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For Industry

Annually, Peterborough & the Kawarthas welcomes over 3 million visitors who spend more than $300 million in the local economy, accounting for approximately 58% of total spending in the RTO8 region.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism (PKT) is the Official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Peterborough & the Kawarthas is part of Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8), one of 13 RTOs in the Province.

Tourism is integral to economic development, and is a critical driver in achieving broader economic development goals.

PKT actively works with local, regional, provincial and national industry partners to create destination development strategies and strategic plans to achieve growth and prosperity for the businesses. PKT has a team of ‘destination developers’ that act as catalysts and facilitators for the realization of a prosperous visitor economy. We also work closely with advocacy partners like the local Chambers of Commerce, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) to ensure current or emerging challenges, barriers and opportunities affecting local businesses are elevated. 

Goals

  • Strengthen the local economy and enrich the quality of life for residents by supporting businesses reliant on the visitor economy.
  • Actively market Peterborough & the Kawarthas as a destination for increased visitation and spending.

Responsibilities

  • Attracting visitors to the region.
  • Providing industry-specific knowledge to tourism businesses
  • Supporting the sustainable growth and expansion of tourism businesses
  • Assisting with sustainable experiential product development
  • Providing industry-specific data and research
  • Providing exceptional visitor services year-round. 

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Culinary Tourism Strategy 

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada partnered with the Culinary Tourism Alliance to develop a national culinary tourism strategy. Peterborough & the Kawarthas was selected as one of four destinations in Canada to take part in a culinary tourism strategy development pilot. 

The PKT Culinary Tourism Strategy is in alignment with several initiatives undertaken by PKED over the past 5 years related to the local tourism and agriculture industries. 

Elevating Canada Experiences Tourism Resource Hub 

Explore content ranging from strategy development to practical tools and tips – all designed to help grow and adapt your tourism business as an operator and build tourism capacity in your region as a destination partner. 

Winter and Shoulder Season Development 

Use this industry-expert developed toolkit to help you imagine new possibilities for your tourism experience. Re-envision how you can uncover the untapped possibilities of broadening the shoulders of your tourism season with valuable insights, worksheets, tips and strategies. 

Growing Agritourism 

The webinar will also teach you how to characterize the agritourist and generalize the types of activities associated with agritourism; understand the challenges and opportunities relating to the development of agritourism experiences and more. 

Multisensory Experience Development 

The webinar teaches you how to recognize opportunities to develop new culinary tourism experiences – or enhance existing experiences – through food & drink; identify changes and improvements needed to meet multisensory experience standards and more. 

Partnering for Success

This webinar teaches you why partnerships are particularly important to culinary tourism; describes the elements that make up a strong culinary tourism partnership, with reference to specific examples; recognize challenges and more.

Exceeding Expectations 

This webinar will provide you with tactics needed to exceed visitor expectations of your culinary tourism offerings and apply your understanding of visitor expectations and relevant tourism trends to deliver value through food & drink and more. 

Enhancing Winter & Shoulder Season Tourism in Canada 

This webinar teaches you about winter and shoulder season tourism in Canada, while also highlighting the opportunities and strategies to consider for your own business or region. 

Regional Tourism Organization (RTO8) – Kawarthas Northumberland Resources

RTO8 exists to support a competitive and sustainable regional tourism industry, attract visitors, generate economic activity and create jobs. We work with industry partners to build up the Kawarthas Northumberland region through experience development, investment, marketing, and workforce development.

Acceler8 – a community based Business Mentoring Program geared to existing tourism sector businesses within the Kawarthas Northumberland region. The tourism industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and as we focus on recovery, we believe a mentoring program can help your business rebuild and achieve business growth.

Tourism Connects – self-paced e-courses you can complete on your own time, on any electronic device. Courses range in length from 15 minutes to 2 hours and include helpful downloadable resources. 

Let’s Talk Tourism Digital Marketing Video Series – focuses on digital marketing, understanding your audience and telling your brand story.

RTO8 Regional Tourism Organization 8 Logo

Tourism Awards and Recognition

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism won the Sustainable DMO Award at the 2022 Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario for the O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge.

Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards Winner Logo
Safe Travel Stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Safe Travel Stamp 

Does your business have the Safe Travel Stamp? 

The WTTC in conjunction with the industry has created a self-certified Safe Travel Stamp based on worldwide industry protocols. The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. 

What our valued Partners are Saying:

“4th Line Theatre greatly appreciates the incredible support and positive brand awareness that comes with our partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism. Numerous out-of-town theatre patrons identify PKT when asked how they heard about 4th Line Theatre, and how we are a must-visit destination in our community. This invaluable exposure has directly influenced our continued recognition, both regionally and provincially.” 

MANAGER OF MARKETING & CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, 4TH LINE THEATRE

“Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism has been a leader in developing strong ties with the travel media and working with its many partners to provide travelers with a snapshot of how varied and interesting their Kawarthas experience can be. Our mutual cooperation has benefited Lang Pioneer Village Museum and improved the Museum’s profile, locally and regionally.” 

MANAGER, LANG PIONEER VILLAGE MUSEUM 

“PKT is working to be champions of this region on every level. They support you when you have a question or need help, promote your business, and connect you with consumers near and far. They work tirelessly to promote the area and to show the world how awesome Peterborough and the Kawarthas really are.” 

ERIN MCLEAN, MCLEAN BERRY FARM 

“Showplace Performance Centre is proud to be a PKT partner. The opportunity to showcase our theatre to both potential visitors as well as people looking for a “staycation” has been fantastic. We also appreciate all of the hard work the PKT team does to assist in networking opportunities among partners, aiding in the creation of new and exciting packaging and promotional opportunities.” 

EMILY MARTIN, SHOWPLACE PERFORMANCE CENTRE 

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