Forward Motion

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Forward Motion, the official podcast of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). This is your go-to destination for insightful conversations, expert perspectives, and inspiring stories that drive Ontario’s tourism industry forward. Each episode, Andrew Siegwart sits down with industry leaders, policymakers, business owners, and trailblazers who are shaping the future of tourism in Ontario. We’ll explore key trends, innovative strategies, and the challenges and opportunities facing our sector—from sustainability and workforce development to marketing, accessibility, and the latest government policies. Whether you're a tourism operator, entrepreneur, community leader, or simply passionate about the industry, Forward Motion keeps you informed and inspired. Our goal is to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and celebrate the resilience and creativity that make Ontario a world-class destination. Join us as we navigate the evolving landscape of tourism, share success stories, and highlight the voices driving positive change. Because in this industry, staying ahead means always moving forward. Hit Follow or Subscribe on your podcast app now and be part of the conversation. The future of Ontario tourism starts here!

  1. 2d ago

    Beyond the Tracks: Alto, Tourism and Economic Growth

    In this episode of Forward Motion, host Andrew Siegwart sits down with Peter Paz, Senior Director of Public and Government Relations at Alto, to explore what Canada’s first high-speed rail project could mean for Ontario’s tourism industry, communities and economy. Alto is developing a high-speed rail corridor connecting Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, Montréal, Trois-Rivières and Québec City, with trains expected to reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. But as Peter explains, the opportunity extends far beyond faster travel. Better connectivity could create new possibilities for leisure and business travel, strengthen access to destinations, unlock investment and reshape the way visitors move throughout Ontario and Québec. Andrew and Peter dive into Alto’s research on the potential tourism impact of high-speed rail and why tourism needs to be considered from the beginning. Peter shares that Alto’s research found the tourism impact could vary dramatically depending on the level of coordination, from approximately $177 million in additional GDP and 2,000 tourism jobs under a low-coordination scenario to approximately $3.9 billion in additional GDP and 43,000 tourism jobs through a highly coordinated approach. The takeaway: realizing the full opportunity will require collaboration between Alto, governments, municipalities, destination organizations and tourism businesses. The conversation also looks at what communities can do now to prepare, from connecting local and regional transportation systems to thinking about visitor experience, transportation access and destination development. Peter discusses the importance of considering everything from local transit connections and station access to wayfinding, bike parking and the overall passenger experience. Peter also shares Alto’s approach to consultation, Indigenous engagement and community benefits, including workforce development, social procurement and opportunities to leave lasting benefits in communities along the corridor. He explains how public input is already shaping the project, including the consideration of Kingston as a potential station and efforts to protect the Frontenac Arch Biosphere. Looking ahead, Andrew and Peter discuss what it will take to turn high-speed rail into a broader tourism and economic opportunity, and why collaboration needs to begin long before the first train leaves the station. About Peter Paz Peter is Senior Director of Public and Government Relations at Alto, the Crown corporation leading the development of Canada’s high-speed rail project. With more than 15 years of experience in the transportation sector, including leadership roles at Metrolinx, he specializes in building partnerships with governments and communities. At Alto, Peter oversees the development and implementation of Alto’s Community Benefits Plan and engagement program, ensuring the project creates inclusive opportunities and lasting benefits along the Corridor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Beyond the Tracks: Alto, Tourism and Economic Growth

