In Today's Update
- A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- 2021 Ontario Wildland Fire Season After-Action Review
- Seeking feedback: Proposal regarding a Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou in Ontario
- Destination Ontario Presents: Know Your Target Audiences by Tourism Product Webinars
- Early Bird Promotion for 2022 Memberships Now Available!
- Proposal to Strengthen Guide Requirements for Non-Resident White-Tailed Deer Hunters in Northern Ontario
- Province Seeking Advice on Designing Benefits Plan Tied to Workers, Not Employers
- No TIAO Calls Next Week
- Northern Ontario Tourism Spring Training Week - Save the Date!
- Yamaha Motor Canada Introduces Special Co-Op Program to Encourage Preferred Supplier Memberships
- Forestry Notices
- Tourism SkillsNet North
- Safe Travel Stamp
We will continue to strive to bring forward pertinent information to the tourism industry as it becomes available. We will also do our best to find answers to your questions. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
NOTO Contact Emails:
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A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
This week's newsletter is full of opportunities for our sector to provide feedback on proposals that can directly impact the future of our tourism industry and we hope that members and non-members alike will get involved. As we emerge from the pandemic we must stay vigilant to ensure that we are setting the stage for a strong recovery.
NOTO will be submitting comments on each of these opportunities and be taking our direction from industry stakeholders. It is critical that we hear from you to ensure we are supporting your businesses. Any and all feedback is appreciated.
We have been encouraged that we are turning a major corner with the pandemic over this past week as Government language is making the switch from "stopping the spread" to "learning to live with COVID". This bodes well for the recommendations that we are making with regard to eliminating testing requirements at our borders. However, we need to ensure that government understands that a change in this mindset does NOT mean that recovery will happen immediately. Our sector will need ongoing financial support and relief in order to get to recovery. They can help speed up recovery by offering more grant opportunities including making more of the loans forgivable for those businesses that continue to struggle.
We will continue to bring these messages forward in the coming days and weeks and look forward to your support to continue these efforts in a meaningful way. If you have not renewed or joined NOTO yet in 2020, please consider all that NOTO has done to support and protect the industry during this pandemic and commit your support to build a stronger sector this year. Joining before March 31st can save you money with our early bird rates and let you participate in our early bird draw. We are currently making arrangements for the prize, in 2020 and 2021 our prize was a drone. We will be announcing this years prize in the coming weeks.
Thank you to all of you have continued to support NOTO through the pandemic. We also wish to thank those of you who have sent in letters of encouragement and support with pledges to join or renew when they can. We hope that this year will provide better times where we can all reduce our stresses and get back to sharing the amazing outdoor products with guests.
Be well,
Laurie
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2021 Ontario Wildland Fire Season After-Action Review
Ontario faced one of it’s most challenging fire seasons in recent history with severe drought and dry weather conditions that began in July, which led to a record of 1,198 fires, including a 200,000-hectare fire – one of the largest in Ontario’s history.
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) is conducting a thorough review of the 2021 wildland fire season for continuous improvement. We want to hear from stakeholders from the tourism sector in Northwestern Ontario about their experiences.
Please take a few minutes to provide us with some feedback on the following:
- What issues did you experience through the 2021 wildfire season?
- How would you like to see the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) change or improve their operations?
- Are there opportunities you can identify where the tourism sector and AFFES can work together to achieve common goals associated with wildland fire?
Northern Ontario Operators - If you were impacted by wildfires over the last several seasons and would like to contribute feedback for the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services on the discussion points listed above, please click on the button below.
NOTO will be collecting all of the feedback and share the comments with the AFFES. All feedback will remain anonymous.
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Seeking feedback on an Environmental Registry Proposal regarding a Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou in Ontario
On Friday, February 4th, 2022, NOTO received a letter from Susan Ecclestone, Director, Species at Risk Branch from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding an opportunity to provide feedback on a proposed conservation agreement for boreal caribou.
