Hundreds of tourism operators from across the region are in town over the next few days, taking in all that Chatham-Kent has to offer.
The two-day Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation conference kicks off this morning at the Bradley Convention Centre.
Shannon Paiva, the municipality’s Supervisor of Tourism Development says that while the bulk of the conference will cover regional issues, it’s also a chance for Chatham-Kent to shine.
“We’ll talk about the fishing that we have, the Black history that we have, the rich history that we have in the region, and all the assets that we have,” Paiva says. “Our downtowns are thriving and I know there are a lot of people jealous of what we have to offer in Chatham-Kent.
The two-day event includes a pair of “experiential tourism” tours, giving delegates a more immersive look at the municipality.
“You hear people talk about purchasing experiences over gifts these days,” Paiva explains. “It’s a shift in the way tourism is done, so instead of being a workshop where you may be painting, you might be doing a painting with someone who is talking about the history of the region, and sharing their stories, and how this painting came to be, and why you’re in the room that you’re painting it in.”
The conference will also feature a number of guest speakers and break-out sessions, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing the tourism industry.