  2. Aug 6

    More Than a Race: How the Honda Indy is Powering Markham’s Tourism Future

    In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart is joined by Vinay Sharda, President of Destination Markham Corporation; Councillor Andrew Keyes, City of Markham Councillor and Chair of Destination Markham; and Jeff Atkinson of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, President of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. Together, they explore why moving the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy from Toronto’s Exhibition Place to Markham represents much more than a venue change. It offers a blueprint for destination development. The conversation examines how Markham has deliberately built its tourism identity around its culinary depth, cultural institutions and year-round festivals, then leveraged that foundation to attract a world-class motorsport event. The guests discuss why Markham’s technology-driven economy, diverse food scene and established events such as Jazzlicious made the city a natural fit. They also look at how the municipal accommodation tax is supporting stronger tourism marketing, infrastructure and performance measurement. Jeff shares the analytics behind the move, details about the new 12-turn street circuit and how the Indy has evolved into a family-first festival with significant economic potential. If you want to experience the inaugural Indy in Markham, head to the official Ontario Honda Dealers Indy site: https://hondaindy.com and explore what’s happening around the race at Destination Markham: https://visitmarkham.ca. Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    More Than a Race: How the Honda Indy is Powering Markham’s Tourism Future

  3. Jul 23

    Keeping Tourism Human in the Age of AI, with Mike Jacobs

    Artificial intelligence is transforming tourism, but it is only one part of a much larger technological shift. In this episode of Forward Motion, Andrew Siegwart is joined by Mike Jacobs, founder of The New Business and Whereabouts, to explore how emerging technology is changing the way tourism businesses operate, market themselves and connect with visitors. The conversation moves beyond the hype surrounding AI to examine what these tools can realistically do for tourism organizations today. Andrew and Mike discuss how businesses can use AI to improve internal systems, analyze customer information, rapidly test ideas and make their products and experiences easier to discover. They also explore how AI could reshape the entire visitor journey, from the first moment of inspiration to trip planning, booking and the experience itself. As technology becomes increasingly capable of creating highly personalized recommendations, tourism businesses will need to ensure their online information is accurate, organized and accessible to the platforms visitors are using. While AI can reduce friction and improve efficiency, Mike emphasizes that tourism’s greatest competitive advantage remains distinctly human. Creativity, authenticity, personal interaction and genuine hospitality will become even more important as technology becomes embedded in everyday life. The episode also examines customer data privacy, the risks of ignoring emerging technology and how businesses can experiment with new tools without feeling pressured to adopt everything at once. Andrew and Mike close the conversation by discussing Whereabouts, a platform designed specifically for tourism organizations. By bringing business listings, events, communications, surveys and industry data into one connected system, Whereabouts aims to reduce duplication, strengthen collaboration and help Ontario’s tourism industry make better use of its information and technology. The message for tourism leaders is clear: businesses cannot afford to ignore AI, but the goal should not be to replace the human side of hospitality. It should be to use technology to create more time and space for it. About Mike Jacobs Mike Jacobs is the founder of The New Business and Whereabouts. He works at the intersection of tourism strategy and technology, helping destinations and tourism organizations use emerging tools to improve operations, collaboration, marketing and the visitor experience. Learn more Explore Whereabouts and The New Business. Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Keeping Tourism Human in the Age of AI, with Mike Jacobs

  4. Jul 9

    Salsa, Strategy, & Community: Growing a Multi‑City Festival Brand

    Our hearts are with everyone affected by the tragic events at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the injuries sustained, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those affected. Our thoughts are also with everyone in attendance, the festival organizers, volunteers, performers, vendors, and the first responders who responded so quickly and professionally. Festivals are places where communities come together to celebrate culture, friendship and connection. This tragedy is felt across Ontario's tourism and events community. On behalf of Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, we stand with the Salsa on St. Clair team and the entire community during this incredibly difficult time. The episode explores the evolution of Salsa on St. Clair into a multi‑destination tourism platform. Host Andrew Siegwart speaks with Giuseppe Di Tacchio of the Canadian Salsa Festivals Project about the festival’s origins, strategy, and expansion. Giuseppe recounts how the event began in 2005 to help St. Clair retailers recover from TTC construction, quickly growing from a half‑day community initiative into a full weekend and an anchor cultural brand. He explains the move to a not‑for‑profit structure to better align sponsorships and partners, and outlines expansion to Blue Mountain, Mont‑Tremblant and a new Niagara Falls edition designed to boost shoulder‑season visitation. Andrew and Giuseppe highlight success factors—authentic Hispanic programming, strong media partnerships for promotion, careful timing, and protecting the core free street festival—while acknowledging challenges like long vendor lines, the difficulty of ticketed add‑ons, funding pressures, and the need for municipal and provincial promotion. Giuseppe calls for greater integration of festivals into broader tourism marketing to amplify economic and community benefits, emphasizing partnerships and data‑driven promotion as keys to sustainable growth. Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Salsa, Strategy, & Community: Growing a Multi‑City Festival Brand