Please see the content of the letter below. We encourage you to review the ERO posting and attend the workshops if you have interest in the development of this conservation agreement between the Federal and Ontario Provincial governments.
The NOTO Team
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Greetings,
Ontario and Canada have been working together on a bilateral conservation agreement for boreal caribou under section 11 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA).
It’s important that Indigenous communities, stakeholder organizations and other members of the public have an opportunity to provide their input into this important process. Today I am writing to share our proposal regarding the conservation agreement for boreal caribou, which has been posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario for public consultation that includes commitments being considered by Ontario and Canada. This posting also appears on the federal SAR Registry. The proposal is viewable on Ontario’s Environmental Registry as of February 4, 2022 for a 45-day commenting period.
During this 45-day period, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks along with our colleagues at the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs invite feedback and input from the public, Indigenous communities and organizations, and stakeholders on this proposal.
Please provide any comments you have on this proposal by March 21, 2022.
Additionally, Ontario would like to invite you to attend one of our workshops scheduled for February 15, 2022 or February 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST to discuss this proposal and seek direct feedback from you and other invited stakeholders. This session will be approximately 1.5 hours long. If interested, please email borealcaribouconservation@ontario.ca to register. We will then send you information on how to join.
Thank you for your interest in conservation of caribou in Ontario.
Sincerely,
Susan Ecclestone
Director, Species at Risk Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
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Destination Ontario Presents: Know Your Target Audiences by Tourism Product - Webinar Sessions
Destination Ontario and Environics Analytics analyzed 16 Ontario tourism product categories to understand the types of domestic (Ontario) consumers that frequent these different experiences across the province.
Over two sessions, they will share these findings to better equip tourism businesses/operators to plan and target current and potential new, local and non-local audiences.
Join one or both sessions as Larry Filler, Senior Vice President and Practice Leader, Environics Analytics, delivers the results. Due to the depth of content, each session will focus on eight (8) product categories. Learn how to:
- Target the right audience with the right tourism products and experiences
- Identify the right platforms and advertising channels to reach that audience
- Understand the unique attributes of potential high-value audiences
Session 1: Thursday, February 24, 2022 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., including Q&A
Products and experiences covered:
- ATVing
- Angling
- Major & Minor League Sports
- Indigenous Experiences
- Francophone Experiences
- Attractions & Theme Parks
- Resorts
- Spas & Retreats
Session 2: Thursday, March 3, 2022 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., including Q&A
Products and experiences covered:
- Theatre & Film
- Museums & Heritage Sites, Science & Education
- Art Galleries
- Opera, Ballet & Symphony
- Foodie Destinations, Food Trails & Food Festivals
- Wine Regions
- Breweries, Cideries & Distilleries
- Farmers’ Markets
Please note: To attend both sessions, you MUST register for both Session 1 AND Session 2.
As a Senior Vice President and Practice Leader (Tourism, Insurance, and Loyalty Industries) at Environics Analytics, Larry Filler helps organizations realize the value of their data assets by developing and implementing data-based strategies. He has over 30 years of experience in CRM, database and loyalty marketing, assisting clients in many industry sectors, including technology, financial services, retail, automotive, packaged goods, loyalty, travel and not-for-profit.
Each event will be recorded and shared, along with a copy of the presentation, to all registrants. We hope you can join us for one, or both, of these sessions. Please direct any questions to DO.Partnerships@ontario.ca.
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Ontario Staycation Tax Credit Poll Results
Here are some of the highlights we've received from operators who participated in our quick poll. We hope this will help some operators as they prepare for the upcoming season:
- The average price for accommodations was $925 per person, per week, with several operators reporting between $600 per person, per week to $1000 per person, per week, and very few reporting up to $2000.
- 65% of participants reported that they do itemized invoicing as part of their regular business.
- On average, the accommodations portion of the package makes up to 80% of the costs.
- 74% of participants have reported that they haven't had inquiries about the tax credit. For the few that have received some inquires (not many), they are predominantly located in Northeastern Ontario.
