A Local Look at World Tourism Day
Happy World Tourism Day, Barrie! This year’s United Nations theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” aligns with our city’s vision—where tourism is more than leisure; it’s a powerful engine for sustainable economic growth and community development.
Why does Tourism matter?
Every visitor to Barrie contributes to our local economy, whether they’re here for a weekend getaway, a business event, or a sports tournament. Tourism spending supports local businesses, creates jobs, and sparks new investment opportunities.
Sustainable Tourism requires good governance, strategic planning, and clear priority setting. Barrie’s Tourism Master Plan lays the groundwork to guide the City in advancing Barrie as a premier destination for visitors and residents alike.
Using tourism as an agent of positive change requires good governance, strategic planning, and clear priority setting. We’ve embedded that into the way we work. Our approach to tourism goes beyond attracting guests—it’s about strategic planning to ensure these benefits are long lasting and widely shared.
Barrie’s Tourism Master Plan recognizes that a healthy and sustainable tourism program supports the balance between resident and tourist needs. The City’s Tourism Master Plan addresses the long-term health of the community, beginning with residents, with a focus on infrastructure, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, and creating year-round experiences that encourage both visitors and residents to stay, explore, and invest. This includes improving transportation , enhancing cultural spaces, developing strategies and policy that prioritize the growth of the visitor economy, and championing local entrepreneurs who make Barrie unique.
Tourism is a team sport—there are many players on Barrie’s team that support making the city a destination of choice for visitors and growing the local economy.
Locally, tourism is driven not just strategically by the City’s Economic Development department. Tourism is also marketed effectively by the city’s Destination Marketing & Management Office, Tourism Barrie.
Regionally, tourism is a focus of Tourism Simcoe County and BruceGreySimcoe, the area’s Regional Tourism Office 7.
Provincially, tourism stakeholders include the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming, Destination Ontario, and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
On a national level, there’s Destination Canada and Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
Internationally, we have UN Tourism and Destinations International.
We all work together to promote travel and movement, grow economies, and support the advancement of tourism and hospitality-related industries.
There’s something for everyone to explore when it comes to Tourism.
Barrie is a four-season destination with plenty to explore, experience and enjoy. Whether you’re visiting for a day, planning an overnight stay, considering business investment, or a long-time resident looking for something new to do, there’s a lot that our city offers. Stay up-to-date on the latest by visiting Tourism Barrie’s Events Calendar!
This World Tourism Day we’re celebrating more than just travel. We’re celebrating strategic tourism as a tool for sustainable economic resilience—continuing to build a city that’s vibrant, welcoming, and ready for the future.
Find out more by visiting Invest Barrie’s Tourism Economy webpage.