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On this month's newsletter of "You Need to Know This":

  • Tourism Chatter: new additions, investments & celebrations
  • 2024 Applications Open: Tourism Innovation Grant
  • Online Training: Navigating 2SLGBTQI+ Diversity & Inclusion in the Tourism Industry
  • Have Your Voice Heard: EmployerOne Survey
  • Register Now for the Southern Ontario Tourism Conference
  • Upcoming Workshops with Ontario's Southwest
  • Congratulations to Thames Talbot Land Trust for being awarded an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Resilient Communities Fund grant! Over the next 2 years, the grant will help them to protect more nature by building its resilience and sustainability through increased staff capacity, investing in volunteers, and more.
  • Tourism Oxford launched a marketing campaign to help promote restaurants in the slow season with Oxford Eats. From January 15-31 a number of Oxford's restaurants are offering fixed price menus for people to try including Elm Hurst Inn Restaurant, Finkle Street Tap and Grill, Indigo Lounge Eatery, IRONWORKS Kitchen, KALOS at the Oxford Hills, Louie's Pizza and Pasta, Nectar Tillsonburg, sixthirtynine, and 1909 Culinary Academy.


Do you have news to share? Email Emily

2024 Applications Open: Tourism Innovation Grant

The Oxford County Tourism Innovation Grant is back for another year! Tourism Oxford has teamed up with Community Futures Oxford and Rural Oxford Economic Development to award three grants of $3,000 to local businesses that will develop or expand tourism experiences in Oxford County in 2024.


With growing interest in domestic travel destinations, it is important to offer exciting and innovative visitor experiences to motivate longer stays and increase year-round visits. The Oxford County Tourism Innovation Grant encourages businesses to consider growing revenue through tourism.


Businesses that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply for the Oxford County Tourism Innovation Grant by February 15th, 2024.

Learn more about the grant and apply here

Online Training: Navigating 2SLGBTQI+ Diversity & Inclusion in the Tourism Industry

The global 2SLGBTQI+ travel market is valued at over US$200B annually. Canadian destinations are well-positioned to grow their share of this market. But in order to be successful, destinations and operators must ensure that 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel welcome and accepted and are served in a way that exceeds their expectations and accommodates their needs.


To support efforts in developing market-ready products, Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce’s training helps tourism-based businesses learn about inclusion and how to effectively understand, value, and serve 2SLGBTQI+ customers and employees.


February 1st, 2024 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Sign Up for the Training

Have Your Voice Heard: EmployerOne Survey

The Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board is inviting all local employers operating within Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford County to complete the EmployerOne Survey.

 

The survey should take 10 minutes to complete and covers a number of issues including employers' hiring intentions, vacancy, recruitment strategies, candidate skills, and workforce challenges.

 

This is an excellent opportunity to provide your input and help the Board and its community partners respond to the needs of our regional workforce. 

Take the Survey

Register Now for the Southern Ontario Tourism Conference

Be sure to register for the 2024 Southern Ontario Tourism Conference in Sarnia, on March 4-6, 2024.


Location: Sunbridge Hotel and Conference Centre

Sarnia/Point Edward 1498 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward ON N7T 7W6

Register Now

Upcoming Workshops with Ontario's Southwest

Spending time learning is an investment! That's why Ontario's Southwest (OSW) is bringing you these opportunities.


Responsible Tourism Marketing: Balancing Impact & Attraction (Online)

January 31st, 2024

11:00am - 12:00pm


Rethinking Tourism Partnerships: Exploring New Opportunities (Online)

February 27th, 2024

1:00pm - 2:00pm


2024 Southern Ontario Tourism Conference

Sarnia, Ontario

March 4th, 2024 - March 6th, 2024


Building a Responsible Supply Chain in the Tourism Industry (Online)

March 22nd, 2024

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Your cheerleaders in tourism,

Emily, Karlee & Meredith

Tourism Oxford | 519-539-9800 x3355 | tourism@oxfordcounty.ca |

Consumer website: www.tourismoxford.ca

Industry website: www.oxfordcounty.ca/business-in-oxford/tourism

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