Director of Community Development Neil Carbone says this has been the County’s busiest tourist season ever and they’re hoping to build on that momentum. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
The County will be launching a new series of initiatives aimed at supporting visitor experiences and providing a broader array of services next year.
The new approach will look at opportunities to support current destination marketing initiatives and form collaborative partnerships with the private sector to deliver tourism information across the region.
In the past, components of visitor services have been provided by The County, the Chamber, Taste the County (the former destination marketing organization) and many local businesses providing directions and information to their guests and patrons.
Moving into 2017, these services—including the distribution of tourism materials and the maintenance of information kiosks—will now be the responsibility of The County.
Mayor Robert Quaiff said the municipality will be looking at a number of options going forward that could include contracting out some of the service or contracting an in-house service.
Mayor Quaiff added the County wants to take advantage of this potential by providing services that will see more visitors shopping, sleeping in inns and eating in County restaurants.
Director of Community Development Neil Carbone said this has been the County’s busiest tourist season ever.
“We’re hearing it from every business owner we speak to,” he said. “By expanding the role that the municipality plays in providing visitor services, we’re hoping to really build on that momentum.”
Executive Director Emily Cowan said with the change the chamber will now be able to give its business support services renewed focus.
Cowan said the announcement of the sale of the building isn’t conducive to the new approach in visitor services. They were merely coincidental.
