April 10, 2025
CORNWALL, Ontario – More than 90 industry experts and community champions met for the inaugural Cornwall and SDG Counties Tourism Summit.
The first-ever event brought together folks from local and regional tourism agencies, as well as provincial authorities, who agreed more attention and forethought must be given to the importance of leveraging data to inform decision-making within the local tourism sector.
“This event is an important gathering of tourism professionals, event planners, and industry leaders who share a common goal – enhancing and promoting tourism in our region,” said Deputy Warden Jamie MacDonald. “At SDG Counties we are fortunate to have partnerships with the City of Cornwall, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and our local municipalities, who agree that tourism is a significant economic driver for our region.”
To that end participants at the summit concur that renewing focus and support for indigenous-led tourism initiatives, as well as the ever-present challenge of dwindling funding, should be the focal point of further engagement.
“This summit exemplifies the power of collaboration and the shared vision we hold for the future of our region’s tourism industry,” said Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale. “By harnessing data-driven strategies and embracing Indigenous-led initiatives, we can create a vibrant, welcoming regional destination that benefits everyone, from local businesses to visitors.”
Speakers at the event, including Andrew Siegwart (Tourism Industry Association of Ontario), Dale Allen (Tourism Development Fund), Matthew Ing (Kingston Film Office), Bonnie Ruddock (Regional Tourism Organization 9), Kris McCarthy (FanSaves), and Randi Barreiro (Akwesasne Travel), shared powerful insights on tourism opportunities, data-driven marketing, partnership building, cultural tourism, and tapping into filming opportunities as a growing tourism asset.