- 24% of participants said they would be interested in participating in a panel discussion with other operators to learn or hear about itemized billing therefore we will not host this webinar.
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Early Bird Promotion for 2022 Memberships Now Available!
Renew your membership or join NOTO before March 31st, 2022 to be entered for a chance to win the Early Bird Prize Draw! *Prize to be announced at a later date.
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Entry Level: $452.00
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Bronze:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Silver:
$734.50 NOW: $706.25
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Basic:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Bronze:
$779.70 NOW: $734.50
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Silver:
$1,367.30 NOW: $1,299.50
Prices listed above include HST. To renew your membership or to join NOTO, please click on the appropriate category link above to access the membership form. Completed forms can be printed and mailed to the NOTO office, or scanned and emailed to kate@noto.net or laurie@noto.net.
Thank you for your support!
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REMINDER: Proposal to Strengthen Guide Requirements for Non-Resident White-Tailed Deer Hunters in Northern Ontario
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is seeking to engage the tourism industry and other interested parties on potential ideas and approaches to strengthen/expand guide requirements for non-resident white-tailed deer hunters in northern Ontario.
Currently, the only regulatory guide requirement for non-resident deer hunters in Ontario is that they must employ one licensed guide for each two hunters when hunting deer in the Territorial District of Rainy River (WMUs 9B, 10, 11A, and parts of 7B and 12B).
The Ministry invites you to complete the following survey to provide input on non-resident deer hunting and potential changes to guide requirements for non-resident white-tailed deer hunters in Northern Ontario. The survey closes on March 25, 2022.
NOTO is also keenly interested in hearing directly from operators regarding their thoughts in order to prepare for upcoming discussions. Please share with us by emailing laurie@noto.net.
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Province Seeking Advice on Designing Benefits Plan Tied to Workers, Not Employers
The Ontario government is seeking advice on designing a plan that provides workers with benefits such as health, dental and vision care, even if they change jobs. To start, the government intends to create and appoint an advisory panel.
The proposed advisory panel will look at how benefits could reside with the worker and will provide recommendations on how best to administer the program. This could be especially beneficial for individuals who work part-time, switch jobs often, or have seasonal employment.
NOTO will be keeping an eye on this proposal as it develops.
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TIAO Call Notice
There will be no TIAO Calls on Tuesday, February 8th.
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Northern Ontario Tourism Spring Training Week
is coming up soon!
Save the Date! » April 12 – 14, 2022
Join Destination Northern Ontario and Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario for an up-to-date look at our industry and ‘just in time’ information sessions that can help you as you launch into the busy spring and summer tourism season.
The event will be delivered virtually and registration is FREE to all industry partners.
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Yamaha Motor Canada Introduces Special Co-Op Program to Encourage Preferred Supplier Memberships
As a proud Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO) member for over 40 years, Yamaha Motor Canada wants to demonstrate our solidarity with and support for this industry association with a
special CO-OP program offer.
NOTO is dedicated to proactive planning, development and promotion of a strong nature and outdoor
tourism industry in Ontario. NOTO generates revenues to fund initiatives through its membership
(industry stakeholders and preferred suppliers) and, occasionally, through government funding when
available.
Yamaha has facilitated a special opportunity for dealers to support this valuable industry association
through membership. Not only will this reinforce our commitment to the industry at a time of great
need, but also will provide dealers with positive public relations exposure and marketing opportunities.
SPECIAL CO-OP PROGRAM DETAILS:
Pre-approval at Regular 50/50. Claim must be submitted by March 31, 2022.
• Any 2022 NOTO Preferred Supplier Membership – Basic, Bronze or Silver Level
Yamaha’s Ontario dealer network is as strong as ever. Let’s extend our support to Ontario’s outdoor
tourism industry, and by extension signal to camps, businesses and recreational customers across the
province that we’re here and ready to continue to provide an exceptional experience.
Thank you
Sales & Marketing
YAMAHA MOTOR CANADA
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THANK YOU YAMAHA MOTOR CANADA
NOTO would like to thank Yamaha for providing dealers with this very special co-op program to help build NOTO's Preferred Supplier membership and for their on-going support over the past 40+ years!
