The Northern Ontario Tourism Summit – set to take place from November 25th to 27th – will be happening at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay. This will be the third time this prestigious event will be hosted in the city. The event seeks to bring together key stakeholders from across the province to discuss the opportunities available, innovations possible, and relevant strategies that will shape the future of tourism in Northern Ontario.
The history
This year’s summit will be the 11th event since the inaugural one held on November 19th -21st, 2014. The event was organized by Tourism Northern Ontario (TNO) and Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO). For the first time, tourism stakeholders and enthusiasts were treated to a full tradeshow, educational workshops, and keynote presentations.
One of the most notable presentations from the first Northern Ontario Tourism Summit was by Olympic champion Jon Montgomery and Michael Coteau, who was the Minister of Tourism at the time. This summit was born to unite tourism operators, suppliers, indigenous groups, and government agencies. Organizers hope the summit will help develop strategies that will boost tourism collectively.
Since its establishment, the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit has been hosted by different Northern Ontario communities and cities. After taking a hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic, the convention returned to Thunder Bay for a second time. The event took up a hybrid format, with only 250 delegates allowed to attend in person. Despite the challenges from the pandemic and the need to customize the event for both in-person and virtual participants, the event was a success.
In 2024, the convention marked its 10th anniversary. The summit was held in North Bay and attracted over 200 tourism stakeholders. Understandably, the summit focused on post-pandemic recovery for the region and the industry, with cross-border tourism strategies being the major focus.
Laurie Marcil, Executive Director, Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario, remarked that the number of partnerships and collaborations that have been forged through the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit over the years has played such a critical role in enhancing the products and strength of our tourism industry in the North. She added, “Seeing the industry come together to learn and share speaks to the passion of the people in this sector.”
In 2025, the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit will pivot towards identifying industry trends, discussing sustainable tourism, exploring indigenous partnerships, and understanding AI adoption in tourism.
Since its launch, the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit has attracted over 1,500 delegates. It is arguably one of Northern Ontario’s most influential tourism conventions. The summit has also influenced policy changes, catalyzed partnerships, and shaped regional investments.
Why Thunder Bay
The Northern Ontario Tourism Summit, returning to Thunder Bay for a third time, comes as no surprise. The city’s reputation as a premier tourist destination has been steadily growing. Additionally, Thunder Bay is emerging as a hub for regional tourism innovation.
Thunder Bay is known for its breathtaking natural landscapes, which include the iconic Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Fort William Historical Park, Lake Superior, and the Kakabeka Falls. The city also has invested in its hospitality infrastructure allowing it to seamlessly host large-scale events. Add these features to the rich cultural heritage of the city, and it’s easy to see why Thunder Bay is the dream destination for tourists and a perfect fit for the summit.
What to expect
This year, the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit’s theme is “Experience. Engage. Empower. Excel.” The event is expected to attract over 500 delegates, ranging from tourism players and hospitality stakeholders to individuals from the economic development sectors, such as operators, policymakers, and industry experts.
The summit is set to feature engaging activities, such as:
- Workshops on sustainable tourism practices, marketing strategies, and Indigenous tourism development
- Keynote speeches from speakers who are innovators and drawn from leading tourism organizations
- An Exhibitor Marketplace to showcase the region’s products and services
- Special panels and discussions to shed more light on how to grow the tourism sector in Northern Ontario
- Awards galas to recognize individuals and organizations that have excelled in the sector
The goal is to attract both domestic and international visitors, with the 2025 Northern Ontario Tourism Summit taking place in Thunder Bay. With access to some of the city’s best accommodation facilities and numerous entertainment options, including the physical casino or exploring a new casino online, the finest dining, and plenty of natural attractions, the city hopes to captivate them to come back over and over again.
With the large number of delegates expected to attend the summit, it is expected that local hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and retail businesses will see a significant rise in revenue. Beyond empowering the local businesses to excel, the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit is expected to foster new partnerships, accelerate economic growth, and expand tourism in the region. You can register to attend or become an exhibitor during the summit on the event’s official website.
