Whitby Tourism Year in Review and 2024 Plans

In 2023, Whitby established itself as a visitor-ready, welcoming tourist destination with the launch of multiple tourism promotion initiatives. Successes included the launch of the Whitby Tourism website, "Discover Something New to Enjoy" tourism brand, the @explorewhitby Instagram page, Destination Development networking events, the QR code window cling program, and the launch of the Whitby Food Guide which went on to be nationally recognized by the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) for the top Marketing Canada award.

The Town will continue to invest in Tourism and collaborate with our partners including participation in the “Do Something Delicious” campaign through the Globe and Mail in partnership with the Culinary Tourism Alliance, working with our partners at Central Counties Tourism to host travel and food influencers in Whitby and hosting more destination development networking events for tourism businesses, attractions, food and beverage providers and event organizer.

2024 will see use of two Tourism Teasers to promote Whitby as a destination to discover, including the launch of culinary experiences related to the Whitby Food Guide.

We are looking forward to continuing the support of our local businesses and finding opportunities for collaboration.

www.whitby.ca/tourism

www.whitby.ca/foodguide

Instagram: @explorewhitby

Whitby's Window QR Codes for Businesses

QR Code Window Cling Program continues...

To support Whitby's Food Guide and the Tourism website, vinyl window clings with QR codes are being distributed to businesses across Whitby. Diners, visitors and residents are able to scan the QR code and connect to the digital version of Whitby's Food Guide and Tourism website creating an interactive, easily accessible resource.

To get window clings for your storefront contact us at tourism@whitby.ca

Whitby Tourism Spotlight

One More Cocoa

Gourmet Chocolate

One More Cocoa

116 Athol St.,

Whitby, ON

905-493-3390

Owner Kenesha Lewis, a former travel insurance professional, made a career out of minimizing risk. But in May of 2021, in the thick of the pandemic, Kenesha followed her life long love for all things sugar and her love for her native Jamaica. One More Cocoa, a gourmet chocolate shop, was launched. Initially creating a following online, but by September of 2021 her passion-project had a storefront in Whitby.

Kenesha incorporates delicious ingredients and a "sprinkle of Jamaican flavours" in honour of her Jamaican heritage to create one of a kind chocolate bars and bonbons that are also truly pieces of art. In December of 2023, international accolades came knocking when Oprah Winfrey's "Oprah's Favorite Things", an annual must-have curated holiday gift list, featured One More Cocoa and Kenesha's specialty Hot Chocolate Box Set.

"This past year has been a complete whirlwind. Touch and go in the first half of the year, not sure if we were moving forward as a business. Oprah’s recognition changed the trajectory. This opportunity has allowed us to keep the doors open. The Whitby/Durham community has shown up for me in a huge way."

As the only Canadian business to be featured on the list in 2023, Kenesha Lewis and One More Cocoa have been firmly placed on the map of small business success stories.

Future plans include offering more consistent hours and products since being able to increase staff from 1 (just Kenesha!) to now having a team. Focus on getting into more retail stores across North America, manufacturing to produce more products and also getting the product into more small to medium box stores.

Kenesha is also working on a collection that will be a thank you to the Whitby community, "Bonbons that are an homage to other businesses around Whitby. What would Whitby taste like in various flavours?"

Hoping to capture the moment and keep the celebrity endorsements going, Kenesha would love to get her handmade chocolates into the hands of Canadian musical royalty Celine Dion and Drake, "They should definitely taste my chocolates."

Congratulations Kenesha. One More Cocoa is definitely one sweet story.

One More Cocoa

Tools and Resources

Did you Know?

Central Counties Tourism offers great webinars and education courses through their Learning Lab.

The Social Media Marketing Program is a four-course series created to help you elevate the use of social media for your business. Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 11:30am-12:30pm register to be instructed through the first of four parts of the Social Media Marketing Program. More details and registration info here.

Tourism Grant Writing Ready

This course is intended to reduce the stress associated with responding to funding opportunities by quickly discerning if the opportunity is a good fit, complete applications more easily and position your organization to be the ideal applicant.

Tourism Ambassador Program

This course will give you a better understanding of the relationship between tourism, your business, and your local economy. You will learn to treat each visitor in a way that creates a memorable guest experience.

Tourism Funding and Support

Tourism Growth Program delivered by FedDev Ontario, provides support to Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small- and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profit organizations to develop local tourism products and experiences. Applicants are eligible to apply for a maximum of $250,000 per project. Deadline to apply is February 29, 2024

Apply to Tourism Growth Program

Electric Vehicle (EV) ChargeON Program provides funding for the installation of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Ontario communities outside of major cities, with populations of under 170,000 people. Read the Program Guide for complete details. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2024.

Are you Tourism Ready?

There are several tourism related certifications and education programs available to businesses and attractions that support members of the Ontario Tourism Industry:

Certificate in Reconciliation Training Program offered by Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), in partnership with Legacy Bowes, the Certificate in Reconciliation training program for the Tourism Industry is a hybrid virtual and in-person program that provides a safe space for staff and board members to learn more about Indigenous perspectives and explore their role in furthering reconciliation. Contact ITAC to learn more about how your organization can support reconciliation in Canada through the growth of Indigenous tourism.

How to Create Captivating Videos for Social Media In this beginner-level webinar, hosted by Digital Main St., you'll learn the ins and outs of creating compelling videos for platforms such as Instagram Reels and TikTok, with a focus on using smartphones as your main tool. You'll discover editing techniques and tips, and walk away with the knowledge and inspiration to make your videos stand out and effectively connect with your audience on social media. Register here for the free January 16, 2024 online webinar for Ontario small businesses.

Safe Travels Stamp

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in conjunction with the industry, including Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), has created a self-certified Safe Travels Stamp based on worldwide industry protocols.

Safe Travels Stamp Certification

Feast On®

North America’s largest and longest running local food certification program that recognizes businesses committed to sourcing Ontario grown food & drink.

Feast on® is a certification program for restaurants and purveyors in Ontario.

February 12, 2024 at 10am

Ontario Culinary Feast ON

Green Step Standard

Provides assessments, programs, and certifications to help tourism destinations and businesses measure and improve their sustainability performance.

Green Step Tourism Business Certification

Industry Events

SAVE THE DATE:

MARCH 4 - 6, 2024

2024 SOUTHERN ONTARIO TOURISM SUMMIT

SARNIA, ON

REGISTER

Want to learn more or have questions? Contact Whitby Tourism at tourism@whitby.ca

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @ExploreWhitby