  5. Jun 23

    Les Éléphants in Ontario: Cote d’Ivoire’s World Cup Journey and Diaspora Pride

    As Ontario embraces being one of the hosts for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion continues its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament experience in Toronto. In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart speaks with Viviane Sinan, Vice President of ACIRT (Association de la Communauté Ivoirienne de la Région de Toronto), about the Ivorian community’s rapid growth over the last five years to roughly 30,000 people across Canada. Vivian explains how Ivorians contribute to Canadian society through education, culture, festivals, entrepreneurship, public service, and the Canadian Forces. ASIRT’s mission is to unite and organize the community, support newcomers, and enhance their impact in Canada. The organization hosts welcome days, sports activities, participation in a long-running multicultural festival in Mississauga, and workshops on mental health and financial literacy, particularly around navigating Canada’s credit system. The conversation also spotlights Ivorian culture and tourism, from Abidjan and Yamoussoukro’s basilica to coastal beaches, waterfalls, diverse regional cuisines like attieke and alloco, and vibrant music scenes including zouglou and artists like Magic System. Viviane underscores the significance of World Cup 2026™ for Ivorians at home and in the diaspora, describing the national team “Les Éléphants” as resilient, proud, and deeply connected to millions of supporters worldwide. Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Les Éléphants in Ontario: Cote d’Ivoire’s World Cup Journey and Diaspora Pride

  6. Jun 10

    Germany: Beer, Football, and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Boom

    As Ontario prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion continues its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament experience in Toronto. In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart speaks with Anne Wagner-Mitchell, Consul General of Germany in Toronto, about the deep ties between Germany and Ontario, including the more than 1 million Ontarians of German heritage and strong German roots in Toronto, Mississauga, and Kitchener-Waterloo. From German clubs and Kitchener’s Oktoberfest to Toronto’s monthly German Walk, Anne shares how German culture continues to shape communities across Ontario. The conversation also explores German cuisine, beer traditions, and travel inspiration, including the Rhineland and Spreewald. Anne reflects on Germany’s 2006 World Cup, remembered as the “fairy tale summer,” and what major sporting events can mean for tourism, culture, and economic growth. With Germany set to play in Toronto during FIFA World Cup 2026™, she shares the excitement building among German fans and the German-Canadian community. The episode closes with Anne’s recommendations for visiting fans, from Toronto’s neighbourhoods and island skyline to Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Muskoka, and Algonquin Park. With Ontario Craft Beer Week running June 14–20, it’s also a great time for visiting fans and local listeners to explore Ontario’s craft breweries and the local communities behind them. Resources: German Walk with Bruce Bell (Toronto):  German Walk with Bruce Bell - Federal Foreign Office Ontario Craft Brewers - Find a Brewery Near You: Trails | Ontario Craft Brewers Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Germany: Beer, Football, and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Boom

  7. Jun 4

    Bosnia and Herzegovina: Culture, Community, and the Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Daniela Colic

