

RTO 8 ABOVE-THE-LINE ACTIVITIES Product DevelopmentMarketing ________________________________________ SUPPORTIVE NON-RTO ACTIVITIES DMOs, Sector Associations, Economic Development Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, DBIAs RTO 8 ABOVE-THE-LINE ACTIVITIES Product DevelopmentMarketing ________________________________________ SUPPORTIVE NON-RTO ACTIVITIES DMOs, Sector Associations, Economic Development Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, DBIAs

Experience DevelopmentDestination Marketing Tours and Packages Central Reservation System Trans Canada Trail Cycling Arts, Culture, Heritage Meetings & Conventions Industry Educating HR Hotline Market Readiness Training Package Training Tourism Marketing Training Marketing Support DMO Activities Create and Promote Regional Experiences Track and Measure Results RTO /13 Priorities:

Completion of 120 km of Trans Canada Trail in Region 8

3 gaps persisted = 37/120km 3 gaps persisted = 37/120km Most difficult is Peterborough to Most difficult is Peterborough to Hastings ~ 30km Hastings ~ 30km Create a Greenway Trail in 1 year Create a Greenway Trail in 1 year Multiple agency negotiations Multiple agency negotiations RTO 8 assistance critical/invaluable RTO 8 assistance critical/invaluable Phase I: Trail Connection ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19 th, 2012

Work to date Successfully held 8 monthly steering committee meetings Successfully held 8 monthly steering committee meetings Developed a business plan and implementation started Developed a business plan and implementation started Developed a communications plan and implementation started Developed a communications plan and implementation started Successfully awarded grant from Trans Canada Trail for 50% of building costs Successfully awarded grant from Trans Canada Trail for 50% of building costs Negotiating land access agreements with the Province and the Township of Otonabee South-Monaghan Negotiating land access agreements with the Province and the Township of Otonabee South-Monaghan Peterborough to Hastings Section ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19 th, 2012

Destination Trail Destination Trail Connection to regional cycling routes, Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and link to neighbouring Regions 6,9 and 11 Connection to regional cycling routes, Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and link to neighbouring Regions 6,9 and 11 Signage Plan for entire route Signage Plan for entire route Economic driver for local businesses Economic driver for local businesses Phase II: Product Development ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19 th, 2012

ONTARIO TRAILHEAD CONFERENCE – JUNE 19, 2012 The opportunity is available NOW