We encourage all operators to encourage their local dealers to take advantage of this offer and join NOTO this year.
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Forestry Notices
NOTO would like to take this opportunity to remind operators of the importance of staying up-to-date on the forestry activities happening in your region. We encourage all operators to take some time to review Forest Management Plans (FMP) and to participate in the consultations to ensure your business values are respected in the development of an FMP.
The NOTO office has received the following notices which remain open for comments:
- Abitibi, Gordon Cosens, Pineland, Romeo-Malette & Timiskaming Forests - Review of Pest Management Program (Aerial Spraying for Spruce Budworm) (closes February 9th)
- Black Spruce Forest - Forest Management Plan Amendment (closes April 1st)
- English River Forest - Annual Work Schedule Changes (closes March 31st)
- Kenora Forest - Inspection of Approved 2022-2032 Forest Management Plan (closes April 1st)
- Mazinaw-Lanark Forest - Inspection of Approved Forest Management Plan (closes March 3rd)
- Ogoki Forest - Annual Work Schedule Changes (closes April 1st)
- Temagami Forest - Annual Work Schedule Changes (closes February 18th)
- Trout Lake Forest - Inspection of Approved Burn Plan for Slash Piles (closes March 31st)
- Trout Lake Forest - Annual Work Schedule Changes (closes March 31st)
- Wabadowgang Noopming Forest - Review of Proposed Operations 2023-2033 FMP (closes Feb. 11)
- Whiskey Jack Forest - Review of Forest Management Plan Extension (closes December 14th)
- Whitefeather Forest - Inspection of Approved 2022-2032 Forest Management Plan (closes April 1st)
To view these notices and to participate in the consultations, please click on the button below. To receive notices for your Forest Management Unit directly in your inbox, register an account on the Ministry's forestry website by clicking here.
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TSNN Update for Seasonal Operators
Attention Seasonal Operators - We are reaching out to you today to provide you with two updates on the Tourism SkillsNet North program:
Firstly, we would like to inform you about the following:
As you begin to hire staff for the 2022 season (with most jobs beginning in May), we have reached out to the Ministry to see how this would impact the wage subsidy portion of the program. The Tourism SkillsNet North program is currently set to end on March 31st, 2022, meaning that you would not be able to claim a wage subsidy for these positions. However, NOTO and Destination Northern Ontario are currently submitting an application for an extension to this program. If approved by the Ministry, we intend to move all applications from seasonal operators into the 2nd round of TSNN funding which will allow you to claim the wage subsidy for your 2022 hires. We will advise the industry on the Ministry's decision as soon as we receive an answer.
That being said, we can still help you find and train staff ahead of the 2022 season:
We've developed a Tourism SkillsNet North Indeed profile as well as a new comprehensive job board which helps us collect resumes, while also assisting with targeted measures to help fill your vacancies. Here's how this works:
- NOTO uses the job postings you've submitted to the TSNN program upon registration to create a job posting on Indeed as a "Talent Recruiter" for your business, as well as on the TSNN Job Board. This helps us target individuals within your regions or who are willing to travel/temporarily relocate for work.
- We collect all of the resumes and send them all your way.
- You can conduct interviews with each candidate you feel is fit for your business needs.
- If you hire an employee through this method, we will work together to get them registered to the Tourism SkillsNet North program, and get them trained.
- If our TSNN extension application is approved by the Ministry, we will reach out with instructions and details about the new wage subsidy.
If you have any questions about the Tourism Skills Net North program, please the NOTO staff. We'd be more than happy to help!
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Safe Travels Stamp
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) created the Safe Travels Stamp which is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
In Ontario, the Safe Travels Stamp are administered by TIAO. NOTO's health and safety protocols, which have been vetted by the Government of Ontario have been recognized as standardized protocols for this purpose.
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NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners to continue our work. For more information about membership with NOTO visit noto.ca
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