    As Ontario prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion launches its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament experience in Toronto. In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart speaks with Daniela Colic, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Canada, about the deep ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ontario. Daniela shares the story of Ontario’s Bosnian community, many of whom arrived in Canada during the 1990s and have since helped shape vibrant communities across Mississauga, Etobicoke, Burlington, Hamilton, and beyond. From restaurants and local businesses to cultural celebrations and soccer pitches, the Bosnian presence in Ontario is rich, active, and deeply connected to both home and host country. The conversation also explores Bosnia and Herzegovina as a tourism destination, from the East-meets-West character of Sarajevo and the historic bridge in Mostar to Olympic legacy ski resorts, lakes, waterfalls, food, film, and the hospitality the country is known for. Daniela highlights beloved Bosnian dishes including ćevapi, burek, and other traditional pies, while sharing why food, sport, nature, and people are central to the country’s tourism story. Looking ahead to FIFA World Cup 2026™, Daniela speaks about the pride surrounding Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national team and its deep diaspora connections, with many players born and raised abroad while maintaining strong ties to Bosnian culture, language, and identity. She also shares the excitement building in and around Toronto, including fan zones, community gatherings, and a colourful fan march toward the stadium, inviting Ontarians and Canadians to join in the festivities and experience Bosnian culture, hospitality, and passion for football firsthand. This episode is part of Forward Motion’s Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, exploring the stories, cultures, and global connections that will help make the tournament a memorable moment for Ontario. Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Bosnia and Herzegovina: Culture, Community, and the Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Daniela Colic

  8. May 21

    Destination Canada’s Playbook for Investment-Ready Tourism

    In this episode of Forward Motion, Andrew Siegwart sits down with Johanna Griggs to explore the growing connection between tourism, economic development, and investment attraction. Drawing from her experience across municipal, provincial, and national tourism development, Johanna shares how tourism has evolved far beyond traditional marketing into a powerful tool for community regeneration, infrastructure growth, talent attraction, and long-term economic competitiveness. The conversation explores how Destination Canada is creating more space for destination management and investment readiness, helping position Canada as a leading global tourism investment opportunity. Johanna discusses the importance of building strong local ecosystems, fostering public support, leveraging tourism data, and aligning tourism with broader economic development priorities. Andrew and Johanna also discuss Ontario’s unique strengths, including gateway access, cultural diversity, strong domestic travel demand, and collaborative tourism networks. Together, they unpack what communities can do to become more investment-ready, why tourism is increasingly viewed as a resilient high-growth sector, and how tourism can support nation-building, business attraction, and Canada’s broader economic goals. From hotel investment and workforce challenges to global investment forums and regenerative tourism development, this episode offers valuable insights for tourism leaders, municipalities, DMOs, and economic development professionals looking to better understand tourism’s evolving role in shaping Canada’s future.   Key Topics Discussed The evolution of tourism from destination marketing to destination managementWhy tourism investment differs from traditional economic development sectorsBuilding investment-ready tourism destinationsThe importance of tourism data, partnerships, and workforce planningDestination Canada’s tourism investment initiatives and global outreachOntario’s competitive advantages in tourism investmentTourism’s role in nation-building and economic resilienceThe future of DMOs and destination stewardshipLeveraging tourism to support broader economic and infrastructure development Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Destination Canada’s Playbook for Investment-Ready Tourism
See All (41)

Trailer

About

Welcome to Forward Motion, the official podcast of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). This is your go-to destination for insightful conversations, expert perspectives, and inspiring stories that drive Ontario’s tourism industry forward. Each episode, Andrew Siegwart sits down with industry leaders, policymakers, business owners, and trailblazers who are shaping the future of tourism in Ontario. We’ll explore key trends, innovative strategies, and the challenges and opportunities facing our sector—from sustainability and workforce development to marketing, accessibility, and the latest government policies. Whether you're a tourism operator, entrepreneur, community leader, or simply passionate about the industry, Forward Motion keeps you informed and inspired. Our goal is to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and celebrate the resilience and creativity that make Ontario a world-class destination. Join us as we navigate the evolving landscape of tourism, share success stories, and highlight the voices driving positive change. Because in this industry, staying ahead means always moving forward. Hit Follow or Subscribe on your podcast app now and be part of the conversation. The future of Ontario tourism starts here!

Information

  • Creator
    Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Forward Motion

You Might Also Like