BRAMPTON, ON (June 3, 2020) – As an emerging tourism destination and cultural hotspot, the City of Brampton is proud to announce a five-year Tourism Strategy is being developed by consultants Bannikin Travel & Tourism and the Culinary Tourism Alliance.
A key component of work will be to engage residents, visitors, tourism stakeholders, and industry representatives, including local attraction operators, cultural institutions, event producers, accommodation providers, and restaurant managers for input that will help guide the development of the strategy.
The strategy will address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brampton’s tourism sector and identify opportunities to increase local tourism, where residents can travel in and explore their own city. According to the Tourism Information Association of Ontario, local and regional tourism is expected to be a crucial contributor to the Ontario tourism sector’s short-term economic recovery.
The strategy will align with the City’s Culture Master Plan, Economic Development Strategy, and recently approved Economic Recovery Strategy. Each strategy recognizes arts, culture, and tourism as cornerstones of a resilient and competitive Brampton.
The City aims to present Brampton’s first Tourism Strategy to Brampton City Council in winter 2020. Visit
www.brampton.ca/tourism for updates.
About Bannikin Travel & TourismBannikin Travel & Tourism is a Toronto-based consulting firm dedicated to destination development, travel trade development, content and media relations, specializing in experiential tourism and responsible travel.
Bannikin has recently supported similar projects for Visit Oakville, the City of Orillia and Grey County, and is currently consulting on tourism recovery strategies for Peterborough & the Kawarthas and Prince Edward County.
About the Culinary Tourism AllianceThe Culinary Tourism Alliance is a not-for-profit food tourism development organization based in Toronto. Its mission is to bridge the gap between the food and drink industry and travel industry by continuing to be a global leader in food tourism destination and development.
Quotes“I am excited to support the development of Brampton’s first Tourism Strategy. Beginning work on this strategy is a milestone in helping our city recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Our community is full of talent and our city is packed with hidden gems, and I invite everyone to experience Brampton!”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton“Bramptonians, stakeholders, and industry experts are coming together to shape our city’s first Tourism Strategy. Engagement is crucial to shaping solutions for long-term economic recovery, especially as we emerge from this pandemic. I look forward to highlighting Brampton as a destination and cultural hotspot for residents and visitors alike.”
- Harkirat Singh, City Councillor, Wards 9 & 10, City of Brampton; Chair, Corporate Services “Brampton is a vibrant city full of arts and culture. Our businesses, events, and parks are just a few features of this great city that set us apart. Brampton’s first Tourism Strategy will gear us towards economic recovery following COVID-19, and shine the bright light on our community that it deserves.”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5, City of Brampton, Vice-Chair, Corporate Services “The City of Brampton Tourism and Film Office has engaged experts at Bannikin Travel & Tourism and the Culinary Tourism Alliance to create a strong framework for tourism in Brampton. The Tourism Strategy will address Brampton’s short and long-term growth, focusing on economic recovery and hyperlocal initiatives in alignment with the Economic Recovery Strategy.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton