In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Heather Gropp, Community Development Officer for the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls. They discuss how this small Northern Ontario community with a population of just 727 residents makes the most of its resources to keep tourism flourishing. Heather shares the municipality’s strategies, target markets, and how it’s working to overcome major challenges. The conversation also touches on how Heather helped get the interprovincial Heart of Canada Touring Route across the finish line, and why she loves working on the government side of tourism development.

• 01:10 Introduction to Heather Gropp and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls
• 06:27 The Community’s Challenges
• 11:25 Collaborations and Partnerships
• 15:01 Tourism Strategies and Target Markets
• 21:41 Municipal Accommodations Tax Debate
• 24:44 The Long Road to Develop the Heart of Canada Touring Route
• 29:26 Labor Market and Housing Issues
• 33:19 Working in Tourism and Community Economic Development
• 36:12 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

• Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls website - snnf.ca
• Facebook - facebook.com/pages/Township-of-Sioux-Narrows-Nestor-Falls/256114277740141
• Instagram - instagram.com/townshipofsnnf
• Pinterest - pinterest.com/townshipofSNNF
• X - twitter.com/townshipofsnnf

Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores.

For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario:

• Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca
• Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario
• Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario

 Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.