Destination: Northern Ontario

What Visitors Need from Northern Ontario’s Transportation Network

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0500

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

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.

Digital Marketing 101 for Tourism Businesses

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0500

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

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: Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0500

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.

How DMOs Maximize Your Marketing Budget

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0500

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

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.

Accounting 101 for Tourism Businesses

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0500

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

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.

Need Money to Buy Your Dream Cottage Resort? A CFDC Can Help.

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -0500

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:

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.

Fear and ATVing in Blind River: A Newcomer Family's Experience

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0500

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?

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

Brian and Aniela Buy Their Favourite Hunting Lodge

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0500

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?

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.

From a Big House in Collingwood to a Bargain Resort in Algoma

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0500

Three years ago, Kate and Rob Harcourt found themselves rethinking their careers and browsing real estate listings, like so many of us at the height of the pandemic. When they stumbled on a cottage resort near Sault Ste. Marie for under $300,000, they jumped in the car the next day to have a look, put an offer in that morning, and raced home to sell their house in Collingwood. A month later, they were living in a tiny cottage and preparing for a mountain of renovations. How’s that going? Do they regret it? Listen to find out.

Kate and Rob Harcourt are the Co-Owners of Staying by the Lakeside Cottages. Check out their Facebook, TikTok, 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?

So You Want to Run a Tourism Business in Northern Ontario

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Tourism business development experts Gord Knowles and Paul Pepe share their deep knowledge about the region’s tourism industry, and how organizations across the north are helping businesses start up, expand, and tackle common challenges like finding workers.

Learn more about tourism investment opportunities at the new Destination Northern Ontario Investor Website.

Gord Knowles is the Senior Coordinator of Economic Development and Investment Attraction at Destination Northern Ontario.

Website: invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca
Twitter: twitter.com/DestNorthernOnt
Facebook: facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario/
Instagram: instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tourism-northern-ontario

Paul Pepe is the Manager of Tourism Thunder Bay, a department of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission.

Website: visitthunderbay.com
Facebook: facebook.com/VisitThunderBay
Twitter: twitter.com/visitthunderbay
Instagram: instagram.com/visitthunderbay

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?

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

Introducing Destination: Northern Ontario

Wed, 03 May 2023 11:15:00 -0500

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

Learn about tourism investment opportunities at invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca.