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We hope you safely enjoy your experiences in Durham Region. Remember to follow Durham Region Health Department guidance: Stay home if you are sick, wear a mask when required, and wash your hands. Please respect the health and safety rules of any venue or facility you visit. For more information please see the COVID-19 case and contact information hub.
Couple walking Downtown Port Perry

November 2022


These crisp November mornings are a clear indication that winter is fast approaching! The next two months are jammed packed with holiday events and activities for the entire family to enjoy. Please keep an eye on our Durham Tourism calendar and holiday-themed blogs to plan your upcoming adventures.

Photo of Eleanor Cook

Wishing a fond farewell to Eleanor Cook

On behalf of Durham Tourism we would like to wish a fond farewell to Eleanor Cook, Industry Development Manager for Durham Region at Central Counties Tourism.


Over the past seven and a half years with Central Counties Tourism (Regional Tourism Organization 6), Eleanor worked with multi-sectored tourism stakeholders, communities, industry associations, and civic partners to drive tourism in Durham Region.


Eleanor's passion grew with each meeting; “Durham’s business owners brought incredible vision, integrity, and energy, and have been a privilege to work with".


Eleanor supported stakeholders across all eight municipalities with strategic growth and shared her knowledge in the classroom as a Professor of the Durham College Tourism Destination Marketing program.


We're so incredibly grateful to have worked alongside Eleanor and for her never ending passion and dedication to our stakeholders. Please join Durham Tourism in wishing Eleanor all the best in her new role as the Executive Director of Visit The County, the newly formed Destination Management and Marketing Organization in Prince Edward County.

Volunteer now for the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games. Image of volunteers.

Be part of the Ontario Parasport Games!

Volunteer registration now open

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help provide the best experience for participants and spectators during the Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games, taking place February 3 to 5. Volunteer registration is now open!


When registering, you can list the type of volunteer position and sport or service area (registration, food services, etc.) that you're interested in. You can also share the skills and experience you have to offer, along with your availability.


These Games are committed to inclusion and accessibility and we’re looking for volunteers of all abilities. Please advise of any accessibility accommodations so we can support.


Volunteers will receive training, official Games apparel, and the promise of a memorable experience. This would be an excellent team-building opportunity so we encourage local businesses and organizations to share and consider volunteering together.



If you have any questions on volunteer opportunities, please contact: volunteers@DurhamRegion2023.ca.

Festivals and Events Ontario Logo

2023 Festivals and Events Ontario award nominations now open

Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) are now accepting award nominations. This year the FEO Awards Program is free to enter if you are a FEO member in good standing from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.


The Awards Program is also available this year to non-members for a one-time opportunity for a fee of $100 per award category entered.


The following categories are available for award submission:

  • Sponsor of the Year
  • Best Promotional Campaign
  • Best New Festival or Event
  • Best Greening of a Festival or Event
  • Best Social Media Campaign
  • Best Volunteer Program
  • Service Excellence Awards
  • Municipality of the Year
  • Student Leadership Award
  • Volunteer Awards


Learn more about the FEO Awards Program.

Central Counties Tourism logo

Central Counties Tourism employment opportunities


Central Counties is the provincially funded not-for-profit dedicated to developing, supporting and promoting tourism stakeholders throughout York Durham Headwaters (YDH).


The following employment opportunities are currently available for applications:


B2B Marketing and Communications Manager


Governance and Administration Coordinator


Application Deadline: November 25 at 5 p.m.


Please reach out to tourism@durham.ca for copies of the job postings.

Image of Central Counties Tourism staff

Central Counties Tourism celebrates wins at the Ontario Tourism Summit!


The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario gathered in October to celebrate the best of the best in our industry at the Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards. Congratulations to Central Counties Tourism for their four awards for experiences created in collaboration with businesses from across the region.


Four awards were presented to the following two initiatives:


YDH Trails Talks with CVC Island Lake Conservation Area Sustainability Categories – Cycling


Outdoor Spine-Tingling Tour Collaboration Categories – Attraction and Outdoor

2022 award winners for

Best Bicycle Friendly Businesses in Ontario

Each year Ontario By Bike graciously awards and recognizes bicycle friendly businesses for their efforts in and excelling at providing services for cyclists and for supporting cycling within their communities.


A winner was selected from each of the 13 tourism regions in Ontario, and a recognition award was given to the best bike related businesses for each region, as these businesses provide important services to cycle tourists.


On behalf of Durham Tourism, we'd like to extend a special congratulations to our very own Cycle Life for receiving the Best Bike Business award for our Regional Tourism Organization 6 (Central Counties Tourism).


Learn more about the award winners at OntarioByBIke.ca/2022AwardWinners.

Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery


Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery is a national workforce recovery initiativet that connects workers to exciting career opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector and supports businesses across Canada.


Recover initiatives include: hiring for restaurants, hotels and attractions, starting a new career in tourism and hospitality, enhancing your skills, and kick-starting your business recovery.


Visit the Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery website for access to free training, online tool kits, research reports, and much more.

Tourism Relief Fund applications now open


The application period for the Tourism Relief Fund has reopened to support events and activities happening between November 2022 and March 2023.


FedDev Ontario is accepting applications for the Tourism Relief Fund in southern Ontario from November 2 to 28. Tourism operators with events and activities during this time are eligible to apply.


Join FedDev Ontario for an information session about tourism support. Learn about eligibility, how funding and the application process works. Register for the upcoming session:


Learn more about the Tourism Relief Fund.

The Barkley and Puterbough families holding their award on a blue background with sunflowers and the Durham Farm Connections logo and text that reads Celebrate Agriculture Farm Family Award. Designed to acknowledge an intergenerational farm family with a history of progressive achievements and community service. Sponsored by CIBC Commercial Banking.
Image of Tracey Werry winning the Spirit of Agriculture award on a blue background with sunflowers. The award celebrates the contribution of individuals, voluntary groups, organizations or businesses who exhibit the Spirit of Agriculture in supporting and championing agriculture in Durham Region over the years.  Includes Durham Farm Connections logo.

Durham Farm Connections

Celebrate Agriculture Gala


On October 27, Durham Farm Connections hosted their annual Celebrate Agriculture Gala and awarded individuals and families for their ongoing contributions to the agriculture community and to Durham Region.


On behalf of Durham Tourism, we'd like to congratulate and recognize two amazing individuals- who are long-time partners and have worked extremely close with Durham Tourism over the years for their awards- Carolyn Puterbough, Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs and Tracey Werry, Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association.


The Puterbough Family were the proud recipients of the Farm Family Award. This award acknowledges an intergenerational farm family with a history of progressive achievements and community service. They were pleased to share this award with their entire family from the Altona Lea Farm.


Tracey Werry proudly accepted the The Spirit of Agriculture Award. This award celebrates the contributions of a voluntary group, organization, business or individual who exhibits the Spirit of Agriculture in supporting and championing the agriculture industry in Durham Region.


Congratulations to all award winners from the Celebrate Agriculture Gala. Thank you for all of your contributions to our agriculture community in Durham Region.

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For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit DurhamTourism.ca, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact Durham Tourism.